This statement outlines Zattoo’s commitment to ensuring digital accessibility and compliance with the European Accessibility Act (EU) 2019/882, which is implemented in Germany through the “Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz” (BFSG) of 2021, in our TV-Platform. For your market, different local law derivatives of the European accessibility act might apply. These are the ones relevant for you to cater to. 

In general, a TV platform needs to be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. This document details the current status of Zattoo’s ongoing efforts to provide inclusive and accessible digital products and services, allowing all users, including persons with disabilities or mental or mobility challenges, to access information and functionality effectively.

Zattoo continues to receive positive feedback from users who depend on accessibility features, particularly through user interviews and external testing, highlighting the effectiveness of our ongoing efforts. As we strive to go beyond legal requirements, we have been steadily increasing organizational awareness around accessibility, making it a growing area of focus within our company. Since May 2025, we have established two dedicated accessibility officer roles responsible for monitoring the accessibility of our products and enforcing the integration of accessibility considerations throughout our design and development processes. Improvements to the current implementations are planned to be worked on and released continuously.

The general requirement is that the service is accessible, meaning that at least one of the devices/apps needs to provide sufficient accessibility features to guarantee inclusiveness. The Zattoo platform exceeds this requirement by providing specific accessibility features per device that are also related to the operating systems on the hardware that is used. The most complete service in terms of accessibility is web, because of the extensive possibilities for connecting assistive devices to the computer. We recommend for you to make sure that also your websites with any product information are accessible, too.

The provided overview of the current status of accessibility in Zattoo's product is tailored to inform your customer service units and is ready to be used for publishing on your service website. According to Article 13(2) of the European Accessibility Act (EAA), service providers must explain how their service meets accessibility requirements. They need to make this information publicly available to all users—including people with disabilities—and ensure that this accessibility information is maintained and kept available for as long as the service is in operation. The current status is outlined by technical delivery platform and structured by user accessibility needs within those platforms in the following overview. 

This chapter doesn’t refer to a specific device, but outlines universal accessibility features that are implemented across every supported platform (TV, web, mobile, etc.). These practices aim to create a consistent, inclusive experience no matter how or where users access the app.

Usage with Limited or No Vision

The app supports audio description — a spoken narration that explains what’s happening visually (e.g., actions, scenery, or facial expressions) — for content that includes such an audio track. When a user selects this track once, their choice is saved and automatically applied to other content that supports it. This ensures that blind or visually impaired users can follow stories and action scenes more easily, without having to reconfigure settings every time.

Usage Without Perception of Color

The apps are built to ensure users don’t need to rely on color to understand what’s going on. All important elements — like buttons — use text labels or icons, not just color alone. So, for users with color blindness, the experience remains understandable.

Usage Without Vocal Capability

The app is designed to be fully operable without voice input. That means users who cannot speak (due to physical, situational, or temporary conditions) are not restricted in any way — they can use all core features via remote control, keyboard, touch, or assistive tools, depending on the device.

Subtitles and Captions

Across all platforms, the app displays all subtitles that are included in the content. If a content provider includes them (for either live or on-demand content), the app ensures they are available to users.

The subtitle system is designed to remember user preferences, meaning if a user turns on subtitles once, they will stay on for other videos (as long as the content includes them).

Usage with Limited or No Vision

The web app is designed to work well with screen readers such as NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver on macOS. It uses technologies like ARIA labels and semantic HTML, which help assistive tools understand the structure of the page and describe elements like buttons, menus, and sections accurately to users who are blind.

However, while most content is accessible, some icons and images lack descriptive text (known as "alt text"). Fortunately, in these cases, the app makes sure the surrounding context explains the image, so users don’t lose key information.

For users with low vision, the site is fully compatible with browser features like:

• Zooming in/out to enlarge or shrink content

• Screen magnification tools

• system-wide scaling for text

The layout remains stable when zoomed, which is essential for readability and usability.

The app supports audio description — a spoken narration that explains what’s happening visually (e.g., actions, scenery, or facial expressions) — for content that includes such an audio track. When a user selects this track once, their choice is saved and automatically applied to other content that supports it. This ensures that blind or visually impaired users can follow stories and action scenes more easily, without having to reconfigure settings every time.

Usage Without Perception of Color

The interface is built to ensure users don’t need to rely on color to understand what’s going on. All important elements — like buttons — use text labels or icons, not just color alone. So, for users with color blindness, the experience remains understandable.

Usage Without Hearing Capability

Subtitles (also known as captions) are technically supported, and the app can automatically remember a user’s subtitle preferences. Whether captions are available depends on the content provider. 

Customizing the look of captions (font size, background, etc.) is not currently supported.

When a user selects a subtitle track once, their choice is persistently saved and automatically applied to other content that supports it. This ensures that blind or visually impaired users can follow stories and action scenes more easily, without having to reconfigure settings every time.

Usage Without Vocal Capability

Users don’t need to speak or use voice commands to use the app. Everything can be done through keyboard, mouse, or assistive tools (like on-screen keyboards or switch controls). While voice control could be used if supported by the browser or operating system, the app does not require or depend on voice input.

Usage With Limited Mobility, Strength or Reach

The app supports full keyboard navigation, which means users can move between elements using keys like Tab, Arrow keys, and Enter — no mouse needed.

Focus (the visual outline showing where the user is on the page) is clearly visible, which helps users keep track of their place. The interface also works with adaptive devices like keyboard emulators or eye trackers, if supported by the browser.

However, voice control is not natively supported — only browser- or system-level solutions would apply.

Usage With Limited Cognition

The app is structured into clear, consistent sections like Live TV, Recordings, and Guide. These help users who require predictable layouts due to challenges with memory, attention, or comprehension.

However, the app doesn’t currently include dedicated onboarding help, simpler language options. Still, the consistent design helps many users adapt without confusion.

Settings and Cookie Consent (TCF)

The cookie consent screen and settings menus are fully accessible:

• Users can navigate them with a keyboard or screen reader

• Focus is clearly shown

• Buttons are labeled clearly and behave as expected

Electronic Program Guide (EPG) Accessibility

The Electronic Program Guide (EPG) is designed to work with keyboard navigation. Users can move between channels and programs using the arrow keys or assistive input.

But for blind users or those using screen readers:

• Program details (like show titles or times) are not read aloud consistently

• The screen reader focus doesn’t land on individual shows — only on channels

This is one of the improvement areas in terms of accessibility and is planned to be more accessible in the future.

Usage with Limited or No Vision

The WebTV app currently does not support screen readers or voice guidance tools. That means users who are blind cannot rely on audio feedback to understand what’s on the screen, unlike on platforms like Apple TV or Android.

The app supports audio description — a spoken narration that explains what’s happening visually (e.g., actions, scenery, or facial expressions) — for content that includes such an audio track. When a user selects this track once, their choice is saved and automatically applied to other content that supports it. This ensures that blind or visually impaired users can follow stories and action scenes more easily, without having to reconfigure settings every time.

For users with low vision, the app does not support system text scaling or visual presentation preferences (like adjusting font size or spacing). However, the design is generally readable, and text has adequate contrast, though a few areas still fall below ideal contrast levels.

Usage Without Perception of Color

The app does not support color blindness features on WebTVs. However, the buttons and controls are not dependent on color alone — they also use shapes or labels to indicate purpose.

Usage Without Hearing Capability

Captions and subtitles are available for most content, as long as the content provider includes them. This covers both live and on-demand video. However:

• Customization options for captions (like font size or background color) are not available

• The app does not respond to system-wide caption settings, so users must re-enable captions within the app

The app supports captions (subtitles) for content that includes such a subtitle track. When a user selects this track once, their choice is saved and automatically applied to other content that supports it. This ensures that the hard-of-hearing can follow stories and scenes more easily, without having to reconfigure settings every time.

Usage Without Vocal Capability

No voice input is required to use the app. Users can access all features using the standard TV remote control, so people who cannot speak or use voice assistants can still operate the app fully.

Usage With Limited Mobility, Strength or Reach

The app does not support alternative input devices, such as switch access or specialized controllers. However, users can perform all basic navigation using the standard TV remote, and the focus indicator (the visual highlight around the selected item) is clearly visible throughout the app.

There is no support for voice control, even though the WebTVs platforms themselves may offer it in other apps.

Usage With Limited Cognition

The app’s design has been user tested and found to be understandable, even for users with memory, focus, or processing difficulties. Menu structure is logical, and labels are clear.

Settings and Cookie Consent (TCF)

The app’s cookie consent dialog is not accessible. It cannot be read aloud by assistive tech and does not support navigation with screen readers.

Electronic Program Guide (EPG) Accessibility

The Electronic Program Guide (EPG) is visually navigable with a remote:

• Users can browse channels, time slots, and program details using arrow keys and OK/Select
  The focused item is clearly highlighted

This makes the EPG non-functional for blind users, and challenging for others who require extra clarity or voice assistance.

Usage with Limited or No Vision

The app supports audio description — a spoken narration that explains what’s happening visually (e.g., actions, scenery, or facial expressions) — for content that includes such an audio track. When a user selects this track once, their choice is saved and automatically applied to other content that supports it. This ensures that blind or visually impaired users can follow stories and action scenes more easily, without having to reconfigure settings every time.

The app supports VoiceOver, Apple’s built-in screen reader. When VoiceOver is enabled through device settings, it reads out what’s on the screen — including text, buttons, and menus — and lets users navigate using gestures like swiping and tapping.

Most parts of the app are accessible with VoiceOver (around 99.9%). 

For users with low vision, Apple offers several helpful settings:

• Adjustable font size

• Bold text option

• Color filters

• Increased contrast

Additionally, eye tracking is available in newer iOS versions and can be used as a hands-free way to interact with the app.

Usage Without Perception of Color

Users with color vision deficiencies can benefit from iOS features like Smart Invert and Color Filters, which help distinguish between elements that rely on red/green contrast or similar. The app doesn’t rely on color alone — most interactive elements also use text labels or shapes.

Usage Without Hearing Capability

The app supports captions and subtitles for most content — both live and on-demand — provided the content includes them. These captions can be customized in iOS settings (e.g., change font size, color, background), and the app respects those preferences automatically if applied once. 

Usage Without Vocal Capability

All features can be accessed by touch or alternative input methods. Even though Voice Control and voice search are supported (when enabled in system settings), they are optional. Users without vocal ability can still fully operate the app.

Usage With Limited Mobility, Strength or Reach

The app supports Voice Control, which allows users to navigate and interact using just their voice. Newer iPhones also support eye tracking, which lets users control the screen using eye movement — a big plus for users with limited mobility.

Standard iOS features like AssistiveTouch and switch control are also supported at the system level, though app-specific optimizations could still be improved.

Usage With Limited Cognition

The app interface follows standard iOS design, which makes it familiar and predictable for most users. 

Settings and Cookie Consent (TCF)

Both Settings and Cookie Consent (TCF) dialogs are accessible. They can be navigated using VoiceOver or alternative inputs, and changes are remembered between sessions.

Electronic Program Guide (EPG) Accessibility

Users can navigate the Electronic Program Guide (EPG) using the standard gestures and buttons, but it’s not a fully accessible experience, especially for blind users.

Usage with Limited or No Vision

Apple TV supports VoiceOver, Apple’s built-in screen reader. When enabled through the system settings, VoiceOver reads aloud the items on the screen — such as buttons, program titles, or settings — and users can navigate using the Siri Remote or other input devices.

The app has been tested with VoiceOver and works well. Most interface elements are labeled correctly and behave as expected. In the EPG (Electronic Program Guide) program names and navigation elements are mostly announced correctly, some items are skipped or misread, and the layout may be confusing when navigating quickly.

The app supports audio description — a spoken narration that explains what’s happening visually (e.g., actions, scenery, or facial expressions) — for content that includes such an audio track. When a user selects this track once, their choice is saved and automatically applied to other content that supports it. This ensures that blind or visually impaired users can follow stories and action scenes more easily, without having to reconfigure settings every time.

For users with low vision, Apple TV supports features like Smart Invert and contrast enhancements. These visual tweaks can help improve readability for some users

Usage Without Perception of Color

The platform offers several contrast settings, and the app respects these. Importantly, the interface does not rely on color alone to convey meaning. Buttons, links, and other controls use text, shapes, and icons, which is helpful for users with color blindness or low contrast perception.

Usage Without Hearing Capability

Captions and subtitles are available for most video content, assuming they are provided by the content owner. Users can fully customize how captions look — including font size, color, and background — through system settings, and the app supports these preferences. When a user selects this track once, their choice is saved and automatically applied to other content that supports it. This ensures that the hard-of-hearing can follow stories and scenes more easily, without having to reconfigure settings every time.

Usage Without Vocal Capability

All navigation can be done using the remote or a compatible keyboard. Features like search and playback are accessible through typed input or on-screen navigation.

While Siri voice input is supported for some languages and text entry, it’s not required. Users who can’t speak will not be blocked from any functionality.

Usage With Limited Mobility, Strength, or Reach

The app can be fully navigated using the Apple TV remote or a connected keyboard, and the visual focus indicator is always visible, helping users track what’s selected.

However, there is no support for switch access or specialized mobility aids, and voice control within the app is not functional, even though Siri works in other parts of Apple TV.

Usage With Limited Cognition

The app follows Apple TV’s standard navigation patterns, making it predictable for most users. There are onboarding instructions when first using the app, which help guide users through the basic features.

Settings and Cookie Consent (TCF)

Settings are accessible and can be navigated using VoiceOver or the remote. Changes made to preferences are saved. However, the cookie/privacy consent screen is not accessible — it can’t be used with assistive technologies and lacks proper focus management.

Electronic Program Guide (EPG) Accessibility

The Electronic Program Guide (EPG) is partially accessible:

• It supports navigation with the remote (up/down/left/right and select), and program focus is usually highlighted clearly

• But some voice guidance elements are skipped, meaning screen readers may not read all relevant info (e.g., show details or next airing)

This makes the EPG usable for most people, but not yet fully accessible to users who are blind or rely heavily on voice guidance.

Usage with Limited or No Vision

The app supports audio description — a spoken narration that explains what’s happening visually (e.g., actions, scenery, or facial expressions) — for content that includes such an audio track. When a user selects this track once, their choice is saved and automatically applied to other content that supports it. This ensures that blind or visually impaired users can follow stories and action scenes more easily, without having to reconfigure settings every time.

The app works with TalkBack, which is Android’s built-in screen reader. When users turn it on in their device settings, TalkBack reads aloud everything on the screen — including button labels, show titles, and menu options. Users can move around by swiping or exploring the screen with their finger, and they can activate actions with a double tap.

For users with low vision, Android offers tools like:

• Magnification (triple-tap to zoom in)

• Font size and display scaling
  Bold text and high contrast settings

• Dark mode and color inversion

The app supports most of these features. Text scales properly in most views, and the layout adjusts to zooming. However, some scrolling is needed when zoomed in.

Usage Without Perception of Color

The app doesn’t rely on color alone to show what something does. Instead, it uses clear text labels (like “Watch live” or “Record”) and icons to make sure users can understand buttons or status indicators.

Android also allows users to apply color correction filters for different types of color blindness (like red-green or blue-yellow), and the app works well with those settings. This helps users distinguish between sections or interactive areas, even if they can’t perceive certain colors.

Usage Without Hearing Capability

Captions (subtitles) are available for most live and on-demand content — but whether they appear depends on the content provider. The app respects device-based caption settings, so if users have enabled larger font or specific styles, they’ll be applied automatically.

However, users can’t customize subtitles within the app — they must use Android’s settings.

Usage Without Vocal Capability

The app does not require speech input. All features — like searching, navigating, and playback — can be accessed using touch. While Android supports tools like Google Assistant or Voice Access, the app itself does not rely on or require voice commands.

Usage With Limited Mobility, Strength or Reach

For users with motor impairments, the app works well with Android’s accessibility features:

• Switch access

• External keyboards

• Custom gestures

Touch-based navigation is responsive and consistent. Core interactions like browsing content, starting playback, and managing recordings are smooth. 

Usage With Limited Cognition

The app layout is clear and consistent, with sections like Live TV, Guide, and Recordings always found in the same places. Labels like “Watch live” and “From beginning” are straightforward.

Settings and Cookie Consent (TCF)

Cookie banners and privacy settings are accessible and navigable with TalkBack or other assistive tools. Settings changes are saved and easy to adjust again later.

Electronic Program Guide (EPG) Accessibility

The Electronic Program Guide (EPG) is partially accessible:

• Text like program titles and times is readable for most users

• Font scaling and layout adjust to some degree

• Focus indicators (what’s selected) are mostly clear

However:

• It is not usable with screen readers — TalkBack doesn’t recognize individual programs

• Navigation using a mouse is limited (e.g., users can’t scroll horizontally)

Usage with Limited or No Vision

The app supports audio description — a spoken narration that explains what’s happening visually (e.g., actions, scenery, or facial expressions) — for content that includes such an audio track. When a user selects this track once, their choice is saved and automatically applied to other content that supports it. This ensures that blind or visually impaired users can follow stories and action scenes more easily, without having to reconfigure settings every time.

The app partially supports VoiceView, Fire TV’s built-in screen reader. It reads out some items, like buttons, program names, and menus. 

For users with low vision, the platform includes a screen magnifier. There is also a text banner feature that shows selected content as large text, but this only works on some pages, like the Guide and Startpage, and not others like the Recordings section.

Usage Without Perception of Color

The app works with Fire TV’s High Contrast Text mode, which changes text to black or white with outlines for clarity. This mode applies consistently across the interface and allows users to distinguish controls and read labels without relying on color alone.

Usage Without Hearing Capability

Captions and subtitles are supported for most content if the content provider includes them. Users can customize subtitles through Fire TV’s system settings, including font, size, and background color. However:

The app respects the system’s caption settings and applies them automatically.

Usage Without Vocal Capability

All app features are fully usable without speaking. Users can navigate using the Fire TV remote, on-screen keyboard, or third-party input devices. There is a search function where users can type in queries without voice input.

Usage With Limited Mobility, Strength, or Reach

The app works with the standard Fire TV remote and supports limited voice input via Alexa. However:

• Alexa only works for basic functions like switching channels or opening the guide, it does not work inside the Electronic Program Guide (EPG)

• No support is provided for alternative input methods like switch access or external adaptive devices

Usage With Limited Cognition

The app layout is clear and consistent, with sections like Live TV, Guide, and Recordings always found in the same places. Labels like “Watch live” and “From beginning” are straightforward.

There are no simplified modes, tooltips, or contextual help for users with memory, attention, or learning challenges.

Settings and Cookie Consent (TCF)

App and system settings are accessible and support screen reader use, but the cookie consent screen is not accessible. Focus buttons in the consent dialog are can be difficult to see.

Electronic Program Guide (EPG) Accessibility

The Electronic Program Guide (EPG) is partially accessible:

• Users can navigate channels and time slots using the remote

• Program info (title, duration, etc.) is read out only for current shows

• Past and future listings are not read by VoiceView