“We offer more”: ARD and ZDF join forces to compete with a joint streaming network

With the numerous streaming providers that are now also available from German broadcasters, you can quickly lose the overview. Joyn already provides the digital catalog with ProSieben and Sat.1, while RTL+ combines the offerings of RTL and VOX, among others. But although ARD and ZDF belong to the same public service pool, the two broadcasters each had their own media library. That should now change – at least in part – as broadcasters are now launching a major public streaming network.

In the future, content from both channels will be available in both media libraries. So if you want to jump straight from the ARD hit “Babylon Berlin” to the ZDFneo series “Deadlines”, you no longer have to go to a new website, but can find both offers directly via the website’s own search function. In addition, content from other public broadcasters such as 3Sat, Phoenix, ARTE and funk will also be available on both platforms. They are also considering expanding cooperation with public partners from abroad.

The streaming network of ARD and ZDF will remain free despite the merger

A shared login feature now also makes it possible to set up a profile with extensive watchlists, while more mutual advice should also take place. The broadcasters are thus taking a step towards private streaming providers, where such functions have been available for some time. Nevertheless, the public service provision wants to clearly distinguish itself from this, as ARD chairman Dr. Kai Gniffke in one explains: “We offer more information, culture, entertainment and knowledge than any other streaming provider and it’s never been easier to experience it all.”

However, some of the newly advertised features have been available for a while. For several months now, ARD and ZDF content has been available to find and stream in both media libraries. Nevertheless, some of the new features should bring more convenience to users and the official merger also symbolizes a closing of ranks against private streaming competition such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and Co.

Since the merger does not involve private broadcasters, All content remains free on the public broadcaster’s shared streaming network.