ARD and ZDF start joint streaming network for their media libraries
Broadcasting bosses from ARD and ZDF announce a joint streaming portal. (Screenshot: ZDF; t3n)
On Monday, ARD and ZDF announced the amalgamation of their previously separate media libraries. The broadcasters keep their respective apps. But they will access both streaming catalogs in the future.
In future, users will no longer have to remember which program is on ARD and which on ZDF when they want to search for it in the respective media library. As the bosses of the two broadcasters confirm, ARD broadcasts will also be able to be found in the ZDF media library and vice versa in the future.
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Changes initially only “under the hood”
Even if the user interfaces of the respective media libraries initially remain unchanged and each broadcaster will continue to maintain its own apps in the app stores, there will be noticeable changes for users.
This is the ZDF media library. You see ARD broadcasts in it. They are marked with the station logo. This is how the joint streaming portal for public broadcasters begins. (Screenshot: ZDF)
The new search function accesses both catalogs. In addition, there will be a comprehensive personalization and recommendation system in the future. This should offer suitable content from both catalogs. In addition to just finding programs, they can be viewed directly in the other app. The app does not have to be changed for this purpose.
Later, there will also be more visual uniformity
Since both media libraries have already been hosted in Mainz, the merger is easy. In addition to extensive technical cooperation, the broadcasters also want to bring the user interfaces and design closer together. A common user account is to apply to both media libraries in the future. In the future, other public broadcasters are also to be given the opportunity to post their content in the joint media library. Arte and the Funk offer are already integrated.
