ZDF Olympia Livestream: How to Watch the 2026 Winter Games Live

BERLIN, 12 February 2026 – As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games reach their sixth official day of competition, German sports fans are turning in record numbers to the ZDF Olympia livestream. With the national broadcasters ARD and ZDF alternating daily coverage, today marks a major broadcasting block for ZDF, providing comprehensive digital access to medal events across the Italian Alps.

Full Digital Coverage: The “Sportstudio Live” Experience

For the 2026 Winter Games, ZDF has significantly expanded its digital footprint. While the linear TV channel provides roughly 100 hours of coverage throughout the games, the online “Sportstudio Live” platform offers a much deeper dive into the action.

Key Features of the ZDF Livestream

• Parallel Streams: Viewers can access up to seven simultaneous livestreams, ensuring that niche disciplines not shown on the main TV channel are available in full.
• On-Demand Library: Missed a morning run? The ZDF Mediathek hosts full event replays and highlight packages shortly after the live broadcast ends.
• AI Integration: For the 2026 Games, ZDF is utilising Artificial Intelligence to assist in rapid highlight generation and automated data visualisations for viewers.
• Technical Standard: Despite the rise of 8K technology, ZDF continues to broadcast its primary Olympic streams in 720i50 to ensure stability across all mobile and smart TV devices.

Today’s Schedule: Thursday, 12 February 2026

As the primary broadcaster for today, ZDF’s coverage began at 09:05 and is scheduled to run until approximately 23:30. The following table outlines the key events available via the ZDF livestream today:

How to Access the ZDF Olympia Livestream

Accessing the games is straightforward for residents within Germany. The service is funded through the national broadcasting license fee, meaning no additional subscription is required for the standard streams.

Platforms and Apps

The livestream is available via the official ZDFheute app, the ZDF Mediathek, and the dedicated sportstudio.de website. Smart TV users can access the streams via the HbbTV “Red Button” feature or the native Mediathek apps on platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, and Android TV.

Geoblocking and Licensing

Due to strict licensing agreements with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Discovery (the primary rights holder), the ZDF livestream is geoblocked. This means the content is only accessible to users with a German IP address. German citizens travelling abroad will find that the streams are unavailable without a verified domestic connection.

Impact on Regular Programming

The intensity of the Olympic schedule has led to significant changes in the standard ZDF lineup. Popular afternoon and evening formats, including Bares für Rares and the long-running drama Der Bergdoktor, have been paused or moved to alternative slots to accommodate the live broadcasts from Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the ZDF Olympia livestream free?

Yes, the livestream is free to access for anyone within Germany, as it is part of the public broadcasting service. No registration is required for the basic live feed.

Can I watch the Olympics in 4K on ZDF?

No. Current technical standards for ARD and ZDF remain at 720i50 for the 2026 Games. For higher resolutions like 4K or UHD, viewers typically need to look toward Eurosport’s premium offerings via Discovery+ or Joyn PLUS+.

What happens if I miss a live event?

ZDF provides an extensive “Catch-up” service in the Mediathek. Most major competitions and all medal ceremonies are uploaded as video-on-demand (VOD) content shortly after the live event concludes.

Who is broadcasting tomorrow?

Following the alternating schedule, ARD (Das Erste) will take over the primary broadcast duties tomorrow, Friday, 13 February, while ZDF will return to its regular programming with Olympic highlights in its news segments.