Satel Film
Satel Film is a Vienna-based film and TV production company founded in 1971, producing crime series, dramas, and documentaries for Austrian and German public broadcasters (ORF, ZDF) and international streaming platforms (Netflix, Disney+, RTL+).
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1971
- HeadquartersVienna, Austria
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Satel Film does
Satel Film GmbH is a Vienna-based film and television production company founded in 1971 by Michael Wolkenstein. The company produces feature films, long-running television crime series, drama series, event productions, and documentaries, organized into three product categories: Film (cinema/dramatic features), Series & Reihen (recurring series and event series), and Dokumentation (documentary formats). Its core catalog includes SOKO Donau/Wien (since 2005, 300+ episodes for ORF and ZDF), Die Toten von Salzburg (since 2015, ORF/ZDF), Aufgetischt (documentary, since 2008, ORF), and the Der Metzger and Wiener Blut crime series. The company has expanded into international streaming through co-productions including Freud (Netflix, 2019), Sisi (RTL+, 2021), and Vienna Game (Disney+, 2026).
The business model is content licensing and co-production. Satel Film generates revenue by developing, producing, and financing content, then licensing broadcast rights to public broadcasters (ORF, ZDF, ServusTV) and selling or co-producing with international streaming platforms (Netflix, Disney+, RTL+). Production costs and rights are typically shared with co-production partners such as Bavaria Fiction and Storyhouse Productions. The company employs approximately 15 staff across production, legal, finance, post-production, and communications, operates a headquarters at Linzer Straße 375, Vienna, and holds the UZ 76 Green Producing certification under the Austrian Eco-label.
The customer base is concentrated among a small set of enterprise buyers: public broadcasters ORF and ZDF anchor the long-running series business, while Netflix, Disney+, RTL+, and ServusTV serve as streaming and channel partners. CEO Heinrich Ambrosch has led the company since 2007 and is Co-Owner; founder Michael Wolkenstein was honored with the KURIER Platinum ROMY lifetime achievement award in 2025. Satel Film is privately held, with no listed funding rounds, no subsidiaries, and no disclosed revenue.
Satel Film firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Satel Film
- Legal name
- Satel Film GmbH
- Website
- https://satel.at
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1971
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Satel Film is a Vienna-based film and TV production company founded in 1971, producing crime series, dramas, and documentaries for Austrian and German public broadcasters (ORF, ZDF) and international streaming platforms (Netflix, Disney+, RTL+).
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Satel Film industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Television and Film Production
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Motion Picture and Video Production (512110)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- International Sales & Licensing (Territory Pre-Sales) (MPADAJAC)
Keywords
Where Satel Film is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vienna
- HQ country
- Austria
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Satel Film business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- TV Broadcasting Rights: Licensing of produced content to TV broadcasters (ORF, ZDF, ServusTV) for broadcast rights in Austria and Germany
- Streaming Platform Deals: Licensing and co-production agreements with international streaming platforms including Netflix, Disney+, and RTL+
- Co-production Revenue: Revenue from co-productions with partners such as Bavaria Fiction, Storyhouse Productions, and broadcasters, sharing production costs and rights
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels4 records
Satel Film product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Satel Film is a Vienna-based film and television production company that develops, produces, and licenses feature films, television series (crime dramas, thrillers, event series), and documentary formats for Austrian and German public broadcasters (ORF, ZDF, ServusTV) and international streaming platforms (Netflix, Disney+, RTL+). Revenue is generated through content licensing, broadcast rights sales, and co-production agreements with broadcasters and international production partners.
Product overview
Satel Film is a Vienna-based film and television production company founded in 1971, producing feature films, series, and documentaries. The portfolio spans dramatic cinema productions (including award-winning films like 'Kassbach' and '38 – Auch das war Wien'), long-running television crime series (SOKO Donau/Wien since 2005, Die Toten von Salzburg since 2015), documentary formats (Aufgetischt since 2008), and international streaming productions (Netflix's 'Freud', Disney+'s 'Vienna Game'). The company also operates a Green Producing initiative for environmentally sustainable production practices.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Film Production
Quantifiable outcome
- 300+ episodes produced for SOKO Donau series alone
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Satel Film
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Satel Film technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Satel Film partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.
- Bavaria FictioncoreLong-standing co-production partner for numerous series including SOKO Donau (with ORF and ZDF), Freud, and An der Grenze for ServusTV and ZDF. Bavaria Fiction is a major German film and TV production company.
- ORFcoreAustrian public broadcaster and primary long-term partner for SOKO Donau/Wien (since 2005, 300+ episodes), Die Toten von Salzburg (since 2015), and numerous other productions including Freud and Aufgetischt documentary series.
- ZDFcoreGerman public broadcaster and co-producer of SOKO Donau series, Die Toten von Salzburg, and other crime drama productions. Partnership spans multiple decades.
- NetflixcoreFirst Austrian Netflix original co-production (Freud, 2019) in partnership with Bavaria Fiction and ORF. Freud premiered at Berlin Film Festival and won Romy award. Also co-produced Lucky Per (2017, Bille August).
- Disney+coreOriginal series Vienna Game (2026) - six-part Disney+ Original Series about the Congress of Vienna 1814/15. Produced following Green Motion sustainability criteria.
- Storyhouse ProductionsmajorCo-production partner for Sisi event series (2021) for RTL+.
- RTL+majorGerman streaming platform - co-produced Sisi event series in 2021 with Storyhouse Productions.
- ServusTVmajorAustrian TV channel - broadcaster and co-production partner for Der Metzger crime series, Der Garmisch-Krimi, and An der Grenze.
- Federal Ministry for Climate Protection (BMK)supportingLicensed under Austrian Eco-label UZ 76 for Green Producing. Satel Film is licensee UZ1481 certified for sustainable production practices.
- #we_do! Contact and Counselling CentresupportingContact and counselling centre for Austrian film and TV industry providing support on discrimination, unequal treatment, and workplace issues. Referenced in Satel Film's Code of Ethics.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Satel Film competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Constantin Film: Constantin Film is a leading German film and series production company producing cinema releases, TV series, and streaming content. Comparable to Satel Film across feature film production, recurring TV formats, and distribution to German-speaking audiences.
- ZDF Enterprises: ZDF Enterprises is the distribution and co-production arm of ZDF, handling rights and international sales for German-language content. Adjacent peer to Satel Film, with overlap in the global distribution of German-language productions.
- UFA GmbH: UFA is one of Germany's largest TV production companies, producing primetime drama, crime series, and event series for German broadcasters and international platforms. Comparable to Satel Film in genre focus (crime, drama) and target buyers (ARD, ZDF, RTL, streamers).
- Bavaria Fiction: Bavaria Fiction is a major German film and TV production company and Satel Film's primary co-production partner (SOKO Donau, Freud). Both produce high-end German-language drama series and crime formats for broadcasters and streamers, making them directly comparable peers.
- Polyphon Film- und Fernsehgesellschaft: Polyphon is a German production company producing TV movies, series, and event productions for public broadcasters. Closely comparable to Satel Film in operating model, scale, and German-language broadcaster relationships.
- Beta Film: Beta Film is a Munich-based distribution and co-production company licensing high-end European drama series globally. Comparable to Satel Film in internationalizing German-language drama and serving streaming platforms worldwide.
- MR Film: MR Film is a German production company producing high-quality TV movies, series, and event productions for ARD, ZDF, and ORF. Directly comparable in size, scope, and DACH broadcaster focus to Satel Film.
- Studio Hamburg Productions: Studio Hamburg is a major German production company producing drama, crime series, and event productions for German broadcasters and streamers. Comparable to Satel Film in producing recurring primetime TV formats.
Regional players
- ORF Enterprise: ORF Enterprise is the commercial arm of Austrian public broadcaster ORF, handling international content sales and co-productions. Comparable to Satel Film as a major Austrian player in the internationalization of Austrian content.
Emerging players
- all3media Deutschland: all3media is a UK-based global production and distribution group with German operations producing premium scripted content. Comparable to Satel Film in producing high-end drama series for international streamers and broadcasters.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Satel Film social profiles
Digital presenceSatel Film financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Satel Film leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Satel Film funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Satel Film M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Satel Film
What does Satel Film do?
Satel Film is a Vienna-based film and television production company that develops, produces, and licenses feature films, television series (crime dramas, thrillers, event series), and documentary formats for Austrian and German public broadcasters (ORF, ZDF, ServusTV) and international streaming platforms (Netflix, Disney+, RTL+). Revenue is generated through content licensing, broadcast rights sales, and co-production agreements with broadcasters and international production partners.
Is Satel Film a public or private company?
Satel Film is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Satel Film founded?
Satel Film was founded in 1971. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Satel Film based?
Satel Film is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, in the Europe region.
How does Satel Film make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. TV Broadcasting Rights are the primary driver. The others are streaming Platform Deals and co-production Revenue.
Who are Satel Film's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Constantin Film, ZDF Enterprises, UFA GmbH, Bavaria Fiction, Polyphon Film- und Fernsehgesellschaft, Beta Film, MR Film and Studio Hamburg Productions. ORF Enterprise is listed as a regional player. all3media Deutschland is listed as an emerging player.
Does Satel Film have an API?
No public API is recorded for Satel Film.
What industry is Satel Film in?
Satel Film's product category is Television and Film Production. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADAJAC, International Sales & Licensing (Territory Pre-Sales). Its NAICS code is 51211 and its SIC code is 7812.