Ard Mediathek
In short
ARD Mediathek is the digital streaming platform for German public broadcasting. It provides access to films, documentaries, news, and live television from various regional broadcasters.
In plain words
It is a website and app where you can watch TV shows from German public channels. You can watch programmes live or catch up on things you missed. It is free to use for anyone with an internet connection.
A simple example
A viewer can log on to the platform to watch a recent news report from Tagesschau or stream a documentary produced by a regional station.
Why it matters
It ensures that high-quality journalism and culture are available on demand. It helps people access public service content outside of traditional broadcast schedules.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse it with Netflix, which is a private subscription service, whereas this is a public service platform.