Welt der Wunder

Welt der Wunder is a German knowledge and science media brand that began as a television programme in 1996. Founded and fronted by Hendrik Hey, the show first aired on ProSieben on 10 March 1996. After a legal dispute with ProSieben over the brand name, Hey won the rights to the title, and the programme moved to RTL II in January 2005. The brand expanded into a 24/7 free-to-air channel, Welt der Wunder TV, launched on 16 October 2013 via Astra. It also produces a monthly knowledge magazine published by Bauer Media Group, a DVD series, computer games, and a YouTube channel. In recent years, Welt der Wunder has moved into blockchain-based media licensing with the MILC project (launched 2017) and is developing what it describes as Germany's first metaverse, launched in 2021. The brand is privately held and remains active across television, print, and digital platforms.

Welt der Wunder first aired on 10 March 1996 on the German television channel ProSieben. The programme was moderated and produced by Hendrik Hey. In 2004, Robert Biegert also moderated it. After differences with ProSieben, the show was cancelled in 2004. Hendrik Hey moved to RTL II, where Welt der Wunder was first broadcast in January 2005. ProSieben sued Hey and his production company Welt der Wunder GmbH but lost in December 2004 before the Regional Court and in July 2005 before the Higher Regional Court of Munich. The brand name 'Welt der Wunder' was awarded to producer Hey, and ProSieben was prohibited from using the name for its own programme. ProSieben then launched a competitor show titled Wunderwelt Wissen, which was cancelled at the end of 2007. On 16 October 2013, a dedicated 24/7 thematic channel named Welt der Wunder TV (or WdW TV) began broadcasting, available free via Astra. The channel's slogan is 'Endlich was Interessantes!' (Finally something interesting!). New episodes of the science magazine were broadcast on Welt (formerly N24) and N24 Doku from 16 March 2015. The show on RTL II was cancelled on 12 January 2014 and replaced by Columbus – Entdecke die Welt, which led to the insolvency of the production company WdW Productions on 19 December 2013. On 4 October 2019, shortly before its sixth anniversary, the channel ceased distribution on Unitymedia's cable network, citing high carriage fees. The SDTV feed via DVB-S was discontinued on 1 January 2023; since then the channel is available via OTT and various cable networks. In addition to the main programme, spin-offs included Welt der Wunder – Schau Dich Schlau (from 7 August 2005 on RTL II), an evening show Die große Welt der Wunder Wissensshow (first aired 30 May 2010), and an interactive IP-TV channel wdwip.tv. A YouTube channel has been operated since 12 September 2006. Since the end of 2017, Welt der Wunder has been developing the MILC project, a platform for the creation, distribution, and licensing of digital media content using blockchain technology. The first German metaverse, a three-dimensional city experience, was launched in 2021. A monthly knowledge magazine titled Welt der Wunder has been published by Bauer Media Group, initially from March 1998 to January 2000, then relaunched on 20 March 2006. A DVD series 'Welt der Wunder – Wissensthek' has been released since early 2008. Two adventure computer games were also published.

• Welt der Wunder first aired on ProSieben.

• First issue of Welt der Wunder magazine published.

• ProSieben loses lawsuit over brand name; Hey retains rights.

• Welt der Wunder moves to RTL II.

• Spin-off Welt der Wunder – Schau Dich Schlau starts on RTL II.

• Magazine relaunched as monthly under Bauer Media Group.

• YouTube channel launched.

• DVD series Welt der Wunder – Wissensthek begins.

• Evening show Die große Welt der Wunder Wissensshow premieres.

• Welt der Wunder TV channel launches via Astra.

• Production company WdW Productions files for insolvency.

• Show on RTL II cancelled, replaced by Columbus.

• New episodes air on Welt and N24 Doku.

• MILC project launched for blockchain-based media licensing.

• Channel ceases distribution on Unitymedia cable network.

• First German metaverse launched.

• SDTV feed via DVB-S discontinued.

Popular science and knowledge brand with the slogan 'nicht glauben, sondern wissen' (don't believe, know).

• Welt der Wunder TV

• Welt der Wunder magazine

• Welt der Wunder – Wissensthek

• Welt der Wunder – eine Insel in Gefahr

• MILC

• German metaverse

1. 1Welt der Wunder – nicht glauben, sondern wissenweltderwunder.de
2. 2Geschichte Archive - Welt der Wunderweltderwunder.de
3. 3Geheimgesellschaften: Strippenzieher der Weltgeschichte?weltderwunder.de
4. 4Die Geschichte des Dirndls – alles über das bayerische Trachtenkleidweltderwunder.de
5. 5Welt der Wunderde.wikipedia.org
6. 6Wikidatawikidata.org