Germany television and streaming guide

Keep the Landesrundfunkanstalt beside the programme

If the household wants a regional bulletin, save the name of the regional ARD broadcaster and the show’s date. Das Erste and a regional channel are distinct entries in a viewing report. When one viewer is using a remote’s connected-TV route and another uses the Mediathek website, identify the service selected on each screen. Compare the opening title and scheduled time rather than relying on ARD’s shared brand.

Read the stream’s rights message before changing the TV

ARD says licences can restrict access to individual programmes abroad and gives examples including sports, films and series. If the channel works before and after one title, record the title, broadcaster, location and playback message. Search for the official on-demand item separately and check its availability. A second login will not change a geographic licence, so use the broadcaster’s help contact when you need a programme-specific answer.

Use ZDF’s accessibility filters before choosing a show

ZDF identifies UT for subtitles, AD for audio description and DGS for German Sign Language. Use those filters to find an accessible title, then start playback and select the language or accessibility control that applies. If you need audio description, check that the additional narration is actually audible. If you need DGS, verify the signed version of the named programme. Send the programme title, date and app version if a listed feature is absent on your television.

Save what you verified on the screen

A programme may have one playback version on the website and a different navigation path in a connected-TV app. When helping someone set it up, share the exact programme page and the label on the TV’s playback controls. Retest with a second episode before treating a title-level result as a general rule for the service.

Find the broadcaster within ARD

Open the live-TV area in ARD Mediathek and select the named broadcaster or regional edition. For a local bulletin, identify the region in the programme title or channel selector before checking the time. If a friend receives the programme on the aerial but your browser shows a different programme, compare the selected feeds rather than resetting the television.

Test Untertitel and Klare Sprache separately

ARD’s help describes player controls for Untertitel and Klare Sprache where available. Turn on subtitles during the programme and make sure they match the language you need. If spoken dialogue is hard to hear, try Klare Sprache where the feed supplies it, keeping any television dialogue-enhancement setting constant. Compare the result on the next programme to see if the preference holds across the feed.

Check online rights at programme level

ARD documents online-rights and geographic limits for its live streams. When the feed plays normally and one programme fails, check the schedule and look up that programme’s official on-demand listing. Note whether a replacement slate, rights message or blank player appears before you file a support report.

Decide whether to use the TV app or Red Button

ARD’s TV help explains HbbTV, app and streaming options for using Mediathek on a television. If the remote’s Red Button route and the standalone app show different menus, make a note of which route opens. Find the same programme in both before comparing accessibility controls. If the television’s own options are limited, check the current compatibility guidance for an external device.

Test accessibility on the programme you need

ZDF’s streaming help points to language settings for videos that supply captions, audio description or German Sign Language. Open the specific video and check which options it actually offers. If you use different broadcasters in one household, test the feature in both ZDF and ARD on the intended screen. A result for one title can help identify the control but cannot establish coverage across the catalogue.

Broadcaster starting points

ARD: Mediathek live television Find the broadcaster and check how ARD presents the live service. Broadcaster source
ZDF: Barrierefreie Angebote Find separate catalogues and live options for subtitles, audio description or German Sign Language. Broadcaster source