How to Add and Activate PBS on Roku

Are you looking for some quality entertainment free of cost? PBS or Public Broadcasting Service on Roku is exactly what you want. It is a free-to-air American television network. 

This channel on your Roku delivers a wide range of critically acclaimed and award-winning documentaries, TV shows, full episodes of several classic TV shows, and much more. You can get access to all of this based on your nearest station with your Google account or your Facebook account. Apart from Roku, this channel is also supported by Android and iOS devices and Apple TV. This article will tell you how to install and activate the PBS channel on your Roku TV.

pbs app on roku

Is PBS free on Roku?


Yes, PBS channel is free to download and stream on Roku. It does not require any subscription or extra charges and you can enjoy top-notch content without spending a penny.

How to Add PBS on Roku?


PBS channel offers an official app in the Roku Channel Store. You can easily download the PBS app onto your Roku TV and stream it in the following way:

Step 1: Connect your Roku device to the HDMI port of your TV. Plus the power cord into the socket and switch them on.

Step 2: Pick up the Roku TV remote and press the home button to open Roku’s Home Page.

Roku-home-screen

Step 3: Next, move the cursor to highlight the Streaming Channels option on the left side panel. This would launch the Roku Channel Store.

Streaming Channels

Step 4: Head over to Search Channels by scrolling down and type in PBS in the empty search field. 

search channel

Step 5: Choose the PBS app from the list of results. On the next channel description page, click on the Add Channel button to downlaod the PBS app onto your Roku TV.

add pbs channel on roku

Step 6: Once it is done, a message would pop up on the screen confirming it. Tap on OK.

How to Activate PBS on Roku?


PBS on Roku must be activated for you to gain access to all the content this channel has to offer. Follow these steps to do the same:

Step 1: Click on Go to Channel after the installation process is over.

Step 2: An activation code would appear on the opening screen. Make a note of it.

Step 3: Now, take up a smartphone or PC and go to https://www.pbs.org/activate/ on any internet browser.

Step 4: There would be a designated empty space on the page. Enter the activation code provided in Step 2 in that space. Select Continue.

activate pbs app on roku

Step 5: Sign in using your PBS account credentials. You can alternatively log in using your Google account or Facebook account as well. This would activate the PBS channel on your Roku TV and you can finally watch all the shows available on the channel to your heart’s content.

What PBS shows are on Roku?


pbs channel on roku

PBS app has a long list of amazing content to offer. Some of them are as follows:

  • American Masters
  • American Experience
  • America Revealed
  • ART:21
  • Antiques Roadshow
  • Austin City Limits
  • Broadway or Bust
  • The Bletchley Circle
  • Call the Midwife
  • Craft in America
  • Constitution USA with Peter Sagal
  • The French Chef
  • The Dust Bowl
  • FutureStates
  • FRONTLINE
  • Great Performances
  • Global Voices
  • History Detectives
  • Independent Lens
  • In Performance at The White House
  • Intelligence Squared Debates
  • Inside Nature’s Giants
  • Live From Lincoln Center
  • Life on Fire
  • Market Warriors
  • Makers: Women Who Make America
  • Masterpiece
  • MediaShift
  • Martha Stewart’s Cooking School
  • The Mind of a Chef
  • Moyers & Company
  • MotorWeek
  • NOVA
  • NOVA scienceNOW
  • Need to Know
  • Nature
  • Off Book
  • PBS NewsHour
  • PBS KIDS Previews
  • PBS Arts
  • PBS Online Film Festival
  • POV
  • Pioneers of Television
  • Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly
  • Secret Life of Scientists
  • Secrets of the Dead
  • Saving the Ocean
  • Sound Tracks
  • TED Talks Education
  • Tavis Smiley
  • To The Contrary
  • This Old House
  • The Woodwrights Shop
  • Washington Week
  • Why Poverty?

Conclusion


PBS app has an excellent collection of brilliant shows and documentaries that would never let you have a boring day. You saw how you can add and activate the PBS channel on your Roku TV. You can further change stations also to expand your collection of content on this channel. Hopefully, this article could solve all your problems related to this amazing PBS channel.

Mark Roberts is a freelance writer and tech enthusiast based in San Diego, specializing in internet security, Roku guides, cord-cutting, and more.

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