DW's TV highlights in May

A classic fragrance turns 100!

Hollywood superstar Marylin Monroe once told reporters that the only thing she wore to bed was Chanel N° 5. The perfume by fashion house Chanel was already doing well – and with this statement, its cult status was finally sealed. Designer and founder Coco Chanel launched her company's first fragrance on 5 May 1921. As the fragrance turns 100, Euromaxx explores the allure of what is probably the most famous perfume in the world. Starting May 1.

Manufacturing Ignorance

A US protest against climate change deniers in 2017.

Why did it take years before tobacco was officially declared harmful to health? Why do so many people still think climate change is not man-made? Despite scientific evidence, for many, the issue remains a deeply controversial one. Starting May 3, the documentary Manufacturing Ignorance reveals some of the sophisticated strategies deployed by industries as they exploit science to suite their aims.

The German car industry has also been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Germany's Car Industry

The German car industry is on its knees. Not only has it been left behind in the race to produce new drive technologies, it has also been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Carmakers are also facing additional challenges presented by new, even more stringent emission limits. Where exactly have the automobile companies gone wrong? Watch the documentary Germany's Car Industry – Powered by Politics? Starting May 6.

"Reading you loud and clear ..."

The program triggered a game of cat and mouse between the BBC and the East German intelligence agency as it tried to hunt down the letter-writers.

During the Cold War, the BBC and the former East Germany were locked in a propaganda war. For almost 25 years, the British broadcaster made a radio program for listeners in the GDR. The listeners were able to write anonymously to the program editors about their daily problems and worries, but also their political views. Those caught faced lengthy prison terms. Starting May 14, the documentary "Reading you loud and clear ..." – Voices from Behind the Iron Curtain recalls the drama of an East-West struggle played out on the radio waves.

Marcus Thuram of Borussia Moenchengladbach celebrates after scoring during a Bundesliga match.

The Season's Finale

It's the final day of play in the German Bundesliga. An unprecedented season in corona lockdown draws to a close. But emotions have remained undented by the pandemic: Kick off! celebrates the champions and bids farewell to the clubs relegated from the league table. Joy and frustration, winners and losers – all feature in the Bundesliga magazine's season finale. Starting May 25.

The Adlon Hotel in Berlin

The grand hotel on Pariser Platz bore witness to many dramatic events in German history.

Albert Einstein, Marlene Dietrich, Thomas Mann, Charlie Chaplin: The Adlon guest book glitters with great names. The hotel opened its doors just as Berlin was making its mark as a top European metropolis. That was 1907. Since then, this luxury establishment, just steps from the Brandenburg Gate, has been a honeypot for movers and shakers from the worlds of politics, business and culture. Featuring new footage and images, the documentary The Adlon in Berlin relates the thrilling story of this institution. Starting May 27.

China's Cities

Shenzhen's boom has led to high property prices and low home ownership rates.

More and more people are relocating to the continually expanding metropolises in China, lured by the promise of wealth and modernity. But property prices in China's megacities are among the world's highest. There's often no room for people with low incomes – although they are the ones driving the boom. How and where are they supposed to live? A question explored by the documentary China's Cities – The Competition for Living Space. Starting May 28.

Pop Culture Goes Global

Nigerian Superheroes from The Comic Republic in Nigeria.

The era in which pop culture all over the world was dominated by North American and European artists and genres is finally over. In recent decades, globalization has also expanded our cultural horizons. Starting May 29, Arts.21 examines a variety of pop genres that reflect this shift from western domination towards a more globalized culture. From Latin American reggaeton to Chinese science fiction dramas and Nigerian comic literature.