# PBS: Watch TV & Documentaries — Stream News, Movies, and Shows

> Stream documentaries, series, news, and live local TV from PBS. (iPhone/iPad app by PBS.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pbs-watch-tv-and-documentaries/id398349296 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [PBS](https://appshunter.io/developer/329374179)
- Category: Entertainment, Education
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 356,208 App Store ratings · 921 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 17+
- Requires: iOS 15.4 · 52 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2010-10-25
- Data updated: 2026-08-29
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pbs-watch-tv-and-documentaries/id398349296/reviews.md

## What is PBS?

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.

## Key features

- Stream live local PBS station
- Watch thousands of full-length episodes on demand
- Access award-winning documentaries
- Explore iconic series across multiple genres
- Save episodes to a custom watchlist
- Daily additions of new videos and episodes

## Chart rankings

- #176 in Top Free · Entertainment (US App Store)

## What do users think of PBS?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🎥 Excellent programming, especially documentaries
- 🎨 High-quality, diverse content
- 📺 Ability to watch shows on-demand
- 🎬 Exclusive access to shows through Passport
- 🌍 Variety of international and British shows
- 🧠 Informative and educational programming

**Cons**

- 🤖 Buggy app with frequent crashes
- 🔍 Difficulty finding and resuming shows
- 💰 Paywall for most content, even for donors
- 🇨🇦 Limited availability for Canadian users
- 📢 Intrusive ads even for Passport members
- 🔀 Inconsistent navigation and user experience

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App freezes and crashes frequently
- Unable to cast or stream content reliably
- Watch history and progress not saved properly
- Incompatibility issues with certain devices
- Inconsistent behavior when navigating the app

**Most requested features**

- Add option to skip ads for Passport members
- Improve resume functionality to remember progress
- Enhance discoverability of shows and categories
- Provide more free content for non-Passport users
- Optimize app performance and stability
- Expand availability to international users

## Recent user reviews (10 of 921)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pbs-watch-tv-and-documentaries/id398349296/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Heaven forbid I pause

*2026-08-24, version 5.25.0*

Why in 2026 can I not pause in the middle of an episode of Downton Abbey and have the app save my spot? I can live with the repetitive ads, but the least you can do for making me sit through them over and over again is let me stop and start without having to scroll through and find where I left off.

### 1/5 — Horrible app

*2026-08-14, version 5.25.0*

Subscriptions are horrible on this app. Won’t let you sign up. Whoever designed the mechanics of the sign service apparently has never used the internet before. They also want to text you three times a month. To send spam is the reason why. Not to tell you about their app. Total BS. Disgusting.

### 1/5 — Professor T

*2026-08-10, version 5.24.0*

Season 5 episodes 3- the rest have only music. No dialogue can be heard.

### 5/5 — Nature Jaguar Beach

*2026-08-02, version 5.24.0*

Well documented w amazing photography!!!!

### 1/5 — No donation no service

*2026-08-01, version 5.24.0*

$60/year to access their content.

### 3/5 — Love pbs.  App is awful

*2026-08-01, version 5.24.0*

Problems connecting, then loading content. The tv is the same. The app is just so buggy that it’s hard to watch.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work

*2026-07-30, version 5.24.0*

Couldn’t get app to work at all

### 5/5 — SO EDUCATIONAL!

*2026-07-27, version 5.24.0*

What a treat to have brilliant masters, scholars, scientist, and scholars at my finger tips.   Priceless!

### 4/5 — Go back to original logo

*2026-07-17, version 5.24.0*

Please bring back the previous, more neutral logo colors. I understand the appeal of red, white, and blue as a nod to American patriotism, but given that Congress recently cut federal funding for PBS, the color choice now feels tone-deaf, almost like celebrating an identity the government just abandoned. A neutral palette would better reflect PBS’s independence and its role as a trusted, non-partisan public resource, especially at a moment when that reputation matters more than ever.

### 5/5 — Great

*2026-07-14, version 5.24.0*

Great

## Frequently asked questions about PBS

### What kind of content can I watch on the PBS app?

The app offers a wide variety of content including award-winning documentaries, iconic series like British dramas and historical shows, the latest news programs, and live TV from your local PBS station. You can find shows across genres such as drama, romance, mystery, history, science, arts, and foreign language productions.

### Is the PBS app free to use?

Yes, the PBS app is free to download and use. While the app itself is free, it does contain advertisements to support its programming. Some content may also be available through in-app purchases or require a subscription to a specific PBS Passport membership for extended access.

### Can I watch live TV on the PBS app?

Yes, you can stream live TV from your local PBS station directly through the app. This feature allows you to tune in to your local community's programming and watch your local station's TV channel live anytime, anywhere.

### What devices is the PBS app compatible with?

The PBS app is available for streaming on various devices, including your mobile phone, tablet, and Smart TV. This allows you to watch your favorite shows and documentaries across multiple platforms at your convenience.

### How often is new content added to the PBS app?

New videos and episodes are added daily to the PBS app. This ensures that you always have fresh content to discover, whether you're looking for a new series to binge, the latest news updates, or recent documentary releases.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.25.0 — 2026-08-10

- UI improvements & bug fixes

### 5.24.0 — 2026-07-03

- Minor UI improvements & bug fixes

### 5.23.0 — 2026-06-01

- Show posters now flag upcoming premieres, new shows, seasons, and episodes
- Minor UI improvements
- Bug fixes

### 5.22.1 — 2026-04-21

- Bug fixes

### 5.22.0 — 2026-03-11

- UI improvements & minor bug fixes

## Apps similar to PBS

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [PlutoTV: Stream Free Movies/TV](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plutotv-stream-free-moviestv/id751712884) | 4.8 (1,617,402) | Free | Entertainment |
| [Tubi: Movies & Live TV](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tubi-movies-and-live-tv/id886445756) | 4.8 (1,226,701) | Free | Entertainment |
| [Peacock TV: Stream TV & Movies](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/peacock-tv-stream-tv-and-movies/id1508186374) | 4.7 (3,623,052) | Free | Entertainment |
| [Plex: Find Movies and TV Shows](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plex-find-movies-and-tv-shows/id383457673) | 4.6 (137,660) | Free | Entertainment |
| [HBO Max: Stream Movies & TV](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hbo-max-stream-movies-and-tv/id1666653815) | 4.9 (5,603,457) | Free | Entertainment |
| [IMDb: Movies & TV Shows](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imdb-movies-and-tv-shows/id342792525) | 4.8 (547,576) | Free | Entertainment |

## More apps by PBS

- [NOVA Elements](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nova-elements/id512772649)
- [NOVA Black Hole Apocalypse](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nova-black-hole-apocalypse/id1114574985)
- [PBS EVENTS](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pbs-events/id1490917494)

All apps by PBS: https://appshunter.io/developer/329374179

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*