Österreich II

One force determines a country's fate more than any other: Water. Austria's love-affair with water has given her unique and amazing landscapes and biospheres, carved out by Alpine glaciers, ancient seas and mighty rivers, home to iconic animals like eagles, ibex, otters and deer. But this country has wildlife surprises, too. The days are gone when raging oceans brought giant sharks to her primeval shores, but there's an odd little survivor from those times: a three-eyed hermaphrodite, maybe the oldest animal on the planet. The tadpole shrimp lives in pools and puddles, until they dry out. Its eggs can stay dormant for decades or centuries, till water brings them to life. At a pinch, an adult can even fertilize itself - a single survivor guaranteeing future generations. Goldeneye ducks breed in abandoned woodpecker holes high in trees. Once the last sibling has hatched, the ducklings follow their mother in a leap of faith of up to ten meters to the river below. Two months later, they will finally learn to fly! The Bullhead, a fish that will never master the art of swimming, lives in brooks and creeks at up to 2,000 meters. It claws its way upstream, digging its fins into the gravelly riverbed. From ice caves, crystalline mountain springs and spectacular waterfalls, down to Lake Neusiedl, world-famous bird sanctuary on the edge of the endless Eurasian steppe: This epic two-part documentary celebrates Austria's most precious landscapes and her wildlife's unrivaled beauty.

The report series “Bei mir daheim” shows Austrians who have created very special opportunities for retreat at home. How is it particularly comfortable to live within your own four walls over the course of the year? Sometimes our own creations are shown here, which cannot be surpassed in terms of exclusivity and extravagance.

How can we build architectural environments that help children learn, provide dignity and protection to the most vulnerable, and help offenders rehabilitate? This series looks at new schools, prisons, and homeless shelters whose architects have used innovative techniques to create buildings that help society.

Georg Riha is and will remain the master of aerial shots. In this series, Riha uses aerial shots only. In shootings that took several years he flew over almost all of Austria and shows the country's most beautiful places from the aerial perspective during the course of a year.

By Austrian TV historians Hugo Portisch and Sepp Riff. The History of Austria's first republic 1918 to 1938 and Austria's role in World War 2. One of the best austrian history documentaries.

From mighty peaks, formed by powerful natural forces, to one of the last largely intact floodplain landscapes in central Europe; from vast, sunbaked plains that provide refuge for innumerable creatures have only recently returned to the ravines of the border regions – Austria’s national parks were created to protect some of the most diverse, captivating landscapes and fascinating species at the heart of the European continent.

When rebellious Elisabeth falls for Emperor Franz and becomes his unlikely bride, she enters a world of tension and intrigue at the Viennese court.

BÖsterreich explores the abysses of the alpine republic.

Information tailored to the interests of the respective federal states: With “Bundesland heute”, the nine ORF state studios provide daily information for viewers across the country.

Austrian adaptation of the reality singing competition where celebrities battle it out with one major twist: each singer is shrouded from head to toe in an elaborate costume, concealing their identity from the audience. With Elke Winkens, Sasa Schwarzjirg und Nathan Trent as Panelists.

Known as The Last Knight for his bravery and battle skills, the great European emperor Maximilian and his story is as spectacular as it is familiar: It is the story of a prince who must learn to be king. But above all, it is the struggle of a son who steps out of his father's shadow with the help of a most unexpected ally: Marie de Bourgogne.

"Sisi" follows the extraordinary life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. Modern, honest, and authentic. Told from the perspective of her closest confidants, the series takes a new look at the empress' life and reveals a multi-layered woman.