Babylon Berlin’s season 4 Netflix release date mystery, answered

When I asked myself in January of 2023 which show was my favorite, it was an easy answer: Babylon BerlinSeason 4. It was on my top list for several reasons, including the way that the show had built up a magnificent and grounded mystery during its previous seasons as well as the way in which it traced out the Weimar Republic’s crumbling. It was my most anticipated series of 2022 and even 2021.

Here we are, staring at another year and another list with the best TV shows of this coming season. Where is Season 4?? Much like Rihanna’s next album, we are constantly surfing the high of wondering, anticipating a drop at any moment. This is unlike the much-anticipated ninth album by Robyn Fety. Babylon Berlin is, perplexingly… already out? It’s just not out You can read more about it here.

[Ed. note: We’re writing from the U.S., so our use of “here” means “the U.S., where we ache with anticipation and self-absorption.” If you’re somewhere this isn’t true, we are, sincerely, so jealous.]

Today, when everything is available online, it’s important to remember that Babylon Berlin season 4 has been released — in full — in Germany but not in the U.S. seems tantalizing and perplexing. Gereon and Charlotte are both curious about the mystery. The bureaucratic insanity that was causing the apparent injustice reminded me of their experiences during the Weimar Republic.

But the answer — frankly like much of the corruption Gereon and Charlotte uncover in Babylon Berlin — is far more mundane. This is not the case. Babylon Berlin to suddenly get that “New Episode” tile on Netflix, the situation is just as precarious.

Did Netflix really cancel Babylon Berlin?

No! That’s part of the thing! There’s more! Babylon Berlin season 4 aired — again, with all the American entitlement I can muster: In! Full! — it’s already been greenlit for season 5.

What’s the problem?

Image: Netflix

The corporate rights story is as old as the hills, or as far back as there has been a time stream.

Babylon Berlin It is a collaboration between ARD Degeto and Sky Deutschland (a Comcast satellite television provider subsidiary). The licensing agreement allows Sky to air the show first, as it did in fall 2022, then ARD gets the rights later before it lives on both channels’ platforms. In Germany, this is how the rights are handled. However, in other countries the rights may be acquired by different networks. For example in the U.S. it could go to Netflix.

Sky’s German originals unit was shut down this year. Seasons that had already been in production (like Das BootSeason 4 Helgoland 510), there would be no newly commissioned shows.

Thankfully, Babylon Berlin escaped the reaper’s scythe here, with ARD and producing partners X Filme and Beta Film committing to a fifth season. In their statement, they specifically called out the show’s international success, having aired in 140 territories in addition to millions of views on ARD. They didn’t specify how the Sky portion of the budget would be covered, but sources told Deadline Sky wasn’t the “main partner” on the production anyway. The new footage will be released in either case. Babylon BerlinWhat is your goal?

When is Babylon Berlin Season 4 released in the U.S.

Image: Netflix

Answer: The answer to this question is complex. We can only guess. Babylon Berlin won’t come to the U.S. until after it airs on ARD. In May, the show was scheduled to air on October 1st. Then, please contact us.After that, Netflix will have the rights to Netflix.

Whether that will be right away or later in the fall, or even the winter, or even (ugh) 2024, no one’s sure yet. Netflix didn’t respond to Polygon’s request for comment on whether there was a date in the works. It will most likely be released in the manner it was originally intended. Babylon BerlinNetflix used to show movies in their entirety, without any ceremony.

Either way: Here’s to the most anticipated show of the year — whatever year that happens to be.

Three seasons are available on DVD. Babylon BerlinNetflix is available in the U.S.