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Das Erste Soccer Schedule

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About Das Erste

ARD Das Erste, or simply Das Erste, is the flagship public television channel owned and operated by ARD. Nine regional public broadcasting systems owned by ARD in Germany are in charge of operating the channel. It was launched on December 25, 1952 as NWDR-Fernsehen, but it was later rebranded to its current name in 1996.

This channel was only meant to be available in West Germany before 1990, but the channel’s transmitters were so effective that East Germany citizens were able to watch the channel. In fact, there are reports that state that East Germans preferred Das Erste’s newscasts over the ones produced by state broadcaster Deutscher Fernsehfunk. Since then, the German TV channel has gone from its analogue feed to a digital video broadcast and HD feeds.

ARD Das Erste’s programming includes entertainment shows, children’s shows, general information programs, TV series, talk shows, and sports. Speaking of the latter, ARD has covered a wide variety of disciplines with its dedicated sports shows, which have had some of the highest rating numbers in German TV history.

The channel is available on Germany’s digital terrestrial feed and on many cable and satellite TV providers in the country in HD and SD. Added to that, the channel has also been available in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, and Denmark.

Das Erste on Satellite

Das Erste Broadcast Rights

	UEFA Euro (2024) ARD has partnered with ZDF to cover the UEFA Euro 2024 live on German television. The free-to-air broadcaster is set to join in the public broadcast of 34 out of 51 live matches of the tournament. Euro 2024 coverage is to be carried out on ARD’s television and radio networks.
	UEFA Nations League (2022-2028) German free-to-air broadcaster ARD has acquired media rights to the UEFA Nations League following a six-year deal. ARD has agreed to share coverage of the German national football team’s matches and other international football action with fellow network operators ZDF and RTL until 2028.
	UEFA Euro Qualifying (2022-2028)
	World Cup Qualifying (2023-2026) ARD has secured 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers rights in Germany. Both television and radio coverage of live matches is expected to be carried out throughout the deal.
	Germany - Bundesliga (2021-2025) ARD has secured the rights to show Bundesliga match highlights in Germany from 2021 through 2025. Game recaps will be aired on television in high definition.
	Germany - DFB Pokal (2022-2026) ARD has maintained broadcast rights for the DFB-Pokal tournament from the 2022/23 to the 2025/26 campaign, and will share coverage with ZDF and Sky Deutschland. For Das Erste, they will again provide partial coverage of the competition, with 15 matches available, including the semi-finals and the final, but for the first time in a decade, will be joined by ZDF. More details Additionally, fans will be able to access bonus coverage, including game highlights both online and on TV.
	Germany - 3. Liga (2021-2024)
	Germany - Frauen DFB Pokal (2021-2024)