diff --git a/libs/portal/downloads/feature/src/lib/downloads.component.ts b/libs/portal/downloads/feature/src/lib/downloads.component.ts
index 9af28ecca..ab84c0c7b 100644
--- a/libs/portal/downloads/feature/src/lib/downloads.component.ts
+++ b/libs/portal/downloads/feature/src/lib/downloads.component.ts
@@ -191,9 +191,9 @@ export class DownloadsComponent {
 
     constructor() {
         effect(() => {
-            const playlistId = this.playlistId();
+            this.playlistId();
             this.collectionContext.setCategoryId('all');
-            void this.downloadsService.loadDownloads(playlistId || undefined);
+            void this.downloadsService.loadDownloads();
         });
     }
 
diff --git a/libs/services/src/lib/downloads.service.spec.ts b/libs/services/src/lib/downloads.service.spec.ts
index 7455302e3..8ae813d17 100644
--- a/libs/services/src/lib/downloads.service.spec.ts
+++ b/libs/services/src/lib/downloads.service.spec.ts
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ type DownloadsElectronStub = {
         [number, string]
     >;
     downloadsSelectFolder?: jest.Mock<Promise<string | null>, []>;
-    downloadsGetList: jest.Mock<Promise<DownloadItem[]>, [string?]>;
+    downloadsGetList: jest.Mock<Promise<DownloadItem[]>, []>;
 };
 
 describe('DownloadsService', () => {
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ describe('DownloadsService', () => {
         }
     });
 
-    it('tracks loading and loaded state around a successful download list request', async () => {
+    it('loads the global download list without a playlist filter and tracks request state', async () => {
         const item = createDownload(1);
         const pending = createDeferred<DownloadItem[]>();
         const electron = {
@@ -130,11 +130,11 @@ describe('DownloadsService', () => {
         testWindow.electron = electron;
         const service = createService();
 
-        const request = service.loadDownloads('playlist-1');
+        const request = service.loadDownloads();
 
         expect(service.isLoadingDownloads()).toBe(true);
         expect(service.hasLoadedDownloads()).toBe(false);
-        expect(electron.downloadsGetList).toHaveBeenCalledWith('playlist-1');
+        expect(electron.downloadsGetList).toHaveBeenCalledWith();
 
         pending.resolve([item]);
         await request;
@@ -245,8 +245,8 @@ describe('DownloadsService', () => {
         testWindow.electron = electron;
         const service = createService();
 
-        const firstRequest = service.loadDownloads('playlist-old');
-        const secondRequest = service.loadDownloads('playlist-new');
+        const firstRequest = service.loadDownloads();
+        const secondRequest = service.loadDownloads();
 
         expect(service.isLoadingDownloads()).toBe(true);
 
@@ -262,14 +262,8 @@ describe('DownloadsService', () => {
 
         expect(service.downloads()).toEqual([latestItem]);
         expect(service.isLoadingDownloads()).toBe(false);
-        expect(electron.downloadsGetList).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
-            1,
-            'playlist-old'
-        );
-        expect(electron.downloadsGetList).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
-            2,
-            'playlist-new'
-        );
+        expect(electron.downloadsGetList).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(1);
+        expect(electron.downloadsGetList).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(2);
     });
 
     it('reports paused content and resumes it by content identity', async () => {
diff --git a/libs/services/src/lib/downloads.service.ts b/libs/services/src/lib/downloads.service.ts
index 92c7e4fe3..07c46a4b7 100644
--- a/libs/services/src/lib/downloads.service.ts
+++ b/libs/services/src/lib/downloads.service.ts
@@ -106,14 +106,14 @@ export class DownloadsService implements OnDestroy {
     /**
      * Load downloads from the backend
      */
-    async loadDownloads(playlistId?: string): Promise<void> {
+    async loadDownloads(): Promise<void> {
         if (!this.isAvailable()) return;
 
         const requestId = ++this.loadDownloadsRequestId;
         this._isLoadingDownloads.set(true);
 
         try {
-            const list = await window.electron.downloadsGetList(playlistId);
+            const list = await window.electron.downloadsGetList();
             if (requestId === this.loadDownloadsRequestId) {
                 this.downloads.set(list);
                 this._hasLoadedDownloads.set(true);
diff --git a/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/components/workspace-shell-header/workspace-shell-header.component.html b/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/components/workspace-shell-header/workspace-shell-header.component.html
index cde9d7359..e4e139e91 100644
--- a/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/components/workspace-shell-header/workspace-shell-header.component.html
+++ b/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/components/workspace-shell-header/workspace-shell-header.component.html
@@ -121,6 +121,15 @@
                         <span class="download-activity-bar__fill"></span>
                     </span>
                 }
+                @if (activeDownloadsCount() > 0) {
+                    <span
+                        class="download-count-badge"
+                        data-test-id="global-download-count"
+                        aria-hidden="true"
+                    >
+                        {{ activeDownloadsCount() }}
+                    </span>
+                }
                 <button
                     type="button"
                     class="header-shortcut"
diff --git a/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/components/workspace-shell-header/workspace-shell-header.component.scss b/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/components/workspace-shell-header/workspace-shell-header.component.scss
index 83c610edc..7b38ee059 100644
--- a/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/components/workspace-shell-header/workspace-shell-header.component.scss
+++ b/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/components/workspace-shell-header/workspace-shell-header.component.scss
@@ -214,6 +214,28 @@
     justify-content: center;
 }
 
+.download-count-badge {
+    position: absolute;
+    top: -2px;
+    right: -4px;
+    z-index: 11;
+    display: inline-flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    justify-content: center;
+    min-width: 18px;
+    height: 18px;
+    padding: 0 5px;
+    border: 1px solid var(--mat-sys-surface-container-low);
+    border-radius: 999px;
+    color: var(--app-selection-on-color, var(--mat-sys-on-primary));
+    background: var(--app-selection-color, var(--mat-sys-primary));
+    box-shadow: 0 2px 8px var(--app-selection-glow);
+    font-size: 0.6875rem;
+    font-weight: 700;
+    line-height: 1;
+    pointer-events: none;
+}
+
 .download-activity-bar {
     position: absolute;
     bottom: 2px;
diff --git a/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/components/workspace-shell-header/workspace-shell-header.component.spec.ts b/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/components/workspace-shell-header/workspace-shell-header.component.spec.ts
index de0b3b93d..709b05b84 100644
--- a/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/components/workspace-shell-header/workspace-shell-header.component.spec.ts
+++ b/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/components/workspace-shell-header/workspace-shell-header.component.spec.ts
@@ -172,4 +172,32 @@ describe('WorkspaceShellHeaderComponent', () => {
 
         expect(chips).toEqual(['Movies / All Items', 'Loaded channels only']);
     });
+
+    it('renders the global active download count without duplicating the button name', () => {
+        fixture.componentRef.setInput('isElectron', true);
+        fixture.componentRef.setInput('activeDownloadsCount', 3);
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+
+        const badge: HTMLElement | null = fixture.nativeElement.querySelector(
+            '[data-test-id="global-download-count"]'
+        );
+
+        expect(badge?.textContent?.trim()).toBe('3');
+        expect(badge?.getAttribute('aria-hidden')).toBe('true');
+        expect(
+            fixture.nativeElement.querySelector('.download-activity-bar')
+        ).not.toBeNull();
+    });
+
+    it('does not render a global download badge when no downloads are active', () => {
+        fixture.componentRef.setInput('isElectron', true);
+        fixture.componentRef.setInput('activeDownloadsCount', 0);
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+
+        expect(
+            fixture.nativeElement.querySelector(
+                '[data-test-id="global-download-count"]'
+            )
+        ).toBeNull();
+    });
 });
diff --git a/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/components/workspace-shell-header/workspace-shell-header.component.ts b/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/components/workspace-shell-header/workspace-shell-header.component.ts
index e03d5b8ed..871b5f56f 100644
--- a/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/components/workspace-shell-header/workspace-shell-header.component.ts
+++ b/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/components/workspace-shell-header/workspace-shell-header.component.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import {
     ChangeDetectionStrategy,
     Component,
+    computed,
     ElementRef,
     input,
     output,
@@ -52,7 +53,10 @@ export class WorkspaceShellHeaderComponent {
     readonly isElectron = input(false);
     readonly hasNoPlaylists = input(false);
     readonly isDownloadsView = input(false);
-    readonly hasActiveDownloads = input(false);
+    readonly activeDownloadsCount = input(0);
+    readonly hasActiveDownloads = computed(
+        () => this.activeDownloadsCount() > 0
+    );
     /**
      * When true the playlist switcher + the "+ Add source" / refresh /
      * bulk-action buttons are hidden — those controls scope to a
diff --git a/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/services/workspace-shell.facade.spec.ts b/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/services/workspace-shell.facade.spec.ts
index eaa580238..ec7ac7b50 100644
--- a/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/services/workspace-shell.facade.spec.ts
+++ b/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/services/workspace-shell.facade.spec.ts
@@ -376,6 +376,21 @@ describe('WorkspaceShellFacade', () => {
         expect(facade.isMacOS).toBe(false);
     });
 
+    it('exposes the global active download count and derives activity when supported', () => {
+        downloadsActiveCountSignal.set(3);
+
+        expect(facade.activeDownloadsCount()).toBe(3);
+        expect(facade.hasActiveDownloads()).toBe(true);
+    });
+
+    it('hides the active download count when downloads are unsupported', () => {
+        runtime.supportsDownloads = false;
+        downloadsActiveCountSignal.set(3);
+
+        expect(facade.activeDownloadsCount()).toBe(0);
+        expect(facade.hasActiveDownloads()).toBe(false);
+    });
+
     it('routes dashboard search Enter into the active Xtream playlist search', () => {
         const xtreamStore = TestBed.inject(
             XtreamStore
diff --git a/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/services/workspace-shell.facade.ts b/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/services/workspace-shell.facade.ts
index 2e32b2e85..aede79b45 100644
--- a/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/services/workspace-shell.facade.ts
+++ b/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/services/workspace-shell.facade.ts
@@ -112,8 +112,11 @@ export class WorkspaceShellFacade {
     readonly isRefreshingPlaylist = this.header.isRefreshingPlaylist;
     readonly headerBulkAction = this.header.headerBulkAction;
     readonly playlistSubtitle = this.header.playlistSubtitle;
+    readonly activeDownloadsCount = computed(() =>
+        this.supportsDownloads ? this.downloadsService.activeCount() : 0
+    );
     readonly hasActiveDownloads = computed(
-        () => this.supportsDownloads && this.downloadsService.activeCount() > 0
+        () => this.activeDownloadsCount() > 0
     );
 
     constructor() {
diff --git a/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/workspace-shell.component.html b/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/workspace-shell.component.html
index 0408a64c6..7ed2c5569 100644
--- a/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/workspace-shell.component.html
+++ b/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/workspace-shell.component.html
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@
         [isElectron]="facade.isElectron"
         [hasNoPlaylists]="facade.hasNoPlaylists()"
         [isDownloadsView]="facade.isDownloadsView()"
-        [hasActiveDownloads]="facade.hasActiveDownloads()"
+        [activeDownloadsCount]="facade.activeDownloadsCount()"
         [isSettingsRoute]="facade.isSettingsRoute()"
         (refreshPlaylistRequested)="facade.refreshCurrentPlaylist()"
         (searchChanged)="facade.onSearchInput($event)"
diff --git a/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/workspace-shell.component.spec.ts b/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/workspace-shell.component.spec.ts
index 6e0049a5d..d3858e130 100644
--- a/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/workspace-shell.component.spec.ts
+++ b/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/workspace-shell.component.spec.ts
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ class MockWorkspaceShellHeaderComponent {
     readonly isElectron = input(false);
     readonly hasNoPlaylists = input(false);
     readonly isDownloadsView = input(false);
-    readonly hasActiveDownloads = input(false);
+    readonly activeDownloadsCount = input(0);
     readonly isSettingsRoute = input(false);
     readonly headerBulkAction = input<WorkspaceHeaderBulkAction | null>(null);
     readonly searchChanged = output<string>();
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ class MockWorkspaceShellFacade {
     readonly isRefreshingPlaylist = signal(false);
     readonly hasNoPlaylists = signal(false);
     readonly isDownloadsView = signal(false);
-    readonly hasActiveDownloads = signal(false);
+    readonly activeDownloadsCount = signal(3);
     readonly headerBulkAction = signal<WorkspaceHeaderBulkAction | null>(null);
     readonly showContextPanel = signal(true);
     readonly contextPanel = signal<WorkspaceShellContextPanel>('settings');
@@ -246,6 +246,10 @@ describe('WorkspaceShellComponent', () => {
         expect(
             fixture.nativeElement.querySelector('app-workspace-shell-header')
         ).not.toBeNull();
+        const header = fixture.debugElement.query(
+            By.directive(MockWorkspaceShellHeaderComponent)
+        ).componentInstance as MockWorkspaceShellHeaderComponent;
+        expect(header.activeDownloadsCount()).toBe(3);
         expect(
             fixture.nativeElement.querySelector(
                 'app-workspace-shell-context-sidebar'