PBS has great shows for kids of all ages. Kids’ shows, sports, drama, science, and documentaries are just a few examples. It’s no surprise that this channel is a household favorite in the United States.
However, can people who don’t have cable still watch the channel and benefit from the educational programming they air? If you’re looking for the solution, you’ve come to the right place.
Are There Any Free Alternatives?
You might be worried about missing out on your favourite show if you decide to cancel your cable service. But have no fear! You’ll not only be able to keep it, but you might even get it for free. In fact, there are a number of free alternatives to paying for PBS subscriptions.
According to the PBS website, station members can access the General Audience content, while PBS Kids programming is always available for free on a variety of digital channels.
If you’re looking for additional free PBS programming, here are your options.
1. Using OTA
Using an antenna is one possibility. Does this method of watching television sound antiquated to you? You could say that. The good news is that you can watch PBS for free with an antenna. Some cable channels, including PBS, can be picked up over the air (OTA) for free, and set up is a breeze.
The price of the antenna is probably the only drawback. But even so, it typically covers the cost of a month of the streaming service. After making this initial payment, you can watch any over-the-air channel without incurring a hefty monthly fee. After you’ve picked out the perfect antenna, all that’s left to do is pop some corn and settle in for a movie or show.
It’s likely that you can get the main PBS channel, PBS Kids, Create, World, and MHz Worldview, but this will vary by location. Streaming services that include PBS only provide the most recent and archived episodes, so the antenna is also necessary to watch live programming.
2. Using Website of PBS
If you want to watch PBS shows without spending a dime, you can do so by going to their website pbs.org. You can watch multiple episodes of various shows for a while after they originally aired, but not all of the shows at once. If you can’t watch shows in real time, then on-demand episodes must do. Available videos may include shows that require a PBS membership in order to view. A white and blue icon denotes the shows that require a subscription.
If you want to watch all the episodes whenever you like, you can sign up as a member in one of two ways. It’s up to you to determine whether it’s better to pay $60 all at once or $5 per month. The second choice is less expensive over the course of a few months of channel viewing. PBS is a nonprofit, so these contributions are treated as such. Instead of paying for a service, you’re actually enabling them to keep going.
3. App for PBS Video
The PBS Video app makes it possible to watch shows from this network on the go without paying a dime. It works with a wide variety of devices and systems, including Roku, Android, and iOS gadgets, Apple TV, and more.
You don’t even have to activate the app before you can use it on your iOS or Android tablet or smartphone. You can sign in or create an account with your PBS, Google, or Facebook credentials. To activate the app on other devices, including Amazon Fire TV and Roku, go to www.pbs.org/pbs-video-app/.
You get even more with PBS Passport. This additional perk gives station members the opportunity to watch even more shows online. Poldark, Downton Abbey, Austin City Limits, and other popular PBS shows have a combined total of over 1,500 episodes.
Which Streaming Services Offer PBS?
PBS programming can be viewed on a wide variety of streaming platforms, including but not limited to Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube TV. Remember that some of these services may not have all PBS shows. While streaming services like Netflix and Hulu may host some episodes for instant viewing, you shouldn’t count on having access to every single one.
How to Stream PBS on Amazon Prime Video?
Content from PBS Kids, PBS Masterpiece, PBS America, and PBS Living is available on Amazon Prime Video. It works with a wide variety of gadgets, from the Amazon Fire Stick to video game consoles. Visit the Amazon website or use an Amazon device to sign up for Amazon Prime Video and start streaming PBS instantly.
The costs vary with the selected distribution method. A monthly subscription to PBS Kids will set you back $4.99, PBS Masterpiece will set you back $5.99, and PBS Living will set you back $2.99.
How to Use YouTube TV to Watch PBS?
PBS can now be accessed through YouTube TV as of February of this year. Shows like American Experience, Great Performances, Nature, Masterpiece, etc. are available to stream whenever you like on this site. PBS Kids is available around the clock, so your children can watch their favourite shows like Sesame Street whenever they want.
When you visit the YouTube TV website and enter your zip code, you can find out if your local PBS station is available. Not to worry if you can’t find what you’re looking for at the moment; more radio stations will be added to this service as the year progresses.
Visit YouTube TV’s main website or get the YouTube TV app on your device to watch PBS online.
Is PBS on Hulu?
No, You can’t access PBS on Hulu .
Final Thought
There are numerous ways to enjoy PBS shows alone or with your family, and their prices range from very low to zero. Isn’t it much more convenient than cable? If you’ve given up on cable, that doesn’t mean you have to give up on Sesame Street or Downton Abbey. Continue to watch all of these shows in whatever order you see fit.
