Originalproduktion

Originalproduktion, a term common in the German-speaking media industry, denotes content that is produced specifically for a broadcaster, streaming service, or platform by an in-house unit or by an external production company under contract. The key characteristic is that the program is intended for that platform's catalog and is created as original material rather than licensed from another format or rights holder. This distinguishes original productions from Lizenzproduktionen (license productions) or from co-productions based on existing IP.

Original productions span television series, documentaries, films, and digital series crafted to the platform's brand and audience. They are often part of a platform's strategy to build exclusive content, attract subscribers, and control distribution. Financing is typically a mix of the platform's commissioning budget, production company capital, and sometimes public or regional funding, especially for factual or cultural programming.

Rights and distribution are defined by contract. Platforms typically obtain exclusive rights to air and distribute the program for a defined period and territory; additional rights for home video, international sales, or later licensing may be negotiated. Ownership of underlying IP and revenue arrangements depend on the contract, which can affect future spin-offs, merchandising, or rights reversion.

In practice, original productions can be fully in-house or produced by independent companies under commission, and they often form the backbone of a platform's catalog. The concept has parallels in other markets under terms like in-house production or commissioned originals.