ARD Plus GmbH
ARD Plus GmbH operates a consumer subscription streaming service offering on-demand access to ARD's German-language films, series, documentaries, and children's content — including the largest Tatort archive — across web, mobile, and smart-TV platforms in Germany.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- Headquarters—
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What ARD Plus GmbH does
ARD Plus GmbH is a Germany-based streaming subsidiary of ARD (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland), the consortium of German public-law broadcasting institutions. The company operates a consumer subscription streaming service that provides on-demand access to ARD's library of German-language films, series, documentaries, and children's content, including what it positions as the largest Tatort (German crime series) archive. The service launched in its current form in 2022 and is aimed at German-speaking viewers who want flexible, on-demand access to ARD's broadcast content across TV, laptop, tablet, and smartphone devices.
The product is delivered through a multi-platform client architecture: a web application at ardplus.de plus native apps distributed via Google Play, the Apple App Store, and the Amazon Appstore, with additional apps on Samsung, Google TV, Amazon Fire TV, and LG smart-TV platforms, and a partnership listing on the waipu.tv streaming aggregator. Pricing is structured as a product-led self-serve subscription at €4.99 per month (including VAT, monthly cancelable) or €49.99 annually, both preceded by a 14-day free trial. Subscription management is fully user-controlled via web or mobile, with no sales intervention.
The business model is a recurring consumer subscription in which ARD Plus GmbH monetizes access to ARD's content catalog directly to end users. The entity sits within Germany's publicly funded broadcasting infrastructure — primary content production is funded via the Rundfunkbeitrag — making subscription revenue a supplementary commercial stream rather than the company's primary funding mechanism. Distribution is anchored by ARD's existing broadcast brand presence, with marketing relying on the parent broadcaster's audience reach and platform placements in app stores and smart-TV storefronts.
ARD Plus GmbH firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ARD Plus GmbH
- Legal name
- ARD Plus GmbH
- Website
- https://ardplus.de
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ARD Plus GmbH operates a consumer subscription streaming service offering on-demand access to ARD's German-language films, series, documentaries, and children's content — including the largest Tatort archive — across web, mobile, and smart-TV platforms in Germany.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ARD Plus GmbH industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Video Streaming Service
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)
- SIC
- Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Video Streaming Platforms (SVOD/AVOD/TVOD) (BPAMAJAA)
Keywords
ARD Plus GmbH business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel
Revenue model
- Subscription Streaming: Monthly and annual subscription-based streaming service providing access to ARD's library of films, series, documentaries, and children's content. Revenue is generated through recurring subscription fees with monthly or annual billing cycles.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly subscription at €4.99 |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual subscription at €49.99 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels1 record
ARD Plus GmbH product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ARD Plus operates a subscription-based video streaming service offering German-language films, series, documentaries, and children's content from ARD's public broadcaster library, including the largest Tatort (German crime series) archive. The service is available via web browser, mobile apps (iOS, Android, Amazon), and smart-TV platforms (Samsung, Google TV, Amazon Fire TV, LG), with additional distribution through waipu.tv. Pricing is €4.99 per month or €49.99 per year, with a 14-day free trial and monthly cancellation.
Product overview
ARD Plus is a single, unified streaming platform offering German-language films, series, documentaries, and children's content. The service provides access to the largest Tatort (German crime series) archive and is available across web browsers, mobile devices (iOS, Android), and TV platforms (Samsung Smart TV, LG, Google TV, Amazon Fire TV, waipu.tv).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ARD Plus Streaming Service A subscription-based video streaming service offering German-language films, series, documentaries, and children's content including the largest Tatort (German crime series) archive. Available via web browser, mobile apps (iOS, Android, Amazon), and smart-TV platforms (Samsung, Google TV, Amazon Fire TV, LG, waipu.tv). Priced at €4.99/month or €49.99/year with a 14-day free trial and monthly cancellation.
Companies that use ARD Plus GmbH
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
ARD Plus GmbH technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
ARD Plus GmbH partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- SamsungcoreARD Plus app available on Samsung Smart TV platform through Samsung App Store, enabling viewing on Samsung television devices.
- Google TVcoreARD Plus app available through Google TV platform, enabling viewing on Google TV-enabled devices.
- Amazon Fire TVcoreARD Plus app available on Amazon Fire TV platform, enabling viewing on Fire TV devices.
- LGcoreARD Plus app available on LG Smart TV platform through LG App Store, enabling viewing on LG television devices.
- waipu.tvcoreARD Plus available through waipu.tv streaming aggregator platform, providing additional distribution and access for waipu.tv subscribers.
- Google Play StorecoreARD Plus Android app distributed through Google Play Store for Android mobile and tablet devices.
- Apple App StorecoreARD Plus iOS app distributed through Apple App Store for iPhone, iPad, and iOS devices.
- Amazon AppstorecoreARD Plus Android app distributed through Amazon Appstore for Fire tablets and devices.
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
ARD Plus GmbH competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Paramount+: Global SVOD service with a localized German offering and live-sports content. Competes for the same German entertainment wallet with broader content scope and bigger original-production budget.
- Amazon Prime Video: Global SVOD bundled with Amazon Prime, increasingly investing in German-language originals. Competes head-to-head with ARD Plus for German subscribers, with the advantage of a much broader ecosystem bundle.
- Disney+: Global premium SVOD available in Germany with strong family and franchise content. Overlaps with ARD Plus's children's content offering and competes for the same family-viewing use case.
- Apple TV+: Premium global SVOD with growing original-content investment. Competes for German subscribers seeking high-quality originals, particularly in the premium-tier bracket where ARD Plus is less differentiated.
- Netflix: Global SVOD leader with strong German subscriber base and growing local German-language content. Competes for the same household entertainment budgets and attention, with vastly deeper content library and original production budget.
Direct peers
- RTL+: RTL Group's subscription streaming service for the German market offering local series, reality TV, and live TV. Most direct commercial competitor to ARD Plus in the German-language SVOD space, with similar content focus and pricing tier.
- Joyn: Streaming joint venture of ProSiebenSat.1 and Warner Bros. Discovery serving the German market with both AVOD and SVOD tiers. Directly comparable in target audience, content mix, and hybrid monetization approach.
- ARD Mediathek: The free, ad-supported streaming service operated by the same ARD consortium that owns ARD Plus. Directly comparable in content library and target audience, but differentiates via free access and broader broadcast catch-up vs. ARD Plus's premium SVOD model.
- ZDF Mediathek: Free streaming platform from Germany's other major public broadcaster, ZDF. Competes with ARD Plus for the same German-speaking public-broadcaster audience with similar catch-up and on-demand content.
Emerging players
- waipu.tv: German OTT/IPTV aggregator operated by EXaring AG (subsidiary of M7 Group). Both a distribution partner for ARD Plus and a competing streaming service in the German market, offering live TV and on-demand bundles.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
ARD Plus GmbH social profiles
Digital presenceARD Plus GmbH financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ARD Plus GmbH leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
ARD Plus GmbH funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ARD Plus GmbH M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ARD Plus GmbH
What does ARD Plus GmbH do?
ARD Plus operates a subscription-based video streaming service offering German-language films, series, documentaries, and children's content from ARD's public broadcaster library, including the largest Tatort (German crime series) archive. The service is available via web browser, mobile apps (iOS, Android, Amazon), and smart-TV platforms (Samsung, Google TV, Amazon Fire TV, LG), with additional distribution through waipu.tv. Pricing is €4.99 per month or €49.99 per year, with a 14-day free trial and monthly cancellation.
Is ARD Plus GmbH a public or private company?
ARD Plus GmbH is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was ARD Plus GmbH founded?
ARD Plus GmbH was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
How does ARD Plus GmbH make money?
One revenue line is on record: subscription Streaming.
Who are ARD Plus GmbH's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+ and Netflix. Direct peers are RTL+, Joyn, ARD Mediathek and ZDF Mediathek. waipu.tv is listed as an emerging player.
Does ARD Plus GmbH have an API?
No public API is recorded for ARD Plus GmbH.
What industry is ARD Plus GmbH in?
ARD Plus GmbH's product category is Video Streaming Service. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMAJAA, Video Streaming Platforms (SVOD/AVOD/TVOD). Its NAICS code is 516210 and its SIC code is 4841.