Tech
ARD Mediathek, Joyn, Netzkino & Co.: Free streaming services in the test
Watch an exciting thriller or binwatch the sci-fi series – but without having to spend seven to thirteen euros every month: It works with free streaming services. Unlike Netflix, Prime Video or Disney+, users can stream any amount of content there without paying.
This has been the case with the media libraries of the broadcasters for years – but not only there. Individual providers of paid services also have a selection of free films and series on offer. But you have to accept limitations or live with advertisements. We wanted to know if it’s worth watching.
ARD media library: films, series and more – without advertising
Tatort, Scandinavian crime series, afternoon soaps, international blockbusters: In the ARD media library a wide portfolio of films and series awaits you. There are also documentations, reports and other formats. Some of them can be seen first in the media library, i.e. before the programs are shown on the television program.
variety and scope are big, because the programs of the third programs are also included. As with many streaming services, you can choose episodes or movies download and watch offline. advertising will not displayeda accounts is also unnecessary.
Viewers can also use the site and apps to log into the live program of Das Erste and the third programs. But there are two drawbacks: The streaming quality is exclusively SD or HD, 4K is not possible. Also are some content for a limited time only available.
ardmediathek.de
ZDF Mediathek: Great variety without advertising
Just as comprehensive and varied as the ARD media library is the des ZDF. The focus is on in-house productions such as the Soko thrillers or films from the series The Little TV Game. New episodes often end up in the media library before they are broadcast on TV. There are also other strips and series from the in-house program as well as from ARTE and 3Sat. Children are entertained with the content of ZDFtivi.
Reports and retro series such as Der Alte and Derrick complete the offer. advertising is there Nota accounts is also not necessary. As with ARD, the content at ZDF SD and HD resolution, but 4K does not exist. Viewers can do this on the website and in the apps current program in addition to that track live.
zdf.de
Amazon Freevee: Prime Video competition
The free service freevee from Amazon launched in Germany in August. Under the name of IMDb.TV he was already known in the USA and Great Britain. Anyone who wants to watch just needs an Amazon account. The program usually does not include brand new content, but rather older ones. These include series like Peaky Blinders, OC California and 2 Broke Girls or films like The Birds and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
A special feature of Freevee are the so far eleven own productions. For fans of the Prime Video crime series Bosch, the spin-off Bosch: Legacy is exciting. More Freevee Originals are to follow. In addition, Freevee has nine live channels in its program, for example on the topics of travel and history.
Most of the content is in the original version, in German dubbing and with subtitles – but not all. According to Amazon, films and series from a maximum of nine minutes of advertising per hour interrupted. But there are other limitations to be considered: In the case of relatively new series, not all seasons are often available. For example, only two seasons of Peaky Blinders are available on the free service. In addition, unlike Prime Video, Amazon has not yet allowed 4K quality with Freevee, but instead only HD and SD.
amazon.de/adlp/freevee-about
Joyn: Live TV and streaming portal
Media library, streaming service and live TV with more than 60 channels are part of the free version of Joyn. The operators of the service are ProSiebenSat.1 Media and Discovery. That’s why there are many current TV programs from Sat.1, ProSieben and Kabel Eins on the portal. There are also series like The Americans or Homeland as well as blockbusters, classics and documentaries.
Practical: Joyn occasionally shows series episodes before they are broadcast on television. Exclusive series and reality TV shows produced in-house can be accessed at Joyn under the name Originals. Joyn is blinding advertising on, even in the premium version – but then less. Only with one paid subscription you get content in HD, otherwise only in SD. Another disadvantage of the free offer: In the case of series, not all seasons and episodes are often available.
joyn.de
Netzkino: 2000 films of all genres
A classic is net cinema: This free streaming portal has existed since 2010, long before Netflix came to Germany. The library currently includes 2000 films; Series are not included. Although almost all genres are represented, blockbusters are rarely found.
One of the few exceptions is Scream 4. Other than that, lesser-known flicks and B-Movies dominate. While streaming, they are from ad interrupted. If you don’t want that and want HD quality on top of that, you can take out a paid subscription.
netzkino.de
Pluto.TV: Channel for series
Fans of Star Trek, South Park or Beverly Hills 90210 come to Pluto.TV fully at their expense: these series have their own channels on the platform and run in a continuous loop. In addition, they can be streamed on demand – both free of charge. The service offers 1,000 films and series episodes, plus more than 100 live programs.
This is supplemented by content from all possible genres, from the TV series Praxis Bülowbogen to the classic children’s film Black Beauty. everything can with advertising in SD and HD be considered. A few standard features are missing: That’s how it is not possibleone to create a watch list or download movies. Unfortunately, the advertising comes in the form of disruptive pop-up windows displayed.
pluto.tv
Popcorntimes: Classics in focus
From Alfred Hitchcock to John Wayne to Laurel and Hardy: popcorntimes focuses on classics – and has a few pearls to offer in this area. Around 1000 films from the period 1910 to the present are available on the portal, including some newer films, although not necessarily blockbusters. The portal is financed by advertisingits contents can only in the browser be considered.
popcorntimes.tv/de
RTL+ Free: seven days of TV content
Programs from the RTL, Vox, RTLzwei and other channels of the RTL Group: Who RTL+ Free used, can call it up seven days after the TV broadcast. In addition to shows, these also include series, but only rarely films.
RTL+ is also otherwise restricted in the free version: Access to in-house productions, exclusive content or live TV is there Not. For all of this, users must to countjust like for additional movies and series such as HD quality.
tvnow.de
Here is an overview of the streaming portals for download:
