Most major streaming services are available in Germany, but their catalogs, prices, and language options differ from those in other countries, while sports rights are divided between several providers. This guide compares the leading on-demand services, live TV platforms, and sports subscriptions, including their English-language support, prices, contract terms, and available bundles. For a quick answer, here are our three top picks for the most common viewing needs:
Top Picks: Streaming Services in Germany
Best for English-language movies and series
Netflix
Netflix is our top all-around choice for a broad catalog of international movies, series, documentaries, and original productions with English audio and subtitles.
Best-value live TV and streaming bundle
MagentaTV SmartStream is the all-in-one streaming package with 180+ live TV channels, Netflix, Disney+, RTL+ Premium, and MagentaTV+ (use with any provider).
Best for Premier League and Sky Sport
WOW Live-Sport features all Premier League, Friday/Saturday Bundesliga, 2. Bundesliga, Formula 1, MotoGP, tennis, golf, and US sports.
Jump to: Movies & series • Live TV • Sports • Save money • Internet requirements
Best On-Demand Streaming Services for Movies and Series in Germany
Germany has a wide selection of streaming services, but their catalogs can differ significantly from those available in the US, UK, or other countries. A series associated with Hulu, Peacock, or another foreign service may be licensed to a completely different provider in Germany.
The provider cards below compare the main services by price, English-language support, strengths, and limitations.
Compare Streaming Services for Movies and Series
Prime Video
HBO Max
Netflix
Disney+
Apple TV
Paramount+
RTL+
Where to Stream Your Favorite Movies and Series in Germany?
The table below highlights selected films, series, and franchises currently included with each subscription. The examples are not exhaustive, and streaming catalogs change regularly. The overview does not show films or series that are not included in the subscription but must be rented, purchased, or added through a separate channel.
| Streaming service | Selected movies | Selected series and shows |
|---|---|---|
| Prime Video | Road House, Saltburn, The Tomorrow War, The Idea of You | Fallout, Reacher, The Boys, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power |
| WOW | Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, The Naked Gun, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, Roofman | The Day of the Jackal, The Rookie, Elsbeth, Fire Country |
| HBO Max | Superman, Dune: Part Two, A Minecraft Movie, The Batman | The Last of Us, House of the Dragon, The White Lotus, The Pitt |
| Netflix | Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, The Gray Man, All Quiet on the Western Front, KPop Demon Hunters | Stranger Things, Wednesday, Bridgerton, Squid Game |
| Disney+ | Inside Out 2, Moana 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, Avatar: The Way of Water | Andor, Loki, The Bear, Shōgun |
| Apple TV | F1, The Gorge, Killers of the Flower Moon, CODA | Severance, Ted Lasso, Silo, Slow Horses |
| Paramount+ | Top Gun: Maverick, Gladiator II, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning | Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Landman, Tulsa King, NCIS: Tony & Ziva |
| RTL+ | Titanic, Bridget Jones, Venom, Me Before You | Sisi, Ich bin Dagobert, Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten, Temptation Island |
| Joyn | The Accountant 2, 65, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Mortal Engines | Charmed, One Tree Hill, Germany’s Next Topmodel, The Voice of Germany |
Availability can change when licensing agreements expire. Check the title page before subscribing, particularly if you are joining a service for only one film or series.
Frequently Asked Questions About Streaming Movies and Series in Germany
Which German streaming service is best for English-language content and subtitles
HBO Max or WOW: Which is better for HBO produced movies and series?
Why does a movie still cost extra even though it appears in the app?
How can you check where a movie or series is streaming in Germany?
Can you keep using your streaming accounts after moving to Germany?
Is Hulu available in Germany?
Can you watch Peacock in Germany?
Best Live TV Streaming Services in Germany
App-based live TV services let you watch German and international television through an existing internet connection without a cable connection, satellite dish, or provider-specific receiver. You can stream through a web browser or apps for smartphones, tablets, streaming devices, and supported smart TVs. The providers offer features such as program guides, cloud recording, restart, and replay. You can also purchase bundles or add-ons that combine live TV with subscriptions to services such as Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, WOW, or DAZN.
Existing O₂ customers: Customers with an O₂ mobile or home internet contract can also add O₂ TV, which offers more than 150 HD channels and plans that include Netflix and Disney+. It is not included in the main comparison because it cannot be booked without an eligible O₂ contract.
Free Live TV Alternatives
If you only need basic German television for a limited period, try Joyn or the public broadcasters before paying for a live TV subscription:
- Joyn provides more than 100 free live channels (including Joyn Series and Movies from ProSieben, Sat.1, and Kabel Eins as well as Joyn Sport).
- ARD/ZDF Mediathek streaming portals provide free live streams and catch-up content from Das Erste, the regional ARD broadcasters, ZDF, ZDFneo, ZDFinfo, 3sat, arte, KiKA, and phoenix.
English-Language TV Channels in Germany
Although most German television channels broadcast in German, the main live TV platforms also carry several international news channels in English. Depending on the provider and selected package, these can include: BBC News, CNN International, CNBC Europe, Bloomberg Television, Al Jazeera English, France 24 English, Euronews English.
waipu.tv currently offers a particularly broad selection, including international news channels as well as BBC-branded FAST channels such as BBC Food, BBC Travel, BBC History and Top Gear. Zattoo also offers optional packages in other languages, including Italian, Polish, Turkish, Croatian, Russian, and Serbian channels.
Frequently Asked Questions about Live TV Streaming in Germany
Best Sports Streaming Services in Germany
Sports broadcasting rights in Germany are split among several providers, and the service showing a competition in the US, UK, or Spain may not hold the rights in Germany. No single subscription covers every major league or event, so the best choice depends on the sports you follow, whether you want English commentary, and whether you prefer a paid subscription or free coverage. The provider cards below compare the main options, while the table and FAQs show where to stream individual competitions and answer common questions about sports coverage in Germany.
Compare Sports Streaming Services
DAZN
RTL+ Sport
Dyn
Prime Video Sports
HBO Max Sports
ARD/ZDF
Where to Stream Live Sports and Competitions in Germany
The table below shows where you can legally stream the most popular sports and competitions of the 2026/27 season in Germany. The coverage labels show how much of each competition a service carries in Germany:
- FULL: Entire competition shown
- MAIN: Substantial/primary package but not every event
- SELECTED: Individual games, rounds, or events only
- FREE: Coverage available without a separate paid sports subscription, usually through a free-to-air channel or free stream.
| Sport or competition | Streaming services in Germany |
|---|---|
| Bundesliga | WOW MAIN DAZN MAIN Joyn SELECTED • FREE (Sat.1) |
| 2. Bundesliga | WOW FULL RTL+ SELECTED Joyn SELECTED • FREE (Sat.1) |
| 3. Liga, Women’s Bundesliga | MagentaSport FULL DAZN SELECTED ARD/ZDF SELECTED • FREE Joyn SELECTED • FREE (SPORT1) |
| DFB Pokal | WOW FULL RTL+ FULL ARD/ZDF SELECTED • FREE |
| UEFA Champions League | DAZN MAIN Prime Video SELECTED ARD/ZDF SELECTED • FREE |
| UEFA Europa/Conference League | RTL+ MAIN WOW SELECTED |
| Women’s Champions League | Disney+ FULL ARD/ZDF SELECTED • FREE |
| Premier League | WOW FULL |
| EFL Ch., League One/Two, Carabao Cup | WOW SELECTED |
| FA Cup, LaLiga, Serie A, Ligue 1 | DAZN MAIN |
| FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro | MagentaSport FULL ARD/ZDF MAIN • FREE |
| UEFA Nations League, Germany matches | ARD/ZDF MAIN • FREE RTL+ MAIN DAZN SELECTED |
| Handball 1./2. Bundesliga, DHB-Pokal | Dyn FULL Joyn SELECTED • FREE (Dyn Sport Mix) |
| EHF club competitions, Germany matches | Dyn MAIN ARD/ZDF SELECTED • FREE |
| Formula 1 | WOW FULL RTL+ SELECTED |
| MotoGP | WOW FULL ServusTV On/Red Bull TV/DF1 SELECTED • FREE |
| NFL | DAZN FULL (NFL Game Pass) WOW MAIN RTL+ SELECTED |
| Basketball Bundesliga | Dyn FULL Joyn SELECTED • FREE (Dyn Sport Mix) |
| NBA | NBA League Pass FULL WOW MAIN Prime Video MAIN |
| EuroLeague & EuroCup | MagentaSport FULL |
| MLB | MLB.TV FULL DAZN SELECTED |
| German Ice Hockey League | MagentaSport FULL DF1 SELECTED • FREE |
| NHL | NHL.TV FULL WOW MAIN |
| IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship | Sporteurope.TV FULL Joyn SELECTED • FREE (ProSieben/ProSieben MAXX) MagentaSport SELECTED |
| Wimbledon | Prime Video FULL |
| Australian Open, Roland-Garros | HBO Max + Sports FULL discovery+ FULL Joyn MAIN • FREE (Eurosport 1) |
| US Open, ATP/WTA tournaments | WOW/Sky MAIN Tennis TV SELECTED HBO Max + Sports SELECTED Joyn SELECTED • FREE (Tennis Channel) Sporteurope.TV SELECTED |
| Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, La Vuelta | HBO Max + Sports FULL discovery+ FULL Joyn MAIN • FREE (Eurosport 1) ARD SELECTED • FREE |
| Olympic Games | HBO Max + Sports FULL discovery+ FULL ARD/ZDF MAIN • FREE Joyn MAIN • FREE (Eurosport 1) |
| Winter sports | ARD/ZDF MAIN • FREE Joyn MAIN • FREE (Eurosport 1) HBO Max + Sports MAIN discovery+ MAIN |
| UFC, boxing, MMA | DAZN MAIN RTL+ SELECTED UFC Fight Pass SELECTED |
| PDC darts | DAZN FULL Joyn MAIN • FREE (SPORT1) |
| PGA Tour, DP World Tour, Ryder Cup | MagentaSport FULL |
| Golf majors, LIV Golf, LPGA, LET | MagentaSport FULL |
| Cricket | ICC.tv/ICC YouTube SELECTED • FREE YuppTV/Cricbuzz SELECTED ECN/DCB YouTube SELECTED • FREE |
Sources: official rights announcements from the DFL, DFB, and UEFA, together with current German sports information from Prime Video, WOW/Sky, DAZN, RTL, MagentaSport, Dyn, HBO Max, and discovery+; broadcasting rights can change – check the information on the streaming service’s website before subscribing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Streaming in Germany
The answers below explain the most important cases in which you need more than one service, a particular subscription, or additional information beyond the comparison table.
How Can You Watch Every Bundesliga Match in Germany?
Where Can You Watch the UEFA Champions League in Germany?
Where Can You Watch the Premier League in Germany?
How Can You Watch Every NFL Game in Germany?
Where Can You Stream Formula 1 and MotoGP in Germany?
Where Can You Stream Tennis in Germany?
How Can You Watch Cricket in Germany?
Can you watch ESPN, ESPN+ or Fox Sports in Germany?
How to Save Money on Streaming Services in Germany
After comparing current prices, contract terms, and bundles in Germany, we found that most households get the best value by keeping one main entertainment service, using free TV options, and rotating one additional subscription based on what they currently want to watch.
💡Tip 1: Keep One Main Service and Rotate the Rest
Choose one service that covers most of your regular viewing. This could be Netflix for a broad international catalog, Disney+ for families and major franchises, Prime Video if you already use Amazon Prime, or HBO Max for HBO and Warner Bros. content.
Add services such as Apple TV, Paramount+, or WOW only when they have a specific movie or series you want to watch. If possible, wait until an entire season is available, subscribe for one month, and cancel after finishing it.
Do not choose an annual plan solely because its monthly equivalent is lower. It only saves money if you would otherwise remain subscribed for most of the year.
💡Tip 2: Use Free Streaming Services First
ARD, ZDF, arte, and Joyn provide live television, news, documentaries, children’s programming, movies, series, and selected sports without an additional streaming subscription. As in most German households, you probably still pay the mandatory broadcasting fee that funds public broadcasters.
Pluto TV and other ad-supported platforms offer additional live channels and on-demand content. These free options may be sufficient for German television, news, major international tournaments, winter sports, and occasional entertainment.
💡Tip 3: Compare the Full Cost of Bundles
Bundles from MagentaTV, O₂ TV, waipu.tv, Sky, and Vodafone can cost less than booking each service separately. However, a bundle only saves money if you use its live TV package and most of the included subscriptions. Before signing up, compare:
- the price after any introductory offer
- the total cost over the minimum contract term
- the exact Netflix, Disney+, DAZN, or WOW tier included
- advertising, video quality, downloads, and simultaneous streams
- the cost of upgrading the included plan
- whether an existing account can be linked
Also check whether your internet, mobile, or TV provider offers a customer-only discount. Eligible Vodafone customers, for example, can book Netflix at a reduced price. MagentaTV and O₂ TV combine several streaming services in selected plans, while waipu.tv offers live TV packages with Netflix.
Do not assume that a subscription is included simply because its app appears in a TV interface. Netflix, Disney+, DAZN, and other apps may still require separate payment.
💡Tip 4: Choose Sports Subscriptions by Season
No single subscription covers every major sport in Germany. Choose a provider based on the competitions you actually follow rather than the total number of sports advertised.
WOW is the main option for the Premier League, Formula 1, and part of the Bundesliga. DAZN carries most Champions League matches and several European soccer leagues. Watching every Bundesliga match requires both WOW or Sky and DAZN.
League-specific services such as NFL Game Pass or NBA League Pass may offer better value if you want every game from a single league. ARD and ZDF also show major international tournaments, Olympic events, and extensive winter sports coverage without an additional sports subscription.
Monthly plans can be cheaper for short tournaments or the final weeks of a season. Annual plans may offer better value for competitions you follow throughout most of the year.
Our recommendation for new arrivals is to begin with the free services and one flexible entertainment subscription. Wait before entering a long-term bundle contract until you know which channels, language options, and sports rights you will actually use.
Frequently Asked Questions About Streaming Costs and Bundles
What Internet Speed Do You Need for Streaming?
You do not need gigabit internet for Netflix, Disney+, live TV, or sports. A stable connection matters more than the maximum advertised speed, especially for live events. The recommendations below apply to each active stream, so allow additional capacity when several devices are used simultaneously.
| Streaming quality | Recommended speed per stream | Estimated data use per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Standard definition | 1-3 Mbps | Up to approximately 1 GB |
| HD (720p) | 3-5 Mbps | Approximately 1–2 GB |
| Full HD (1080p) | 5–10 Mbps | Approximately 2–3 GB |
| 4K Ultra HD | 15–25 Mbps | Up to approximately 7 GB |
| Live sport in HD | 8–25 Mbps | Approximately 3–7 GB |
Actual requirements vary by service, device, and quality setting. Netflix recommends 5 Mbps for Full HD and 15 Mbps for 4K, while Disney+ recommends 5 Mbps for HD, 8 Mbps for live content, and 25 Mbps for 4K.
Is 50 Mbps Enough for Streaming?
A 50 Mbps connection is sufficient for most one- or two-person households:
50 Mbps: several HD streams or one 4K stream
100 Mbps: multiple streams, two 4K televisions, video calls, gaming, or remote work
250 Mbps or more: larger households and frequent large downloads
Faster internet reduces download times but does not improve stream quality once the required speed is available. Wi-Fi performance may also be lower than the speed your router can reach, so test the connection on the streaming device and use Ethernet where possible.
Can You Stream with Mobile Internet in Germany?
A stable 4G or 5G connection can support HD, 4K, and live sports, but data use is the main limitation. A two-hour HD movie may use 4–6 GB, while a two-hour 4K movie can use up to approximately 14 GB.
A mobile plan from a German network provider with 20 or 30 GB is suitable for occasional streaming but will not replace home internet for regular viewing. An unlimited data SIM or 5G home internet plan can work for temporary stays or homes with poor fixed-line infrastructure, provided indoor reception is strong.
Test the network in the room where you intend to stream, as speeds may be lower indoors or during busy evening hours. A German fixed-line DSL, cable, or fiber provider is generally more reliable for families, shared apartments, and frequent 4K viewing.
