| Answers to FAQs
Q. How do I e-mail, call or write my local PBS member station?
A. You can look up contact information for your local station using our Station Finder.
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Q. When will you rebroadcast a particular program?
Q. Can you show my favorite program at a different time?
Q. You moved my favorite program! Why?
A. Each of our PBS member stations independently selects and schedules their programming. Please contact your local station directly for information about their broadcast schedule, including rebroadcast times and schedule change requests.
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Q. Why don't you show my favorite old PBS program anymore?
A.
PBS generally holds the rights to its programming for three years following the original broadcast. After the PBS term of broadcast expires, the program rights revert to the producers and PBS is therefore no longer able to distribute these expired programs to our member stations. If you have a specific interest in certain programs, please send your feedback to your local station so they can consider your interests in their programming plan and requests to PBS.
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Q. How can I send mail to PBS?
A.
We are interested in your comments and suggestions. Please be aware that due to security concerns, all mail is screened and there is generally a delay in the receipt of letters or packages. If possible, postcard or email correspondence is requested. You can send mail to PBS Headquarters at the following address:
Public Broadcasting Service
2100 Crystal Drive
Arlington, VA 22202
You can e-mail us at PBS Viewer Services.
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Q. How can I support PBS?
A. We encourage you to support your local PBS member stations. By contributing at the local level, you support your station's ability to purchase the programs you enjoy, as well as to produce local programming and to serve as a vital educational and cultural resource within your community. Many stations offer their members a program guide, highlighting the air dates and times of shows you won't want to miss. For more information, please visit our Become A Member area or visit your member station Web site.
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Q. How can I submit a program to PBS?
A. Please visit our Producing for PBS web page for information about the program proposal process.
You may also wish to contact the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a private, non-profit corporation located at 901 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004, 202/879-9600 or via the Internet at www.cpb.org. CPB funds television and radio programs produced by public broadcasters and independent producers.
Since PBS is not a production entity, we cannot assist in producing programs. You may wish to contact your local station for information on its production resources.
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Q. Can I get information from PBS for a school report?
A. General information about PBS is available online at About
PBS. Queries regarding specific PBS programs can be answered by visiting
program-related sites on pbs.org or
by e-mailing PBS Viewer Services. For help on research topics, we invite you to search pbs.org.
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Q. How do I find out about jobs at PBS and member stations?
A.
Job opportunities at PBS are listed online at PBS Job Openings. You can apply for open positions directly from this link. You can also write to us at PBS, 2100 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202, Attn: HR/Recruiting. You can also try contacting the CPB Jobline or your nearest station if you are interested in local positions.
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Q. Where can I find information about the business and financial workings of PBS?
A.
To read about PBS' broadcast philosophy and corporate information, go to PBS Corporate Facts.
If it's financial information you're looking for, try reading the PBS
Annual Report.
Further information is available by visiting our About PBS page.
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Q. How do I sign up for PBS Previews or the PBS Teachers newsletter?
A. pbs.org offers two weekly electronic newsletters designed to keep you informed. PBS Previews offers the latest information about new pbs.org Web sites and upcoming primetime public television programs, delivered weekly right to your e-mail address. The PBS Teachers newsletter is designed specifically for educators, and includes information about PBS programs with extended classroom recording rights, teaching and learning resources from pbs.org and local station sites.
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Q. Can I put a link on my Web site to pbs.org?
A.
Yes. Please refer to it as "pbs.org". Remember, you cannot sell or reproduce
pbs.org content on your site.
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Q. Why can't I find the Web site for a certain PBS program?
A.
Please check the Programs A-Z listing for a comprehensive list of all sites on pbs.org. There are several reasons a particular program may not have a Web site on pbs.org:
- The program is not a PBS program, but was purchased by your local station from an independent distributor
- The producers of the program have chosen not to have a Web site for various possible reasons
- A Web site for the program may exist, but is not part of pbs.org
If you cannot find your favorite program on pbs.org, please check your local station's Web site via our Station Finder, or use an Internet search engine (Google,Yahoo, Excite, etc.).
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Q. I want to use a print-out from a PBS Web site for an activity. Can I do that?
A.
PBS permits the use of hardcopies from portions of its Web site for non-profit, educational*, and/or personal activities. Please note the name of the PBS site, the URL (web address), and a copyright notice if available on any document of pbs.org content photocopied for distribution.
* e.g., a teacher or instructor offering a course at a university/college, within a school system, or at an adult education/lifelong learning facility, with no fee charged for the material.
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Q. I want to use pbs.org content (images, text, etc. from the Web site). Can I do that?
A. It depends on what you want to use and for what purpose. For using images, text, or other content from a PBS Program Web site for online or print publication, please send your request to the producers of that Web site, as they have the authority to grant permission or can direct you to their original source. You can find PBS program producer contact information on the program site itself or on our Program Contacts page or by emailing pbs.org. Be sure to include the exact address of the web page on which the content you want is located. For using images, text, or other content from other areas of pbs.org that are not part of program Web sites, e-mail pbs.org directly.
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Q. Can I purchase downloads of PBS programs or watch PBS programs online as streaming video?
A. Episodes of some PBS programs are available for free as streaming videos. These include, FRONTLINE (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/view/), NEWSHOUR (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/video/), NOVA (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/programs.html) and NERD TV (www.pbs.org/nerdtv)
Episodes of ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, NOVA, NOW, SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN FRONTIERS, ARTHUR, CYBERCHASE and FETCH! are available for sale through iTunes (www.itunes.com), Google Video (www.video.google.com/pbs.html), and Open Media Network (www.omn.org).
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Q. How do I order a video of my favorite PBS show?
A. A complete listing of videos currently offered through PBS is available online at Shop PBS. You can order programs from this site or by calling Shop PBS at 800/531-4PBS. For information on videos for continuing series such as NATURE, MYSTERY! or FRONTLINE, please visit the specific program's Web site for availability and ordering information.
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Q. How do I request a copy of the PBS Catalog?
A.
You can request a copy of the PBS Catalog by visiting the Shop PBS Web site and filling out the Catalog Request form.
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Q.
How can I receive PBS on my home satellite dish?
A. C-Band dish owners can access a clear analog feed of the PBS Satellite Service on SES Americom Satellite AMC 4, Transponder 16-C, horizontal polarity. AMC 4 is located at 101 degrees West longitude. Please note that the C-Band Clear Feed from PBS on Intelsat Satellite 1A (Transponder C-8) was terminated on May 31, 2006.
DirecTV, Pegasus, and Dish Network (EchoStar) viewers also receive PBS, either as part of a local channels package, or through the PBS National Feed for those who are as yet unable to receive local stations. Contact your service provider for more information about how to receive PBS in your viewing area.
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Q. How do I get a program schedule for the PBS Satellite Service?
A. Program schedules are available online for C-band and DishNetwork and DirecTV. If you receive local channels over your DishNetwork or DirecTV satellite, please head to our local channels pages to find schedule information for your local PBS station.
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Q. Does PBS have any affiliation with programs produced by Vision Media Television?
Q. I've been contacted by a TV producer who claims that he will feature my company in a national public television program in exchange for a fee. Is PBS aware of this?
A. A number of businesses have contacted PBS to ask us about our relationship with the producers of various television programs carrying titles such as Learning About, and The National Report Series. According to representatives of these businesses, the producers have offered to feature the representatives' businesses in a television program and indicated that the program will be made available on national public television. Based upon representations made to them by the producers, the businesses were led to believe that the producers were associated with PBS and that PBS intended to distribute or otherwise endorsed their programming.
PBS wishes to clarify that it is not associated with and does not endorse, distribute programming for, review underwriting for or otherwise have any business relationship with the following production companies: Vision Media Television, Paradigm Media Group, PMG, PMGTV, Infinity Media Group, Roadshow Productions, Family Television Studios, United Media Communications Group, American Review TV, Business Break TV, Event Media TV, or Global Television Studios. PBS does not oversee the production or distribution of any programs associated with any of these companies.
If you are solicited by a production company that claims or implies an association with PBS, please notify PBS.
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Q. A narrator is describing everything that happens on the programs. How do I make it stop?
A. It sounds as though you're hearing the Descriptive Video Service (DVS) option made available to audiences who are blind or visually impaired. You can turn this feature off and on fairly easily.
Most newer-model TVs with stereophonic sound systems are able to receive a Second Audio Program (SAP) which provides enriched verbal descriptions of what is heard and seen on a TV's primary audio and video channels. Most TVs and VCRs require you to select the SAP channel in order to receive and record DVS. The selector is usually labeled SAP, MTS, Audio 2, or Audio B on your TV panel, remote-control device, or on-screen menu. Un-selecting the SAP channel should eliminate the DVS option.
If you're not able to un-select the SAP channel, review your TV manual or contact a TV vendor who can guide you through the process. Like closed captioning, DVS was also pioneered by PBS to ensure the widest possible audience is served.
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Q. How can I contact Ken Burns?
A.
Ken Burns, producer of such PBS classics as "The Civil War", "Baseball", and "Lewis and Clark", can be reached at:
Florentine Films
P.O. Box 613
Walpole, NH 03608
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Q. How can I contact Bill Moyers?
A.
Mail for Bill Moyers can be sent to:
Public Affairs Television
450 West 33rd Street
6th Floor
New York, NY 10001
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Q. I have comments about a particular show. How do I let them know?
A. You can find addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses for most PBS programs on our web site by visiting our Program Contacts page.
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Questions about PBS or programs viewed on PBS
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