I am interested in finding out whether I can access any German
television stations from the United States.  I am particularly
interested in some of the German regional channels, such as N3 (NDR),
MDR, WDR, the Berlin channels (such as SFB), etc..  I would also like
to find out whether Arte, which is both French and German, can be
found in the U.S..  I am less interested in the major channels, for
example ARD, ZDF, RTL, RTL2, SAT 1, and Pro7.  I am also not looking
for Deutsche Welle, which I know I can find here.

I will be happy if you can tell me if only some of these are
available.              Many thanks.

Dear portobello,

The options for receiving German television in the United States are,
alas, very limited. Apart from Deutsche Welle, which you already know,
there is really not much to be found.

You might want to have a look at "German TV", a program co-produced by
the two major nationwide German TV public networks, ARD and ZDF,
together with Deutsche Welle. This program, on the air since April
2002, presents original material of the ZDF as well as of the ARD and
its regional networks, such as NDR, RB, B3, MDR etc. German TV is
aimed especially at viewers in the USA. It is commercial-free Pay TV,
the subscription fee is $ 15.00 per month.
German TV is broadcast in the United States via two satellites of the
GlobeCast digital platform: the satellite Telstar 5 (for direct
reception at 97 degrees West, 11,929 GHz, Encryption system
NAGRAVISION) and the satellite AMC-1 (to cable headends at 103 Degree
West, 3,802 GHz, Encryption system Digicipher 2). Receiving the
program via cable is unfortunately not possible yet, since the
decision whether to add German TV to their line-ups is with the cable
operators.

For further information about German TV, you might want to call their
toll-free hotline: 1-877-437-6268

German TV
Voltastraße 6
13355 Berlin
Germany
Phone (Germany): +49 30 46 46 51 00
Phone (USA): 1-877-437-6268
Fax: (Germany): +49 30 46 46 51 51
E-Mail: germantv@dwelle-usa.com
Website: http://www.germantv.info/en_index.php

This is, I'm afraid, the only possibility to watch "real" German
television in the United States. I called a number of northern German
TV stations, but they all confirmed what I found out: None of the
"regular" programs you mentioned, including Arte, is transferred to
North America via satellite, I'm afraid. So I know that this answer is
not exactly what you expected to get, but the sad truth is that no one
seems to be interested in broadcasting German TV programs in the USA,
including the television companies themselves (who would, of course,
have to pay for using the satellites). But at least, the new "German
TV" offers material which has not been typical for Deutsche Welle,
such as entertainment shows or series as shown in Germany.

Just for completeness, I also provide you a link to German Connect /
ChannelD. This Bavarian- and US-based German language TV station
offers, via satellite, also selected original German TV material from
both the public and private German broadcasting networks for an
audience in America. The program schedule includes, among others,
crime shows, entertainment, sports and news coverage.
GermanConnect is a subscription service for $ 19.99 per month (plus $
199.90 equipment setup and installation fee).
For further information, you might want to look at their website or
contact them directly:

GermanConnect
P.O.Box 981
Santa Clarita, CA 91380-9081
Phone (USA): 1-866-322-4388
E-Mail: customer@germanconnect.com
Website: http://www.channeld-usa.de/

Sources:

About.com: Receiving German TV in N. America
http://german.about.com/library/blsattv.htm

About.com: German TV in North America
http://german.about.com/library/weekly/aa020218a.htm

About.com: Sat TV in German
http://german.about.com/library/weekly/aa010827a.htm

Search terms used:
"in den usa" "deutsche sender":
://www.google.de/search?q=%22in+den+usa%22+%22deutsche+sender%22&hl=de&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&newwindow=1&start=10&sa=N
"german tv" usa:
://www.google.de/search?q=%22german+tv%22+usa&hl=de&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&newwindow=1&start=10&sa=N

Hope this helps!
Regards,
Scriptor

---

Clarification of Answer by scriptor-ga on 15 Sep 2002 12:53 PDT

Dear portobello,

It was a pleasure to help you. And in case you have additional
questions concerning any aspect of television in Germany, don't
hesitate to ask.

Best greetings,
Scriptor

Dear Scriptor, 

Thanks for a very good answer.  I am disappointed that I cannot get
the channels directly, but happy to hear that I may be able to view at
least some programs on German TV.  I also didn't know that the
regional networks were affiliated with ARD, which is interesting.

Thanks again, 

--Portobello