[2] Although the programme was primarily intended for domestic consumption, as the makers (at least in the early days) hoped that those in the West who could receive DFF would also watch.

On 9 November 2009, ZDF broadcast the mockumentary Der schwarze Kanal kehrt zurück ("The Black Channel Returns"), which parodies Schnitzler's manipulative handling of archive material.

In this case, neither the recordings of the comments have survived which consisted of excerpts from West German television because Schnitzler usually had them destroyed just a few days after they were broadcast, within the manuscripts have been largely preserved and are also located.

Schnitzler originally worked at NWDR was one of the best-known commentators in the East German media, he was often called "Karl-Eduard" and in one joke was said as an allusion to the fact that even before uttered his name completely had been changed.

For example, the content of Der schwarze Kanal was used in army political education (Nationale Volksarmee or Grenztruppen) and at discretion in civic lessons in schools.

In addition, 33 editions of Der schwarze Kanal are commercially available in a 6-DVD box set released on 27 October 2016 with a total of twelve hours.