German public broadcasters ARD and ZDF want to put their streaming services on a uniform technical basis through a joint operating system (OS).
The plan will be realised through the creation of an open-source initiative and a joint subsidiary operating their streaming services. The move marks the next step in an approach by ARD and ZDF to collaborate more closely in the streaming area.
“We are pooling our strengths as much as possible, jointly creating a service that combines journalistic quality, editorial diversity and public service values. In this way, we are jointly positioning ourselves against the commercial big tech players as a value-based, transparent streaming provider committed to German society,” said ARD Chairman Kai Gniffke.
The technical components of the streaming OS are to be developed and used jointly. This applies, for example, to the player, the recommendation system and the design system. There will also be close cooperation between ARD and ZDF on comprehensive personalisation and the mutual exchange of data, for example to improve the cross-offer user experience.
ZDF Director General Dr Norbert Himmler added: “With one of the largest open-source initiatives in Germany, we are making premium technology available to everyone. We are also increasing efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the development and operation of the streaming services. To this end, we are cooperating closely with ARD and taking a major step in our transparency offensive.”
Parts of ARD and ZDF’s streaming OS are to be made available to the general public to enable active participation. For example, cultural institutions as well as platform providers in Germany and abroad will be able to use the expertise and technology of the two public broadcasters.
ARD and ZDF are setting up a joint office for their streaming OS. This office will manage the tasks and resources of both organisations and represent the project externally, for example to potential partners. ZDF will be in charge of this. A joint subsidiary is to be founded for technical operations, handling the IP distribution of the streaming services and administration. ARD will take the lead for this unit.
The exact structure of the two institutions will be worked out in the coming months. A legal basis is also required for joint ventures. The aim is to set up the units in the first quarter of 2025.
In contrast to commercial platforms, there will be a recommendation system for registered users based on transparent public service algorithms as well as careful and prudent handling of data, the broadcasters stress in a joint statement. In conjunction with intelligent dialogue solutions, new ways of participation are also to be opened up. ARD and ZDF see themselves as “enablers” for the market and society. With the streaming OS, cultural institutions, but also smaller commercial players, have the opportunity to build or further develop their own platforms more easily than before, according to the broadcasters.
