ARD and ZDF launch joint streaming network

German public broadcasters ARD and ZDF have launched their planned joint streaming network.

The joint offering provides common search and recommendation functionality, while the pair’s joint media catalogues now enable common entry to a broad range of publicly-funded content.

The official launch follows a period of several months when it has been possible to find and play content from one of the providers in the media library of the other, i.e. ZDF content in the ARD media library and vice versa.

This has meant that users have been able to watch shows such as the current ARD series Babylon Berlin or the ZDF today show, regardless of which media library they are currently in.

As of this week, both media libraries mutually recommend content from the most important genres such as series, films, documentaries, information, culture and science. This has created a large public content offering, in which users can also find a lot of content from funk, Phoenix, Arte and 3sat.

Both broadcasters say they envisage closer cooperation with other public service partners in other European countries in the future.

The pair say that the future basis for the evolving joint streaming network will be a common technical platform with open standards, on which ARD and ZDF are working in the background. ARD and ZDF already share the same recommendation system with fair and what they describe as transparent algorithms that help to implement the public service mandate.

Future iterations involve the pair working closely together on the player and relying on common standards. An expanded common login is also planned, including the possibility for users to create comprehensive watch lists from the entire pool of content.

ZDF director Dr. Norbert Himmler said: “The streaming network can now be experienced in concrete terms by users. It offers an easily accessible public service cosmos that combines high-quality content and responsible use of data and technology.”

ARD chairman Prof. Dr. Kai Gniffke said: “We want people to be able to use the digital offerings of public broadcasting in Germany as easily and conveniently as possible. We offer more information, culture, entertainment and knowledge than any other streaming provider and it has never been easier to experience it all.”