Watch ZDF livestream abroad - how it works
Related Videos: DW News Livestream | Latest news and breaking stories (May 2024).
This guide shows you how you can watch ZDF live streaming abroad. This is possible via detours - but within the EU you can receive ZDF quite easily from some providers.
ZDF abroad: Live stream received
You can also watch many broadcasts abroad on ZDF in the livestream. However, sporting events, films or other content are sometimes only available to viewers in Germany. This is because the ZDF only has the national and not the international broadcasting rights.
- The ZDF checks the geoposition of the viewer via the IP address and, if necessary, denies access. This block can be avoided with a proxy. Use FoxyProxy for Chrome or Firefox. Be sure to read our overview of the legal situation of proxy blocks.
- Alternatively, you can use a VPN tool such as CyberGhost VPN or VPN One Click.
- Please note that you have to connect to the Internet via a German proxy server in order to receive the ZDF livestream. However, the proxy connection can result in a drop in speed, so that the stream is not played back smoothly.
- According to an EU regulation, geo-barriers are no longer permitted within the European Union. However, this only applies to paid offers. Services such as Zattoo or waipu.tv allow you to see all of the ZDF's content abroad, provided you pay for the service. Tip: This also applies to the free trial month.
Watch ZDF abroad: is this legal?
In principle, it is not allowed to bypass the proxy lock.
- Since the ZDF usually only has the rights for film and sports broadcasts for the German market, the broadcaster is obliged to set up this lock.
- Bypass the lock anyway, but you have no consequences to fear. Since it is only about streaming and not about downloading the content, most lawyers classify the process as legal.
- In addition, there is no institution that identifies and reports such violations. Neither the police, nor the ZDF, nor the rights holders are interested in such an investigation. This is mainly due to the fact that such violations can hardly be proven and would therefore be difficult to prove in court.
- However, dangers lurk when using proxy and VPN providers. Make sure that you only take serious offers.