ARD (German Broadcasting)

ARD, or "Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland," is a consortium of public broadcasting institutions in Germany. Founded in 1950, it operates national and regional television and radio channels, such as Das Erste and various local stations. ARD is funded primarily through a mandatory broadcasting fee paid by households, ensuring independence from commercial interests. Its mission is to provide diverse, high-quality programming that informs, educates, and entertains the public while upholding principles of democracy and cultural heritage in Germany.