Amazon Adds Free Streaming TV Access To PBS and PBS Kids – Technologist

Are you a fan of PBS classics like “Sesame Street” or “Curious George”? Maybe you enjoy “FRONTLINE” or “PBS News Hour” instead?

Either way, Amazon’s Prime Video has some news that I think will make you pretty happy: You soon will be able to stream PBS and PBS Kids content FOR FREE via the Prime Video app.

Let’s take a look at the details of the announcement.

PBS Announces Partnership with Amazon’s Prime Video

On November 14, 2024, PBS and Amazon announced an agreement that will make PBS and PBS Kids content available for free via the Prime Video app.

This will include access to more than 150 local PBS channels and the PBS Kids channel via the “Watch Free” section of the Prime Video app. PBS says this will be the first time its channels will be available to stream for free, as it is currently either available over the air or via subscription to cable, satellite or select live TV streaming services.

“PBS member stations will be able to tap into a leading streaming service to offer quality local programming viewers know and love for free,” PBS Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, Ira Rubenstein, said via press release. “It’s part of the PBS commitment to make trusted content available to all households across as many platforms as possible. We thank Amazon for giving PBS Member Stations a new and exciting way to grow their digital footprint while engaging with audiences old and new.”

The results of this partnership will roll out in the coming weeks. The release says content will be available as soon as November 26.

I checked my Prime Video app on multiple devices before writing this article, and I was unable to find any evidence of my local PBS channel or PBS Kids being available just yet.

What Will Be Included?

Prime Video app and Fire TV users will soon have a variety of ways to consume PBS content without paying for a Prime Video subscription.

This includes free access to:

• Ad-free livestream of more than 150 local PBS channels
• Ad-free livestream of the PBS Kids channel
• Two new FAST channels: PBS Drama and PBS Documentaries

If you have a Prime Video subscription (which is included with Amazon Prime), you should start to see this content integrated into your app.

If you don’t have a Prime subscription, you still will be able to access the content via the “Watch for Free” section of the Prime Video app.

Why Is This Happening?

It was recently revealed that Amazon will be sunsetting its free, ad-supported service (FAST) Freevee in the coming weeks.

So, presumably this PBS content will join much of the Freevee content on the expanding “Watch Free” section of the Prime Video app.

“We’re delighted to bring PBS’s trusted, high-quality programming to our FAST channels,” Ryan Pirozzi, Head of Prime Video Marketplace, said via the press release. “We have put together one of the most exciting FAST offerings today for Prime Video customers, driven by a highly personalized experience, and a leading selection of channels featuring fan favorite series, movies, news, sports, and more. We know our customers will be excited to discover that their beloved PBS member stations and two new PBS FAST Channels are now part of our growing offering.”

It will be interesting to see if Prime Video, which is primarily known as a top-tier video streaming service, will develop into one of the preferred free streaming options as a result of the removal of Freevee and subsequent investment in FAST content.

Are you excited about this new partnership for PBS? Are you going to start using Prime Video as a FAST option? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the Clark.com community.

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