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PBS

The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is an American public broadcaster and television program distributor. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, PBS is an independently operated non-profit organization and is the most prominent provider of television programs to public television stations in the United States, distributing series such as NOVA, Sesame Street, PBS NewsHour, Masterpiece, Nature, American Masters, Frontline, and Antiques Roadshow.

Since the mid-2000s Roper polls commissioned by PBS have consistently placed the service as the most-trusted national institution in the United States. However, PBS is not responsible for all programming carried on public television stations, a large proportion of which (including most specials aired during multi-annually pledge drives) come from third-party sources, including member stations (such as WGBH, WETA-TV, WNET, WTTW National Productions), American Public Television and independent producers. This distinction is a frequent source of viewer confusion.

The service has more than 350 member television stations, many owned by educational institutions or non-profit groups affiliated with a local public school district, collegiate educational institution or by state government-owned or -related entities.[4] It also operates National Datacast (NDI), a subsidiary which offers datacasting services via member stations, and provides additional revenue for PBS and its member stations.

Founded by Hartford N. Gunn Jr., PBS began operations on October 5, 1970, taking over many of the functions of its predecessor, National Educational Television (NET), which later merged with Newark, New Jersey station WNDT to form WNET. In 1973 it merged with Educational Television Stations.

Popular PBS shows

This Season's Shows

This Old House
This Old House

The mission of This Old House is to demystify the home improvement process and to celebrate the fusi…

Frontline
Frontline

Since it began in 1983, Frontline has been airing public-affairs documentaries that explore a wide s…

Antiques Roadshow
Antiques Roadshow

Antiques Roadshow turns 20! PBS' most-watched ongoing series celebrates 20 seasons with a new look,…

In Their Own Words
In Their Own Words

In Their Own Words is a unique and stylish new biography series that explores an elite few of the 20…

NOVA
NOVA

NOVA brings you stories from the frontlines of science and engineering, answering the big questions…

Nature
Nature

For more than a quarter-century, Nature has brought the beauty and wonder of the natural world into…

Secrets of the Dead
Secrets of the Dead

Secrets of the Dead is part detective story, part true-life drama that unearths evidence from around…

American Experience
American Experience

American Experience is TV's most-watched history series and brings to life incredible characters and…

American Masters
American Masters

Now in its 30th year, American Masters has produced an exceptional library of more than 160 televisi…

POV
POV

POV (a cinema term for "point of view") is television's longest-running showcase for independent non…

Independent Lens
Independent Lens

Independent Lens is an anthology of independent documentary films.

Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits

Austin City Limits is an American television music program and a staple of the Public Broadcasting S…

America's Test Kitchen
America's Test Kitchen

America's Test Kitchen is filmed in a real, working test kitchen located just outside of Boston. It…

Dinosaur Train
Dinosaur Train

Dinosaur Train is an animated series created by Craig Bartlett. The series features a curious young…

Live from Lincoln Center
Live from Lincoln Center

Live from Lincoln Centeris a Emmy-winning performing arts series presents a series of periodic telec…

Great Performances
Great Performances

Great Performances is a television series devoted to the performing arts, has been telecast on PBS s…

Ask This Old House
Ask This Old House

The crew at This Old House take on some pretty big projects, which means they can only work on one o…

OnStage in America
OnStage in America

PBS and "OnStage In America" a new nonprofit venture, are joining forces to put the greatest theater…

Sit and Be Fit
Sit and Be Fit

Sit and Be Fit is here to help you improve your life through functional fitness. Enjoy the freedom t…

Cyberchase
Cyberchase

Cyberchase chronicles the adventures of three extraordinary kids, collectively called the CyberSquad…

MotorWeek
MotorWeek

MotorWeek is an American automotive television series. The program premiered on October 15, 1981 and…

Odd Squad
Odd Squad

Odd Squad is a Canadian/American children's live action television series that premiered on TVOKids…

Nature Cat
Nature Cat

PBS KIDS new series Nature Cat follows Fred, a house cat who dreams of exploring the great outdoors.…

Craft in America
Craft in America

We have a deep sense of longing for the handmade. Perhaps because each of us, in our own way, has ha…

The Mind of a Chef
The Mind of a Chef

Narrated by Executive Producer Anthony Bourdain, The Mind of a Chef is that rare and beautiful thing…

Wild Kratts
Wild Kratts

In Wild Kratts, the Kratt brothers go around the world looking for animals and use "creature power s…

Voces
Voces

Produced by Latino Public Broadcasting, "Voces" is PBS' signature Latino arts and culture documentar…

Rick Steves' Europe
Rick Steves' Europe

Rick Steves has been the "travel guinea pig" for American Public Television since Travels in Europe…

Lidia Celebrates America
Lidia Celebrates America

Lidia Celebrates America is a series of specials, Lidia Bastianich takes viewers on a culinary journ…

Hometime
Hometime

Hosted by Dean Johnson, Hometime's aim is to help homeowners achieve professional-looking results fr…

PBS NewsHour
PBS NewsHour

PBS NewsHour is the long running news magazine broadcast every weeknight on PBS. The show was create…

PBS NewsHour Weekend
PBS NewsHour Weekend

Anchor Hari Sreenivasan presents a summary of the day's national and international news in a 30-minu…

The Aviators
The Aviators

A magazine-style TV series featuring interesting people, the latest aircraft, the coolest technology…

Outdoor Idaho
Outdoor Idaho

Outdoor Idaho has begun its 31st year of celebrating the incredible richness of our state. Shot enti…

Ciao Italia
Ciao Italia

Mary Ann Esposito cooks delicious Italian dishes and teaches us a little something new about Italy e…

Martha Bakes
Martha Bakes

Martha Bakes fulfills Martha's Stewart's long-time dream of creating a visual teaching course that f…

Sara's Weeknight Meals
Sara's Weeknight Meals

Renowned chef, television personality, magazine editor and cookbook author Sara Moulton brings her s…

The Daytripper
The Daytripper

It's no secret that Texas is big. Alright, more than big. Texas is HUGE!! And exploring Texas ain't…

Masterpiece Mystery
Masterpiece Mystery

Masterpiece Mystery (originally known as Mystery) (also written Mystery!) is a television anthology…

Garden Smart
Garden Smart

This instructional series hosted by plantsman Eric Johnson provides viewers with practical gardening…

Weekends with Yankee
Weekends with Yankee

Explore the cities, countryside, and far-flung places of New England with hosts Richard Wiese and Am…

Big Pacific
Big Pacific

The Pacific Ocean covers one third of the Earth's surface. It is larger than all Earth's land combin…

A Capitol Fourth
A Capitol Fourth

America's favorite Independence Day celebration, A Capitol Fourth puts viewers front and center for…

Milk Street Television
Milk Street Television

The world of home cooking is undergoing a revolution with new tastes, flavors, techniques and influe…

We'll Meet Again
We'll Meet Again

Exploring some of history's most dramatic events from across the globe through the personal stories…

NOVA Wonders
NOVA Wonders

NOVA Wonders takes viewers on a journey to the frontiers of science, where researchers are tackling…

First Civilizations
First Civilizations

Having lived as mobile foragers for 99 percent of our time on Earth, why did humans set out on the r…

Native America
Native America

Native America explores the world created by America's First Peoples. The four part series reaches b…

Rivers of Life
Rivers of Life

Experience the extraordinary animals, epic landscapes, and remarkable people who live alongside thre…

Beyond Your Backyard
Beyond Your Backyard

Beyond Your Backyard highlights destinations that Mid Atlantic residents can travel to with ease. Ve…

Wild Metropolis
Wild Metropolis

Discover the extraordinary animals adapting to life in the world's most loved cities, and witness th…

Monstrum
Monstrum

The world is full of monsters, myths, and legends and Monstrum isn't afraid to take a closer look. T…

Start Up
Start Up

Start Up is a television program that offers its viewers an up-close and personal look into the worl…

Poetry in America
Poetry in America

Scholar and host Elisa New travels the country, joining up with distinguished poets, celebrities, an…

Earth's Sacred Wonders
Earth's Sacred Wonders

Many of the world's best-known landmarks have been inspired by faith, and today more worshippers tha…

Hacking Your Mind
Hacking Your Mind

This four-part series examines how easy it is to hack your mind and what you can do. Hacking Your Mi…

Woodsmith Shop
Woodsmith Shop

The pages of Woodsmith magazine come to life in this unique concept for public television. Each of t…

Secrets of Royal Travel
Secrets of Royal Travel

The British Royal Family is the most well-traveled monarchy in history. The Queen alone has been aro…

PBS American Portrait
PBS American Portrait

Stories shared on this site are part of a national storytelling project. These stories are woven int…

Beyond the Canvas
Beyond the Canvas

A new half-hour program showcases some of the nation's leading cultural creators -- musicians, playw…

Philly D.A.
Philly D.A.

His promise to use the power of the District Attorney's office for sweeping reform is what got civil…

Life at the Waterhole
Life at the Waterhole

Explore the daily drama as African wildlife flock to a manmade waterhole rigged with cameras. Dr. M.…

Inside the Met
Inside the Met

The largest art museum in the Americas prepares to celebrate its 150th birthday with a treasure trov…

Elinor Wonders Why
Elinor Wonders Why

This funny and engaging show follows a curious bunny named Elinor as she asks the questions in every…

Charlie Bee Company
Charlie Bee Company

A Texas beekeeper rescues killer "Africanized" honeybees from desperate and dangerous situations whi…

Travels with Darley
Travels with Darley

Travels with Darley follows five-time Daytime Emmy nominated TV host Darley Newman, the longtime hos…

Planet California
Planet California

A celebration of California's wildlife and wild places, and their coexistence with the 40 million pe…

The Great American Recipe
The Great American Recipe

Hosted by Alejandra Ramos, this eight-part cooking competition series celebrates the multiculturalis…

Welcome to My Farm
Welcome to My Farm

Join Lisa Steele, Maine's very own backyard chicken keeper and DIYer, as she welcomes you to her far…

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United in Song

United in Song encourages our nation to come together and celebrate our irrepressible strength as Am…

Curious Traveler
Curious Traveler

Journalist Christine van Blokland takes you to the most intriguing places in the world, to explore t…

The Caverns Sessions
The Caverns Sessions

Formerly known as Bluegrass Underground, this magical, "musical adventure" series is taped deep with…

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Your Brain

Is what you see real? Does your mind control you? Discover how your brain really works.

Wild Scandinavia
Wild Scandinavia

Immerse yourself in these breathtaking Scandinavian landscapes – beautiful fjords, magical forests,…

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Washington Grown

Food is what Washington Grown is all about!  From the field to the plate and everything in between,…

Evolution Earth
Evolution Earth

Discover how new animal behaviors are revealing insights into the story of our changing planet. Trav…

Donkey Hodie
Donkey Hodie

Donkey Hodie is a new puppet series for children ages 3-5 from Fred Rogers Productions and Spiffy Pi…

Front and Center
Front and Center

Front and Center is the critically-acclaimed concert series that was launched in the Spring of 2012.…

The Open Mind
The Open Mind

This public affairs talk show is a thoughtful excursion into the world of ideas across politics, med…

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