Observed Signal · Jul 16, 2026 · Study Release · Source: Horizont · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
AGF Platform Study 2026-I: Discovery Shapes TV
The AGF Platform Study 2026-I finds that linear television remains the primary entry point to video consumption in Germany, but smart-TV interfaces, streaming apps and direct-selection buttons on remote controls are increasingly steering which content viewers discover. The study reports that 56.2% of Germans use platform buttons at least occasionally, while the share of frequent users has fallen slightly. The findings highlight shifting gatekeepers in content discovery with implications for broadcasters, streaming services and TV advertisers.
The AGF study highlights shifting content discovery pathways (smart-TV UIs, streaming apps, remote buttons) that affect content discoverability, inventory access and monetization for broadcasters, streaming services and TV advertisers in the German market.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- AGF published the 'AGF-Plattformstudie 2026-I' (AGF Platform Study 2026-I).
- 56.2% of Germans use platform (remote control) buttons at least occasionally; the share of frequent use has declined slightly.
- Linear television remains the main entry point to video usage in Germany.
- Smart TV interfaces, streaming apps and direct-selection buttons on remotes are increasingly influencing which content viewers find.
Connected Companies & Entities
4 Entities mapped“With one click to Netflix and co.? 56.2 percent of Germans use platform buttons at least occasionally, but the share of frequent use is decl...”
“© dfv Mediengruppe...”
“Image credit in the article: IMAGO / photothek....”
“The new AGF platform study shows: Smart TV interfaces, streaming apps and direct-selection buttons on remote controls are increasingly influ...”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Study: Ad market shifts between TV, streaming and YouTube
The ninth edition of the Screens in Motion study from TV Spielfilm Plus (Burda Verlag), based on an online survey of 2,000 Germans aged 16+ conducted by YouGov in March 2026, finds daily video consumption at a new high of 4 hours 33 minutes. Linear TV remains the most used channel (65% monthly) but is losing reach among younger viewers, while streaming subscriptions reach 60% monthly. YouTube is described as a hybrid between streaming and social media with 41% monthly usage. Attention varies by channel (TV 65% attentive, social media 55%), two-thirds of respondents often use a second screen, and personalized ads are least perceived as disturbing (7%). The study highlights market diversification and the need for advertisers to account for context, second-screen behavior and relevancy.
Netflix Most Visible App on Smart TV Interfaces
A new AGF Videoforschung platform study (with >2,500 Kantar interviews conducted between February and April) links Smart TV technical default settings with viewer navigation to map TV user journeys in Germany. Key findings: turning on TVs still happens almost exclusively via remote control (96.8%); most households first see live TV (68.2%) while 29.6% see a user interface requiring further action; Netflix is the single most-visible app on Smart TV home screens (47.4%), and 54.0% of respondents have at least one remote direct-access button for streaming services. The study also shows younger viewers more often start viewing sessions directly in streaming services, and that access to broadcaster catch-up apps is migrating from Red Button to internet menus or app tiles.
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