Television is still the media with the greatest audience reach, defying the current internet and smart phone euphoria. German viewers now spend more than 4 hours each day watching TV - this is the result of the current survey of the association for TV research (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Fernsehforschung  - AGF) conducted in February 2011.

By international comparison, the German television landscape is characterised by  a unique and diverse range of services: According to a survey conducted by the state media authorities, 14 commercial general services, 37 commercial thematic channels and 75 pay-TV services were on air at the start of 2010. In addition, 231 state-wide, regional or local TV channels also provided content for viewers at that date.

National

The TV data base covers all commercial and public-service television services which are available on a national level. The data on the providers and their affiliates were drawn from the information provided by the channels and generally accessible sources. The data base also lists broadcasters which have already received a licence but have not yet started their services.

Information on state-wide, regional and local broadcasters can be found in the listing "Privates Fernsehen in Deutschland" (in German only) and on the websites of the state media authorities.

Europe

The TV data base also contains selected information on service providers which are not licensed in Germany but which transmit German-language services or parts of services which can be received all over Germany. Further information on the TV providers licensed in the EU member states is available in the MAVISE data base of the European Audiovisual Observatory.

International

International channels which have filed a notification of retransmission in Germany in accordance with Art. 51b (2) RStV can be found in the compilation listed under "International".