Publisher & Media Owner · vs · Publisher & Media Owner
DF1 vs Kabel Eins
Structured technology and market comparison · 2026
Direct Feature Comparison
DF1 · vs · Kabel EinsGerman ad-funded broadcaster operating DF1 television and streaming.
German free-to-air entertainment brand with advertising-funded TV and Joyn streaming.
Comparison Analysis
What is the main difference between DF1 and Kabel Eins?
When comparing DF1 and Kabel Eins, both platforms operate within the Video Streaming Platform, Connected TV (CTV) & OTT, and Publisher & Media Owner ecosystem. DF1 is positioned as German ad-funded broadcaster operating DF1 television and streaming, whereas Kabel Eins focuses on German free-to-air entertainment brand with advertising-funded TV and Joyn streaming. Decision-makers evaluate both solutions when orchestrating their commercial monetization and technology stack.
What are the top alternatives to DF1 and Kabel Eins?
When evaluating DF1 and Kabel Eins, enterprise buyers also consider other platforms in Video Streaming Platform, Connected TV (CTV) & OTT, and Publisher & Media Owner. You can discover the full competitive landscape and evaluate other alternatives by viewing their respective footprint profiles on Polaris7.
Market Signals
Recent Market Signals & Activity: DF1 vs Kabel Eins
Documented market movements, strategic partnerships, product releases, and regulatory developments mapped across Polaris7.
DF1
Recent Signals
- ·DWDLBroadcast Rights (Sports)
Disney+ Secures Formula E Rights; Broadcasters React
Disney+ has secured worldwide live rights to Formula E, including Germany, creating uncertainty about future free-TV broadcasts on DF1. DF1 says it is in constructive talks with Formula E. Other items: Penny DEL will remain on DF1 via sublicensing from Deutsche Telekom; ARD will feature a 13-year-old guest commentator on the Deutschland Tour; ARD and streaming service Dyn will release a six-episode handball docuseries 'Grip of Glory' from August 19; DFB.TV expanded live coverage to three Regionalligas. The sports update also covers broadcasting lineups for the Women's Basketball World Cup, RTL/Sky's Bundesliga plans, and audience figures for various sports programs.
- Disney+ has secured worldwide live rights to the Formula E racing series, including Germany.
- DF1 said it is in constructive talks with Formula E about future broadcasts; races were shown on DF1 this season.
- Penny DEL will remain on DF1 next season, enabled by sublicensing from Deutsche Telekom.
- ·MeediaCTV
Formula E Moves to Disney+ in 2026/27
Formula E has signed a multi-year partnership to stream its races on Disney+ starting with the 2026/27 season. The agreement covers full live coverage, highlights and pre- and post-race shows. The upcoming season begins 18 December in Jeddah, includes 21 races at 13 locations and finishes 25 July 2027 in Tokyo. The move expands Disney+'s live-sports offering in Germany and coincides with Formula E entering its GEN4 era, featuring cars rated at more than 815 hp (600 kW) with roughly 0–100 km/h in 1.8 seconds.
- Formula E will be available on Disney+ beginning with the 2026/27 season.
- The multi-year deal includes full live coverage, highlights, and pre- and post-race programming.
- The 2026/27 season starts on 2026-12-18 in Jeddah, comprises 21 races at 13 locations, and concludes on 2027-07-25 in Tokyo.
- ·DWDLConnected TV (CTV) & OTT
Disney+ Secures Global Live Formula E Rights
Formula E and The Walt Disney Company have signed a multi-year agreement under which Disney+ will stream the electric racing series in 144 markets, with races in the United States also available on ESPN+. The deal is described as complementary to existing free-to-air and linear TV partners; Formula E leaders said the partnership will expand the series' global digital presence and reach new viewers. Formula E and Disney are also exploring additional collaboration beyond live broadcasts to create new fan experiences. The announcement raises questions about the implications for current national free-TV partners in some markets.
- The Walt Disney Company (via Disney+) signed a multi-year agreement to stream Formula E.
- Disney+ will broadcast Formula E races in 144 markets worldwide.
- In the United States, Formula E races will additionally be available on ESPN+.
Kabel Eins
Recent Signals
- ·DWDLTV Ratings
BTN Anniversary Special Performs Well in Target Audience
RTLzwei's soap 'Berlin - Tag & Nacht' celebrated its 15th anniversary with a special and a double episode in primetime. The first part achieved a 5.1% market share among viewers aged 14-49, above the soap's average of around 3%. However, total audience numbers remained low at 240,000 and 210,000 respectively. The anniversary documentary also performed well in the target audience with a 5.4% share. Additionally, Nitro's Europa League coverage and Kabel Eins' 'Rosins Restaurants' posted strong ratings in the target demographic.
- The 'BTN' anniversary special achieved a 5.1% market share in the 14-49 target group with 120,000 viewers.
- The second part of the double episode reached 4.4% market share in the target group.
- The anniversary documentary reached a 5.4% market share in the target group.
- ·DWDLTV Ratings
Sat.1's New NCIS Evening Trails Kabel Eins in Young Demos
German broadcaster Sat.1 launched its new Tuesday evening block built around three NCIS series at 20:15. The original 'Navy CIS' drew 990,000 total viewers but only 170,000 in the 14-49 advertising-relevant demographic, equal to a 5.2% market share. 'Navy CIS: Origins' followed with 810,000 viewers and 4.0% in that target group. Later, 'Navy CIS: Sydney' remained above 500,000 viewers but posted weak young-audience shares. Kabel Eins outperformed Sat.1 among 14-49 viewers, helped by the film 'Real Steel' with a 6.8% share, and reached 5.8% daily market share, ranking fourth ahead of Sat.1, Vox (both 5.5%) and ProSieben (5.3%). RTLzwei managed only 3.3%. All data comes from AGF Videoforschung.
- Sat.1's new NCIS Tuesday block opened with 'Navy CIS', reaching 990,000 total viewers.
- Only 170,000 viewers aged 14-49 watched 'Navy CIS', a 5.2% market share.
- 'Navy CIS: Origins' drew 810,000 viewers and a 4.0% market share among 14-49.
- ·DWDLTV (linear)
Strong Return for Henssler; Reimanns Set Ratings Record
In late August 2026, German linear television saw dynamic rating shifts across consecutive Sundays. On August 23, Vox’s 'Grill den Henssler' returned strong with 1.21 million overall viewers and a double-digit 10.3% market share among 14-49-year-olds, maintaining a steady 10.4% on August 30. Kabel Eins’ 'Willkommen bei den Reimanns' achieved successive milestones, rising from a then-record 6.9% demographic share on August 23 to a new record-breaking 9.2% the following week. Public broadcaster ARD dominated overall viewership both weeks with 'Tatort,' drawing 4.47 million viewers (20.8% share) on August 23 and surging to 5.58 million (25.9% share) on August 30. Additionally, on August 30, Sat.1’s 'Der Nachname' achieved a strong 9.0% demo share, outperforming feature films on ProSieben (5.6%) and RTL (6.3%).
- ARD's 'Tatort' led overall ratings on both Sundays, growing from 4.47 million viewers (20.8% share) on August 23 to 5.58 million (25.9% share) on August 30.
- Kabel Eins' 'Willkommen bei den Reimanns' broke records in consecutive weeks, rising from a 6.9% market share (14-49) to a new peak of 9.2%.
- Vox's 'Grill den Henssler' maintained high demographic appeal, securing 10.3% on August 23 and 10.4% on August 30 among 14-49-year-olds.
Compare their exact ecosystem overlaps.
Explore all deep relationships in Polaris7. Discover exactly which mutual clients, integrated technologies, and overlapping partners DF1 and Kabel Eins share across the market ecosystem.