Local PBS Stations to Stream Free via Amazon Prime Video

As we enter the mid-2020s and streaming rapidly becomes the default way viewers consume television, PBS has announced a deal with Amazon to make all PBS local station channels, 150+ stations in all, available for free. Over the next few months, Prime members will see their local PBS stations launch individual livestream "FAST Channels," with one big difference: No ads. (Call them Free Educational Entertainment TV channels: FEET.)

Those who do not subscribe to Prime will also have free access to PBS programming under the “Watch for Free” section within Prime Video, which was previously FreeVee's home base. These channels will be available via the Prime Video app and Fire TV.

At the 2024 Winter Television Critics Association, I asked PBS CEO Paula Kerger about the difference between the PBS app, PBS Passport, and the PBS subscription channels on Amazon, as it seemed a little "Robbing Peter to pay Paul," as it were, since those who pay for PBS Passport are supporting their local station, while those who subscribe to the PBS channels on Amazon are giving their money direct to the parent company.