DW (Deutsche Welle)

Overview

DW (Deutsche Welle) is Germany’s international public broadcaster. Its television service began in 1992, building on a radio service that dates back to the 1950s. Funded from the German federal budget, DW broadcasts news and information in English and numerous other languages to a global audience.

History

Deutsche Welle was established to present Germany to the world and to provide independent information, particularly to regions with limited access to a free press. Over the decades it expanded from shortwave radio into television and digital media, developing a wide range of language services.

Programming

DW’s English-language channel offers rolling news bulletins, business and technology reporting, documentaries, cultural programming and in-depth analysis with a European and German perspective. Its documentary output and explainer journalism have built a substantial international following, including on online video platforms.

Significance

As Germany’s voice to the world, DW is an important part of the international news landscape. Its emphasis on factual reporting, documentaries and free access has made it widely watched far beyond German-speaking audiences.