How To Watch PBS: All Your Essential Public Broadcasting Programming Without Cable

I rely on PBS for prestige drama, highbrow comedy, and documentaries. Best of all, I can watch it completely free. Even when I want to combine PBS with other channels, I never need to resort to cable.

In a hurry? These services will get you your PBS fix:

DIRECTV STREAM: Makes it easy to switch from cable to streaming with their 90+ channel Entertainment plan and options for much more. A 5-day free trial is now available for DIRECTV STREAM.
Hulu + Live TV: This total entertainment streaming service provides a great on-demand selection and all the essential live TV channels. Try the Hulu Live free 3-day trial.

If you can’t watch your favorite movies and shows because of your location, try ExpressVPN to get access to the content you deserve.

Why You Need a VPN Today

However, first you need a VPN to unblock US streaming services from . Our favourite is ExpressVPN. It’s definitely not the cheapest option at $6.67/month, but it just works – and across all your devices.

They have servers in 25+ US cities/states and 105 countries, which unblock access to premium streaming platforms available only in the US, as well as free “on demand” TV services worldwide.

You’ll have access to local platforms as if you were in the country, meaning you can watch BBC iPlayer as if you were in the UK, CBC Gem as if you were in Canada, plus hundreds more worldwide.

Hotdog users get three months free at ExpressVPN, so it’s a “no-brainer” for us. Decide for yourself with their 30 day money-back guarantee.

IMPORTANT: Once you’ve installed your VPN and connected to a US server, you’ll still need to subscribe separately to access premium streaming services.

Table Of Contents

1 How to Watch PBS
2 What Is PBS?
3 PBS Programming
4 Wrapping Up
5 See Also
6 FAQs

How to Watch PBS

As a public service channel, PBS goes out of its way to make itself accessible, especially in the Internet Age. From back-episodes of Reading Rainbow to the latest edition of Antiques Roadshow, chances are you’ll be able to stream it on your device of choice.

Live Streaming Services

Despite the wide variety of programming, most people prefer more channels than just public television. If you want a complete TV package that includes PBS, look no further than these top streaming services:

DIRECTV STREAM: A full cable replacement service with over 75 channels. Plans start at $79.99/month. (DIRECTV STREAM review)
Hulu + Live TV: 85+ well-chosen channels, plus Disney+ and ESPN+ thrown in, too. Get it for $76.99/month. (Hulu Live review)
YouTube TV: Get 100+ channels for $72.99/month.

Other Ways to Stream PBS

If you’re all set for other channels and just need PBS, we still got you covered.

Amazon Prime Video: Some on-demand content is available there, and PBS Kids and Masterpiece are both available as add-ons through Prime Video Channels. (Amazon Prime review)
Website/App: You can visit pbs.org or the PBS app to watch some content on demand. The app requires you to sign in with a PBS account or through Google, Facebook, or Apple, but the website does not.
PBS Passport: If you’re willing to donate a minimum of $5/mo or $60/year to a PBS member station (this amount can differ by station), you can get expanded access to specials and series online, plus other benefits. More info below.

Member station WGBH Boston, the biggest contributor of content to PBS.

Watching PBS With an Antenna

PBS, like commercial over-the-air networks, is broadcast over public airwaves – this means anyone with an antenna within range can pick it up for free. You can get an antenna for under $50 these days, and they’re easy to set up.

Also, Sling TV, another streaming live TV provider, will give you a free antenna if you prepay for the first two months of service. See our guide to local channels on Sling TV for more details.

Check out our guide to getting HD TV with an antenna.

What Is PBS?

PBS stands for Public Broadcasting Service. It’s made up of around 350 member stations around the country. Commercial-free, PBS’s funding comes from dues paid by member stations, pledge drives (that’s the “members like you”), the federal government (via the Corporation for Public Broadcasting), and private donations (that’s the list of companies you get before and after each show).

Because each PBS station is locally operated and has more freedom in its programming than the average commercial channel, there can be a lot of variation in PBS channel schedules – even the programming itself.

PBS typically airs programming related to the fine arts, public affairs, home improvement, and imported British fare. It also features several high-profile interview shows, as well as many science and history documentaries. It distributes a huge number of high-quality children’s programming via PBS Kids and on the main channel in the mornings and afternoons.

Get DIRECTV STREAM Free Trial

Member station WETA in Washington, DC

PBS Programming

PBS does not produce any content itself. Instead, it distributes shows produced by member stations, such as WGBH Boston (Nova, Masterpiece Theatre, Frontline, American Experience), WETA Washington, DC (PBS Newshour, This Old House, Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr, Washington Week), WNET Newark/NYC (Nature, Cyberchase), or others.

WBGH-produced Masterpiece, which presents high-quality miniseries.

Independent organizations produce some programs for PBS, such as ITVS (Independent Lens) or American Documentary, Inc. (POV).

PBS is also known for re-airing British series (Downton Abbey, All Creatures Great and Small, Fawlty Towers, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Doctor Who, Mr Bean, Benny Hill, and many more) for decades before BBC America. So if you hear wacky saxophone music playing in your head when you watch people rush around chaotically, you can probably blame PBS.

PBS Kids

PBS Kids is the name for the daytime block of kid-centered shows. Many PBS stations broadcast a multiplex PBS Kids that runs 24 hours per day. PBS Kids features some of the most iconic, award-winning, and beloved children’s programming available. A new series, Lyla in the Loop, just premiered this year.

Wrapping Up

PBS has something for everyone and has been one of America’s most trusted media institutions for decades. Check out one of the many cable-free streaming methods above to start watching your favorite PBS shows today.

We recommend DIRECTV STREAM for its overall pure entertainment value. New customers get a 5-day free trial with DIRECTV STREAM.

FAQs

What is PBS Passport?

PBS Passport is PBS’s own channel-specific, on-demand streaming service. It’s run on a station-by-station basis, but the majority of member stations offer Passport to eligible donors and supporters, with most requiring either a $5/mo repeating donation or at least $60/year. Your station’s Passport will provide different content to other stations, but will include a mix of nationally distributed shows with a selection of locally produced content.

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Alanna Baker

Alanna Baker was the Streaming Content Editor at Hotdog.com, specializing in comprehensive streaming coverage across various genres, with a particular focus on sports and Sling TV offerings. With a background in literature and education, coupled with extensive experience in media and law, Alanna brings a unique perspective to the streaming industry.

Her expertise stems from being an early adopter of various entertainment technologies, from mail-order Netflix to modern streaming platforms. Alanna's in-depth knowledge of Sling TV's modular service and her ability to cover diverse streaming content make her a key expert in navigating the complex landscape of modern streaming options, especially in sports and entertainment.