In addition to its video content, ARD also has a large audio offering. And it’s now available comprehensively on television.
Whether true crime podcasts, live sports or current news, the ARD Audiothek has grown continuously since it was launched in 2017. Previously, the relevant app was needed to call up the offer. Since November 22, 2022, this has also been possible via modern smart TVs.
ARD audio library via HbbTV on the television
If you have an internet-enabled smart TV with HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband Television), you will be able to access all content in the audio media library without an app. The digital broadcasting standard is now actually standard in every smart TV and enables access to extra content from the broadcaster via the so-called red button. This also includes the media libraries of the public and private broadcasters, so that, for example, you can stream missed programs on the television afterwards.
Anyone who has pressed the red button on an ARD station since November 22nd can also access the audio library. In addition to a large number of podcasts, documentaries and reports, the radio stations belonging to the institution are also available there.
This is available in the ARD Audiothek
In the audio media library, for example, users can also access radio stations that are not normally received because they are broadcast in other parts of Germany. The content is assigned to categories such as “Investigative Research”, “Understanding the World Better” or “Experiencing History”. There are also categories with formats specifically for children. You can also listen to podcasts such as “Fresh Family” or “Morland” exclusively in the ARD audio library.
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The recommendations section features suggestions from real editors, not algorithms. And anyone who listens to their favorite radio station on TV in the future will receive visual radio elements with additional information. Incidentally, the audio library is directly integrated into the previous media library on the television.