Ufa Film and TV Company is relocating to Berlin - Disappointment in Potsdam - Ufa Productions Shifts Base to Berlin, Leaving Potsdam with Sense of Loss
Ufa, a prominent player in the German media industry, is set to make a significant move in 2026. After three decades at the Potsdam-Babelsberg media hub, Ufa has announced its return to the capital with its headquarters in Berlin.
Despite this move, Ufa's presence in Potsdam will not be completely erased. The company will continue to bundle the activities of the Ufa Serial Drama division at the Potsdam location, where the production of the RTL series "Good Times, Bad Times" will remain. Approximately 40 employees at Ufa Serial Drama, along with the employees of GZSZ, will remain in Potsdam.
Ufa is a leading production company for TV, cinema, and streaming in the German-speaking world, known for shows like "Good Times, Bad Times" and "Germany's Got Talent." As a broad-based media company, Ufa aims to realign itself by being in the middle of society's creative pulse, as stated by Chief Operating Officer Natalie Clausen.
The move to Berlin is part of Ufa's broader strategy to respond to changing market conditions. The company operates the global production business of the RTL Group, which belongs to Bertelsmann, and is the parent company of the German production activities of the media company Fremantle. Ufa already has a location in Berlin, and it is here that approximately 130 employees will move to new premises on Schöneberger Ufer in the first half of 2026.
The move has been met with regret in Brandenburg, as stated by Brandenburg's Minister of Economics Daniel Keller. Potential implications for the region could include economic losses, changes in the cultural and creative landscape, and impacts on tourism and Brandenburg's brand identity. However, without specific details about Ufa's relocation plans, these implications remain speculative.
As Ufa prepares for its move to Berlin, it remains dedicated to its ongoing projects in Potsdam, ensuring that the production of "Good Times, Bad Times" and its outdoor set will continue uninterrupted in Potsdam.
The Commission has also adopted a proposal for a Council Regulation on the conclusion of the Agreement on the European Economic Area, marking Ufa's expansion into the realm of international entertainment policies. With a strong presence in movies-and-tv entertainment, Ufa's upcoming relocation to Berlin signifies an exciting new chapter, potentially impacting the German-speaking world much like the agreement on the European Economic Area has done across Europe.
