How to Stream PBS on a Roku Device Without Paying a Fee
To stream PBS on a Roku device, add the PBS app from your Roku home screen, open it, and enter the sign in code at PBS.org/tv. PBS’s download page opens with: “The PBS app is available for free download on Roku devices.”
That page prints the steps as a numbered list, quoted in full below. Its last step begins: “When you open the PBS app for the first time, you will be prompted to sign in.”
PBS’s common questions page carries the conditions, each under its own question: a sign in account to activate, no donation, and each Roku device activated individually “when you first download and install the PBS app.”
How do you stream PBS on a Roku device?
PBS’s download page says: “To download the PBS app to your Roku device, follow the steps below.” Before the list it prints: “The PBS app does not require a fee or any other apps in order to download and activate the PBS app.”
The six steps, in PBS’s words:
- “On your Roku home screen, select Search.”
- “Use the onscreen keyboard to search for” the word “PBS”.
- “Select the PBS app from the list of results.”
- “Select Add Channel to begin downloading the app.”
- “Once the app has successfully downloaded, select OK. Select the Go to Channel option.”
- “When you open the PBS app for the first time, you will be prompted to sign in. Select Sign In and enter the code appearing on screen at PBS.org/tv.”
The code goes to PBS.org/tv in the visible text of that step. Neither PBS help page cited below prints pbs.org/activate in its visible text.
Neither PBS help page cited below prints the words Channel Store, a PBS Channel icon, or a right side of the Roku screen. The steps above start at Search on the home screen.
Related on this site: the fix guide for a Roku that will not connect to Wi-Fi.
What PBS says you need to activate the app
PBS’s common questions page asks “Do I have to create a sign in account to activate the PBS app?” and answers: “Yes, you will need to create a sign in account to activate the PBS app.”
The next sentence lists the ways in: “You can create and sign in with a new PBS account, or sign in with a Facebook, Google, or Apple account, if you already have one.”
The account answer is about activating. Neither PBS help page cited below says an account is needed to download the app.
Under “Do I have to donate to activate the PBS app?” the page answers: “No, you do not need to donate to activate the PBS app.”
Under “Do I have to activate each Roku device individually?” it answers: “Yes, you will need to activate each Roku device individually when you first download and install the PBS app.”
Under “How do I activate the PBS app on my Roku device?” the same page says: “When you first download and open the PBS app, you will be prompted with an” “Activate Now” “option that, when selected, will provide you with the necessary steps to complete the app’s activation.”
Both pages speak of the first time you open the app. The download page prints “Select Sign In” and the common questions page prints “Activate Now”.
Where Passport sits in the Roku PBS app
Under “How do I access Passport on my Roku device?” PBS’s common questions page says: “There is no designated section in the PBS app for Passport content.”
The next sentence: “Instead, look for the Passport icon on the top left of episodes and videos of your favorite shows and programs to know which are currently available through Passport.”
Under “Do I have to donate to activate the PBS app?” the same page says: “While some shows will only be available for PBS Passport members, other shows are available for all viewers.”
Neither PBS help page cited below prints a Passport price, a fee amount or a billing period.
Under “How can I check to see if my Passport is activated on the PBS app?” the page says: “You can check the account you are currently signed into on your Roku device from the Profile option in the left-hand navigation menu.”
It continues: “If the email address matches the email address you used when activating your Passport account, then Passport content should play.”
Two more lines sit under that question. “If the wrong email address is signed in,” the page links to “click here for instructions on changing the account you are signed in with on your Roku device.”
And: “If the email address is correct, but Passport content is not playing,” it links to “check your Passport activation information to confirm you are signing in with the correct account.” Both linked pages sit outside the two pages cited below.
Can you watch your local PBS station live on Roku?
Under “Can I watch my local PBS station’s livestream through the Roku PBS app?” PBS’s common questions page answers: “Yes, you can watch your local PBS station’s livestream through the PBS app as long as you are in your station’s service area.”
The condition rides with the answer: the livestream plays “as long as you are in your station’s service area.” The next line is a link, “For more information on accessing live streaming on the Roku PBS app, click here.” and that page sits outside the two pages cited below.
Neither PBS help page cited below prints a count of channels or stations. Neither prints HD, 4K, DVR or recording.
Why is your Roku asking for a four digit pin?
Under “Why is my Roku asking me for a four digit pin when trying to download the PBS app?” PBS’s common questions page answers: “If you are being prompted for a four digit pin when attempting to download the PBS app, then you have likely set up a Roku requirement that your Roku pin must be entered before you can download new apps.”
It continues: “This is a Roku feature and will need to be managed from your Roku account at my.roku.com.”
The passage ends: “If you are having issues finding your pin or turning this feature off, you will need to contact Roku support for assistance.”
Related on this site: how to find your Roku PIN and a guide to the Roku settings menu.
Questions readers ask
Is the PBS app free on Roku?
PBS’s download page says: “The PBS app is available for free download on Roku devices.” It also says: “The PBS app does not require a fee or any other apps in order to download and activate the PBS app.” Under “Do I have to donate to activate the PBS app?” PBS’s common questions page answers “No, you do not need to donate to activate the PBS app.” and adds: “While some shows will only be available for PBS Passport members, other shows are available for all viewers.”
Related on this site: how to find free movies on Roku.
Do you need a PBS account to watch PBS on Roku?
Under “Do I have to create a sign in account to activate the PBS app?” PBS’s common questions page answers: “Yes, you will need to create a sign in account to activate the PBS app.” The next sentence reads: “You can create and sign in with a new PBS account, or sign in with a Facebook, Google, or Apple account, if you already have one.” Neither PBS help page cited below says an account is needed for the download itself.
Why is Roku asking for a pin when you add the PBS app?
Under “Why is my Roku asking me for a four digit pin when trying to download the PBS app?” PBS’s common questions page says you “have likely set up a Roku requirement that your Roku pin must be entered before you can download new apps.” It adds: “This is a Roku feature and will need to be managed from your Roku account at my.roku.com.” The same passage ends: “If you are having issues finding your pin or turning this feature off, you will need to contact Roku support for assistance.”
What if PBS activation is not working on Roku?
PBS’s download page ends: “For more help with activating the app,” “please see our help page here”. Under “How do I activate the PBS app on my Roku device?” PBS’s common questions page prints: “Having trouble activating the app?” “Click here for a step-by-step guide.” Neither PBS help page cited below prints a restart step, a member number or a support ticket as an activation fix.