The ZDF Mediathek corporation is one of Europe biggest public TV services and streaming platforms, and if you would like to know more about it, you have come to the right place. We will also list the top six alternatives to ZDF Mediathek in this guide.

Part 1: What is ZDF Mediathek?

If you have been to Germany, or if you know a lot about it, you probably have come across the abbreviation ZDF. What is ZDF de? ZDF (short for Zweites Deutsches Fern sehen) is Germany’s national public television. It is run as an independent non-profit corporation under the authority of the L?nder, the sixteen states that constitute the Federal Republic of Germany. You can also access ZDF from the internet, through its website or mobile applications for Android and iOS. Some of the popular ZDF programs include Die ZDF-Mitternachtsparty, Die Tr?del-Show mit Horst Lichter and Die gro?e Benefizgala. It is free to stream from ZDF Mediathek, but the same cannot be said for downloads. Therefore, we will proceed to show you how to download video from ZDF Mediathek.

zdf mediathek

Part 2: How to download video from ZDF Mediathek

It is almost unbelievable that everything you see on ZDF Mediathek is free to watch, especially given that some of the content is available on premium streaming platforms such as Netflix and so on. This without a doubt makes ZDF de a very popular streaming platform in Germany, Europe and perhaps the rest of the world. Despite allowing anyone to watch anything on their platform, ZDF programs cannot be downloaded for offline playback, that is directly from the ZDF de website, unless you have an advanced video Downloader such as CleverGet ZDF Downloader. This program will allow you to download from over 1000 websites with ease, even livestream videos like ZDF livestream. Before we show you how to download video from ZDF Mediathek, here are a few more things you need to know about this video downloader;

  • CleverGet
  • CleverGet ZDF Downloader

    Download Movie Video With 320 Kbps audio.
    Easily Download Live Streams Without Quality Loss.
    Video Info Extractor.
    Supports Playlist Downloading.
    Support Multi-tasking & Video Info Extractor Inside.
    Ease-of-use UI.

Now that everything about CleverGet ZDF Downloader is clear, we will now proceed to show you how download video from ZDF Mediathek.

Step 1: Launch CleverGet Video Downloader

Navigate to the ZDF Mediathek website. From the homepage, search for the program you wish to download, then copy and paste the address from your address bar.

zdf mediathek

Step 2: Select the needed video(s)

When you find the video you wish to download, select the desired download quality from the shown list, on the pop-up window, for example 1920x1080 (which is HD quality).

zdf mediathek

Step 3: Click to download ZDF video

Allow the downloader to finish the download, and avoid interrupting the download by closing the window or pausing.

zdf mediathek

Step 4: Check the downloaded video(s)

Once you have finished download ZDF video, you will be prompted to navigate to the downloads library, where you will see everything downloaded by the software. The downloaded videos can also be found in Windows explorer, or Finder on macOS.

zdf mediathek

Looking for a versatile video player to play downloaded ZDF de downloaded videos?

We hope that with CleverGet Video Downloader you have successfully downloaded ZDF de videos, or even ZDF livestream with just a few easy clicks, and of course with all original video and audio qualities preserved. The next thing you need is a suitable media player, one which can help you ensure that you watch everything with smooth playback, and other newest media features such as surround sound. Leawo Free Blu-ray Player is the media player you need for several reasons, because it has the following features and advantages;

  • Leawo Blu-ray Player
  • Leawo Blu-ray Player

    Region-free Blu-ray player software to play Blu-ray disc and DVD disc for free, regardless of disc protection and region restriction.
    Play 4K FLV videos, 4K MKV videos, 4K MP4 videos, etc. without quality loss.
    Support the conversion from Blu-ray/DVD discs to MKV in the premium version.
    Deliver super high-quality stereo audio experience with the support of various advanced audio decoding technologies like Dolby, DTS, AAC, TrueHD, DTS-HD (including 5.1, 7.1 channels), etc.

Therefore, when you have finished downloading your desired ZDF Mediathek videos with CleverGet, download Leawo Blu-ray Player to start playing your TV shows, and follow these steps;

  • Blu-ray-player

    Step 1: Load the source media file to the media player. Before browsing and loading the source movie files, make sure you have installed this lightweight media player on your PC. Then click Open File from the home interface to load the source media files to the player.

  • playback-setting

    Step 2: Set the playback options. There will be a bunch of custom features for you to use, including subtitles, audio output, snapshot, DVD Blu-ray and so on. Click the settings button to enter the window for these features.

  • play-the-movie

    Step 3: Enjoy the video/movie playback. Click the start button to play the movie. You will be able to watch the most cinema-like movie streaming at home theater.

Part 3: 6 alternatives to ZDF Mediathek to stream video in Germany

Despite being one of the top video streaming platforms in Germany, ZDF Mediathek is not the only company in the game. In fact, it faces stiff competition from other similar platforms such s ARD Mediathek and so on. Therefore, what are the six best ZDF live and ZDF alternatives? Here is the list for your reference;

1. ARD Mediathek

The best alternative to ZDF Mediathek without a doubt has to be ARD Mediathek. ARD Mediathek is an app juggernaut in Germany that offers free live shows, documentaries, films, news, music and a lot more under one roof. ARD has a budget of €6.9 billion and is the largest public live streaming app in the world., which is why you can find lots to watch (even shows available on Netflix) if you understand German of-course.

zdf mediathek

2. Das Erste de

This is the second best ZDF alternative that you can try today. Das Erste is the flagship national television channel, and a part of the ARD Mediathek association. It officially launched on 25 December 1952, and you can stream the content in 1080p free of charge.

zdf mediathek

3. 3sat de

3sat is one of the most popular names in German media, and it is also a free to air German public broadcasting service, with internet streaming also available as an option. Unlike ZDF Mediathek, 3sat has a more cultural focus, and is jointly operated by public broadcasters from Germany Austria and Switzerland. You can find plenty to watch, including live streaming which competes with ZDF live.

zdf mediathek

4. NDR de

NDR (short for Norddeutscher Rundfunk) is a public radio and television broadcaster, based in Hamburg which is also in competition with ZDF Mediathek. Online ZDF Mediathek which is popular in Germany and the rest of Europe, NDR broadcasts to the city-state of Hamburg, German states of Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein.

zdf mediathek

5. MDR de

MDR is short for Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk, and it is another German public broadcasting network, which is also online for on-demand streaming, as well as live streaming. They are an ARD member, in charge of broadcasting in the German Eastern Midlands (Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony). As with the four other ZDF alternatives above, it is free to stream MDR de.

zdf mediathek

6. ARTE TV

The last ZDF Mediathek recommendation for you is ARTE TV. It is a European public service channel. It is joint between France and Germany, and the cultural ties that bind European nations are arguably stronger than any political or socio-economic factors. It is available to the public, free of charge, but while some of the content is available for international audiences (even in English, Espanol, Polski and Italiano).

zdf mediathek