Receive Austrian TV & ORF stream abroad
We've all been there: you're on vacation in Croatia, Italy or Spain and want to watch the local radio. Austrian television abroad is very important for many people. Even though ORF is often criticized, it is still part of everyday life in Austria and it is a little strange when you suddenly no longer have the opportunity to watch ZIB or sport abroad.
Fortunately, in our networked world there are plenty of opportunities to receive ORF (and other Austrian broadcasters) abroad and worldwide. With one of the following methods, it is even possible to receive Austrian television live in distant countries such as South America, Asia or Africa. Provided the time difference doesn't put a spanner in the works.
In this guide, we present the best methods for Austrian television abroad.
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Content
Why Austrian TV is usually not receivable abroad...
We switch on the TV at home and ORF, Puls 4, ATV or ServusTV is on. It couldn't be simpler.
However, if you are abroad, there are usually no Austrian channels. One reason for this is that all Austrian channels are primarily transmitted via DVB-T. This means that the reception area is only within the territory of Austria. On the other hand, the channels are also transmitted via the European ASTRA satellite, but this only covers Europe. In addition, the programs are transmitted in encrypted form via the satellite.
If you are within Europe and still cannot receive the Austria channels, this is because the receiver does not have an ORF smartcard. In Croatia in particular, however, some apartments have ORF cards, most of which are probably available via eBay offers got there.
Outside of Europe, the most difficult thing is that there is no DVB-T or satellite reception. The only option here is reception via the Internet.
Tip: Bypass ORF encryption - The Tarifgigant guide with 2 options
What options are there?
TVThek / Media libraries
The easiest way to watch Austrian television abroad is via the TV broadcasters' media libraries. In the media libraries you can not only stream the current program, but also watch past broadcasts.
The largest Austrian media libraries at a glance:
However, these media libraries are Not available abroad without restrictions. If you access the media library from an IP address from abroad, the provider recognizes this from the address. However, this encryption can be bypassed. To access the media libraries from outside Austria, you can find a Instruction with 2 options to Bypass ServusTV encryption. With the other providers, it works in principle exactly as described in the ServusTV instructions.
Live streaming via third-party provider
The best alternative to media libraries are so-called live streaming providers. The best known provider for this is Zattoo.
With Zattoo, there are already many programs that you can watch in the free version. With the paid version, all the well-known channels, such as RTL, ARD, ZDF, ProSieben & more are also added.
Austrian channels are also included.
SAT-TV
Without Internet it works with simple satellite TV. However, the prerequisite here is that the hotel or apartment in which you are staying has a receiver with ORF smart card. This is the case in many Croatian, Slovenian and Italian accommodations. To be on the safe side, we recommend asking the hotel or apartment before departure.
Set up a VPN: The best solution for Austrian TV abroad
Why do I need a VPN?
Television broadcasters have certain licenses that allow them to broadcast a television program in a defined region. The broadcaster may not broadcast television programs worldwide if it does not have the license to do so. Therefore, content from a broadcaster is blocked by means of geoblocking in countries where reception is not desired.
This is also the reason why an error message appears when you try to access the ORF TVThek from the USA, for example.
However, geoblockers can be bypassed very easily - with a VPN. On the one hand, a VPN is used to establish a completely private connection (a kind of "tunnel") to another server. On the other hand, a virtual private network disguises the origin. When connecting, you can choose which region/country you want to simulate.
What VPN providers are there?
There are various providers in the VPN world. They differ in terms of speed, features and security.
We recommend:
- NordVPN (our tip! - 30 days money back guarantee)
- Surfshark VPN (very cheap, unlimited number of devices, also for Netflix!)
- PureVPN
- HideMyAss
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  | |
| Name | NordVPN | Surfshark VPN | PureVPN |
| Rating | |||
| Advantages | - Fast connection | - Extremely favorable | - fast |
| Disadvantages |
| - sometimes slow | - Software overfilled |
| Austrian server | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| To the provider | To the provider | To the provider |
If you are abroad, you can access Austrian TV content on the Internet at any time if you are connected to one of these providers.
Set up a VPN & watch Austrian television abroad
These steps must be followed in order to enjoy Austrian TV - wherever you are:
- Select VPN provider (see list above)
- Register with VPN provider
- Download VPN software for selected device (PC, Mac, smartphone)
- Open VPN software and connect to an Austria server
- Surf to the media library or livestream and stream smoothly
Is a VPN even legal?
Like this contribution from the Standard from 2015 proves that circumventing country blocks with the help of a VPN is not punishable. Using a VPN to surf anonymously and securely cannot be punished either.
However, illegal activities on the Internet are indeed punishable - regardless of whether you use a VPN or not. However, it will be much more difficult for the authorities to trace them, as with VPNs everything is encrypted and runs through several channels.
Even abroad, the use of a VPN is not prohibited in almost any country in the world. In China, VPNs were criminalized in 2017, but there has been no conviction yet. It is known that many Western tourists use VPNs to be able to use WhatsApp or Facebook. More info about the legal situation in all countries of the world can be found at here.
Questions about Austrian television abroad
Is it possible to watch the ORF Livestream in Croatia/ abroad in general?
The ORF Livestream cannot be streamed directly in Croatia/abroad for the most part. This is due to Copyright. ORF does not have the licenses to broadcast the livestream abroad. ORF and other broadcasters have obtained licenses for their television program and the livestream. legal exclusive licenses agreed with your cooperation partners. These stipulate that only customers in a certain geographical area can use the streaming services.
Therefore, users who are not located in this area cannot stream this content. Even if you are a paying customer in Austria, this is of no use. Because if your favorite show is licensed in Austria, it can only be streamed in Austria and not in Croatia or anywhere else.
To receive the ORF Livestream abroad, you can pretend to be in Austria. For this you use a VPN tunnel from e.g. NordVPN which redirects your request via Austria. With a VPN you can also watch the ORF livestream abroad, e.g. if you want to watch the ORF livestream from Croatia while on vacation.
ORF Livestream in Croatia: Streaming works with a VPN. No matter if you are in Zagreb, Split, Rijeka or Zadar.
Conclusion: Austrian television abroad is not witchcraft
As you could see in this article, it is very easy to receive Austrian television abroad. No matter whether you are in Mallorca, Hvar or Hawaii. With a stable internet connection and a VPN, it's possible. Within Europe, you may even be lucky enough to have an ORF smartcard in your apartment/hotel. Then a VPN is not necessary at all.
