Streaming has revolutionized the way we consume video content! Whether you’re a movie buff, a sports fanatic, a fan of binge-worthy TV shows, or just want to learn German, Germany offers a variety of streaming services tailored to different tastes. From global giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime to regional favorites such as Joyn and MagentaTV, you can select between different providers to find the content you like. Here is a list of the top options available in Germany!
International Streaming Services in Germany
WOW: HBO, Blockbuster Movies, and Live Sports
HBO Max isn’t officially available in Germany, but you can still watch HBO content—just not directly through the HBO Max app. Instead, the Pay-TV provider Sky Deutschland has exclusive rights to HBO shows. Sky’s WOW streaming service offers access to HBO series, a variety of blockbuster movies, and live sports. You can watch the content in the original language and German.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video in Germany works much the same as it does elsewhere. If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you also get access to video straming.
Prime Video Germany offers a mix of international and German-language films, series and documentaries, Bundesliga live matches (if you have a sports add-on), and the ability to rent or buy movies not included in the regular catalog.
Netflix
Netflix is probably the first name that comes to mind when thinking about streaming. The good news? It’s widely available in Germany. However, the catalog differs from what you might be used to in the U.S. or U.K.—some shows and movies are missing, while others are exclusive to Germany.
Netflix Germany features plenty of English-language content with subtitles, but it also has a strong lineup of German originals.
Disney+
If you love Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, or Pixar, Disney+ is a must-have. The streaming platform features kids and adult content. A big plus is that Disney+ allows you to switch between languages easily, so if you’re learning German, you can watch your favorite content in both English and German with subtitles.
Apple TV+
Apple TV+ isn’t the biggest streaming service, but it’s growing. Since it doesn’t have a massive library, it focuses on high-quality originals. There’s no extensive back catalog of classic films or shows. But if you recently bought an Apple device, you might get 3 months free, so it’s worth checking out.
German Platforms and Live TV Streams
Joyn
Joyn is one of the best options for free streaming in Germany. It offers a mix of live TV and on-demand content, and you don’t even need to sign up to start watching. The free tier includes over 60 live TV channels, including ProSieben, Sat.1, and Kabel Eins, plus a library of German series, reality shows, and movies.
If you pay for Joyn Plus, you get access to exclusive Joyn Originals, more premium TV channels (like Eurosport), ad-free streaming, and higher resolution.
MagentaTV
MagentaTV is Deutsche Telekom’s answer to modern streaming. It features 180+ regional and international live TV channels, on-demand movies & series (including Telekom’s own exclusive productions). If you are a Telekom customer already, you might often get discounts.
Zattoo
Zattoo offers both free and paid plans, so you can try it out before committing. They have over 100 German and international channels. The free plan includes public TV and some private channels. Premium plans include further channels, HD quality, and cloud recording.
Waipu.tv
Waipu offers 100 live TV channels, from German public broadcasters like ARD and ZDF to private channels like RTL, ProSieben, and international options. There are also features for cloud recording re-watching shows after they’ve aired.
ARD, ZDF, DW, and arte Mediathek: Free Public Broadcasting Platforms
Germany’s public broadcasters, ARD and ZDF, offer completely free streaming through their Mediathek (media libraries). Unlike most free services, these don’t have hidden paywalls or aggressive ads. There is live TV including streaming of major events (including the Olympics, Football World Cup, and political debates), a deep archive of documentaries, news, cultural programs, German TV movies, and series.
DW (Deutsche Welle) is the international German TV stations. It focuses on news and documentaries and is available in a variety of languages including German, English, and Spanish.
Co-founded with the French public broadcaster, arte is a bilingual TV channel offering cultural content and documentaries in French and German.
RTL+
If you love reality TV, drama, and German entertainment, RTL+ is your go-to platform. It’s home to some of Germany’s most popular entertainment shows, including Germany’s Got Talent, or the national version of Dancing with the Stars. RTL+ also offers true crime documentaries, exclusive dramas, and a selection of Hollywood films dubbed in German.
Sports Streaming Services in Germany
DAZN
DAZN (pronounced “Da Zone”) has become one of the biggest players in live sports streaming worldwide, and in Germany, it’s a must-have for football fans looking for Champions League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1. However, they also feature NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, tennis, and more.
WOW Live-Sport
WOW features Bundesliga matches and it remains the top choice for Premier League fans. If you’re into motorsports, Sky also holds exclusive Formula 1 rights, making it the go-to option for F1 enthusiasts in Germany. Furthermore, there is Golf, handball, and selected tennis tournaments.
MagentaSport
MagentaSport has some great niche sports coverage, including basketball, ice hockey, women’s, and 3rd-division football (3. Liga).
Eurosport
Eurosport is an established channel in the sports niche with Grand Slam tennis (Australian Open, French Open, U.S. Open), Cycling (Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España), Winter sports (biathlon, ski jumping, alpine skiing, etc.).
You can watch the live streams of Eurosport 1 for free via Joyn and Eurosport 2 on DAZN. If you choose, discovery+ also gives you access to replays.
SPORT1 / SPORTDIGITAL
SPORT1 and SPORTDIGITAL feature sports such as Darts or international football. The program is available via streaming services such as Zattoo, waipu, and DAZN.
Sports on ARD and ZDF Mediathek
The public German broadcasters show live streams, replays, and highlights of major sports events. This includes the Olympics, football (i.e., European Championships / World Cup, national team matches), and winter sports.
