PBS: Watch TV & Documentaries App - App Store
PBS: Watch TV & Documentaries
Stream News, Movies, and Shows
Free · Designed for iPad
349K Ratings
4.9
Ages
18+
Years
Category
Entertainment
Developer
PBS
Language
EN
Size
50.9
MB
Get the PBS app and stream heartwarming shows like All Creatures Great & Small and Call the Midwife, plus new documentary series like Ken Burns’ American Buffalo. The PBS app features the latest news, live TV from your local PBS station, award-winning documentaries, and iconic series. Download the PBS app and stream thousands of full-length episodes anytime, anywhere!
Streaming and watching TV is made easy with the PBS app. Watch series you love and discover brand new shows, live or on demand, with PBS’s streaming app available on your mobile phone, tablet, or Smart TV.
Unlike conventional streaming apps, PBS lets you access local TV live! Stream local content with the PBS app livestream and discover your favorite local PBS station shows.
Stay up to date with the latest news; watching shows like Frontline, PBS NewsHour, and Washington Week. Catch up on your favorite British dramas with Masterpiece classics including complete seasons of Miss Scarlet & the Duke, World on Fire, Endeavour, and Sanditon. Learn about history and science with new episodes of Finding Your Roots, Antiques Roadshow, Nature, and NOVA. Discover exciting musical performances watching Great Performances and Austin City Limits. You never have to miss a show with brand new videos and episodes added daily to the PBS app.
WHAT DO YOU GET WITH THE FREE PBS APP?
STREAM LOCAL & LIVE TV
- Connect to your local PBS station and watch your local station livestream
- Tune in to the latest from your local community on the PBS app
- Stream your local station TV channel live anytime
WATCH TV SHOWS ON DEMAND
- Watch TV shows on demand with the PBS app
- TV shows of all genres - from drama and romance to murder and mystery
- Watch a new series and your all-time favorites
- Save episodes of your favorite TV shows to a custom watchlist
STREAM A VARIETY OF CONTENT
- Watch a new TV show or explore videos from the PBS archives
- Stream specially curated playlists, short films, interviews, extras, and more
- Binge TV shows of all genres on the PBS app
- Watch films, documentaries and TV shows
WATCH TV SERIES ACROSS MULTIPLE GENRES
- Enjoy the best of streaming and entertainment with PBS
- Drama: All Creatures Great and Small, Miss Scarlet and the Duke, Broadchurch, Poldark, Vienna Blood, Grantchester, Sanditon, World on Fire, Call the Midwife, Jamestown, and more.
- Foreign Language Dramas: Professor T, Seaside Hotel, The Paris Murders, Luna and Sophie, and Sisi: Austrian Empress
- News & Public Affairs: Programs from PBS NewsHour, Frontline, Amanpour and Company, Firing Line, and Washington Week.
- Award-Winning Films & Documentaries: Discover new perspectives with Ken Burns, Independent Lens, POV,, and the PBS Short Film Festival.
- History: Antiques Roadshow, American Experience, American Masters, Finding Your Roots, and more.
- Arts & Performances: Great Performances, Austin City Limits, Bob Ross: The Joy of Painting, and Variety Studio: Actors on Acting.
- Science & Nature: Explore astonishing new worlds from NOVA, Nature, Deep Look, Expedition, and more.
WATCH MORE WITH PBS PASSPORT
Passport is an added benefit of station membership. By donating to your local PBS station you can:
- Stream an expanded library of acclaimed PBS programming
- Extended and exclusive access to 1,500+ episodes of your favorite shows
- Watch past and current seasons of popular shows like All Creatures Great and Small, Endeavour, and Sanditon
- Binge watch new TV series and your favorite PBS programs, like Finding Your Roots
- Stream early releases and special collections, like Ken Burns films and Antiques Roadshow
WHAT’S NEW ON PBS
MASTERPIECE: Moonflower Murders
Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames
Big Cats 24/7
NOVA: Dog Tales
MASTERPIECE: Van der Valk S4
Finding Your Roots
Watch TV anywhere and stream PBS shows today.
PBS offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new worlds through trusted, educational television and digital content.
Ratings & Reviews
4.9
out of 5
349K Ratings
Little Richard Documentary…
02/17/2024
Ife’Franklin
This was so wonderful. I cried several times. As a Black, queer visual artist and singer, I remember growing up watching little Richie go through the different phases of his life. I was born in 1960 I remember when Little Richard got born again for the second time. Everyone in my house it is not going to stick. And it didn’t. Because we must be ourselves in this documentary revealed just how to do that. Little Richard, influenced prints, Michael Jackson, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles I remember watching the Grammys in 1988 I was28 years old with a little, Richard stood up on the stage and say “y’all never gave me nothing, I am the architect, I am the king of rock ‘n’ roll. And then the accolades started coming in. .As happy as I am, that he received his flowers, it was really too late, for me. It was really disgusting to see Pat Boone claim Little Richards, Music, it was always disgusting for me to see Elvis claim hound, dog, and everything else but these people stole from Black artists! As Carlos Santana once said, all music is is African/Black Music! This documentary was superb absolutely superb. As I stated earlier I cried several times.I truly sobbed when little Richard was in London, and he had to decide what type of music he was going to play, and he just became himself again. I found myself crying, and saying, yes! Yes! You have to be yourself! always choose you! For me to witness the catharsis of Little Richard just made me understand that I always MUST be true and PROUD to be FULL myself. A Black queer/lesbian artist. Thank you for this documentary. it’s extraordinary. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾💛💛💛💛💛
Little Richard Documentary…
02/17/2024
Ife’Franklin
This was so wonderful. I cried several times. As a Black, queer visual artist and singer, I remember growing up watching little Richie go through the different phases of his life. I was born in 1960 I remember when Little Richard got born again for the second time. Everyone in my house it is not going to stick. And it didn’t. Because we must be ourselves in this documentary revealed just how to do that. Little Richard, influenced prints, Michael Jackson, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles I remember watching the Grammys in 1988 I was28 years old with a little, Richard stood up on the stage and say “y’all never gave me nothing, I am the architect, I am the king of rock ‘n’ roll. And then the accolades started coming in. .As happy as I am, that he received his flowers, it was really too late, for me. It was really disgusting to see Pat Boone claim Little Richards, Music, it was always disgusting for me to see Elvis claim hound, dog, and everything else but these people stole from Black artists! As Carlos Santana once said, all music is is African/Black Music! This documentary was superb absolutely superb. As I stated earlier I cried several times.I truly sobbed when little Richard was in London, and he had to decide what type of music he was going to play, and he just became himself again. I found myself crying, and saying, yes! Yes! You have to be yourself! always choose you! For me to witness the catharsis of Little Richard just made me understand that I always MUST be true and PROUD to be FULL myself. A Black queer/lesbian artist. Thank you for this documentary. it’s extraordinary. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾💛💛💛💛💛
World on Fire
11/27/2023
mapwim
I signed up for WETA PBS Passport last week because I wanted to see the first season of the series. I have to watch the PBS Passport series on my IPad as I can’t get it to come in on my TV. Tonight, I tried again and managed to click on the PBS App and got to the sign in screen. Side one didn’t work, so I tried side two. Not sure how it happened but I seem to have gotten myself into You Tube, it wouldn’t let me see season one of World on Fire. So back to instructions ..next time I end up in PRIME VIDEO, I can’t tell you how, but my Prime Video account had expired since I never used it. They wouldn’t let me use my mobile phone number, as someone else is using it??? It is me!!! I need a human to walk me through what you all think is so easy. One day, when I can turn the TV on and go to WETA PBS Passport, I will be a happy camper, but until then, I am not happy. Why does every phone call give you a ROBOT and if your question isn’t on his list he will tell you to phone the station. On Wednesday before Thanksgiving during regular office hours I always got the message..Helping someone else or in a meeting.I also so the number that was open later, but the same message. It is so frustrating.
World on Fire
11/27/2023
mapwim
I signed up for WETA PBS Passport last week because I wanted to see the first season of the series. I have to watch the PBS Passport series on my IPad as I can’t get it to come in on my TV. Tonight, I tried again and managed to click on the PBS App and got to the sign in screen. Side one didn’t work, so I tried side two. Not sure how it happened but I seem to have gotten myself into You Tube, it wouldn’t let me see season one of World on Fire. So back to instructions ..next time I end up in PRIME VIDEO, I can’t tell you how, but my Prime Video account had expired since I never used it. They wouldn’t let me use my mobile phone number, as someone else is using it??? It is me!!! I need a human to walk me through what you all think is so easy. One day, when I can turn the TV on and go to WETA PBS Passport, I will be a happy camper, but until then, I am not happy. Why does every phone call give you a ROBOT and if your question isn’t on his list he will tell you to phone the station. On Wednesday before Thanksgiving during regular office hours I always got the message..Helping someone else or in a meeting.I also so the number that was open later, but the same message. It is so frustrating.
Great App to Watch Great PBS Shows
06/14/2020
Mayfforce
I love the app. I think it is wonderful to be able to watch PBS shows on my iPhone and iPad. With PBS Passport, we get to watch lots of classic and current PBS shows. You have to donate $60 a year to your local PBS station to have access to Passport, which you can do for $5 a month. I personally don’t view this as paying to watch all these great PBS show. I contribute $60 every year to my Local PBS channel because I believe it is important to fund them so we can get this type of great programming and shows on my tv. I find access to PBS Passport an added bonus. I think that without the donation you might be able to watch current episodes of shows for free but I am not sure. Since I have access to Passport, I can watch everything. You can download the free app and see if you can watch current episodes without paying extra for Passport, which gives you access to much more programming. One really nice feature with Passport is that for many new shows, when the first episode runs on your local PBS station, you can watch the entire season at once through Passport on the app. This is great for those who like to binge watch or can’t wait a week to see what happens in the next episode.
Great App to Watch Great PBS Shows
06/14/2020
Mayfforce
I love the app. I think it is wonderful to be able to watch PBS shows on my iPhone and iPad. With PBS Passport, we get to watch lots of classic and current PBS shows. You have to donate $60 a year to your local PBS station to have access to Passport, which you can do for $5 a month. I personally don’t view this as paying to watch all these great PBS show. I contribute $60 every year to my Local PBS channel because I believe it is important to fund them so we can get this type of great programming and shows on my tv. I find access to PBS Passport an added bonus. I think that without the donation you might be able to watch current episodes of shows for free but I am not sure. Since I have access to Passport, I can watch everything. You can download the free app and see if you can watch current episodes without paying extra for Passport, which gives you access to much more programming. One really nice feature with Passport is that for many new shows, when the first episode runs on your local PBS station, you can watch the entire season at once through Passport on the app. This is great for those who like to binge watch or can’t wait a week to see what happens in the next episode.
Real News means the World.
04/03/2025
ashiyeli
I don’t watch television the way I used to anymore. I get it now from the Independent because most of the news is biased now. I am a Republican, but at the same time I’m an African-American I did not vote and neutral news is what I want to hear. Allow me to make my own decisions without bias. It hurts to see the marginalized Americans going through what they’re going through today but in a way, I’m glad everything has come to light in terms of the American government system. It’s all been exposed by the present government. Today I am glad that African Americans do not have to protest because we are not 90% of the people losing their jobs and there. So I am so happy everyone is witnessing what it means to be pushed back but now you’re not allowed to protest either. The election in Florida and Wisconsin this week says a lot, it means the American people are not sleeping. I think everybody’s just waiting for a chance at the election which shows a true democracy, the power of the people for the people, so I am glad I can get news from this station thank you and I hope you guys remain open forever.
Real News means the World.
04/03/2025
ashiyeli
I don’t watch television the way I used to anymore. I get it now from the Independent because most of the news is biased now. I am a Republican, but at the same time I’m an African-American I did not vote and neutral news is what I want to hear. Allow me to make my own decisions without bias. It hurts to see the marginalized Americans going through what they’re going through today but in a way, I’m glad everything has come to light in terms of the American government system. It’s all been exposed by the present government. Today I am glad that African Americans do not have to protest because we are not 90% of the people losing their jobs and there. So I am so happy everyone is witnessing what it means to be pushed back but now you’re not allowed to protest either. The election in Florida and Wisconsin this week says a lot, it means the American people are not sleeping. I think everybody’s just waiting for a chance at the election which shows a true democracy, the power of the people for the people, so I am glad I can get news from this station thank you and I hope you guys remain open forever.
Version History
- Bug fixes
5.22.1
2d ago
- UI improvements & minor bug fixes
5.22.0
Mar 11
- UI/UX improvements
- Bug fixes
5.21.0
Feb 9
- General UX improvements and bug fixes
5.20.1
11/12/2025
- General UX improvements and bug fixes
5.20.0
10/29/2025
- Minor UI updates
5.19.1
09/12/2025
- Fix for caption settings not persisting between videos
- Minor bug fixes
5.19.0
09/08/2025
- Minor UI improvements and bug fixes
5.18.5
07/17/2025
- Minor interface updates for the Profile menu, My Station screen, and Video Details screen
5.18.4
06/16/2025
- Minor interface changes
5.18.3
05/15/2025
- Minor UI improvements
5.18.1
03/13/2025
- General improvements to the continuous play feature at the end of videos
- Improvements to app sign in functionality, alerting users when they've been forcefully signed out
5.18.0
03/03/2025
- Fix for some users being forcefully signed out of the app on iOS 18
- Minor bug fixes and UI improvements
5.17.4
01/27/2025
- Bug fixes
5.17.2
11/06/2024
- Minor bug fixes and video playback improvements
5.17.1
10/30/2024
- New "Need Help?" feature under Profile/Settings allows users to more easily share information with our Support team to help troubleshoot issues
5.17.0
09/18/2024
- Bug fixes
5.16.2
07/12/2024
- Fix for occasional crashes when using in-app Search
5.16.1
07/01/2024
- Addition of a new Live TV area in the app, including expanded livestream channels per station with updated UI/UX
- Minor UI improvements and bug fixes
5.16.0
06/24/2024
- Addition of a "Continue Watching" area at the top of all Show Details screens, so users can start or resume watching a series more easily
- Addition of a "Continuous Play" feature at the end of videos, so users can now watch episodes of their favorite shows back-to-back without leaving the video player
- Bug fixes
5.15.0
02/05/2024
- Bug fixes
5.14.3
10/25/2023
- Bug fixes
5.14.2
10/12/2023
- Bug fixes
5.14.1
09/11/2023
- New "Continue Watching" row on the Home screen for signed-in users
- New "Top 10 Shows Today" row on the Home screen for all users
- Minor UI improvements and bug fixes
5.14.0
08/31/2023
- Bug fixes
5.13.1
06/29/2023
- Bug fixes
Version 5.22.1
2d ago
App Privacy
The developer,
PBS
, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. This information has not been verified by Apple. For more information, see the
developer’s privacy policy
To help you better understand the developer’s responses, see
Privacy Definitions and Examples
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age.
Data Used to Track You
The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:
Identifiers
Usage Data
Diagnostics
Data Linked to You
The following data, which may be collected and linked to your identity, may be used for the following purposes:
Developer’s Advertising or Marketing
Identifiers
User ID
Device ID
Usage Data
Product Interaction
Advertising Data
Diagnostics
Performance Data
Analytics
Search History
Search History
Identifiers
User ID
Device ID
Usage Data
Product Interaction
Advertising Data
Diagnostics
Performance Data
Product Personalization
Identifiers
User ID
Usage Data
Product Interaction
App Functionality
Contact Info
Email Address
Name
Identifiers
User ID
Device ID
Usage Data
Product Interaction
Diagnostics
Performance Data
Data Not Linked to You
The following data, which may be collected but is not linked to your identity, may be used for the following purposes:
Analytics
Diagnostics
Crash Data
App Functionality
Location
Precise Location
Coarse Location
Diagnostics
Crash Data
The developer,
PBS
, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the
developer’s privacy policy
Data Used to Track You
The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:
Identifiers
Usage Data
Diagnostics
Data Linked to You
The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:
Contact Info
Search History
Identifiers
Usage Data
Diagnostics
Data Not Linked to You
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
Location
Diagnostics
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age.
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports.
Information
Seller
Public Broadcasting Service
Size
50.9 MB
Category
Entertainment
Compatibility
Requires iOS 15.4 or later.
iPhone
Requires iOS 15.4 or later.
iPad
Requires iPadOS 15.4 or later.
iPod touch
Requires iOS 15.4 or later.
Mac
Requires macOS 12.3 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
Apple Vision
Requires visionOS 1.0 or later.
Apple TV
Requires tvOS 15.4 or later.
Languages
Age Rating
18+
18+
Frequent
Mature or Suggestive Themes
Sexual Content or Nudity
Infrequent
Realistic Violence
Profanity or Crude Humor
Horror/Fear Themes
Medical Treatment information
Alcohol, Tobacco, Drug Use or References
Guns or Other Weapons
Developer Website
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