PBS NC Passport

Passport is a PBS North Carolina member benefit that gives eligible supporters extended access to an on-demand library of quality public television programming online. 

As a member and supporter of PBS North Carolina, you get extended access to thousands of full episodes and award-winning films, with new programs added weekly. Become a member and stream top food shows, dramas, histories & documentaries today!

You may also contact Audience Services by phone at 888-292-7070 Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, to request modifications to your account.

Click on the questions and topics below for answers and troubleshooting tips. If you don't see your question here, please visit the PBS Help home page or call the PBS Support team or call 855-222-6135, Monday-Friday, 10 AM—11 PM. You may also contact our Audience Services team by email at viewer@pbsnc.org or by phone at 888-292-7070 Monday-Friday, 9 AM—5 PM.

PBS ACCOUNT

Creating a PBS account. >

My verification code does not arrive in my email inbox. >

More verification code FAQs. >

How do I reset my PBS account password? >

How do I update the email address on my PBS account? >

PBS PASSPORT

Getting started with PBS NC Passport. >

What is PBS Passport? >

How do I activate Passport? >

What does the Passport activation process look like? >

Check your Passport status. >

How do I know if my Passport member benefit is activated? >

I believe I am already a member. How can I check? >

Reset your access for your Passport member benefit. >

How do I watch Passport videos online? >

What shows are available with PBS Passport? >

Why does it say this video is only available to members with Passport even though I'm signed in? >

PBS APP

How do I activate the PBS App? >

How can I watch PBS videos on my Roku device? >

More help with Roku. >

How do I activate my Amazon Fire TV or Amazon Fire TV Stick? >

More help with Amazon Fire and Android TV. >

How do I download the PBS app on Apple TV? >

More help with Apple TV. >

Is the PBS App compatible with Chromecast? >

More help with Chromecast. >

How do I download the iPhone/iPad app? >

More help with iPad and iPhone. >

How do I download the Android app? >

More help with Android mobile. >

How to use the PBS app for Samsung Smart TV. >

More help with Samsung TV. >

PBS and PBS KIDS Apps no longer available on legacy Apple TV. >

What is PBS Passport?

PBS Passport is a PBS North Carolina member benefit that gives eligible supporters extended access to an on-demand library of quality public television programming online. The PBS NC Passport library currently offers more than 1,000 episodes to watch, with new PBS programs added weekly.

How can I sign up for Passport?

Passport is a benefit for members of PBS North Carolina who contribute a minimum of $5 a month as a sustaining donor or who make a one-time gift of $60 per year or more.

To become a member, make your donation. Once your gift is processed, you’ll receive an activation key and instructions on setting up your Passport account.

If you are already an existing member at these donation levels, please contact our Audience Services team by email at viewer@pbsnc.org or by phone at 888-292-7070 Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM to activate your Passport benefit.

I’m already a donor at levels required for Passport. How do I find out if I have the benefit?

If you are an existing sustaining donor at $5/month or more or have made a one-time gift of $60 or more this year, it’s possible that our system generated a Passport activation key for you! 

To check, please visit https://www.pbs.org/passport/lookup/ and enter your email address. If you are an active member, you will be prompted to log-in at which point you can set up your account.

I just made my donation but haven’t received my activation key. What should I do?

Please contact our Audience Services team by email at viewer@pbsnc.org or by phone at 888-292-7070 Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM for help in obtaining your activation key.

I can’t remember my activation key. How do I find it?

Please visit https://www.pbs.org/passport/lookup/ and enter your email address. If you are an active member, you will be prompted to log-in. 

If not, please contact our Audience Services team by email at viewer@pbsnc.org or by phone at 888-292-7070 Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM and they’ll be happy to help you get set up.

I know that I am a Passport member but my account cannot be found in the system. What should I do?

Please make sure that the email address that you used to activate your account is the same. If you’re still having trouble, please contact our Audience Services team by email at viewer@pbsnc.org or by phone at 888-292-7070 Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM and they’ll be happy to help.

I can’t remember if my Passport account is active. How do I check?

Simply go to pbs.org and sign in. If your account is activated properly, you’ll see a small blue and white compass rose symbol by your name in the upper left portion of the screen.

How do I update or cancel my membership?

You may request to make changes to or cancel your membership by emailing sustainer@pbsnc.org.  You may also contact Audience Services by phone at 888-292-7070 Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, to request modifications to your account.

What if I can’t afford Passport. Can I still watch videos?

Yes! PBS North Carolina offer hundreds of wonderful programs online. You can watch them on the PBS App and by visiting video.pbsnc.org, our online streaming platform featuring favorite PBS shows and PBS NC local productions.

What kinds of programs can I see with Passport?

The library features critically acclaimed films from Ken Burns, Henry Louis Gates Jr & more, and episodes from popular programs like American Experience, AntiquesRoadshow, Nature, NOVA & Masterpiece — including Sanditon, All Creatures Great & Small and early access to many upcoming new series. 

In addition to these signature series, the library is full of public television’s acclaimed arts, science, history & lifestyle programs. There are thousands of titles to explore and new shows and films are added every week.

How can I view Passport programs?

Passport programs can be viewed on your computer or devices by visiting video.pbsnc.org. 

If you have a smartphone or tablet, download the PBS App for an even better viewing experience. You can find the PBS App on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV & more! Learn more about the PBS App here.

How will I know if a show is only available with Passport?

All Passport shows & films on the PBS App and online streaming portal will feature this Passport icon near the video title or on the video image.

Why can't I find programs like Doc Martin, Father Brown or other episodes of my favorite PBS NC shows?

PBS is not a producer but is a distributor of programming. Certain programs have limited streaming rights or are only available for broadcast distribution. 

Local member stations such as PBS NC are individually owned and operated and therefore schedule our tv programs independently. This includes our ability to acquire programming from sources other than PBS such as American Public Television (APT) and BBC Worldwide, which are not always available for on-demand streaming.

How can I search for Passport programs only?

Visit video.pbsnc.org and enter a search term, such as “masterpiece” or “nova”. 

Click on ”Show Filters” on the left and then click on the PBS NC Passport Videos option under “Filter by Access.” In addition to Passport videos, you can filter by shows, types or video link here.

How do I set up my Roku, Amazon Fire or Apple TV?

Passport is available on these devices through the PBS App. Before starting, ensure that your account on pbs.org is activated with your Passport key. 

Find the PBS channel on your device. You will receive code to link your device to your account at pbs.org/activate.

Online video tutorials are available for Apple TV and for Roku. Instructions are similar for Amazon Fire.

If you are unable to connect to the PBS channel or app, please make sure your operating system is updated. Learn more

How can I watch Passport videos on my smart TV?

The PBS App is currently available on Samsung Tizen (check here for the most up-to-date platform list), and all compatible Android smart TVs will have a Google Play Store app on their TV where they can download the PBS App for Android. 

A separate streaming device such as a Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire Stick is needed to watch Passport on smart TVs that do not use Android. You will also be able to access Passport shows if you have a Roku TV.

What if my question is not answered here?

You can explore more commonly asked questions and troubleshooting tips at help.pbs.org.

For phone support related to Passport or the PBS App, please contact us at 855-222-6135, M-F 10am-11pm EST.