German public broadcaster ARD is expanding the reach of its commercial, subscription-based streaming service ARD Plus.
Access is now possible not only via third-party platforms, but also directly via the web at www.ardplus.de and through apps for iOS and Android devices in the Apple App Store and on Google Play. Amazon Fire TV and other TV apps are to follow soon.
The video-on-demand service ARD Plus offers ARD content from 70 years of TV history that is no longer available in the free catch-up services, including films, series and classics, documentaries and children’s programmes. The subscription costs €4.99 per month; the service can be tested free of charge for 14 days. The subscription can be cancelled monthly.
“Rising viewing figures and growing user acceptance encourage us in our plan to expand the reach of ARD Plus and also offer it as a stand-alone, user-friendly streaming service,” said Michael Loeb, managing director of operating company ARD Plus GmbH, a subsidiary of WDR mediagroup.
ARD Plus launched in October 2018 on Deutsche Telekom’s MagentaTV platform and can also be received on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+. Selected content is offered on Deutsche Bahn’s portal on ICE trains and in Switzerland on Swisscom’s blue TV platform.
