You want to watch a broadcast in the public stream but get the message “Aus rechtlichen Gründen darf diese Sendung leider nicht im Livestream gezeigt werden” in Germany? This is both annoying and not quite right at the moment. Avoiding this restriction is as simple as absurd.
We have tested this with several streams on ZDF, if this also applies to ARD and other public broadcasters is best to try it yourself and comment under the article if you like.
For legal reasons this show may unfortunately not be shown in the livestream – but why?
Some programs are blocked by ZDF for its own livestream. This is probably because the rights holder has prohibited this in the contract. Thus, only distribution via conventional broadcasting channels is envisaged, i.e. via cable, antenna and satellite, but not via the Internet.
But there is of course a workaround that is currently working, although we cannot say why. The trick is to simply ignore the official ZDF stream on the site and watch via a private third party.
Public livestream via private providers works
If you switch on the ZDF livestream via Zattoo or Joyn, you can watch the livestream, which is blocked by ZDF, without any problems. With Zattoo you only get standard resolution in the standard package, with Joyn you get HD (in the example the TV picture is missing because Joyn does not allow screenshots). But as you can see: You still get your Hollywood blockbuster streamed, with minimal additional effort.
We tried this with the respective apps and here the situation is the same: the ZDF app refuses, Zattoo and Joyn give out the livestream without any problems.
Conclusion of the story: just like downloading media library content, watching blocked livestreams is possible without hack or legal problems. All you need is the website or the app of a private streaming service, which makes the already paid livestream accessible.