What is Kobalt?

Kobalt has been devising and producing television for 15 years –magazine programmes, documentaries and live broadcasts. Most programmes revolve around pop, culture and pop culture. Our other core issue is overseas reporting.

We are more than 50-strong, battle-hardened team of producers, camera operators, editors and directors. What drives us? Our passion for telling good stories. We love ideas and the search for new forms. We believe in our medium and we want to be the ones to develop it further.

Timeline

2013

Beginning of the 6th part of On the road with Jack Kerouac (ARTE, director: Hannes Rossacher), worldwide programms London Calling, Kraftwerk - Pop Art (AT) (ARTE), Stevie Wonder - Soul Genius(AT) (NDR/ARTE), JR: Aktion Berlin (AT) (RBB/ARTE), Wir sind Demokratie (AT) (ZDF/ARTE/WDR/ORF/SRF), Meret Oppenheim (AT) (ZDF/ARTE/SRF), Kulturkrieger, Bauer sucht Kultur, Köche & Moor, Grimme nomination for the T.V. programm Kulturpalast, 50 years Elysée–Special anniversary for the Franco-German friendship (ARTE), "The future of Internet" (ARTE Future ), "What to do? Answer for the future!" (ARTE Future)

2012

Kobalt celebrate his 15. anniversary. Aside from the regular broadcasts Yourope, zdf.kulturpalast, Bauer suchtKultur und Bauer sucht Koch, Kobalt also produces the weekly arts programme Metropolis on Arte.

In addition, we are expanding our documentarycoverage with several new documentary series such as Kulturkriegerwith KatrinSandmann and London Calling. Also: live broadcasts of the series Introducing (Arte) and Berlin Live (Arte / ZDFkultur), special show Let's talk YOUROPE (Arte).

2011

Beginning of the weekly cultural programmezdf.kulturpalast (ZDFkulture) and the live series Berlin Live (Arte/ZDFkultur).

2010

Launch of the weekly young Europe magazine programmeYourope on Arte. Establishment of a department (Kobalt Images) for corporate video and films for public institutions under the leadership of Till Dreier.

Creation of an overseas and documentary department led by Katrin Sandman, the long-standingsenior correspondent of Pro7/Sat1.

2009

Expansion of live coverage, transmission of Movimento Dance Award and the spectacle Die RiesenKommen for Arte.Transmission of various cultural talks for 3sat (including "Der Preiskampf" with Tita von Hardenberg) and our first major theatre production. Conversion of all technicalunits to HD.

2008

Extensive expansion of the in-house technology to include 8 Avid editing suites, 10 camera-EB units, the creation of a VFX department and the installation of a TV studio. The team grows to 40 employees.

2007

Production of the daily design programmeChic on Arte. Realisation of various live broadcasts from the Berlin Film Festival.Modernisation of the entire production technology with the introduction of central servers and integrated hard drive cameras.

2006

Establishment of Kobalt Images GmbH (post production and camera) and KobaltKreationfor high-end image editing and on-air design.Creation of a live coverage department. Broadcast of the FAUSTtheatre awards (ZDFtheaterkanal and 3sat).

2004

Production of Foyer, the only German theatre programme (ZDFtheaterkanal and 3sat), presented by Esther Schweins and Theo Koll.

2002

Relocation of all sections to Torstrasse in Berlin Mitte.

Launch of youth politics programme Absolut(Arte).

2000

Establishment of Kobalt Post Productions under the direction of René Päpke. Purchase of first editing suite and its further development.

1999

Establishment of Kobalt Kamera under the direction of Michael Khano. First traineeship positions created.

1997

Establishment of Kobalt Productions Film- und Fernseh GmbH. The programmes Polylux (RBB) and Tracks (Arte) go on air.

Clients

Press

Tita von Hardenberg im Gespräch

Kontinuierlich kultiviert: Kobalt feiert 15.Geburtstag

Nach dem Aus von "Polylux" hat sich die Berliner Produktionsfirma von Tita von Hardenberg mit dem Fokus auf Kulturberichterstattung neu erfunden. Zum Geburtstag spricht von Hardenberg über den Wandel ihrer Firma und Interessen. In der Regel ist es billiger Werbesprech, wenn davon gesprochen wird, dass sich eine Marke über die Jahre gewandelt hat ohne ihren Kern verloren zu haben. Im Falle der Berliner Produktionsfirma Kobalt Productions, die an diesem Freitag mit Mitarbeitern, Weggefährten und Geschäftspartnern in Berlin ihren 15.Geburtstag feiert, stimmt das jedoch, auch wenn es nicht ganz freiwillig geschah. Einst war "Polylux" zwölf Jahre lang das Aushängeschild, doch mit dem Ende des Zeitgeist-Magazins vor fünf Jahren wagte man den Ausbau des bereits parallel aufgebauten Bereichs der Kultur-Berichterstattung.

zum pdf

MAGAZINE PROGRAMMES

zdf.kulturpalast

A fast-paced journey through the world of performing arts.At zdf.kulturpalast, no boundaries are drawnbetween classical and popularculture. Internet culture is as important a stage asthe ThaliaTheater in Hamburg. Lady Gaga has just as much say here as the revered director DimiterGotscheff. Radically subjective contributions to current events in art, theatre, film, internet and music presented by PegahFerydoni.

Every Thursday at 8.15pm on ZDFkultur

Repeated on Saturdays, 7.25pm on 3sat

to programme

Yourope

"Yourope" (ZDF / Arte) is the first international magazine for the globalized generation. Mobile, digital and internationally networked, young Europeans have an entirely different view of their continent to their parents. "Yourope" illuminates the lives and challenges of this generation. What are their working environments? What does emancipation mean to them? And how are they dealing with the European crisis? Presenter Andreas Kornraisesa burning question in each show - and every week Yourope looks to four different countries for answers.

Every Saturday at 2.15 pm on Arte.

Repeated on Tuesdays, 11.55 pm on Arte.

To Programme / Yourope on Facebook

Tracks

The music magazine Tracks (Arte / WDR) is the only non-commercial music magazine on German television. Tracks shows youth cultures from around the world and provides independent music journalism – in so doing establishing itself as an influential benchmark for music television.

Every Saturday at 11.55 pm on Arte

Repeated on Tuesdays at 5 am on Arte, Fridays at 1:30 am on Arte

To programme / Tracks on Facebook

Metropolis

Metropolis, THE culture magazine on Arte seeks out new movements Europe-wideevery week. Here, art and culture is not only presented, but also discussed and dissected. Current debates and cultural policies stand alongside the most exciting trends and innovations from all genres. To this end, a particular city is presented each week from the perspective of its key creative individuals.

Every Saturday at 5.30 pm on Arte // Repeated on Monday,1.40 am on Arte.

To programm / Metropolis on Facebook

DOCUMENTARIES

DOCUMENTARY SERIES

Kulturkrieger

Since 2011, KatrinSandmann (long-standing senior correspondent for SAT1/Pro7/N24)has been journeying through current war zones and crisis areas for ZDFkultur examining culture in chaos from Baghdad to Kabul.

Season 1: Kinshasa, Port-au-Prince, Kabul, Baghdad.

Season 2: in production from autumn 2012

On the road with Jack Kerouac

Four young people make their way across America on the trail of cult author Jack Kerouac in search of the lifestyle of the crazy ‘60s. The result is a road movie, a collage of original locations, poetry slams, cinema verité, jam sessions and new adventures.

London Calling

In the last fifty years Britain’s creative lead has been unparalleled, particularly in the field of pop music. The four-part documentary series "London Calling" looks at the evolution of British pop music and its multiple influences of other art forms: visual arts, fashion and photography. How has Britpop managed this global ascent and who is behind the branding of Britain?

Bauer sucht Kultur

Dieter Moor whizzes through Brandenburg and Berlin in his little green classic car making house-calls on the most interesting cultural producersof the region. A highly personal encounter with creative people such as Andreas Dreesen or Dani Levy.

Series-based on Tuesdays at 5.10 pm on RBB

Köche und Moor

Following the same principle, in this series Moor drops in on chefs like Marko Müller, not only hands-on cooking with them, but also exploring the food chain across the region.

Series-based on Mondays at 9.20 am on RBB

Documentaries

The search for good stories never ends.

Filmography A selection	2012	Friedrich. Ein Psychodrama – Der König auf der Couch (3sat)
	2012	Dragon Style - Hip Hop in China (ZDFkultur)
	2012	Yangon Calling – Punk in Myanmar (ZDFkultur)
	2012	Michael Jackson – Ein Leben zwischen Schwarz und Weiß (ZDF/Arte)
	2012	Udo Lindeberg auf Tour (NDR/Arte)
	2011	Chefsache - Sabine Christiansen unterwegs (n-tv)
	2011	Das Drillcamp (N24)
	2011	Kirchen, Kantaten und Kowalski (RBB)
	2010	Theater der Welt in Mühlheim und Essen (3sat)
	2010	Geboren 1968 - die Kinder der Revolte (3sat)
	2009	20 Jahre Tanz im August (ZDFtheaterkanal)
	2009	Das Licht des Königs – das Palais Potsdam (3sat)
	2009	Hongkongs besetzte Dächer (Arte)
	2009	Freiheitskämpfer- Das Freedom Theater in Dschenin (Arte)
	2009	Der Truppenunterhaltner - Clemens Schick spielt Theater in Afghanistan (3sat)
	2009	Wendetheater - Das Theater und die Revolution in der DDR (3sat)
	2009	Die Riesen in Berlin (Arte)
	2007	Second Life - Mein digitaler Zwilling (RBB)
	2007	Sibiu/Hermannstadt - zwischen Mythos und Marktwirtschaft 3sat/ZDFtheaterkanal)
	2007	Die Berliner Gesellschaft (RBB)
	2006	Tanz im August (3sat/ZDFtheaterkanal)
	2006	Immer am Ball - Die Fußball WM in Berlin (RBB)
	2006	Jesus´ junge Garde - The Call (ARD)

Live broadcasts

A particular focus of our work is the multi-camera broadcast of pop concerts and big gala shows as well as Kobalt’s studio productions. We particularly enjoy making complex concert recordings. Our experienced producers can organise broadcasts of any size.

Introducing

Our Introducing evenings in Berlin are reviving the good old ‘truffle pig’ tradition. Once a month, Arte introduces exciting newcomers who are required to show the audience what they can do - with passion, enthusiasm and élan.

Introducing on the Arte-Website

Berlin Live

Berlin Live is a small festival held in TRAFO, the imposing concrete cathedral of legendary club Tresor, in which three bands come together to perform in rotation, combining a common musical idea, reference or period – and express their affinity to Berlin. The whole concept is hosted by Silke Super.

Further live productions

2013	Introducing (Konzertreihe), RBB/Arte
2012	Introducing (Konzertreihe), RBB/Arte
2011/12	Berlin Live (Konzertreihe), ZDFkultur
2011	Via Intolleranza II (Theater live), ZDF/3sat
2006/07/08/10	Der Faust, ZDF/3sat
2009/10	Preiskampf, ZDF/3sat
2009	Berlinale-Talk, RBB/3sat
2009	Movimentos-Tanzpreis, ZDF/Arte
2008	Annettes Daschsalon, ZDFtheaterkanal
2006	Berlinale live, RBB/Arte
1998 bis 2001	jährliche Übertragung der Love Parade, Arte

Online

Kobalt sees itself as a full-service provider for the online realm. When it comes to the realisation of successful online formats or web performances our design and editorial departments work in close collaboration. This also extends to virals or campaigns. Thanks to its technical know-how, Kobalt is also able to realise live streaming and editorial support. The focus is on the creation of an online presence for television broadcasts.

www.arte.tv/yourope

Developed and managed by Kobalt, the online presence of the European broadcast Yourope offers a platform for young Europeans, enhanced by Twitter, Youtube, Facebook and Google accounts for the programme.

www.arte.tv/yourope

www.arte.tv/tracks

Developed and managed by Kobalt, the online presence of the popular culture magazine programme TRACKS functions independently of its TV counterpart with daily updated columns, videos and background information. An important and highly respected component of the music press.

www.arte.tv/tracks

www.polylog.tv

In 2007 Kobalt was awarded the Grimme Online Prize for the debate and video portal of the Polyluxprogramme. This popular video portal, recognized as a “Youtube for the knowledge-hungry”, continued to operate beyond the end of the programmeuntil 2011.

www.polylog.tv

Current

Kobalt celebrates 15 years in business

“Berlin Live” on 24th November 2012 on zdf.kultur

zdf.kultur brings the capital and good television together: Under the slogan “Berlin Live” we bring the most exciting contemporary artists together in one of the most unusual spaces in our city. Artists like Max Herre, Calexico, Ellie Goulding, Moneybrother, Get Well Soon, Broilers, Madsen, Anna Ternheim and many more come together on three stages in Trafo, the turbine hall of a former power station in the heart of Berlin - sometimes competing against one another, sometimes performing together in new combinations.

On 24^th November from 9pm to 10.30pm on zdf.kultur – Broilers, Tito & Tarantula, Madsen.

“Brüche und Neubeginn” – Metropolis on 10.11.2012

Metropolis this time full of departure and change: PRIVATE was yesterday, the radical dissolution of our privacy – Marina Abramovic, the mother of radical performance – A movie premiere of unique value in Kabul – “The Homecoming” by Luc Bondy – Art-Pop by Amanda Palmer – metropolis report from Belgrade.

Broadcast from 10th November on ARTE

“Grenzgänger” – Metropolis on 27th October at 4.45pm

This week Metropolis is on the search for people who break the boundaries – on the catwalk, in concert and on stage: Bettina Rhiems, ChristophSchlingensief, the Kyteman Orchestra, Matthias Glasner and many more.

Tracks on 27th October with queer rappers from NYC!

Tracks this week with: Hip Hop from Zebra Katz and Mykki Blanco // A festival in the former Taliban stronghold of Kabul // 360 degree stage from Arcadia // And: the return of voguing!

Performing arts and more: This week with (huge fanfare!) Katja Riemann!

Freed from the couch, this week the actress leads us through ZDF Kulturpalast. She marvels at art from dead animals, at the marching dancers of Israeli choreographer Sharon Eyal, gets blasted by the digital hardcore sound of Atari Teenage Riot – and dances Gangnam style.

Kulturpalast from 11^th October in the ZDF mediathek

On Jack's Road

Four young artistson the trail of Jack Kerouac's "On the Road"! 60 years ago Jack Kerouac hitchhiked across America in search of the ultimate freedom, of himself, of drugs, of the next big adventure. In 2011, director HannesRossacher hit the road for America with four young European artists, in the footsteps of the poet from New York to San Francisco.

The two-part road movie is shown on Saturday, 29^th September 2012 at 10.10pm (1/2) and at 11.30 (2/2) on ARTE.

More info on the Arte website.

Let’s talk Europe - Wie geht es dem jungen Europa?

Die Generation Yourope hat das Wort: 27 Europäer aus 27 Nationen werden fast zeitgleich in ihren Ländern zur aktuellen Lage Europas befragt.
Blogger, Studenten, Unternehmer, Journalisten, Berufseinsteiger und andere. Menschen unter 35, die sich aktiv für das Zeitgeschehen interessieren. Sie liefern uns eine Momentaufnahme des Kontinents.

Yourope Special - Dienstag, 18. September um 22.25 Uhr

On the road mit Udo Lindenberg

Over the last few months our man in the music world, director Hannes Rossacher - together with his camera crew - has been hot on the heels of Udo Lindenberg, following him through 22 cities. The result is a captivating road movie, “Udo Lindenberg auf Tour” in the cinema on 5^th September for one day only – however, simultaneously in 100 cinemas across 22 cities. Those who don’t make it can watch a shortened version here, see it the whole movie soon on ARD or wait for the DVD.

Ich will Europa

In recent months our reporter on the beautiful, René Päpke, was on a rather unusual mission: To elicit the positive thoughts of influential contemporaries from Helmut Schmidt to Paul van Dyke on the topic of Europe in the midst of crisis. The result is 16 straight-to-TV spots reminding us that the EU is more than just the crisis and the Euro.

“Ichwill Europa!” is the name of the campaign initiated by eleven large foundations and brought to TV by Kobalt in cooperation with advertising agency Blumberry. A selection can be found here:

Website: www.ich-will-europa.de

Design & Image

An independent unit of Kobalt develops and produces commercials, corporate videos, on-air design, virtual studios, and more. An experienced team of consultants, designers, designers, FX artists, and musicians lend the variety of formats a clear brand management with a strong visual character.