Germany’s public broadcasters have taken the lead over commercial streaming rivals, according to the latest ARD/ZDF media usage study.
The survey shows that the streaming platforms of ARD, ZDF, ARTE and 3sat now reach more than 60% of the German population aged 14 and above, putting them ahead of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. YouTube, however, remains the single largest video platform, with a reach of 72%.
The study also highlights how widespread streaming has become: 85% of people in Germany now use more than one service, with an average of 2.5 platforms per person.
Podcast use is continuing to grow, particularly among those over 30. Regular listening among 50- to 69-year-olds increased by 4% to 25%, while in the over-70 group it rose by 5% to 14%. Younger audiences remain the heaviest users: nearly half of 14- to 29-year-olds listen to podcasts regularly. Across all age groups, daily podcast reach climbed by 3% to 14%.
Despite these digital gains, traditional television and radio remain the strongest media in terms of reach. Overall daily media use in Germany has stayed stable at 98%, with average consumption at 6.5 hours per person per day.
Florian Hager, Chair of ARD and Director-General of regional affiliate Hessischer Rundfunk, said the results underline the broadcaster’s digital strategy: “We are an active part of a usage trend that, from our perspective, will not be reversed.”
ZDF’s Audience Director Florian Kumb stressed the importance of accessibility: “Being a ZDF for everyone means being present where our audience is. This study shows not only the rising relevance of our streaming services, but also a new approach to data transparency – open source instead of black box.”
The report also notes that 63% of Germans use social media regularly, although growth is slowing. Instagram remains the most widely used platform with a weekly reach of 40%, but it has lost ground among younger users. Facebook follows at 31%, while TikTok continues to expand, reaching 20%.
The annual ARD/ZDF media study has tracked media usage in Germany since 1964. This year’s survey was conducted by research institute GIM between January and April 2025, interviewing 2,512 German-speaking respondents aged 14 and above.
