PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) is famous for being a distributor of educational, cultural, and entertaining content to various TV channels and streaming platforms.
However, it also has its own streaming service, where you can access all the content offered under one platform.
But is the streaming service worth it? As you are well aware, every streaming service comes with advantages and disadvantages that can significantly influence your viewing experience.
So, before you hit that sign-up button, let’s explore the five top pros and cons of PBS that you should be aware of.
1. It offers a free streaming option
Cost is one of the top features to consider when choosing a streaming service. If you are considering PBS, the good news is that the platform offers some free streaming options.
You can access a decent amount of content on PBS for free, which is fantastic if you are looking for some free entertainment. And the best part is you don’t even need to register for an account – you can start streaming right away, no commitments and no catch.
Another advantage of PBS is that it does not include ads. Most free streaming services that are available allow you to access content in exchange for watching adverts.
However, with PBS, you don’t have to worry about annoying commercials interrupting your viewing experience after every few minutes.
The only thing you have to bear with is sponsorship messages at the start of videos promoting other PBS content or organizations that support its programming. These messages, unlike ads in most free ad-supported streaming services, are non-interruptive.
2. It has an extensive collection of content
Something else to love about PBS is the platform’s extensive collection of content. The platform offers you access to a variety of content, including on-demand shows and live local channels.
Below is a detailed look at some of the content you can enjoy on PBS:
Dramas
You can watch a wide range of dramas on PBS, including popular shows like:
- Call the Midwife
- Unforgotten
- The Marlow Murder Club
- Professor T
- Grantchester
- All Creatures Great & Small
- Astrid
- Miss Scarlet
- Poldark
- Patience
- Prison Island
- The Devil’s Leap
- The Ring
- Agatha and the Midnight Murders
- Magpie Murders
- D.I. Ray
- Cobra Rebellion
- Pale Mountains
Historical content
PBS offers several shows and films that explore the history of the United States and the rest of the world. Some of the top historical titles on the platform include:
- Secrets of the Dead
- American Experience
- The Roosevelts
- The Civil War
- Lucy Worsley Investigates
- Pompeii: The New Dig
- Georgia Stores
- Iconic America
- Great Migrations: A People on The Move
- Making Black America
- Native America
- Life in Ancient Times
- Julius Caesar: The Making of a Dictator
- Ancient Invisible Cities
Science & nature shows
If you are a fan of science and nature content, PBS is perfect for you. The streaming service offers several science & nature shows and films, including popular titles like:
- Nova
- Nature
- Eons
- PBS Space Time
- Be Smart
- Deep Look
- Human Footprint
- Physics in Motion
- Science Trek
- Big Cats 24/7
- Star Gazers
- Women of the Earth
- The Age of Nature
- The Green Planet
News shows
You can enjoy several news shows on PBS, including:
- PBS News Hour
- Frontline
- Washington Wee
- Amanpour & CO
- Fringe Line
- Laura Flanders & Friends
- Crash Course
- News Depth
- Above the Noise
- Tell Me More with Kelly Corrigan
Cultural content
The PBS streaming service offers a vast collection of cultural content, encompassing a wide range of topics, from history to the arts, music, literature, and human experiences, among others. Some of the top titles under this genre include:
- Rick Steve’s Europe
- Finding Your Roots
- Samantha Brown’s Places to Love
- Relative Race
- Islam’s Greatest Stories of Love
- Joseph Rosendo’s Travel Scope
- Weekend With Yankee
- Antiques Roadshow
- American Veteran
- Austin City Limits
- Renaissance: The Blood and the Beauty
- Jazz
- Craft in America
Documentaries & indie films
PBS also offers several documentaries and indie films. Popular titles include:
- Ishak
- Indie Alaska
- POV
- Resistance
- Independent Lens
- Film School Shorts
- Reel South
- PBS Short Film Festival
- Made Here
- Maine Public Film Series
- Voices
- 80 Years later
- Resistance: They Fought Back
- Abundance: The Farmlink Story
Live local channels
In addition to on-demand content, PBS also offers a live stream, where you can enjoy live TV channels.
These channels include PBS Kids, NHK World Japan, and local PBS stations (depending on your location).
3. It has a very user-friendly interface
User experience is another essential feature to consider when choosing a streaming service. And with PBS, you can enjoy a smooth and stress-free viewing experience while streaming content.
The platform features a clean and intuitive user interface, making it easy to navigate and find the content you want. Additionally, the platform provides various menu buttons, including “Live TV”, “Shows” (for on-demand content), and “My List” (titles you have saved).
The streaming service also has a “My Station” button, which connects you to the PBS station nearest your location, thus allowing you to access local content on the live stream.
Something else to love about the user experience is the video quality. Both on-demand and live TV offer superb video quality, although there is no option to adjust the video resolution.
Besides the video quality, most of the on-demand titles come with subtitles, making the viewing experience all the more amazing.
4. You need to pay to access more content
PBS is an excellent platform to stream content, but it comes with some drawbacks, the biggest one being that not all content is free. Therefore, you must pay if you want to enjoy more content.
The Premium content is available under the PBS Passport plan. However, unlike most streaming services, it is not a paid-subscription service; instead of paying a monthly subscription fee, you donate a set amount to your local PBS station.
The Passport plan donation requirement can vary from station to station, but most usually ask for at least $5 a month or $60 a year.
Once you satisfy the donation of your local station, you gain access to the entire Passport library, which includes an additional 1,500 popular and exclusive TV shows and film titles.
5. It is subject to geographic limitations
Before signing up for PBS, it’s also important to consider geographical availability.
Some of the content on PBS is accessible from several countries worldwide. However, most of the content, including live streams and PBS Passport, is only available to users in the United States and Canada.
Some users have reported using a VPN to watch PBS outside the United States and Canada. However, VNP use is not always effective when attempting to bypass geo-restriction, not to mention that it might be illegal to access content outside the licensed regions.
How to sign up for PBS?
Signing up for PBS is a straightforward process:
- Go to PBS.org.
- Click on the “Sign in” button (located at the top right corner of the screen).
- Select the “Create account” option and enter your name, email address, and preferred password.
- You can also create an account automatically using your Google, Facebook, or Apple account.
Once you are done creating an account, you can start streaming content. You can watch via the PBS website or app.
The app is available on several devices, including:
- Mobile phones (Android, iOS, and Fire Tablets)
- Roku
- Samsung Smart TV
- Chromecast
- Apple TV
- Google TV
- Fire TV
- Vizio
- Comcast Xfinity
Note: To activate the Passport option, ensure you are logged into your account, then click the “Donate” button. Then, follow the on-screen instructions on how to donate to your local station and unlock the Passport library.