Before you learn how to access ZDF Live Stream, it would be best to know what it is all about. Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen, or ZDF for short, is a German TV channel known for broadcasting live news, sports, politics, and entertainment programs. Since April 1963, the network has been broadcasting content from Mainz Rhineland-Palatinate.
Previously, ZDF only broadcasted content for a certain portion of the day. However, in October 1996, it started broadcasting 24 hours a day.
It has an online streaming platform for all of its programs broadcasting in Germany. Not only does the platform offer access to the ZDF live stream, but it also enables viewers to enjoy high-quality on-demand content whenever they desire.
Why Is ZDF Live Blocked Outside Germany?
Sadly, the ZDF live stream can only be enjoyed within the borders of Germany. And the moment you step out of the country’s borders, you will lose access to ZDF altogether. This is primarily due to copyright and licensing laws that regulate ZDF. If any network violates said laws, they would be in significant breach of their contract and ultimately face serious consequences.
Luckily, there is a way to bypass the geo-restrictions. Ivacy VPN will let you hide your actual IP address and replace it with a virtual IP address from within Germany while you are abroad. As a result, you can access the ZDF live stream from anywhere outside Germany.
How to Unblock ZDF Live Stream with Ivacy VPN?
If you live in Germany but have moved away due to work or for a vacation, it is highly unlikely you will be able to watch ZDF live streams. As mentioned earlier, you will need a ZDF VPN to access the ZDF live stream online. Here is what you need to do to set up Ivacy VPN to watch the ZDF live stream:
- Subscribe to an Ivacy VPN paid plan.
- Download and install the Ivacy VPN app that is compatible with your device.
- Log in to your Ivacy VPN account with your login credentials.
- Once connected, connect to a server in Germany.
- Now, visit the ZDF live stream website and log in.
- You can now watch the ZDF live stream from anywhere outside Germany.
How to Watch ZDF in the United States?
If you are in the United States, you can still easily access the ZDF live stream. Just follow the simple process below, and you will be good to go:
- Sign up for an Ivacy VPN paid plan.
- Download and install the Ivacy VPN client compatible with your device.
- Then, log in to your Ivacy VPN account with your username and password.
- Now, connect to a VPN server in Germany.
- Next, visit the ZDF live stream website.
- Log in to the ZDF website.
- You can now watch the ZDF live stream from within the United States.
How to Watch ZDF in the United Kingdom?
The same goes for the United Kingdom. You can also configure Ivacy VPN to watch the ZDF live stream from within the United Kingdom. Let us show you how:
- Subscribe to an Ivacy VPN paid plan.
- Download and install the Ivacy VPN client, app, or browser extension.
- Next, log in to your Ivacy VPN account with your username and password.
- Then, connect to a VPN server in Germany.
- Now, visit the ZDF live stream website.
- Log in to the ZDF website.
- You can now watch the ZDF live stream from within the United Kingdom.
ZDF Live Stream on Kodi
If you normally access the mediathek ZDF live stream on Kodi but cannot do so anymore due to geo-restrictions, you will need a new approach. The new approach involves getting Ivacy VPN for Kodi. Once you have Ivacy VPN on Kodi, follow these instructions to get ZDF online on the streaming platform:
- Access Kodi and select ‘Addons’.
- Select the Package Installer Icon in the top-left corner of the screen.
- Select ‘Install from Repository’.
- Choose the Kodi Add-on Repository option and then select ‘Video Add-ons’.
- Select ZDF Mediathek 2016 then select ‘Install’.
- Wait for the ‘Addon Enabled notification’ to pop up.
- Go back to your Kodi home screen.
- Select Addons > Video Addons > ZDF Mediathek 2016.
- You have successfully installed the ZDF addon on Kodi.
Why Do You Need a VPN to Watch ZDF Live Stream?
Apart from defeating geo-restrictions, there are plenty of reasons why you will need Ivacy VPN.
First and foremost, it will prevent you from becoming compromised. You will not have to worry about your internet traffic being monitored. Since you get a new IP address after connecting to a VPN server, you will be practically invisible, even to your ISP, for that matter. Your information will not be logged with Ivacy VPN, so you are safe through and through.
Secondly, streaming requires unlimited bandwidth, so you get that with Ivacy VPN. You can stream all you want without ISP throttling, thus ensuring you have a seamless streaming experience like never before.
Lastly, no matter how many times you access ZDF Live Stream via Ivacy VPN, you will not have to worry about hackers or cybercriminals. Your private and confidential will remain intact, but only as long as you remain connected to Ivacy’s VPN servers.
What to Expect from ZDF Live Stream Online?
What is interesting about ZDF online stream USA is that it has been around for more than 50 years now!
Needless to say, the channel has gained a massive fan following for itself that has started to push the boundaries of borders.
The channel airs live programs around the clock, including and not limited to:
What can I watch on ZDF?
If you are wondering about the most popular programs on ZDF, here are a few that are worth watching:
Terra X
Terra X is documentary series on the ZDF network in Germany. The series has been airing since the early 1980s. The show gives viewers insight into numerous educational topics such as nature, archeology, history, and much more.
37 Grad
This unique series on ZDF portrays various reports on real-life situations from different perspectives. The viewers usually follow a single person in the episode who is considered unusual in society, allowing viewers to understand the situation from all angles. The show covers various sensitive topics, such as illness, age, death, sensitive family matters, sexuality, and more.
Das literarische Quartett
This gem of a show introduces the viewers to literary critics from Germany. In the show, four literary critics review a book in each episode. Moreover, every episode since 1988 features a guest critic as well.
Bares für Rares
Literally translated as Cash for Rares, the show displays people attempting to sell otherwise ordinary items to traders. While the items might appear trash to the ordinary eye, they are often very rare in the eyes of the traders.
What Channels are Available on ZDF?
The ZDF live stream will let you access various exceptional ZDF channels. Here are a few of the most popular ones:
- ZDF
- ZDFkultur
- ZDFheute
- ZDFinfo
- ZDFsport
- ZDFtivi
- ZDFneo
- ZDFmediathek
What devices can I watch ZDF on?
You can comfortably watch the ZDF live stream on all the current major operating systems. Still, here is a list of platforms that you can turn to:
- Android
- Android TV
- iOS
- macOS
- Apple TV
- Windows
- Linux
- Roku
- Kodi
- Amazon Fire TV
- Amazon Firestick
- Xbox
- PlayStation
- Smart TVs
Summing It Up
This is all you need to know about how to watch the ZDF live stream in Germany and also anywhere outside it. Just subscribe to Ivacy VPN and let it create a safe and private environment for you to watch the ZDF live stream. And in case you are wondering how to subscribe to Ivacy VPN, contact an Ivacy VPN Customer Service representative. They can guide you through the entire process right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions we get asked regarding accessing ZDF live streaming online from anywhere in the world paired with Ivacy streaming VPN.
How to watch ZDF live stream online from anywhere in the world?
So, you want to be able to watch ZDF live stream online from anywhere in the world? That’s easy! The best way to do this is by using a high-quality streaming VPN service like Ivacy VPN. Ivacy works by letting you connect with the internet by way of a remote and secure server which allows you to pose as a citizen of another country.
This is supremely helpful in bypassing geo-restrictions similar to the ones ZDF faces in many countries outside Germany. To watch ZDF live stream online from anywhere in the world, you’ll need to follow four simple steps:
- Sign up for an Ivacy VPN account.
- Download the application that pairs with your device.
- Connect to the internet using a German server.
- Enjoy ZDF live stream online from anywhere in the world!
How to watch ZDF live stream USA?
Watching ZDF live stream in the UA is not possible without some external help. This is because ZDF is a German channel and is unfortunately blocked in many parts of the world because of geo-restrictions.
However, watching ZDF live stream in the US is not entirely impossible. The best way to do this would be to use a professional-grade, high-quality streaming VPN to unblock the channel. To enjoy ZDF live stream USA, all you need to do is follow these four simple steps to unblock the channel:
- Sign up for an Ivacy VPN account.
- Download the Ivacy VPN application that pairs with your device.
- Connect to the internet using a German server.
- Enjoy ZDF live stream online from anywhere in the world!
How does Ivacy work with ZDF?
Ivacy streaming VPN works by masking your original IP address, connecting you to the internet through a proxy server placed in another country, which in this case is Germany. Once you’re connected to the German server, you’ll be viewed as a native device because you’ll be borrowing the IP address of a German server. Since you’ll now be considered a German device, you’ll be able to access all German geo-blocked websites and channels, including watching ZDF live stream USA. Ivacy lets you bypass these geo-blocks and makes sure that you’re safe and secure while consuming your favorite content.
Will using ZDF with Ivacy slow down my internet speed?
No. Ivacy comes with a split tunneling feature that lets its users split their internet traffic, and only route selected traffic through the secure channel, ensuring that your internet speed doesn’t get affected. Read more about Ivacy VPN’s split tunneling feature right here.
Is it legal to use Ivacy VPN to watch the ZDF live stream?
Using a VPN for any already legal purpose is legal in most regions worldwide. Ivacy VPN merely offers you added privacy and security, which is your right. That being said, there are still some regions where VPN service is illegal. Or at least some VPN services are banned in those regions. This is often due to privacy concerns within the region.
To avoid any trouble, we would advise you to contact a legal professional who knows local law. Ask them whether it is legal to use a VPN in your region. If they give you the green light, you can subscribe to Ivacy VPN to watch the ZDF live stream.
Can I use a free VPN service to watch the ZDF live stream?
You could use a free VPN service to watch the ZDF live stream. However, we would strongly advise you to avoid that practice. This is because free VPN services are often primarily interested in accessing your data. And free VPN services have often sold personal information to third parties. Additionally, free VPN services often fail to unblock geo-restricted content altogether. Ultimately wasting your time and effort.
In contrast, paid VPN services such as Ivacy VPN are much more reliable as they offer strong military-grade encryption and strict no-logs policies. They make certain that none of the user’s data is ever shared with third parties without their consent.