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.

PBS is transitioning the clear analog C-Band PBS National Satellite Service from Intelsat Americas 6 (IA-6) to SES Americom AMC-4. Starting April 1, 2006, the C-band feed will be available on AMC-4 (101 degrees West Longitude) Transponder 16-C (Horizontal Polarity). After May 31, 2006, the C-band feed will no longer be available on IA-6.

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.

Q. How can I support PBS?
A. Your support of your local PBS stations makes the PBS national satellite service and all the great PBS programming possible. Even if you do not receive local channels on your home satellite, PBS encourages you to support your local station. Please visit Support PBS for more information and instructions on how to give to your local station.

Q. Where can I get a program guide?
A. All program information is available on-line.
C-band Schedule
DirecTV/DishNetwork/Pegasus Schedule

Q. Why has my PBS schedule changed?
A. As DirecTV/Pegasus and DishNetwork launch more local markets, viewers are able to receive their local PBS station over satellite. These local stations differ from the generic national feed in many ways. First, prime time programs like NOVA and Masterpiece Theater are no longer delayed by 24 hours. Second, each local station designs a program schedule tailored to their community, featuring such additions as local productions, public affairs, and select non-commercial programs. We hope that you will support this transition because public television is, and will remain, a locally-based broadcasting service.
More information on DirecTV's Local Markets
More information on DISH Network's Local Markets

Q. I live full time in a recreational vehicle. How can I receive PBS?
A. Please follow the links below to information on receiving the national feed in your recreational vehicle.
DirecTV
DISH Network

Q. I have DirecTV or Dish Network. Why is some of our programming delayed 24 hours?
A. If you do not receive local channels, the PBS National Satellite Service on DirecTV and DISH Network delays most primetime programming 24 hours to encourage viewers to watch and support their local PBS station. Some timely PBS programming, including THE NEWSHOUR WITH JIM LEHRER, WASHINGTON WEEK, and WALL $TREET WEEK and others air on their same day and time. Check the online program guide for the complete schedule.

Q. I live outside North America. Can I watch PBS?
A. Unfortunately, PBS programming is not currently available outside of North America. The footprint of our domestic satellite does not reach outside of North America and cable providers are not licensed to carry the PBS signal outside of the continent.

Q. I live in Canada and have a small satellite dish. What station am I watching?
A. Canadian DBS providers do carry local public television stations from the U.S. For specific information about these channels being carried, please check with your DBS provider to find your station and from where it originates. You can then find information about that station and their program schedule using the PBS Station Finder. Just choose the station state instead of using the zip code function.