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ARD Mediathek is the free streaming home of Germany’s ARD public broadcast network, but like most German public broadcasters, it checks your location and blocks access from outside Germany. Here’s what ARD Mediathek is and how to watch it from anywhere with a VPN.

What Is ARD Mediathek?

ARD Mediathek is the on-demand streaming platform for ARD, Germany’s largest public broadcaster, made up of Das Erste and the regional public TV stations. It streams news, dramas, documentaries, and live TV, all funded by Germany’s public broadcasting fee rather than a subscription.

Is ARD Mediathek Free?

Yes. ARD Mediathek is completely free to watch, with no subscription or premium tier. Because it’s funded by Germany’s public broadcasting license fee, there are no ads on most content either.

How to Watch ARD Mediathek Outside Germany

ARD Mediathek uses geo-restrictions to keep its programming limited to viewers inside Germany, mainly due to broadcasting rights agreements. If you’re traveling outside Germany, you’ll need a VPN to make it look like you’re still there.

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  1. Step 1: Get IPVanish here and create your account.
  2. Step 2: Set your VPN location to Germany.
  3. Step 3: Open up ARD Mediathek and sign in. It will load like you are browsing from Germany.

How to Sign Up for ARD Mediathek

ARD Mediathek doesn’t require an account for most content — just open the site or app and start watching. A small amount of age-restricted content may ask you to verify your age before playing.

More Free Streaming Sites

ARD Mediathek is one of dozens of free, legal streaming sites we’ve rounded up, including other options like ZDF Mediathek, Joyn, and France.tv that follow the same VPN rule. Check out our full list of free streaming sites for more.