Leipzig, 1989: Twelve-year-old Fritzi lovingly looks after a little dog belonging to her best friend, Sophie, who has apparently gone on summer vacation with her family in Hungary. But when Sophie doesn’t return in the fall, it becomes clear that her family actually fled to West Germany. Fritzi courageously sets out to return Sputnik to Sophie… and gets caught up in a movement that’s changing the future of the country.

Heidi and her grandfather ride a sled through the valley — it’s her first time, and she loves it! Peter, meanwhile, is having a rough time in class, and the teacher isn’t going easy on any of the students today.

It sounds like science fiction: Researchers at the University of Augsburg are developing an app that can recognize a coronavirus infection whenever a potential carrier speaks into the phone. So far, the app has a hit rate of over 80 percent. Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

The weekly political satire show “extra 3" presents a series of retro-style animated shorts addressing critical issues. Social media works because people are addicted to validation and likes — especially children and teenagers. Sandy is a self-possessed and savvy pre-teen, but she's not immune to the pull of social media and the approval of her peers.

In the bathroom of Jackie’s houseboat, Emma discovers the cut-off hydrangeas and calls Henri. Just as Henri starts telling her about all the dangers of smoking these flowers, Tarik unexpectedly shows up…

When packing for her family’s escape, Anna finds herself forced to make a heart-wrenching decision: to leave one of her favorite stuffed animals, her pink rabbit, behind. It’s also difficult to say goodbye to the house, and especially to the housekeeper, Heimpi.

Karl discovers that a fossil has been taken from his collection. He accuses Heidi and Peter—but the culprit turns out to be someone else.

In this episode of the satirical heute-show, host Oliver Welke pokes fun at how schools are handling education in the time of coronavirus. Many schools are not equipped for distance learning—and even when they are, teachers often don’t understand how to use the technology.

Berlin, 1933: Anna is only nine years old when her life changes completely. To escape the Nazis, her father has to flee to Zürich; his family follows him a short time later. Anna leaves everything behind, including her beloved pink rabbit, and must face a new life full of challenges in a foreign country. Based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Judith Kerr.

It’s time to celebrate Halloween at Hamburg’s Tierpark Hagenbeck — and to get into the holiday spirit, the elephants were treated to special seasonal goodies: pumpkins, corn on the cob, and apples! Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

After a relatively relaxed summer, Germany once again finds itself in a critical phase of the corona pandemic. Here, in a recording released on October 17, 2020, Chancellor Angela Merkel makes an appeal to citizens to significantly reduce their social outings and to refrain from unnecessary travel and celebrations.

Freaked out by the idea of a pilotless plane? How about one without any moving parts at all – no turbines, no propellers? The next generation of aircraft could involve ion propulsion, which allows planes to take off and land anywhere – all without making a sound.

Maria, Nina, and Matteo are horrified to find that someone has completely destroyed the surprise they put together for Antonio. Luckily, the Peppercorns are on the case.

Rail travel is down 50% in Germany — but Deutsche Bahn is relying on scientific studies to prove that traveling by train does does not pose an increased risk to travelers. The strict hygiene and protective measures implemented so far appear to be working. Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

As Mr. Sass apologizes to Matteo for accusing him of stealing the cash box, Nina announces that the real culprit has turned himself in. Grandpa announces that he’ll be visiting from Italy earlier than expected, and Nina’s dad fends off a secret admirer.