[Full Guide] How to Watch and Download ZDF Live and Streaming Shows

Lumi 22/01/2025

CleverGet ZDF Downloader

1,108 views

Do you know what ZDF is? The full name of this acronym is Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen, which is also its German name. It stands for Second German Television, which was first launched in 1963. From its name, we can also see the status of this TV station in Germany. It is the second-largest public service television station in Germany and the largest in Europe. In the beginning, users were only able to watch news programs on this station, but now it offers a wide range of programs, including documentaries, entertainment programs, drama, sports events and more. When we refer to it in English, we tend to choose ZDF Media Library or just use the acronym ZDF. If you want to watch videos on this TV station, read this guide. You will definitely find the most detailed information here, including four ways to watch ZDF, as well as several ways to download videos on this platform. Some frequently asked questions about this TV station will also be answered here. Feel free to follow along with us as we explore, and we sincerely hope that our content will help you.

Part 1: Is ZDF Free in Germany?

Since it's a TV station from Germany, we are sure you're wondering, is ZDF free in Germany? The answer is Yes. The first thing you need to be aware of is, according to the official information, all households in Germany, with the exception of those receiving social assistance or disabled users, must pay a monthly license fee of 18.36 euros to access ZDF TV. This fee is payable whether or not you have a TV or internet installed. However, you will not need to pay anything extra when you watch live or on-demand content on the ZDF platform afterwards.

In addition to the fees paid by viewers, ZDF, as a public service media organization, also generates revenue through advertising, program sales, or sponsorships. This also means that users will encounter some advertisements when watching ZDF live or other content. But these ads usually don't affect our viewing experience too much.

Please note that if you do not pay your ZDF subscription fee on time, you may be contacted by the official authorities and your account will be debited with the relevant fee, and an additional fee will be charged for late payment. In addition, your credit score may be affected.

Part 2: How to Watch ZDF Live and Streaming Shows

1. How to Watch ZDF on the Web Browser

Until a few years ago, the only way we could watch television was on TV. But with the advancement of technology and newer devices, we have been able to watch ZDF live in real time through online platforms. All we need to do is visit ZDF's official website to find a variety of options, including live channel streaming content and on-demand content for TV shows, movies, and documentaries. They are categorized into free and those that need to be subscribed. You can choose whether to pay or not according to your needs. Visit the official website of ZDF (www.zdf.de) to learn more.

2. How to Watch ZDF on Television Broadcast

As one of Europe's largest television stations, ZDF is currently broadcasting most traditionally through television sets. If you live in Germany or in a neighbouring area close enough to Germany to receive German TV signals, you can watch ZDF on your own TV set. Simply tune in to the corresponding channel number and you are ready to watch the program. If you want to get more information about ZDF TV, please check your local program schedule. Or, more intuitively, consult your local cable or satellite TV provider for a more professional opinion.

Note that you will have to pay a monthly broadcasting fee of €18.36. This is payable for every German apartment, even if you don't have a TV, radio, or access to the internet in your home. If you are outside of Germany and want to watch ZDF TV, you will need to use a VPN to connect to the ZDF servers.

3. How to Watch ZDF on Mobile Devices

Although we can watch content from ZDF live stream on both computers and TVs, this is obviously not convenient for users who are often on the go. After all, we can't carry such a large device with us. Fortunately, ZDF has now developed an app for mobile devices. We can now install it on our phones or tablets and watch programs from this platform. You can find it in the app store of your own device. And it doesn't matter if you have an Android or an iOS device, you can find the version that works for you.

4. How to Watch ZDF on Amazon Fire TV/Android TV/Apple TV

If you are not in the German region and want to watch the content of the ZDF platform on the TV side, there are two other options available to you. The first is the ZDF app, which is currently available in the Amazon App Store. Just install it on your TV and watch the content. The second way is to use a VPN service to connect to the German servers.

There is enough content on the ZDF live stream to satisfy any user. For the hearing impaired, the platform provides clear subtitles to help them follow what's being played, and for the mentally challenged, it offers audio description capabilities. You can activate these features in both the TV and streaming options. If you have any comments about the platform, you can also keep in touch with the officials through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Through this platform, you can enjoy great content from every part of the world.

Part 3: How to Download ZDF Live and Streaming Shows for Offline Watching

1. How to Download ZDF Shows on the Moblie App

The app version of ZDF is supporting users to download videos offline. As long as we open the target video within the app and the download icon appears underneath the video, then we can get it directly by tapping on it and we can also see the size of the video file near the icon to estimate whether the device has enough memory space or not.

Here are the steps of ZDF mediathek downloading.

Step 1. Download and install the ZDF app from the Google Store or Apple App Store.

Step 2. Find the video you want to download and tap on it.

Step 3. Tap on the download icon under the video playback window.

2. How to Download ZDF on PC

Compared to computers, our cell phone storage space is still very limited. So, if we want to download movies with high definition or long series, it is not suitable to choose a cell phone as the saving path. The computer is a more stable choice; its memory space is enough for us to store many video files. However, ZDF's computer platform does not provide a download channel at the moment. If we want to download ZDF content, we'd better use some third-party video downloader. Among the similar products on the market, we recommend trying CleverGet ZDF Downloader, which can help us download 1080p quality files from the ZDF platform and export them in MP4 or MKV format. As soon as we are able to open and play a video from the ZDF platform on a web page, CleverGet ZDF Downloader can start parsing it and provide download options. The application also detects all subtitles and audio track files in the source video and allows the user to choose to embed the subtitles directly into the video or save them separately as SRT or SUP format files. Even if you would otherwise be unable to watch underage-protected content at certain times due to regional or identity restrictions, you can remove this restriction by using it to download videos. Once you save the video file to your computer, you can enjoy the work at any time.

Guide: How to Download ZDF Shows Without Limitations Using CleverGet ZDF Downloader

CleverGet ZDF Downloader is very easy to use, you just need a few clicks to download ZDF mediathek successfully. Here is what you need to do to use CleverGet ZDF Downloader on your computer.

Step 1. Download and install CleverGet ZDF Downloader on your computer. Launch it, and finish the settings of download directory.

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• CleverGet ZDF Downloader

  - Download ZDF movies, TV series at high resolution.
  - Batch download related videos from your target urls.
  - Download ZDF videos to MP4/MKV to adapt various devices.
  - Download selected audio tracks and subtitles, or save subtitles as SRT.
  - Remove ads and pop-ups from downloaded videos for smooth watching.

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Step 2. Open the ZDF platform and find the video you want to download. Play it on the page.

Step 3. CleverGet ZDF Downloader will parse the video and offer a download option.

Step 4. Click the download button and select output resolution and format.

Step 5. Finally, click Download to download ZDF mediathek videos on your PC.

Part 4: FAQs

Q1: How can I watch ZDF outside Germany?

If you are outside of Germany, for example if you want to watch ZDF in the USA, you may need to use a VPN. You can connect to a German server and change your IP address to a local German address.

Q2: Why can't I watch movies on ZDF mediathek?

The most immediate reason is that your VPN connection is unstable. You need to make sure that you are connected to a German node before you can watch directly. If you are in Germany and the problem is still not solved, check if there are any restrictions on the movies you can watch. For example, some movies can only be viewed after 10 pm and before 6 pm the next day, and viewers must be at least 16 years old and have a ZDF account.

Q3: Can I watch ZDF content if I haven't verified my age?

Sure. Age verification is not necessary. If you don't want to verify your age or create a personal ZDF account, then you can still watch 16+ content protected for minors between 10 pm and 6 pm. Outside of this time period, however, you may not view such content.

Q4: I don't have a German ID document or passport, can I watch ZDF?

Of course, you can, but you may also face some limitations. For example, you can only watch youth-protected content between 10 pm and 6 am.

Q5: Where and how to verify my age on ZDF?

You need to be age and identity verified on the official ZDF website. On all platforms, you can unlock all content with age restrictions once you have entered your configured Parental Controls PIN. If you don’t have the PIN, the website will guide you to create one.

Part 5: Conclusion

This is a guide to help you watch ZDF Platform videos. We cover each of the four ways to watch ZDF programs on the platform, as well as two ways to help you download videos offline. Included is one of the best third-party video downloaders, CleverGet ZDF Downloader. Not only does it help you get away from all the official platform restrictions, but it also allows you to freely pick and choose the audio tracks and subtitles for your downloaded videos. In the last part, we also answered some questions about age restrictions and identity restrictions. We're sure you'll be able to lock in your favorite programs and start enjoying life after getting this information.