PBS local station channels, including the PBS KIDS Channel, will be available to stream free for all Prime Video viewers in the U.S.

Arlington, VA, November 14, 2024 – PBS and Amazon announced today that more than 150 local PBS stations and the PBS KIDS Channel will launch ad-free over the coming months as a Prime Video FAST offering. This marks the first time this programming will be available for free on a major streaming service, free to customers across the country. Additionally, PBS Distribution (PBSd), a leading distributor of public media content around the world, will offer two new FAST channels – PBS Drama and PBS Documentaries. These channels will be available exclusively for a limited time on Prime Video starting November 26^th. PBSd will also offer a “pop-up” FAST channel featuring a rotating selection of classic PBS shows, starting with READING RAINBOW. 

This launch marks a significant milestone for PBS in delivering a curated lineup of its high-quality programming from member stations to a broader FAST audience, particularly at a time when two in three U.S. viewers use a FAST platform. FAST Channels on Amazon are accessible through Prime Video and Fire TV. Non-Prime users will have free access to PBS programming under the “Watch for Free” section within Prime Video. 

“PBS member stations will be able to tap into a leading streaming service to offer quality local programming viewers know and love for free,” said PBS Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, Ira Rubenstein. “It’s part of the PBS commitment to make trusted content available to all households across as many platforms as possible. We thank Amazon for giving PBS Member Stations a new and exciting way to grow their digital footprint while engaging with audiences old and new.”   

“We’re delighted to bring PBS’s trusted, high-quality programming to our FAST channels,” said Ryan Pirozzi, Head of Prime Video Marketplace. “We have put together one of the most exciting FAST offerings today for Prime Video customers, driven by a highly personalized experience, and a leading selection of channels featuring fan favorite series, movies, news, sports, and more. We know our customers will be excited to discover that their beloved PBS member stations and two new PBS FAST Channels are now part of our growing offering.”

PBS, PBS KIDS, and local station content is also available on PBS.org and pbskids.org, as well as the PBS app and the PBS KIDS Video app available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and smart TVs from Samsung, Xumo, and VIZIO. Local PBS station members are also able to view an extended library of quality public television programming via PBS Passport.For more information about PBS Passport, visit the PBS Passport FAQ website or contact your local station.

 

ABOUT PBS
PBS offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 36 million adults on linear primetime television, more than 16 million users on PBS-owned streaming platforms, 53 million viewers on YouTube, and 60 million people view PBS content on social media, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature, and public affairs and to take front-row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’s broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS LearningMedia for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. As the number one educational media brand, PBS KIDS helps children 2-8 build critical skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality content on TV — including a PBS KIDS channel — and streaming free on pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Video app, games on the PBS KIDS Games app, and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at PBS.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, Facebook, Instagram, or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Communications on X.

 

ABOUT PBS DISTRIBUTION
PBS Distribution is a leading distributor of public media content around the world, entertaining audiences across platforms and formats. The company, a joint venture of PBS and GBH Boston, provides premium content through multiple digital channels and video services.  PBS Distribution operates seven subscription streaming channels — PBS Masterpiece (US and CA), PBS KIDS, PBS Living, PBS Documentaries (US and CA) and PBS America (U.K.)  as well as numerous Free Ad-supported Streaming TV (FAST) Channels in the U.S and U.K.  In addition, the company reaches viewers through Transactional Video-on-Demand (TVOD), Subscription Video-on-Demand (SVOD) licensing, Advertising-based Video on Demand (AVOD), DVD and Blu-ray, theatrical releases, educational platforms, non-theatrical and inflight sales, and serves broadcasters and producers providing program sales and co-production financing.  PBS Distribution offers consumers and educators the highest quality factual, scripted, and children’s programming including films from Ken Burns, hit series from MASTERPIECE and foreign language dramas from Walter Presents, entertaining and educational PBS KIDS series, and award-winning documentaries from NOVA, FRONTLINE, AMERICAN MASTERS, NATURE, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, and many independent producers. For over 10 years, the company has extended the reach of programming beyond broadcast while generating revenue for the public television system, stations, and producers.  Follow PBS Distribution on Facebook.