ARD Mediathek Review: Is 'Tatort: Fackel' Worth It, and the New Series 'Die Zweiflers'?

You know the feeling? You switch on the TV, flick through the channels, and it's always the same rubbish playing somewhere. Yet anyone who wants to keep their finger on the pulse here in Austria knows: the real treasure trove is the ARD Mediathek. I'm sitting here in Vienna, feet up, and I've had a proper look at what our neighbours have cooked up this time. One thing I can tell you: there are two gems you absolutely have to see.

Is Frankfurt on fire? 'Tatort: Fackel' is more than just a cold case

Let's be honest: sometimes I feel like you could study all the ARD Mediathek 'Tatort' reruns in your sleep. But then a case like 'Fackel' comes along, and suddenly the whole evening is saved. This time it's set in Frankfurt. A high-rise fire, a dead body, and investigators who are actually playing in a different league these days.

What starts as a classic crime drama unfolds into a dark portrait of life on the Main. Detective Hamza Kulina has to dig deep into the past – and what comes up is anything but a lukewarm case from yesteryear. The tension runs right through it, like a good Frankfurt apple wine.

I streamed the film in the ARD Mediathek last night. What really blew me away was the atmosphere. This isn't one of those polished TV crime shows where everything gets solved in the lab. This is about abysses, about real emotions. So if you're keen for a sharp, emotional crime drama that'll stick with you long after the credits roll, you shouldn't miss 'Fackel'. Not a 'Tatort' for watching on the side – this one's for the head and the heart.

Need to switch off? 'Die Zweiflers' brings the family drama

And if the crime drama was a bit too intense for you, I've got the perfect contrast. The ARD Mediathek has a series called 'Die Zweiflers' that's so wonderfully authentic, you'll feel like you're sitting at the kitchen table yourself. A Jewish family in Frankfurt, a trendy restaurant, all the big questions of life – wrapped up in a tragicomedy that's become a rare find.

What makes this series so special is its incredible wit. The characters are drawn with such loving exaggeration that you can't help but fall for them. I binged the first three episodes back-to-back. Not a boring minute in sight. If you want to know how modern TV entertainment that doesn't feel mass-produced works, you should head straight to the Mediathek and get your 'Die Zweiflers' fix.

Why the ARD Mediathek is a must for us Austrians

I know, a lot of you are thinking: "ARD? Isn't that that German public broadcasting thing?" But let's be honest: where else can you find such a concentration of high-quality productions you can enjoy without any extra subscriptions? The ARD Mediathek has really come into its own in recent years. Alongside the big crime shows and series, you'll also find documentaries and magazines that often get overlooked here.

Here are its strengths at a glance:

• Genuine variety: From 'Rundum gesund' for everyday life to the hard-hitting Frankfurt 'Tatort' – there's genuinely something for everyone here.
• No fuss: No annoying ad breaks like on commercial TV. Just hit play, put your feet up, and enjoy.
• The future of TV: Series like 'Die Zweiflers' show that public broadcasters can easily keep up with the big streamers these days – with the added bonus of being down-to-earth.

So, forget the linear schedule. Get cosy, click through the ARD Mediathek and treat yourself to 'Fackel' and 'Die Zweiflers'. This is the good stuff you won't find anywhere else. And if you don't believe me, see for yourself. But I'm warning you: it's addictive.