The Public Broadcasting Service, also known as PBS, is a public broadcaster and distributor of television programs in the United States. It is a non-profit organization comprised of America’s public television stations and unincorporated regions. Because PBS is a nonprofit organization, it is primarily supported by donations from private foundations and public funds. PBS Passport, an additional member perk, provides prolonged access to a digital, on-demand library of over 1,500 episodes of PBS favorites. To receive access to an on-demand library of fantastic programming, you must become a member. For this, you must pay a nominal fee of $5 (Sustainer/Ongoing-monthly gifts) or donate at least $60 per year. To help you find your favorite shows and great local content, you must activate PBS Passport via pbs.org/activate to watch PBS on TV.

Activate PBS on Your Roku Device

The PBS app is available for free download on Roku devices. To download the PBS app to your Roku device, follow the steps below.

• On the Roku home screen, select Streaming Store. Depending on your Roku device, this option may show as Channel Store.
• Next, select the Search option and type “PBS” into the search box using the onscreen keyboard. Search for the PBS app.
• Now, choose the PBS Channel from the list of search results.
• Then, select Add Channel to begin downloading the app. The PBS channel will get added to your Roku Channel list.
• Once the program has been properly downloaded, click OK.
• Then, choose the Go To Channel option to launch the channel.
• When you launch the PBS app for the first time, you will be asked to activate. Select Activate Now.
• Activation instructions will show on the screen, along with a 7-character activation code. Keep your TV screen open.
• Next, use a mobile device or computer to go to PBS.org/activate, or use your smartphone’s camera to scan the QR code on the TV screen and be taken immediately to the PBS.org/activate.
• Now, enter the unique activation code shown in Step 2 on your TV screen into the Activation Code box on the activation page.
• Then, select Continue.
• You will then be prompted to sign in with your PBS account or using Google, Facebook, or Apple.
• A screen should appear, verifying that your Roku device has been activated.
• Return to your Roku device, and the screen should change to reflect the PBS app’s home screen.

Activate PBS app on Apple TV

• Return to your Apple TV’s home screen.
• Next, open the App Store application.
• Then, select the magnifying glass icon on the right side of the top menu to search for PBS app in the app store. Then type PBS into the search bar and look for the app.
• Now, choose the PBS app from the list of search results.
• Next, click the Get option to download and install the app on your Apple TV.
• Once the app is successfully downloaded and installed, you will be able to open the PBS app from this screen or by going back to your Apple TV home screen and selecting the app icon.
• When you launch the PBS app for the first time, you will need to activate it. Select Activate Now.
• You will see a 7-character activation code along with activation instructions on your TV screen. Keep your TV screen open, and jump to the next step.
• After receiving the code, use a mobile device or computer to navigate to pbs.org/activate. Alternatively, you can scan the QR code on the TV screen with your smartphone’s camera to be taken directly to activation URL.
• Enter the unique activation code displayed on your TV screen into the Activation Code field, and then hit the Continue button.
• Finally, sign in with your PBS account or using Google, Facebook, or Apple.
• Follow the steps outlined on screen to finish the activation procedure.
• You can now return to your Apple TV screen and watch your favorite PBS videos.

Activate PBS app on Amazon Fire TV

• Turn on your Fire TV and then select the Search icon (Magnifying glass Icon) in the upper left corner of the home page.
• Now, type PBS using the on-screen keyboard and look for the PBS app in the Amazon App Store.
• Once the search results are displayed, choose the PBS app from the list.
• Then, choose the Download option to download and install the app on your Fire TV.
• Now, open the PBS app, and select Activate Now.
• An alphanumeric activation code consisting of seven characters will be displayed on the screen, along with activation instructions. Keep the TV screen open.
• After obtaining the code, use a mobile device or computer browser and navigate to pbs.org/activate. You can also scan the QR code from your mobile phone to visit the activation page.
• Next, enter the activation code listed on the TV screen into the Activation Code box, and click Continue.
• To continue activation, sign in with your PBS account or with Google, Facebook, or Apple. If you do not have one of the account options, select Not registered yet? Create a PBS Account option.
• After signing in with an account, you will receive a message indicating that your device has been successfully activated.

Activate PBS app on Android TV

• First, switch on your Android TV and ensure that it has a reliable internet connection.
• Next, launch the Play Store from the Applications Menu.
• Then, use the ‘Search‘ function to find the PBS app.
• When you see PBS app in the search list, tap the app to see more details.
• Next, tap the Install button to download and install it on your Android TV.
• Open the PBS app now, then choose Activate Now.
• The screen will show the activation instructions and a 7 character alphanumeric activation code. Keep your TV screen open and move to the next step.
• Now, use a computer browser or a mobile device to go to pbs.org/activate after you have the code. To access the activation page, you can also use your phone to scan the QR code from TV screen.
• Next, enter the activation code shown on the TV screen in the box.
• Then, hit the Continue button.
• Finally, sign in with your PBS account or using Google, Facebook, or Apple accounts.
• After successful login, you will receive a notification indicating that your device was successfully activated.

Activate PBS app on Samsung Smart TV

The PBS app is available for download on Samsung Smart TV models from 2017 and beyond. To download the app, you must first create or sign into your Samsung account.

• First, return to your Smart TV’s Home menu by pressing the Home button on your remote.
• Use your remote’s arrow buttons and select the Apps option on your Samsung Smart TV’s Home screen.
• Next, use your remote’s arrow buttons again and click the magnifying glass symbol or search feature on your Smart TV’s Apps screen.
• Use the Search tool and type “PBS” into the search field to find the official PBS app.
• Now, click the Install option that appears on the app screen. The app will begin installing to your Samsung Smart TV.
• When the installation completes, open the PBS app on your Samsung Smart TV.
• As you open the PBS app, you will be prompted to activate it. Therefore, click on Activate Now option.
• Your TV screen will display an activation link/QR code and an alphanumeric activation code. Keep your TV screen open.
• After obtaining the code, open a PC or mobile browser and navigate to pbs.org/activate.
• Next, enter the activation code in the given box and click Continue.
• Finally, sign in with your PBS account or using Google, Facebook, or Apple. If you have not yet registered, create a pbs account instead.
• You will receive a successfully activated notification. Return to the Samsung Smart TV’s PBS app. The screen will change to display the app’s home screen.

Activate PBS app on VIZIO SmartCast TV

The PBS app is pre-installed on VIZIO SmartCast TVs and if the PBS app is not pre-installed on your VIZIO SmartCast TV, it is not available for that particular model.

• Turn on your Vizio Smartcast TV and select the PBS app from the scrollable list of apps on the home screen. Alternatively, select the search icon and look for the PBS app in your VIZIO TV apps list.
• Next, open the PBS app and click on Activate Now button.
• Your TV screen will present you with an alpha-numeric activation code along with activation URL/QR code. Keep the screen stopped or make a note of the code.
• Now, open a browser on mobile device or computer to visit PBS activation page at pbs.org/activate.
• Next, type in the activation code from your TV screen into the activation box.
• Then, click on Continue button.
• Finally, sign in to your PBS account using sign in with a PBS account option or through Google, Facebook, or Apple.
• After successfully activating the app, return to your VIZIO SmartCast TV’s PBS app. The screen will refresh to show the app’s Home screen.

That’s how to install and activate the PBS app on your smart streaming devices.

Download and install the PBS app right now to start watching on-demand library of featured shows and films and popular videos with your friends and family. We hope you find the information to activate PBS app on your devices useful.

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