The PBS app has a media library with content that extends to multiple genres, including documentaries, shows, news, films, and iconic series. As an Android TV user, you can install and stream PBS on your TV as it is natively available on the Play Store. If you can’t find PBS on the store due to geo-restriction, then you can sideload it to get the app for your TV. Further, the mobile app of PBS has Chromecast support. So, you can screen mirror its content to your TV from the smartphone.
There are thousands of episodes of shows waiting for you on the PBS library. Popular shows on PBS include Antiques Roadshow, Masterpiece, Finding Your Roots, Ken Burns, American Experience, and POV. The PBS channel includes PBS Kids, PBS Masterpieces, PBS Living, and PBS Documentaries.
Here, you’re going to learn about the steps for installing, sideloading, and screen mirroring the PBS app on your Android TV.
Pricing
PBS has an added station membership benefit called OPB. This is a donation to the PBS station and lets you connect to the local PBS station. With a license, you can get an updated library. It includes episodes from old PBS shows as well. Furthermore, you can stream early releases of shows with the License.
How to Install PBS on Android TV from the Play Store
1. Go to the home screen on your Android TV and click on Apps.
2. Open the Google Play Store and click the Search icon.
3. Enter PBS in the search bar and locate the app.
4. Select PBS from the suggested results.
5. Click Install to get the app on your Android TV.
6. Wait for a while to install the app successfully.
How to Activate PBS on Andriod TV
1. Launch the PBS app and follow the on-screen prompts.
2. You will get an activation code on your screen.
3. Visit pbs.org/activate on any web browser.
4. Enter the activation code in the box.
5. Click on the Continue button and then log in with your PBS account.
6. Finally, the app gets activated, and you can stream it on your TV.
How to Install PBS on Android TV Outside the US
If you can’t find PBS in the Play Store in your country other than the US, it must be geo-restricted. Therefore, you need to sideload its APK file using the Downloader on Android TV.
1. Turn on your Android TV and head to the Apps section.
2. Locate the Google Play Store and launch it.
3. Click on the Search icon and type Downloader in the required field.
4. Locate the Downloader app developed by AFTVnews and hit the Install button.
5. Wait for a while to download and install the Downloader app on your device.
6. Once the Downloader app is installed successfully, press the home button on your remote.
7. Now, navigate to the Settings icon from the home page.
8. From the options, go to Device Preferences → Security & Restrictions.
9. Click Unknown Sources → Turn on the Downloader toggle.
10. Now. go back to the home screen and launch the Downloader app.
11. Accept the storage and other permissions asked by the app on your TV.
12. Choose Home from the left pane, and type the below-mentioned URL in the required field.
Download link for PBS APK latest version: bit.ly/3RVzpWs
13. Click Go to download the APK file on your Android TV.
14. Once the file is downloaded, open it and click Install.
15. After the downloading process, return to the homepage and navigate to the Apps section.
16. Now, you need to install any of the VPNs on your Android TV, like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, and connect to the US server.
17. Then, click Open to launch the PBS app and watch your desired media content.
How to Cast PBS on Android TV
The PBS is compatible with the built-in Cast support. With that, you can easily cast the PBS from your smartphone to Android TV if you don’t want to sideload the app.
1. Install the PBS from the Google Play Store.
2. Connect Android TV to a WiFi network. On the other hand, connect your smartphone to the same network.
3. Open the PBS on your smartphone and log in with your account if needed.
4. Play the content you want and click the Cast icon from the app
5. Choose your Android TV from the list of available devices.
6. Now, the content you stream on the smartphone will appear on your Android TV.
Supported Android TVs and Boxes
| Smart TVs | Smart TV Boxes |
|---|---|
| Sony Smart TV TCL Smart TV Sharp Smart TV Skyworth Smart TV JVC Smart TV Philips Smart TV Mi Smart TV Panasonic Smart TV Hisense Smart TV | Nvidia Shield TV EPSON TV AT&T TV Mi Box AIR TV |
How to Fix Not Working Issues of PBS on Android TV
If the PBS app is not working properly on your Android TV due to issues like a black screen, app freezing, and more, then you need to perform the troubleshooting fixes listed below to resolve those problems.
- Ensure your Android TV is connected to an internet connection with higher bandwidth.
- Reboot your Android TV to resolve the temporary bugs associated with the device and app.
- Close and relaunch the PBS application on your device.
- Update your Android TV firmware and the app to the latest version.
- Clear the app cache files for the PBS app.
- Reset your Android TV to solve the major problems for both the device and the app.
PBS Alternatives
If you feel that PBS isn’t for you or if you are unsatisfied with the service it provides, you can switch over to some other platform to stream the media content. Here are the best options you can choose as an alternative solution to PBS.
Frequently Asked Questions
The PBS app is already available for download in the Google Play Store on your Android TV. The app is free to use and download on your Android TV.
Yes. By getting YouTube TV on Android TV, you can easily stream the PBS network. For that, you should subscribe to YouTube TV subscription for $72.99/month.
