diff --git a/lib/streaming_providers/providers/rtlplus/channel_manager.py b/lib/streaming_providers/providers/rtlplus/channel_manager.py
index 9c034d6..5d13371 100644
--- a/lib/streaming_providers/providers/rtlplus/channel_manager.py
+++ b/lib/streaming_providers/providers/rtlplus/channel_manager.py
@@ -336,7 +336,11 @@ class RTLPlusChannelManager:
             preferred_format
             preferred_drm_type
         """
-        # Normalize the channel identifier to SEO name
+        token = self._provider.get_user_bearer_token()
+        if not token:
+            logger.error("User authentication required for linear TV stream, not authenticated")
+            return None  # or [] for DRM
+
         channel_seo = self._normalize_channel_identifier(channel_id)
 
         assets = self.extract_stream_assets(channel_seo)
diff --git a/lib/streaming_providers/providers/rtlplus/provider.py b/lib/streaming_providers/providers/rtlplus/provider.py
index e23cf7e..4a2f996 100644
--- a/lib/streaming_providers/providers/rtlplus/provider.py
+++ b/lib/streaming_providers/providers/rtlplus/provider.py
@@ -358,4 +358,16 @@ class RTLPlusProvider(StreamingProvider):
         data = response.json()
 
         self._manifest_cache[content_id] = (data, now)
-        return data
\ No newline at end of file
+        return data
+
+    def get_user_bearer_token(self) -> Optional[str]:
+        """Get a user-authenticated bearer token, upgrading if necessary. Returns None if impossible."""
+        from ...base.auth.base_auth import TokenAuthLevel
+        current_level = self.authenticator.get_current_token_level()
+        if current_level == TokenAuthLevel.USER_AUTHENTICATED:
+            return self.authenticator.get_bearer_token()
+        if self.authenticator.has_user_credentials():
+            token = self.authenticator.get_bearer_token(force_upgrade=True)
+            if self.authenticator.get_current_token_level() == TokenAuthLevel.USER_AUTHENTICATED:
+                return token
+        return None
\ No newline at end of file