EinsPlus

EinsPlus was a German free-to-air television channel within the ARD public-service broadcasting system. The service began broadcasting on 29 August 1997 under the name EinsMuXx. Its initial role was connected to ARD's digital television offering, providing an additional channel distinct from the principal Das Erste service. On 23 April 2005, the channel was relaunched under the name EinsPlus, giving it a clearer relationship to the ARD brand while preserving its position as an additional nationwide public-service channel. The channel was operated by Südwestrundfunk (SWR) on behalf of ARD. Its programming developed around a mixture of factual, lifestyle, entertainment, cultural, and magazine formats. Over time, EinsPlus carried programs that included consumer and service-oriented television, current-affairs satire, travel and documentary series, science and knowledge formats, and productions aimed at younger audiences. The schedule included programs such as ARD-Buffet, extra 3, Nachtcafé, Walulis sieht fern, Auf 3 Sofas durch ..., In Deutschland um die Welt, leben! Was Menschen bewegt, Crowdspondent – Deine persönlichen Reporter, and WTF?! Wissen – Testen – Forschen. EinsPlus operated in a German media environment in which public broadcasters were reassessing the number, purpose, and audience reach of their digital channels. Although the channel supplied additional programming beyond ARD's main outlets, its long-term role was affected by wider plans to consolidate public-service digital television. EinsPlus was ultimately discontinued together with ZDFkultur on 30 September 2016. The closure ended the channel's broadcasting operation rather than representing a transfer to a continuing EinsPlus television service. As a brand, EinsPlus is therefore best understood as a former ARD television channel rather than as an independent commercial broadcaster. Its principal significance lies in the expansion of ARD's digital and supplementary channel portfolio during the late 1990s and 2000s, and in the later restructuring of Germany's public-service television landscape.

EinsPlus was an ARD public-service television channel in Germany. It launched on 29 August 1997 as EinsMuXx, an additional free-to-air service associated with ARD's expanding digital television presence. The service was not an independent commercial broadcaster; it formed part of the ARD system and was operated by Südwestrundfunk. On 23 April 2005, EinsMuXx was renamed EinsPlus. The new identity connected the channel more directly with ARD while distinguishing it from the principal Das Erste service. During its years under the EinsPlus name, the channel assembled a varied schedule of factual, magazine, lifestyle, cultural, travel, entertainment, and youth-oriented programming. Its programs included ARD-Buffet, extra 3, Nachtcafé, leben! Was Menschen bewegt, Auf 3 Sofas durch ..., In Deutschland um die Welt, Walulis sieht fern, WTF?! Wissen - Testen - Forschen, and Crowdspondent - Deine persönlichen Reporter. The channel's programming reflected the role of supplementary public-service television: it offered formats that could complement the schedules of ARD's major channels and provide space for specialized or audience-focused content. The service also carried established programs alongside newer formats involving travel, knowledge, satire, and personal reporting. EinsPlus was ultimately affected by changes to Germany's public-service broadcasting structure and the reassessment of its digital channel portfolio. It closed on 30 September 2016, together with ZDFkultur. After that date, EinsPlus no longer operated as a television channel. The brand's history therefore spans the early expansion of ARD's digital supplementary services, its 2005 rebranding, and its eventual withdrawal as part of a broader public-broadcasting restructuring.

• 2016

  Channel closure

  [1]EinsPlusen.wikipedia.org

  EinsPlus ended its television operation on 30 September, alongside ZDFkultur.

• 2005

  Rebranding as EinsPlus

  [1]EinsPlusen.wikipedia.org

  EinsMuXx adopted the EinsPlus name on 23 April, aligning the channel more closely with the ARD brand family.

• 1997

  Launch as EinsMuXx

  [1]EinsPlusen.wikipedia.org

  The ARD-associated free-to-air channel began broadcasting in Germany under the name EinsMuXx.

An additional ARD public-service television channel combining factual, lifestyle, entertainment, cultural, travel, and youth-oriented programming for German viewers.

• Lifestyle and service television · 2006

  ARD-Buffet

  A lifestyle and service-oriented television format that was carried by EinsPlus from 2006 to 2012. Its subject area fit the channel's broader role as a provider of practical, magazine-style and informational programming.

• Political satire · 2009

  extra 3

  A political-satire program broadcast on EinsPlus from 2009 to 2016. Its presence gave the channel an established current-affairs and comedy component within a schedule otherwise strongly associated with factual, lifestyle, and cultural programming.

• Travel and documentary · 2012

  Auf 3 Sofas durch ...

  A travel-oriented format shown on EinsPlus from 2012 to 2016. The program formed part of the channel's emphasis on destination-based, experiential, and documentary-style television.

• Travel and factual television · 2013

  In Deutschland um die Welt

  A travel and factual program carried by EinsPlus between 2013 and 2016. It belonged to the channel's later schedule of travel, culture, and discovery programming.

• Television satire and commentary · 2012

  Walulis sieht fern

  A television-focused satire and commentary format broadcast on EinsPlus from 2012 to 2016. It examined television culture through a humorous and critical format suited to the channel's younger and media-aware audience segments.

• Science and knowledge · 2013

  WTF?! Wissen - Testen - Forschen

  A knowledge and science-oriented program shown on EinsPlus from 2013 to 2015. Its title and subject area indicate the channel's effort to include accessible factual and research-related content in its programming mix.

• Participatory reporting · 2014

  Crowdspondent - Deine persönlichen Reporter

  A participatory reporting format carried by EinsPlus in 2014. It represented the channel's inclusion of newer reporting concepts built around personal questions, audience involvement, and reporter-led storytelling.

• 2016

  Close the channelStrategy

  Background

  ARD and Germany's public-service broadcasters were restructuring their digital channel offerings.

  Action taken

  EinsPlus ended broadcasting on 30 September 2016, together with ZDFkultur.

  Aftermath

  EinsPlus became a defunct television brand and no longer operates as a broadcast channel.

  Source

• 2005

  Adopt the EinsPlus brandStrategy

  Background

  The ARD supplementary channel previously known as EinsMuXx was repositioned within the broadcaster's expanding digital channel portfolio.

  Action taken

  The service was renamed EinsPlus on 23 April 2005.

  Aftermath

  The EinsPlus identity remained in use until the channel was closed in 2016.

  Source

1. 1EinsPlusen.wikipedia.org