ARD alpha is a German free-to-air television channel run by regional public-service broadcaster Bayerischer Rundfunk.

Its programming consists of shows made by Bayerischer Rundfunk, as well as from ARD and Austrian broadcaster ORF.

ARD-alpha broadcasts educational programmes including; science, religion, music, philosophy, literature, language learning, art and culture.

The station's programmes were originally broadcast in analog using the Astra satellite and were also distributed by cable networks.

[7][8] Cooperation with ORF (the Austrian public broadcaster) in the form of alpha-Österreich continued, and its television programs are now aired after 10 pm instead of in the early evening.