Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst (1967)
One of television's longest-running crime programmes, turning viewers into investigators since 1967 on ZDF.
Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst - Series Information
- Original Title: Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst
- First Air Year: 1967
- Last Air Year: 2026
- Created by: Eduard Zimmermann
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Reality, Documentary, Crime
- Content Rating (US): NR
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (90 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 60
- Number of Episodes: 636
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: German
- Spoken Languages: German
- First Air Date: October 20, 1967 (United States - NR)
- Networks: ZDF
- Production Companies: Securitel, ZDF
- Production Countries: Switzerland, Germany, Austria
Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst - Plot
Aktenzeichen XY … ungelöst is a German television programme broadcast since October 1967 on ZDF that aims to combat and solve crimes. Until 2003 it was produced in co-operation with the Austrian public service broadcaster ORF and Schweizer Fernsehen, a division of the Swiss public broadcaster SRG SSR idée suisse. It was the basis for the BBC show Crimewatch, the Dutch show Opsporing Verzocht and its US equivalent America's Most Wanted.
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Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Eduard Zimmermann
Main Cast
- Eduard Zimmermann
- Rudi Cerne
- Sabine Zimmermann
- Butz Peters
- Manuel Santiago Renken
- Wolfgang Grönebaum
- Helmut Alimonta
- Erwin Scherschel
- Klaus Bräuer
- Margot Mahler
Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst - FAQs
How did Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst influence international crime shows?
The show directly inspired several major international formats. The BBC's long-running Crimewatch, the Dutch series Opsporing Verzocht, and the American phenomenon America's Most Wanted all trace their roots to this German original, making Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst one of the most influential crime programmes in television history.
Is Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst still airing new episodes?
Yes, the show is still very much active. Now in its 60th season, it continues to broadcast on ZDF and remains one of the longest-running television programmes in the world. New episodes are regularly produced, keeping the format fresh while staying true to its original public-service mission of solving real crimes.
What is Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst actually about?
Each episode presents dramatised reconstructions of real unsolved crimes — murders, robberies, disappearances — and appeals directly to viewers for tips and eyewitness information. Police investigators join the broadcast live to take calls, making the audience an active participant in genuine criminal investigations across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Where can you watch Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst?
The show airs on ZDF, Germany's public broadcaster. Episodes and clips are also available through ZDF's official online media library at zdf.de. For international viewers, availability may vary by region, so checking local streaming services or VPN-accessible European platforms is recommended.
Who created and originally hosted Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst?
The show was created and originally hosted by Eduard Zimmermann, who became one of Germany's most recognisable television personalities through his decades-long tenure on the programme. His authoritative yet accessible style set the tone for the format, and the show has since been hosted by Rudi Cerne, who continues in the role today.
Has Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst actually helped solve real crimes?
Absolutely. Over more than five decades on air, the programme has contributed to solving thousands of criminal cases. Viewer tip-offs have led to arrests and convictions that might otherwise never have happened, cementing the show's reputation as a genuinely effective tool for law enforcement rather than mere entertainment.
How many episodes does Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst have in total?
With 636 episodes spread across 60 seasons — plus 27 special episodes — the series represents an extraordinary archive of European criminal history. Each episode runs approximately 90 minutes, meaning the show has collectively broadcast well over 900 hours of crime reconstruction and live viewer interaction since its 1967 debut.
What are some shows similar to Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst?
Fans of the format tend to enjoy The First 48, which follows real homicide detectives in the critical hours after a murder, and The Vow, a gripping documentary crime series. For fiction with a similar investigative flavour, Jack Irish and Wilsberg offer compelling crime drama with strong procedural elements.
More About Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst
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