How to Watch ZDF Live Abroad

ZDF is one of the top streaming services in Germany and I  use their service from time to time to catch up on German TV shows and movies. 

The platform is fairly easy to use and the TV channels are filtered based on genre making it easier to choose what kind of content you want to watch.

With ZDF you will be able to watch thousands of hours of entertainment and the best part is that it’s compatible with a wide range of devices including the FireTV and FireStick.

But how to watch ZDF live on FireTV? Will it work outside Germany?

To keep it short, ZDF Live does work on FireTV by installing the APK installation package on your TV or FireStick. The app does not work outside Germany, but you can connect to ZDF Live via VPN on your FireTV

Read on as I cover how you can use ZDF Live on FireTV regardless of your current location.

ZDF Media Library on FireTV

What is ZDF Live

If you’re a fan of German TV and want to enjoy the program on your Fire TV, you’ll love ZDF Live on FireTV. ZDF is commonly referred to as a general information channel due to the large variety of programs.

Viewers can watch talk shows, information programs, children’s shows, TV series, documentaries, cultural programs, sports shows, and entertainment programs by simply connecting to their services.

The platform started out with standard definition videos and later moved onto HD and all their content is not played live in 720HD. ZDF is currently available in Germany, but their feeds are also available on certain pay-tv carriers in Germany, Denmark, Switzerland and Netherlands.

How to Install ZDF Live on FireTV or FireStick

To install ZDF Live on your FireStick or FireTV, follow these steps:

• Turn on the TV and once your FireStick launches click on the search option at the top left side of the screen

• Type in ZDF and hit Search

• The app page will appear on the TV, proceed to click on the Get/Download button to install the ZDF app

• Once the app launches, go ahead and sign in to your account and begin watching German content live.

How to Access ZDF Live on FireTV Outside Germany?

Since ZDF Live is a German service, its availability is limited to within Germany and its neighboring countries.

If you’re living in a totally different country then ZDF Live will not be available to you and in order to connect to the app you’re going to need a VPN connection.

The easiest way to do this is by downloading a VPN on your FireStick and then connecting to a German run server. Follow these steps to know how this is done:

• Download and Install one of the following VPN apps on your FireStick.

• Proceed to open the VPN app on your FireStick and then sign in with your registered details

• Once you’re logged in go ahead and click on the server location and then choose Germany, Switzerland, Denmark or Netherlands from the list.

• Click on Connect

• Once the VPN connection is successfully established go ahead and launch the ZDF Live app and start watching your favorite channels

Which VPN Service Unblocks ZDF Live on FireTV

There are a number of secure and reliable VPN services available that can get your FireStick or computer connected to a German server in no time.

Though many of them are free to use, some of the safest and most reputable companies charge for their services.

Here are a couple of VPN services you can use to connect to ZDF Live today.

NordVPN

If you’re using an Amazon Fire TV Stick or a Windows 10 laptop, you should try NordVPN. 

This service has an impressive network of over 5,500 servers in 60 countries, and a native app for most devices. 

With its dependable performance, you can enjoy your favorite streaming services, like Netflix and ZDF without any disruptions.

NordVPN offers a free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with NordVPN, you can request for a refund within five days. 

You can even set up the NordVPN manually on some routers and is known for its ease of use and ability to unblock geo-restricted content.

IPVanish

IPVanish offers unlimited bandwidth with no speed caps. It is suitable for users with varying internet speeds and is compatible with a number of devices.

This service will allow you to connect to 56 servers in Frankfurt, Germany, so that you can unblock content that is geo-restricted to Germany

It also boasts a no log policy and you can watch ZDF on FireTV without worrying about being tracked or blocked by your ISP.

CyberGhost

Another excellent VPN for streaming ZDF on FireTV is CyberGhost VPN. 

They offer one of the largest networks of VPN servers in the world. Its three German cities alone boast over 990 servers and its vast network of servers gives users a reliable VPN connection, and unlimited bandwidth. 

Hence, you can watch ZDF on Fire TV even if you aren’t in Germany. In addition to being fast, CyberGhost VPN also offers unlimited bandwidth.

Unlocator

Technically not a VPN, Unlocator supports a large number of devices, including Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, and Windows Phone. You can also use Unlocator on gaming consoles, media players, and even mobile phones.

This service works with over 220 platforms including ZDF Live and you can connect to and stream international content without the need of a VPN.

The company also offers a free trial period and a full money back guarantee for 14 days. 

List of Channels and Programming on ZDF Live

Channels on ZDF Live

Channel name	Quality	Owner/parent company
ZDF HD	HD 720p	ZDF
ZDFinfo HD	HD 720p	ZDF
ZDFneo HD	HD 720p	ZDF
Arte HD	HD 720p	ARD (WDR), ZDF and France TV
KiKA HD	HD 720p	ARD (MDR) and ZDF
3sat HD	HD 720p	ARD (SWR), ZDF, ORF and SRG SSR (SRF)
Phoenix HD	HD 720p	ARD (WDR) and ZDF

Programming on ZDF Live

Children	1, 2 oder 3 (1977–present) ALF (1988–1993) Alfred J. Kwak (1990–2003) Die Kinder von Bullerbü (Alla vi barn i Bullerbyn) Dog City (1995–1997) Fraggle Rock (Die Fraggles) (1983–1995) Hals über Kopf (1987–1993, 1997) Löwenzahn (1981–present) Pingu (1990–2004) Pippi Langstrumpf (Pippi Långstrump) (1969–present) Rappelkiste (1973–1987) Tabaluga (1997–2007) Cosmic Quantum Ray (2009) Tabaluga tivi (1997–2011) The Muppet Show (Die Muppet Show) (1977–1989) The Simpsons (Die Simpsons) (1991–1994) Mia and Me (2012–present)
Culture	aspekte (1965–present) Das Blaue Sofa (2003–present) Das Literarische Quartett (1998–2006, 2015–present)
Documentaries	37 Grad (1994–present) Alexander the Great (2014) Die Deutschen (2008/2010) Terra X (1982–present) Terra Xpress (2011–present) ZDFzeit (2012–present) ZDF-History (2000–present)
Entertainment	Bares für Rares, hosted by Horst Lichter (2013–present) Blond am Freitag (2002–2007) Blond am Sonntag (2001) Dance Academy (2010) Das große Los – Die Show für die Aktion Sorgenkind, hosted by Dieter Thomas Heck (1996–2000) Die Anstalt, comedy hosted by Claus von Wagner and Max Uthoff (2014–present) Die Pyramide, German version of Pyramid hosted by Micky Beisenherz and Joachim Llambi (2012) Die ZDF-Hitparade, hosted by Dieter Thomas Heck/Viktor Worms/Uwe Hübner (1969–2000) Die ZDF-Kultnacht (2002–present) Disco (1971–1982) Grand Prix der Volksmusik (1986–2010) Wetten, dass..?, hosted by Frank Elstner/Thomas Gottschalk (1981–2014, 2021-present) Willkommen bei Carmen Nebel, hosted by Carmen Nebel (2004–present) ZDF-Fernsehgarten, hosted by Andrea Kiewel (1986–present)
Information	Politbarometer (1977–present) tele-illustrierte (1982–1991) Volle Kanne – Service täglich (1999–present) WISO (1984–present) ZDF-abendmagazin (1996–1997) ZDF-Magazin, hosted by Gerhard Löwenthal/Fritz Schenk/Wolfgang Weinert/Hans Scheicher (1969–1988) ZDF-Mittagsmagazin (1989–present) ZDF-Morgenmagazin (1992–present) ZDFzoom (2011–present)
Series	ALF (1988–1996) Bella Block (1994–present) Blochin (2015) Borgia (Borgia: Faith and Fear), co-producers CANAL+ (France) and others (2011, 2013) The Bridge (2011), co-producers Sveriges Television and DRCologne P.D. (2003–present) Das Kriminalmuseum (1963–1973) Das Traumschiff (1981–present) Der Adler – Die Spur des VerbrechensFriesland (2015–present) Girl friends – Freundschaft mit Herz (1995–2009) Unser Charly (1995–2012) Unsere Mütter, unsere Väter (Generation War) (2013) Veronica Mars (2006–2008) Welcome Back, Kotter (1979–1980) Wilsberg (1999–present)
Sports	das aktuelle sportstudio (1963–present)

FAQ’s

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