The Best TV Shows on ARD-alpha

Every ARD-alpha Show Ranked From Best To Worst

From 1957 through to 2026, ARD-alpha has accumulated a diverse collection of over 20 television shows. The Adventures of Long John Silver and Planet Wissen represent the pinnacle of ARD-alpha’s programming, launching in 1957 and 2002. Stay up-to-date with over 20 of ARD-alpha’s elite series, with our list refreshed for June 2026.

  • Tele-Gym
    Tele-Gym (2006)10.0

  • Dirty Little Secrets
    Dirty Little Secrets (2023)8.0

  • The Adventures of Long John Silver
    The Adventures of Long John Silver (1957)7.0

    The Adventures of Long John Silver is a family adventure series about the Long John Silver character from Treasure Island. Produced in 1954 in colour in Australia for the American and British markets before the development of Australian television. Long John Silver is the proud captain of his own ship and his own crew. He and his buccaneer cruise around the Caribbean and often stay on the side of the English and fight the French and Spanish. After long and dangerous adventures, he and his crew rest in the tavern of Miss Purity. The series first aired in the United States on syndicated basis in 1956, but irregularly as part of another show. Several episodes were edited together and shown theatrically under the titles: 'Under the Black Flag' and 'South Sea Pirates'. Afterwards, it was sold to the ITV in the UK, and aired in 1957. In 1958, the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC) screened the series as part of Children's TV Club.

  • Planet Wissen
    Planet Wissen (2002)7.0

  • Deadly Disasters
    Deadly Disasters (2019)6.8

    Deadly Disasters explores some of the most terrifying and destructive natural disasters to ever strike the planet, uncovering fascinating new details and packed with jaw-dropping footage.

  • Geist & Gehirn
    Geist & Gehirn (2004)N/A

  • Das Kreuz mit der Schrift
    Das Kreuz mit der Schrift (2005)N/A

  • Denkzeit
    Denkzeit (2007)N/A

  • Ich mach’s!
    Ich mach’s! (2008)N/A

  • Vom Reich zur Republik
    Vom Reich zur Republik (2009)N/A

  • Die Fernsehtruhe
    Die Fernsehtruhe (2009)N/A

  • Schatten des Todes - Die Geschichte der Seuchen
    Schatten des Todes - Die Geschichte der Seuchen (2010)N/A

  • Einfach logisch
    Einfach logisch (2012)N/A

  • Warum bin ich, wie ich bin?
    Warum bin ich, wie ich bin? (2015)N/A

  • Zeuge der Zeit
    Zeuge der Zeit (2017)N/A

  • alpha-retro
    alpha-retro (2018)N/A

  • alpha-demokratie
    alpha-demokratie (2018)N/A

  • Respekt
    Respekt (2018)N/A

  • Bergmenschen
    Bergmenschen (2021)N/A

  • Kings of Scam
    Kings of Scam (2026)N/A

    Smishing attacks often begin with fake package notifications that lead to fraudulent links; this is how hundreds of thousands of victims are scammed, their credit card data stolen. The documentary investigates this multi-billion-dollar fraud network, the luxurious lifestyles of those involved, and the software used, "Magic Cat." The BR's investigative team follows leads in an internal Telegram group and reconstructs connections to China, Thailand, and the USA.