WATERTOWN, NY (February 12, 2025) – WPBS is thrilled to announce its local programming is now streaming on Prime Video for Amazon Prime viewers in the United States.
On November 14, 2024, PBS and Amazon announced that more than 150 local PBS stations and the PBS KIDS Channel will stream ad-free as a Prime Video FAST (free, ad-supported streaming service) offering. This marked the first time this programming will be available for free on a major streaming service, free to customers across the country. Additionally, PBS Distribution (PBSd), a leading distributor of public media content around the world, will offer two new FAST channels – PBS Drama and PBS Documentaries. These channels will be available exclusively for a limited time on Prime Video starting November 26, 2024. PBSd will also offer a “pop-up” FAST channel featuring a rotating selection of classic PBS shows, starting with READING RAINBOW.
This launch marked a significant milestone for PBS in delivering a curated lineup of its high-quality programming from member stations to a broader FAST audience, particularly at a time when two in three U.S. viewers use a FAST platform. FAST Channels on Amazon are accessible through Prime Video and Fire TV. Non-Prime users will have free access to PBS programming under the “Watch for Free” section within Prime Video.
“It’s part of the PBS commitment to make trusted content available to all households across as many platforms as possible,” said PBS Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, Ira Rubenstein. “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.”
“We’re delighted to bring PBS’s trusted, high-quality programming to our FAST channels,” said Ryan Pirozzi, Head of Prime Video Marketplace. “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.”
WPBS and PBS KIDS is also available on wpbstv.org, PBS.org and pbskids.org, as well as the WPBS mobile app, PBS app and the PBS KIDS Video app available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and smart TVs from Samsung, Xumo, and VIZIO. WPBS station members are also able to view an extended library of quality public television programming via WPBS Passport. For more information about Passport, visit watch.wpbstv.org/passport/learn-more.
About WPBS
WPBS is a PBS station serving approximately 600,000 households throughout Northern New York and Eastern Ontario via cable, satellite, Internet and over-the-air distribution. WPBS is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate and inspire diverse communities with exceptional and trusted content across multiple platforms. Its vision is to be the premier provider of relevant public service media that instills wonder and curiosity across generations and cultures. More information about WPBS, including a full channel listing, is available at wpbstv.org, or by following WPBS on X, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Download the free WPBS Mobile App to follow WPBS on the go.
