Where can I watch Der Alte?

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What is Der Alte about?

A police department, lead by an older, experienced detective solve crimes together.

Der Alte

TV Show NR 1977 1h/ep 6.1 /10 Returning

A ZDF Original

Created by Helmut Ringelmann

Where to Watch "Der Alte"

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Streaming availability last verified: February 03, 2026

About Der Alte

Der Alte centers on a seasoned senior detective who leads a police team through a steady stream of criminal cases. The series emphasizes careful police work over sensationalism, as the older investigator draws on years of experience to coordinate interviews, follow leads, and piece together evidence with younger colleagues. Episodes focus on the mechanics of investigation and the interpersonal dynamics inside the unit, showing how routines, professional pride, and personal pressures affect decision making. Rather than dramatizing constant action, the show positions methodical procedure and character interplay at the heart of each hour, with each case revealing something about the team as well as the crime itself.

Premiering in 1977, Der Alte was created by Helmut Ringelmann for German television. The production favored an ensemble approach and a realistic tone, aiming to present police work in a grounded, workmanlike fashion that fit the network's crime lineup.

Audience response has leaned toward steady appreciation, reflected in a viewer score around 6.08 out of 10 from available votes. Critics and fans have pointed to the series' focus on experience, teamwork, and moral ambiguities in policing as its main strengths, while some viewers note the deliberate pacing and conventional procedural structure may feel old-fashioned to those used to faster, more stylized crime dramas.

Across German-language TV audiences, the show became a recognizable entry in the police procedural tradition, reinforcing the appeal of veteran-led investigations. Its emphasis on routine inquiry, mentor-mentee dynamics, and long-running character continuity helped normalize a format that many later series would adopt, and it remains familiar to viewers who follow classic crime programming.

There are no widely reported major international awards tied to Der Alte. Available records focus more on its longevity and steady audience following than on high-profile prize recognition, so formal award listings appear limited or absent in major databases.

Details

Release Date: April 11, 1977
Episode Length: 1h
Rating: NR
User Ratings: 18 votes
Type: TV Series
Seasons: 54
Episodes: 475
Network: ZDF
Status: Returning Series
Genres: Crime, Drama
Country: Germany
Studio: Neue Münchner Fernsehproduktion
External Links: View on IMDB

Seasons (54 seasons, 475 episodes)

Season 1

9 episodes - 1977

Season 2

13 episodes - 1978

Season 3

13 episodes - 1979

Season 4

12 episodes - 1980

Season 5

8 episodes - 1981

Season 6

10 episodes - 1982

Season 7

10 episodes - 1983

Season 8

12 episodes - 1984

Season 9

12 episodes - 1985

Season 10

12 episodes - 1986

Season 11

12 episodes - 1987

Season 12

12 episodes - 1988

Season 13

10 episodes - 1989

Season 14

11 episodes - 1990

Season 15

11 episodes - 1991

Season 16

11 episodes - 1992

Season 17

11 episodes - 1993

Season 18

11 episodes - 1994

Season 19

11 episodes - 1995

Season 20

10 episodes - 1996

Season 21

12 episodes - 1997

Season 22

9 episodes - 1998

Season 23

8 episodes - 1999

Season 24

12 episodes - 2000

Season 25

10 episodes - 2001

Season 26

9 episodes - 2002

Season 27

11 episodes - 2003

Season 28

10 episodes - 2004

Season 29

8 episodes - 2005

Season 30

4 episodes - 2006

Season 31

8 episodes - 2007

Season 32

13 episodes - 2008

Season 33

5 episodes - 2009

Season 34

4 episodes - 2009

Season 35

4 episodes - 2010

Season 36

4 episodes - 2010

Season 37

5 episodes - 2011

Season 38

4 episodes - 2011

Season 39

4 episodes - 2012

Season 40

12 episodes - 2012

Season 41

6 episodes - 2014

Season 42

6 episodes - 2014

Season 43

5 episodes - 2015

Season 44

4 episodes - 2015

Season 45

5 episodes - 2016

Season 46

8 episodes - 2017

Season 47

7 episodes - 2018

Season 48

9 episodes - 2019

Season 49

8 episodes - 2020

Season 50

8 episodes - 2021

Season 51

8 episodes - 2022

Season 52

8 episodes - 2023

Season 53

8 episodes - 2024

Season 54

8 episodes - 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

Der Alte is not currently available to stream, rent, or buy online in the US. Check back later for updates.

Der Alte has 54 seasons with a total of 475 episodes.

With a rating of 6.1/10 from 18 viewers, Der Alte is considered decent by viewers and may be worth checking out.

Der Alte was created by Helmut Ringelmann.

Der Alte was released on April 11, 1977.

Der Alte is a Crime and Drama series.

No, Der Alte is a fictional crime drama. It follows an experienced detective and his police team solving cases rather than retelling a specific real-life story.

Der Alte literally translates from German as "The Old Man." The title refers to the veteran detective who leads the police department in the series.

Der Alte premiered in 1977 and has run for decades, accumulating 54 seasons and 475 episodes. It's one of the longest-running crime dramas in German television.

Der Alte is a procedural crime drama, with episodes centered on investigations led by an older, experienced detective and his team. Each episode typically focuses on a case that the department works to solve.