VOX was a private channel launched in Germany in 1993, broadcasting a number of live and informational programmes. Originally owned by a consortium of  German media companies, the original programming line-up was unpopular with advertisers, causing the channel to go into liquidation in April 1994. It re-launched under new ownership in November 1994 where it steadily improved its position on German television, helped by a deal with 20th Century Fox.

In December 1999 RTL Group bought out News Corporation's interests in the channel, and in 2016 now has a 99.7% share in the channel, with DCTP holding the other 0.3%.

The channel's dalliance with Doctor Who occured in 2005, when the channel broadcast a unique, three-part version of The Five Doctors, followed by a rather bizarre broadcast of the Colin Baker era in reverse!