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CL Claudia_1983 DE 🔍 Enthusiast 💬 41 answers ⚑

The public broadcasters' media libraries are your best bet - ARD, ZDF, and 3sat have a ton of content free and without a subscription. For me personally, that covers quite a lot because they regularly have current series and films. Arte is also great if you're more into documentaries and more demanding stuff. The ad breaks are way less annoying than with the private channels.

If you feel like it, there are also platforms like Tubi or Pluto TV that are free - but you have to expect ads and the selection isn't as high quality. YouTube also regularly has legal streams of films and series uploaded directly by the studios, but you have to dig through it. Some libraries also offer access to film platforms through their lending systems - best to check that out in person.

MA Matthias Schulz DE 🛠️ Specialist 💬 81 answers ⚑

There's actually more you can do for free and legally than you might think. Try checking out the media libraries - not just the big ones like ARD and ZDF, but also smaller ones like arte or BR. If the ad breaks on the private channels get too annoying, it's often worth looking at their paid ad-free versions - some of them are genuinely pretty cheap. One little tip: a lot of media libraries have their archives sorted better if you go directly through the broadcaster websites instead of the apps, and you'll often find documentaries or series there that are less prominent in the apps.

Christina Schmidt DE 🔍 Enthusiast 💬 25 answers ⚑

Have you tried watching the public broadcasters to see if the ads bother you, or do you just hate ads in general? If you really can't stand advertising - ZDF and ARD have ad-free media libraries, and so does 3sat. Smaller channels like BR or NDR often have regional content you won't find anywhere else, and those are free and don't require a subscription either.

hans.hoffmann asker Ads don't really bother me in general, but thanks for the tips about ARD and ZDF. I wasn't that familiar with them.
AN Anna DE 🛠️ Specialist 💬 71 answers ⚑

Wait, an important point got missed here - sure, you don't pay anything for the ARD and ZDF mediatheks themselves, but there's definitely ads in there, even if they're less annoying than on RTL+ 😅 If you really want completely ad-free, you'll actually have to get a subscription. But there are still other free options like ARTE, BR, or even specialized platforms like Filmfriend (through some libraries) - there are real gems in there and it's way more relaxed than the private broadcasters. Check out which mediatheks match your taste best before you start shelling out money for a subscription again!

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