How to watch PBS outside the US

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What is PBS, and how can I watch it?

The Public Broadcasting Service is a non-profit, publicly funded US TV station. As well as a TV channel, PBS is a distributor of programs, available specifically to viewers in the US.

It’s one of the most popular and trusted channels in the United States; this is down to the variety and quality of the content it provides.

The channel describes itself as ‘America’s largest classroom, stage, and trusted window to the world’. Its mission is to provide trusted programming, uniquely different to commercial broadcasting to an audience of citizens and not merely consumers.

So, what does that mean? Well, it means its content is typically educational in some way. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t provide great entertainment.

PBS presents a vast selection of documentaries, educational drama, historical series, children’s viewing, art, culture, international and thought-provoking viewing. What kind of television does that look like? Tune-in to Great Performances if you’re a fine arts lover. Or how about Downton Abbey, American Family or Journey of Dreams for drama? Science lovers can watch Nova, Nature, and then there’s History Detectives, American Masters or Antiques Roadshow for those who’d like to take a step back through time.

PBS is also renowned for rebroadcasting British television dramas, comedies and science fiction. Many of these come from the BBC and Channel 4.

PBS is a free to watch channel; without any advertising breaking up its programs. All you need now is to make their servers believe you’re in the US, and all of their prime content is yours for the taking.

How can I watch PBS with StreamLocator?

StreamLocator provides PBS with a virtual location, making their servers believe that you’re in the US, where you need to be to access their content.

Our smart hub takes care of everything for you, supplying PBS with what address they need. All you have to worry about is what you’re going to watch first.

No complicated settings or software installation required

Another great advantage to using StreamLocator is that you don’t have to download and install any software or change fiddly DNS settings and profiles.

Even better, it works with any device you connect to the Internet via your WiFi. There are plenty of closed systems, including some Smart TVs and Chromecast, that don’t have apps to create the workarounds offered by some VPN and Smart DNS services. StreamLocator is always switched on and ready to provide you with a way around those blocks.

Because it connects via your WiFi router, it works with your iOS or Android smartphones and tablets, your Mac or PC, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Smart TV, and many more. It’s a super-simple plug-and-play device that anyone can install—easily.

Another advantage, it won’t affect your network speeds or interrupt any of your typical online activities. You can connect as many devices as you like, too—there’s no limit with StreamLocator—each one can connect to a different service in a different country if that’s what you need.

How to watch PBS from outside the USA

PBS uses geolocation tracking to find out where its online viewers are, to make sure they’re within their licencing regulations. If not, viewing is restricted, and the shows are made unavailable.

To view PBS’s restricted content, international viewers can use VPN or Smart DNS systems to navigate the blocks. These clever workarounds create the virtual location PBS needs to lower their blockades.

How to register for PBS from outside the USA

You don’t need to register for an account to watch PBS, but creating an account will provide you with added benefits.

You’ll receive updates from local stations, as well as building a Watchlist of the content you’ve been viewing. Your Watchlist will allow you to pick up where you left off and access videos you’ve saved to watch another time.

Signing up for a free account also means your videos are available to view in HD.

Do you need a VPN or DNS to watch PBS from outside the USA?

VPN and Smart DNS are the most popular ways to navigate the location blockades set up by foreign servers. Some methods and services work better than others, offering faster downloads and easier connections. However, some won’t work at all. As the providers find smarter ways to protect their content, quite a few of the existing bypassing services are becoming less reliable.

StreamLocator created a method where their smart hub talks to the provider’s servers to find out which is the best way to get around their content blocks. That way, it always grants access, using the best method available, and without the viewer having to do a thing.

How to unblock PBS

Setting up a StreamLocator smart hub and account is easy. We know that our subscribers don’t want the hassle of downloading software, changing settings, or anything else, so we made sure setting up our hub was as simple as possible.

  1. Plug in our smart hub to any of the open ports on your home WiFi router.
  2. Follow the basic instructions to activate your StreamLocator subscription.
  3. Pick the device you plan to watch PBS with and find the new STREAMLOCATOR network in your WiFi list.
  4. Connect to your new network and let your smart hub take care of the rest.

It’s that easy. You don’t even have to pick the country or region. That’s what we call ‘smart-tech’.

Does StreamLocator allow me to watch PBS for free?

Absolutely. PBS is publicly funded for the citizens of America. Just because you’re not in the United States doesn’t mean we’re going to stop you from accessing all of their programs for free.

Most popular TV shows on PBS in the USA

  • American Portrait
  • Washington Week
  • John Lewis: Get in the Way
  • News Hour
  • Endeavour
  • Finding Your Roots
  • Amanpour & Co.
  • Austin City Limits
  • The Great British Baking Show
  • This Old House
  • Antiques Roadshow
  • Finding Your Roots
  • Travel Scope
  • African American Lives 2
  • The Moonstone
  • Whitechapel
  • Grantchester
  • Downton Abbey
  • Little Women
  • Plates & Places
  • A Chef’s Life
  • American Experience
  • The War
  • Al Capone: Icon

Most popular film programs on PBS in the USA

  • POV
  • PBS Short Film Festival
  • Independent Lens
  • Film School Shorts
  • Behind the Lens
  • Truly CA
  • Afro Pop
  • God Knows Where I Am
  • Indie Alaska
  • Local, USA
  • Futurestates
  • Ex Libris
  • Doc World
  • Muslim Youth Voices
  • Indies
  • Voices
  • Boonies
  • City Voices
  • Curate U
  • Director’s Cut
  • Gamble House
  • In-Short: Student Films
  • Mavericks
  • On Story
  • On the Brink
  • Reel Mid-West
  • Room Tone
  • Shades of Indigo
  • Via Short Takes