Best VPNs for Watching ARD Mediathek from Anywhere (Outside Germany)

To find the best VPN for watching ARD Mediathek, look for a service with servers in Germany, strong security features, and a reliable reputation. Top recommendations include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark. All of these providers offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test their services risk-free.

Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is essential for accessing ARD Mediathek, the streaming service from Germany’s public broadcasting association (ARD), from outside the country. By connecting to a server in Germany through a VPN, you can easily stream content on ARD Mediathek as if you were there.

This guide will detail the best VPNs for watching ARD Mediathek and provide a step-by-step walkthrough on how to use them to access the service from outside Germany.

How to Choose the Best VPN for ARD Mediathek

When selecting a VPN for streaming ARD Mediathek, consider these five key factors to ensure the best experience.

• Servers in Germany: A VPN must have servers located in Germany to access ARD Mediathek. Always verify that the provider you choose offers German server locations.
• Security and Privacy: Strong security features are essential for protecting your online activity. Look for industry-standard features like AES 256-bit encryption and a kill switch, which automatically disconnects you from the internet if the VPN connection drops. For maximum privacy, choose a provider with a strict no-log policy, which guarantees that your online activities are never recorded or stored.
• Connection Speed: Using a VPN can potentially slow your internet connection, which may cause buffering or lower video quality. However, leading providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN are optimized for speed, so any reduction is often unnoticeable, ensuring a smooth streaming experience.
• Reliability and Performance: A provider’s reputation is often a good indicator of its quality. Well-established VPNs with a large user base are generally more reliable at bypassing geo-blocks and maintaining stable connections, which is crucial for uninterrupted streaming.
• Customer Support: If you run into issues, reliable customer support is invaluable. For instance, a streaming service might block a server, or an app update could cause a glitch. Look for providers that offer responsive customer support, such as 24/7 live chat, to help you resolve any problems quickly.

Best VPN Services for Watching ARD Mediathek from Anywhere (Outside Germany)

Here are some excellent VPN services we recommend.

How to Watch ARD Mediathek from Anywhere (Outside Germany)

Here are the steps to access ARD Mediathek using a VPN:

ExpressVPN has some of the fastest internet speeds of the VPNs we have used. All VPNs may slow down your internet connection, but ExpressVPN is one of the fastest, and you rarely notice the difference. So, using ExpressVPN, you can enjoy TV programs normally available only in other countries without a noticeable difference in speed. After you’ve registered with ExpressVPN, you can easily browse the internet using ExpressVPN just by downloading their app.

Step 1: Sign up for ExpressVPN

To register with ExpressVPN, click the “Claim Exclusive Deal” button as shown below. After the price plan is shown, follow the instructions.

STEP2. Download and install the VPN app, then connect to a server in Germany

After registering with ExpressVPN, download and launch the app. Next, click “…” in the app and type “Germany” in the search box.

Select a server and click the power icon in the middle. Now, you can connect to a server in Germany.

STEP3. Go to the ARD Mediathek website or app and start watching

Access ARD Mediathek. You can watch ARD Mediathek without needing to register.

You need to access  ARD Mediathek while connected to a server in Germany, so that ARD Mediathek will treat you as if you are accessing it from Germany.

Why Isn’t ARD Mediathek Available Outside Germany?

The main reason ARD Mediathek is not accessible from abroad is due to broadcasting rights and licensing agreements. These agreements often restrict content to specific geographic regions, a practice known as geo-blocking.

According to the official ARD help page, this is because many programs are co-productions. The statement explains:

Abruf von Livestreams im Ausland
Warum kann ich manche Livestreams nicht im Ausland ansehen?

Einige Sendungen dürfen aus rechtlichen Gründen nicht für den Abruf aus dem Ausland angeboten werden. Viele Sendungen entstehen als Koproduktionen und werden nicht allein von der ARD finanziert. Wenn eine Produktion im Ausland ausgestrahlt werden soll, ist es natürlich nicht im Interesse der Produktionsfirmen, wenn diese vorher international als Video abrufbar ist.

<Translation>

Viewing Livestreams Abroad

Why can’t I watch some livestreams from abroad?
For legal reasons, some programs cannot be offered for streaming outside of Germany. Many shows are co-productions and are not financed by ARD alone. When a production is planned for international broadcast, it is not in the production companies’ interest for it to be available for streaming internationally beforehand.

Source: https://hilfe.ard.de/artikel/abruf-von-livestreams-im-ausland/

If you attempt to stream ARD Mediathek from outside Germany without a VPN, you will encounter an error message like this:

“Wiedergabefehler. Dieses Video kann leider nicht abgespielt werden. Wir bitten um Ihr Verständnis. Wichtig: Inhalte mit Geoblocking können nur von Deutschland aus abgerufen werden.”

<Translation>
Playback Error
Unfortunately, this video cannot be played. We ask for your understanding.
Important: Geo-blocked content can only be accessed from Germany.

How Does a VPN Enables You to Access ARD Mediathek from Outside Germany?

Using a VPN enables you to mask your location. A website like ARD Mediathek determines screen content based on IP address. For example, if you access the website from outside of Germany, the screen content will not be displayed. However, if you access the website via an internet provider in Germany, screen content for Germany will be shown.

If you access the website via VPN servers in Germany, your IP address will actually appear like this. By using a VPN, the website will treat you as if you are browsing from Germany, regardless of where you are.

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