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South Africans in Germany

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Entertainment

It is always exciting to plan a visit to the movies! There are so many things to consider, like choosing the right movie theatre, picking a good movie to watch, buying the tickets in advance, and maybe even indulging in some delicious snacks at the concession stand. Going to the movies is a great opportunity to relax, unwind, and immerse yourself in a thrilling cinematic experience like no other. 

It is a great way to spend time with friends and family when the weather outside is less than favourable

The German word for a movie theatre is “das Kino”. At a Kino, you can view the latest movies and blockbusters.
Although most movie theatres are modern with the latest technology,  there are still many classic Cinemas left where you can experience the charm of a world gone by.
Many of these older Cinemas show art-house films or classic movies.
Another great option if you want to experience something different,  is to visit an open-air Kino in the summer.

Movie Programmes

The following websites can be used to search for movies showing in your town. Some allow you to search by language as well

English or original language films

Almost all movies are dubbed into German, but the cinemas also show movies in the original languages during specific times. To watch a movie in English or the original language look for the following codes in the program 

  • OV – Original Version. No dubbing or subtitles
  • OmU – Original mit Untertiteln or original with  German subtitles unless otherwise specified
  • OmdU – Original with German Subtitles. 
  • OmeU – Original with English Subtitles
  • DF – Deutsche Fassung or German Version. Dubbed into German             

Good to know

  • You can book tickets online or buy them on-site. 
  • You can book a specific seat when you buy your ticket online. Book long before the time to better your chances of booking your favourite seat. If there is no seat reservation it will be marked as “freie Plazwahl”
  • You can buy popcorn and drinks at most cinemas. Popcorn tends to be sweet and not savoury although some do offer a savoury option
  • You can drink beer, wine, and other alcoholic drinks inside the cinema
  • Older cinemas still have breaks in between, and moviegoers can buy refreshments during the breaks.

Ratings / Parental Guidance

  • FSK 0 (white sign) ― No age restriction.
  • FSK 6  (yellow sign) ― Approved for ages 6 and up. No admission to children under 6.
  • FSK 12 (green sign) ―  Approved for ages 12 and up. Children ages 6-11 years are admitted only with parental accompaniment.
  • FSK 16 (blue sign) ― Approved for ages 16 and older. No one under this age will be admitted.
  • FSK 18 (red sign)  ― No youth admitted. Adults only. 

Film Festivals, Open-air, and art house cinemas

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Internet TV and mobile

Internet, mobile and television packages are usually sold as a bundle. Fibre is available in most big cities but not in remote towns.  Legal After registering

Radio Stations and Playlists

Most South African radio stations have a streaming option, another option is to download apps with a selection of radio stations. Here are some suggestions

Streaming South African content

Your best option to legally watch South African products is to get a subscription to Showmax or Netflix.  Showmax Unfortunately Showmax will only be available

Internet, mobile and television packages are usually sold as a bundle. 
Fibre is available in most big cities but not in remote towns. 

Legal

After registering at the Bürgerampt you will receive a reminder to pay for your TV licence.
Please make sure you know the rules regarding VPN’s, streaming services, and downloading music.

The TKMoG (Telecommunications Modernisation Act), came into force on December 1, 2021. If the provider does not provide the contractually agreed transmission rate, the customer can now reduce the monthly fee based on the newly introduced proportional reduction right. A special right of termination can also be used under certain circumstances. If a technician does not come on the agreed date or if there is a fault that has not been rectified, this can lead to compensation claims against the provider.

Another change is that providers have to offer a 12-month contract and not only 24-month contracts. If the contract has expired you can now cancel it with a one month notice period. Previously your contract was automatically extended for another year if you did not cancel it in time. The new regulation will also apply to existing contracts.

Comparative Sites

Websites like Check24 and Verivox makes a comparison of products, services and prices.
Make sure you understand the terms and conditions before signing up.

Service providers

Most service providers offer packages that include Home internet, mobile phone, landline and television packages.
Please confirm that the service is available where you live before signing up. This is called Internet Verfügbarkeitsprüfung

German television

  • You can find a list of German state-operated television stations here.
  • Your bouquet will depend on your internet service provider for example this list from Vodafone
In Germany for cable tv, the tv standard “DVB-C” is used: see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVB-C
For “normal TV” via antenna, the standard DVB-T is used.
So if you TV cannot handle DVB-T or DVB-C, then you will not be able to receive German TV channels.
If your TV doesn’t support these broadcasting standards, you can buy a set top box (receiver) which will receive these channels and then shows the channels via an HDMI cable on your tv (like an “mnet decoder” basically). 
Search for “DVB-C receiver” on amazon and you will find many, starting at circa 30€ all the way up to 200€, depending on whether you want additional things like recording.

Pay TV channels

  • Sky
  • Sony, can also be added to your Amazon prime account
  • Disney

Streaming services

Streaming is legal in Germany as long as the service provider follows the correct copyright rules.  Torrenting is illegal in Germany. 

  • Netflix
  • Joyn – Joyn GmbH (previously 7TV Joint Venture GmbH) is a German joint venture of the media groups ProSiebenSat.1 Media and Discovery, which deals with streaming media products. Among other things, it operates the Joyn streaming platform of the same name, the Maxdome Store pay-per-view service and the Eurosport Player sports streaming service. 
  • Amazon Prime
  • Magenta TV
  • Showmax – South African content

You can read more about streaming on the European Consumer Centre Germany  – you can download their English Pdf here Safer-Streaming-EN

Vocabulary

  • Mobile phone
  • Landline
  • Fiber optic
  • Contract
  • DSL line
  • Connection
  • Contract term
  • Tariff/Rate
  • Pre Paid
  • International rate
  • das Handy
  • das Festnetz
  • die Glasfaser / die  Faseroptik
  • der Vertrag
  • das DSL-Leitung
  • der Anschluss
  • die Vertragslaufzeit
  • der Tarief
  • Ohne Vertrag
  • Ausland Tarif

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Entertainment

The most important topics for daily life in Germany

Internet, TV and Mobile

Internet and mobile providers. TV Channels

Internet TV and mobile

Internet, mobile and television packages are usually sold as a bundle. Fibre is available in most big cities but not in remote towns.  Legal After registering at the Bürgerampt you will

Going to the movies

What you need to know about going to the movies in Germany

Going to the movies

It is always exciting to plan a visit to the movies! There are so many things to consider, like choosing the right movie theatre, picking a good movie

Cricket Worldcup 2023

Watching your favourite sports on Television can be a challenge in Germany.  It is very tempting to use a VPN to watch the games on DSTV, but we strongly advice against it. 
Germany has stringent copyright laws.
Do not violate copyright laws by illegally downloading a film, music, or other web content.  You can get heavy fines for doing so. 
You can read more about streaming on the European Consumer Centre Germany  – and download their English  Safer-Streaming-EN.pdf file

Downloading Music, Movies etc

Copyrights in Germany are governed by GEMA, a government-mandated collecting society and performance rights organization. GEMA:  The Gesellschaft für musikalische Aufführungs- und mechanische Vervielfältigungsrechte, or in English, the society for musical performing and mechanical reproduction rights. Germany has stringent copyright laws.Do not violate copyright laws by illegally downloading a film, music, or other web content.  Inform yourself about what is allowed and what the penalties are for not adhering to the rules.You can also be held responsible for any

Television Licenses

Television Licence (der Rundfunkbeitrag/GEZ-Gebühr) The first thing you are likely to get in your new mailbox after registering at the Bürgeramt is a reminder to pay your TV & radio broadcasting fees. The 2023 fees are €18.36 per month and can be paid quarterly  (€55.08) or €220.32 per yearThe fee is mandatory.  Every household in Germany has to pay the fee even if you do not own a TV or radio. It does not matter if you have subscriptions to Sky, Netflix

What are the legal options

Pubs and restaurants

If would like to watch it with others, consider visiting an Irish pub in your town, they usually have a television with a subscription to sports channels. It is a good idea to confirm with them what games they will be showing on that day. 
If you are close to Bielefeld, there is a South African Restaurant called Howzit, they show most of the major games. In Berlin, visit Outer Africa

Pay channels

If you are lucky ZDF will show some major international games but it is in German. 

Apps

Websites/Streaming

The following sites seem to offer legal streaming, please refer to their disclaimers. You are responsible for your own legal clarifications. No liability accepted.

  • Ran.de has some live streams but mostly 7’S
  • sanzaarrugby.tv– they show mostly Southern Hemisphere games. According to their website “Sanzaar rugby matches are only available in countries where rights to watch your content is available” According to Inverleigh Media,  Germany is on their list of countries.
  • URC TV –  United Rugby Championships. According to their website there are no limitations for Germany
  • Youtube channels
  • Rugby Deutschland
  • Sport.de

Radio Stations

You can listen to most games on radio stations. 

Radio Stations and Playlists

Most South African radio stations have a streaming option, another option is to download apps with a selection of radio stations. Here are some suggestions  

Resources on the web

Events

Forums and Groups

We have a sports Forum on our website.
Registered users can also access the Rugby and cricket groups

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Streaming South African content

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Copyrights in Germany are governed by GEMA, a government-mandated collecting society and performance rights organization.

GEMA:  The Gesellschaft für musikalische Aufführungs- und mechanische Vervielfältigungsrechte, or in English, the society for musical performing and mechanical reproduction rights.

Germany has stringent copyright laws.
Do not violate copyright laws by illegally downloading a film, music, or other web content. 

Inform yourself about what is allowed and what the penalties are for not adhering to the rules.
You can also be held responsible for any downloads in your household, also from visitors using your internet connection.

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Watching sports

Cricket Worldcup 2023 The Match schedule is available on the CricketWorldCup.com website Watching your favourite sports on Television can be a challenge in Germany.  It

Television Licenses

Television Licence (der Rundfunkbeitrag/GEZ-Gebühr) The first thing you are likely to get in your new mailbox after registering at the Bürgeramt is a reminder to

Streaming South African content

Your best option to legally watch South African products is to get a subscription to Showmax or Netflix.  Showmax Unfortunately Showmax will only be available