PBS Passport

My PBS journey began way back in the 80s (or maybe the late 70s) when I made my first donation, likely lured in by a Britcom or some such program. In return, I might have received a cheesy gift, perhaps a mug or some dollar store trinket – the memory is fuzzy.

Contributing to PBS still offers benefits, ones that have certainly evolved beyond a simple mug. Now, it's about unlocking a treasure trove of content through PBS Passport.

PBS has streaming apps for all the major devices – Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Android/Google TV. While plenty of content is available for free on the app, some shows are marked with a compass icon, indicating they're exclusive to PBS Passport members.

To become a member and access this bonus content, you need to donate at least $5 per month or $60 annually.

This might spark two distinct reactions:

1. "Wow, so much free content! And donating unlocks even more? Sweet!"
2. "Ugh, they're hiding the good stuff behind a paywall."

Personally, I fall into the first camp. But regardless of your perspective, the bottom line is the same: PBS content is readily available on your streaming device. The amount you access is entirely up to you.

My Streaming Life doesn't include a lot of PBS, but when I do watch, I can easily get lost for hours. For me, the $5 monthly fee (I actually donate more) is a small price to pay for such quality content. Plus, I genuinely value supporting PBS. While our political views may differ at times, I believe PBS is a valuable institution overall.

Whether you opt for PBS Passport or not, the PBS apps offer a rich selection of programming that can greatly enhance your streaming experience.