There is a wide selection of Free-To-Air German channels available on Astra 19.2° East and a few are also available on Eutelsat Hot Bird 13° East.
While there are a number of HD channels available for free, mainly from ARD and ZDF, most HD channels are part of the HD+ package.
That said virtually all standard definition channels, and there are many, remain Free-To-Air (FTA). There are even some channels which are behind the pay wall in the UK, available for free to German viewers, these include Eurosport Deutschland, Disney Channel, Nickleodeon and Comedy Central, of course all in German with no English soundtrack available.
German television reception becomes more difficult the farther away geographically you are from Germany and Europe. However, the Internet is playing an ever increasing role in the distribution of TV and radio programmes around the globe. An Internet option may therefore be the only option for those living outside of Europe.
In most areas of Europe, satellite reception offers the best and cheapest option for watching German TV or listening to the many free German radio stations.
Please remember that this guide is intended for viewers outside of Germany, far more options are available for those inside the country.
German PSB Channels |
Das Erste![]() It is a joint production of Germany’s regional public broadcasters acting through, and coordinated by, the ARD consortium. The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, both in SD and HD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East & in SD on Eutelsat Hotbird at 13° East. Live stream: www.daserste.de/live/ (Germany only) Live stream: Schöner Fernsehen (Worldwide) Website: www.daserste.de |
EinsFestival![]() EinsFestival programming includes documentaries, magazine programmes, films and music (rock and classical). Most of the programmes have already been broadcast by other public stations that belong to ARD. The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, both in SD and HD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East. Live stream: EinsFestival on FilmOn (Worldwide) Website: www.einsfestival.de |
EinsPlus![]() The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, both in SD and HD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East. Live stream: EinsPlus on FilmOn (Worldwide) Website: www.einsplus.de |
tagesschau24![]() tagesschau24 is ARD’s news channel and competes with N24 and n-tv. Besides news, tagesschau24 also broadcasts culture, sports and science programmes. The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, both in SD and HD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East. Live stream: www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/livestreams/ Live stream: Schöner Fernsehen (Worldwide) Live stream: tagesschau24 on FilmOn (Worldwide) Website: www.tagesschau.de |
ZDF (Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen)![]() It is run as an independent nonprofit institution, which was founded by all federal states of Germany (Bundesländer). ZDF is financed by television licence fees and advertising revenues. The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, both in SD and HD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East & in SD on Eutelsat Hotbird at 13° East. Live stream: www.zdf.de/ZDFmediathek/#/beitrag/livevideo/1822600/Das-ZDF-im-Livestream Live stream: Schöner Fernsehen (Worldwide) Live stream: ZDF on FilmOn Website: www.zdf.de |
ZDFneo![]() The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, both in SD and HD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East. Live stream: Schöner Fernsehen (Worldwide) Live stream: ZDFNeo on FilmOn Website: www.zdfneo.de |
ZDFinfo![]() The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, both in SD and HD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East. Live stream: Schöner Fernsehen (Worldwide) Live stream: ZDFinfo on FilmOn Website: www.zdfinfo.de |
ZDFkultur![]() The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, both in SD and HD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East. Live stream: Schöner Fernsehen (Worldwide) Live stream: ZDFkultur on FilmOn Website: www.zdfkultur.de |
KIKA Der Kinderkanal![]() KiKA is a joint venture of the national public television channels of ARD and of ARD’s constituent broadcasters: BR, HR, MDR, NDR, Radio Bremen, RBB, Saarländischer Rundfunk, SWR, WDR, and ZDF. KiKA broadcasts a mixture of live-action and animated features from 6:00 a.m. CET until 9:00 p.m. CET. Its intended audience is children and youth, and it is generally watched by children 3 to 13. The channel also repeats shows, such as Tabaluga tivi from ZDF’s main service. The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, both in SD and HD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East. Live stream: Schöner Fernsehen (Worldwide) Live stream: KIKA on FilmOn Website: www.kika.de |
Arte![]() It is made up of three separate companies: the Strasbourg-based European Economic Interest Grouping, Arte GEIE, plus two member companies acting as editorial and programme production centres, Arte France in Paris (France) and Arte Deutschland in Baden-Baden (Germany). As an international joint venture (an EEIG), its programmes cater technically to audiences from both France and Germany. This implies double-titling, opposite-language subtitling, dubbing, hosts who speak both languages alternately, and two separate audio tracks Three-quarters of ARTE’s programming are provided in equal proportion by the two member companies Arte France and Arte Deutschland while the remainder is being provided by Arte GEIE and the channel’s European partners. Some VOD content is available with English subtitles through the Arte website. The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, both in SD and HD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East & in SD on Eutelsat Hotbird at 13° East. Live stream: Schöner Fernsehen (Worldwide) Website: www.arte.tv |
3sat![]() 3sat was established to broadcast cultural programmes, originally by satellite. The network was founded as a cooperative network by Germany’s ZDF, Austria’s ORF and Switzerland’s SRG SSR (formerly SRG SSR idée suisse). 3sat began broadcasting on 1 December 1984. ZDF leads the cooperative, though decisions are reached through consensus of the cooperative’s partners. The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, both in SD and HD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East. Live stream: Schöner Fernsehen (Worldwide) http://schoener-fernsehen.com/live/stream/de/3SAT/ Website: www.3sat.de |
Phoenix![]() The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, both in SD and HD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East. Live stream: Schöner Fernsehen (Worldwide) Live stream: Phoenix on FilmOn Website: www.phoenix.de |
DW TV![]() DW TV Reception Information DW (TV) operates five channels: DW: Broadcast in Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania (24 hours in English). DW (Arabia): Broadcast in the Middle East and North Africa (24 hours in Arabic). DW (Latinoamérica): Broadcast in Latin America (24 hours in Spanish). DW (Amerika): Broadcast in the Americas (20 hours in German, 4 hours in English). DW (Asien): Broadcast in Asia (24 hours in German). Live stream: http://www.dw.com/en/media-center/live-tv/s-100825 Website: http://www.dw.com |
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Regional Channels |
Bayerisches Fernsehen![]() BR is a member organization of the ARD consortium of public broadcasters in Germany. The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, both in SD and HD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East. Website: www.br.de |
HR Fernsehen![]() The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, both in SD and HD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East. Website: www.hr-online.de |
MDR Fernsehen![]() MDR broadcasts its own television channel to the three states it serves and also contributes programming to the first German TV channel (Das Erste), as well as broadcasting a number of radio channels. Website: www.mdr.de |
NDR Fernsehen![]() Live stream: http://www.ndr.de/fernsehen/livestream217.html Website: www.ndr.de |
Radio Bremen TV![]() Website: www.radiobremen.de |
RBB Fernsehen![]() Website: www.rbb-online.de |
SR Fernsehen![]() Website: www.sr.de |
SWR Fernsehen![]() Website: www.swrfernsehen.de |
WDR Fernsehen![]() Live stream: http://www1.wdr.de/mediathek/video/livestream/ Website: www1.wdr.de |
Private Channels |
RTL Group www.rtlgroup.com |
RTL Television![]() The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, in SD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East, HD version is encrypted and available through HD+. Live stream: None known Website: www.rtl.de |
VOX![]() The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, in SD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East, HD version is encrypted and available through HD+. Live stream: None known Website: www.vox.de |
RTL II![]() Programming includes daily episodes of the local Big Brother in access prime-time, and a prime-time lineup consisting mostly of “docu-soaps”, movies and licensed series such as 24 and Stargate SG-1. Recent efforts to move further towards quality programming with science magazines and documentaries have met with an indifferent audience response. US imports are all dubbed in German. The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, in SD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East, HD version is encrypted and available through HD+. Website: www.rtl2.de |
Super RTL![]() The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, in SD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East, HD version is encrypted and available through HD+. Website: www.superrtl.de |
RTL Nitro![]() The slogan of RTL Nitro is „Fernsehen für Helden“ (television for heroes). It describes itself as a “premium entertainment channel” (“Premium-Unterhaltungssender”) for a widespread audience. It is mainly targeted to males in the age of 20 to 59. The program contains many old German and American series and films, though also first runs of some American series like Modern Family, Nurse Jackie or Chase. All imports are dubbed in German. The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, in SD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East, HD version is encrypted and available through HD+. Website: www.rtlnitro.de |
n-tv![]() Correspondents report live from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ and the New York Mercantile Exchange. The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, in SD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East, HD version is encrypted and available through HD+. Website: www.n-tv.de |
ProSiebenSat.1 Media Website: www.prosiebensat1.com |
Sat.1![]() Sat.1 is part of the ProSiebenSat.1 Media Group. The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, in SD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East, HD version is encrypted and available through HD+. Live stream: http://schoener-fernsehen.com/live/stream/de/SAT1/ (Worldwide) Website: www.sat1.de |
Sat.1 Gold![]() The channel broadcasts many German TV productions, mostly from the ProSiebenSat.1 archives. Programmes in the evening consists of documentaries, movies, thrillers and series. Live stream: http://schoener-fernsehen.com/live/stream/de/SAT1GOLD/ Website: http://www.sat1gold.de |
ProSieben![]() There are three different variants of the channel: ProSieben (for Germany), ProSieben Austria (for Austria) and ProSieben Schweiz (for Switzerland). The main difference is that they have different adverts and news for each target country. The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, in SD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East, HD version is encrypted and available through HD+. Live stream: http://schoener-fernsehen.com/live/stream/de/PRO7/ Website: www.prosieben.de |
ProSieben Maxx![]() Live stream: http://schoener-fernsehen.com/live/stream/de/PRO7MAXX/ Website: http://www.prosiebenmaxx.de |
sixx![]() The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, in SD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East, HD version is encrypted and available through HD+. Live stream: http://schoener-fernsehen.com/live/stream/de/SIXX/ Website: www.sixx.de |
kabel eins![]() The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, in SD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East, HD version is encrypted and available through HD+. Live stream: http://schoener-fernsehen.com/live/stream/de/KABEL%201/ Website: www.kabeleins.de |
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Viacom |
Viva VIVA is a free-to-air German-language music television channel, first broadcast on 1 December 1993. A consortium of broadcasters and record companies led by Time Warner, Sony Television, PolyGram Records and EMI Music, though not the German-based Bertelsmann Music Group. MTV operates German language VIVA channels in Austria and Germany. The channel is available free-to-air on satellite in SD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East. Website: www.viva.tv |
Comedy Central Comedy Central Germany is a German-speaking equivalent to Comedy Central. It broadcasts many American and British imports as well as original programming. Since 15 December 2008 Comedy Central Germany has ceased broadcasting 24 hours a day and is now time-sharing with Nickelodeon Germany, running from 20:15 (CET) to 05:45 (CET). There are also versions available for Austria and Switzerland. The channel is available free-to-air on satellite in SD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East. Website: www.comedycentral.tv |
Nickelodeon Nickelodeon (Nickelodeon Deutschland) , is a television channel for children in Germany, part of the international Nickelodeon franchise. Launched on 2005, Nickelodeon Germany is based in Berlin. There are also Austrian and Swiss versions of the channake available free-to-air. The channel is available free-to-air on satellite in SD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East. Website: www.nick.de |
Other Channels |
DMAX DMAX is a men’s lifestyle channel operated by Discovery Networks CEEMEA free-to-air in Germany, Austria, Switzerland. The United Kingdom and Italy have their own version of the channel. It is also widely available throughout the rest of Europe. It is seen as the only free-to-air mainstream channel with a focus on non-fiction entertainment, unique in German media. The channel is available free-to-air on satellite in SD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East. Website: http://www.dmax.de |
N24 N24 is a television news channel and website based in Germany and owned by WeltN24 GmbH. It also provides regular news updates to ProSiebenSat.1 Media properties like Pro Sieben and kabel eins. The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, in SD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East, HD version is encrypted and available through HD+. Website: www.n24.de |
SPORT1 Sport1 is a privately owned commercial German television channel. Until April 11, 2010, it was called DSF (Deutsches Sportfernsehen) SPORT1 has its headquarters in Ismaning near Munich. The channel is available free-to-air on satellite in SD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East. Website: www.sport1.de |
Tele 5 Tele 5 is a commercial television channel in Germany. The channel is largely known for showing classic American films and series and Japanese anime. The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, in SD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East, HD version is encrypted and available through HD+. Website: www.tele5.de |
Disney Channel Disney Channel is a German language television channel owned by The Walt Disney Company (Germany) GmbH, subsidiary of Disney Channels Worldwide, which itself is a unit of Disney-ABC Television Group that manages all of The Walt Disney Company’s Disney and ABC-branded television properties. The channel is based in Munich. Aimed mainly for all ages, its programming consists of original first-run television series, theatrically-released and original made-for-cable movies and select other third-party programming. The original programming is mainly brought by the American flagship Disney Channel. Website: http://disneychannel.de |
ANIXE ANIXE is an owner-run business, a rarity among German free TV broadcasters. ANIXE HD was the first free-to-air HD channel in Germany. The channel has a balanced mix of content including films, television classics and documentaries, viewer can switch safely at all times. An Austrian version of the channel is also available. The channel is available free-to-air on satellite, both in SD and HD on Astra 1 at 19.2° East. Live stream: http://www.anixehd.tv/stream/index.php (SopCast required) Website: www.anixehd.tv |
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Astra 1 at 19.2° East
Reception of German TV and radio in the UK is relatively easy, as the UK is within the official SES satellite footprints for the satellites used by German channels. |
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Eutelsat Hotbird at 13° East
This satellite position would not be your first option if you are living in the UK, there are only a few German channels available on Hotbird, Das Erste, ZDF, Arte and Deutsche Welle. |
German TV Guides |
TVinfo TVinfo – Sehen was läuft. |