ARD Livestream Technology: How Germany’s Public Broadcaster Streams Live

ARD Germany’s largest public broadcasting network, ARD, has a long history dating back to 1950 and numerous foreign bureaus around the world. More recently, ARD has embraced digital streaming, making its TV channels available online through services like the ARD Mediathek. ARD’s Das Erste channel and its regional “Third Programme” channels can be watched live on the internet by viewers.

That really means, perhaps a little less intuitively in practical terms of what it is you do on the streaming frame, diving into someone’s app (i.e. ARD Mediathek app, ARD Live portal…). These types of online streams use up-to-date streaming protocols and clouds, similar to global OTT providers.

ARD and ZDF together introduced MPEG-DASH live streams for high profile events like the Olympics.

Streaming is available in up to Full HD, allowing smooth playback across devices.

ARD’s Cloud & Infrastructure Transformation

Germany’s ARD group, which operates ten national and regional TV and radio stations, needed to consolidate its IT environments and migrate them to the cloud.

Behind ARD’s online streams lies a sophisticated technology stack. Somewhere in 2018–2019 ARD decided to get rid of its old monolith video platform and build a new cloud-native one.

ARD rebuilt its infrastructure on Google Cloud and is using Kubernetes for container orchestration.

Service Integration – Python Restful API are leveraged, Azure integrated, Toolchains, Apigee (API management), Firebase.

The platform expands and contracts on-demand in peak and off-peak hours.

Annual views doubled, to 50 million from 100 million.

And the average session went from 20 to 50 minutes.

STREAMING PROTOCOLS AND ADAPTIVE DELIVERY

To get the video ARD uses industry-standard streaming tools. The most popular of these are HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) and MPEG-DASH.

HLS is great for Apple and friends, and DASH has lower latency and better codec support.

They also both chop up video into small pieces and rely on a manifest file to switch bitrates on-the-fly.

Codecs in use: H.264, H.265/HEVC for 4K content.

These streams are delivered over HTTP by Content Delivery Networks (CDNs).

Hybrid TV Standards: HbbTV and DVB-I

The ARD has played a leading role in the implementation of HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV), a European initiative that brings together traditional TV viewing with the advantages and on-demand offerings of the internet. Smart TV apps also utilise HTML5 and DASH to superimpose interactive content over the top of any in-browser or in-app experiences. Features like “Replay” let viewers rewind live broadcasts that had been streamed with adaptive streaming. UHD (4K) trials were made possible through HbbTV 2.0. ARD is involved in the DVB-I pilot project (DVB-I being a hybrid broadcast internet delivery protocol), which complements services like RTL Live in enhancing the hybrid viewing experience.

Next-Generation Broadcasting: 5G and Over Beyond Each of the Describing Subtopics

The public broadcaster is exploring cutting-edge technologies such as 5G Broadcast (5G-T) to offer uninterrupted mass access via mobile phones without overloading bandwidth.

Involved in 5G testing at the Euro 2024 football competition.

Goal: Beam to multiple cell phones at once over a single 5G downlink.

HbbTV Expansion

HbbTV tech being used to take Germany’s ARD Mediathek (radio + podcast) on to smart TV.

Open Source Collaboration with the ZDF

In 2024, ARD revealed an open-source platform together with ZDF.

Shared development of:

• Streaming player
  
  
• Recommendation engine
  
  
• Design systems
  
  

A focus on open public broadcasting tech as opposed to commercial lock-in.

We are open-sourcing platform components to help smaller institutions.

ARD against Global Streaming Developments

ARD looks a lot like the global giants Netflix from the technology stack, but works with a different set of values. By utilizing cloud computing, microservices, and CDNs. Is there to fulfill a public-service mission, not make a profit. Emphasizes privacy, open standards and freedom of access. Not overly personalizes or monetizes the content. Use MPEG-DASH, HbbTV (and collaborates on DVB-I projects, unlike many U.S. services).

In My Experience: Public Innovation in the Media

In keeping with European broadcasting trends, ARD’s shift is both contemporary and purposeful. Gone from analog TV to digital cloud-based streaming in under a decade. Stresses public values while relying on cutting-edge tech like Silicon Valley platforms. Balances trust and accessibility without sacrificing stream quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ARD Live and how can I watch it?

ARD Live involves being able to watch ARD’s live TV programme via a live web stream on the internet either on the ARD Mediathek or in the ARD Live Portal. There are streams on offer in Germany with geo-restrictions for abroad.

Welche Streaming-Technik setzt ARD ein?

• HLS and MPEG-DASH at different bitrates
  
  
• Cloud hosting, Kubernetes, API gateways, CDNs
  
  
• Streams automatically adjust for network speed and device capacity
  
  

How does HbbTV work with ARD?

HbbTV integrates traditional broadcast with services from the Internet on the TV receivers using the existing broadband connection. Viewers can also use features such as Replay, browse guides, and listen to podcasts. Built with HTML5 and MPEG-DASH for product agility and better user experience.

Is ARD available in 4K or on mobile 5G?

ARD has experimented with 4K streaming through HbbTV and 5G Broadcast trials.

“Regular” streams are still largely HD, but ARD is getting ready for next-gen broadcasting.

Why ARD and ZDF are joining forces on streaming technology

• For economy of time and to avoid repetition
  
  
• Creating an openly owned, shared and transparent streaming platform
  
  
• Champions public-access tools and takes on big commercial platforms
  
  

How does ARD’s streaming service compare to offerings from companies like Netflix?

Technologically, yes (cloud, adaptive streaming). But ARD provides free, noncommercial, publicly financed content. It’s news, regional shows, sports — not just binge-worthy content.

What does ARD use MPEG-DASH and what is MPEG-DASH anyway?

A streaming format which adjusts video quality according to bandwidth. Works with several audio tracks and high-tech codecs (H.265, AV1). Perfect for events and HbbTV low-latency, high-efficient delivery.

Which devices and browsers support ARD Live?

The hardy likes of web browsers, mobile apps, smart TVs, streaming devices, and consoles. ARD programmes can be watched by EU-HTML5-ready devices.

Is watching ARD Live free?

Yes, it’s funded by Germany’s version of the TV license fee. No subscription, free for all viewers in Germany. What’s certain, though, is that some programming is blocked abroad because of licensing rights.