Cookie Policy
Last revised August 19, 2025
This Cookie Policy explains how the Public Broadcasting Service (“PBS,” “we,” “us”) use cookies and similar tracking methods (such as pixels, SDKs, JavaScript, local storage, device identifiers, etc.), when users like you visit our site, pbs.org, and any other websites, applications or online services that PBS both operates and links to this Cookie Policy (collectively, the “Services”). The cookies and similar trackers discussed in Section 1 will be collectively referred to as “cookies” throughout this Cookie Policy unless we explicitly say otherwise.
Where we use cookies to collect information that is personally identifiable, or that can become personally identifiable if we combine it with other information, our Privacy Policy will apply in addition to this Cookie Policy.
1. What are Cookies and Similar Trackers?
A. Cookies
Cookies are small files of letters and/or characters, which may include a unique identifier, stored on your own web browser or device that enables the cookie owner to recognize the device when it visits websites or uses online services. The browser you are on uses the cookies to forward information back to the website at each subsequent visit for the website to recognize the user, assign a unique account ID number, and to remember the user’s choices (for example, login information, language preferences, and other settings). This can make your next visit easier and the site more useful to you.
Cookies can be "first-party" or "third-party" depending on the domain that sets them:
a. First-party cookies are cookies set by PBS (or on our behalf) on our Services and are used by us in accordance with this Cookie Policy and our Privacy Policy.
b. Third-party cookies are cookies set up by other companies and websites whose functionality is embedded into our Services. The information is collected and used in accordance with the third party’s policies.
The amount of time these cookies are stored depend on whether they are classified as “session” or “persistent” cookies:
a. Session cookies are temporary cookies stored on your device or browser while you visit our site and expire and are deleted when you close your browser. They allow our website to link your actions during a browser session. We may use these for a variety of purposes such as remembering what you clicked on, or the previous page you visited.
b. Persistent cookies are stored on your device or browser for a period of time after you leave our Services. Persistent cookies expire on a set expiration date, or until you manually delete them. Persistent cookies may be used for a variety of purposes, including remembering users' preferences and choices when using a site or to target sponsorship and marketing messages.
B. Pixels
Pixels (also known as “web beacons,” “clear GIFs” or “web pixels”) are small one-pixel transparent images located on web pages, emails, etc. In contrast to cookies, which are stored on a user's device or browser, pixels are rendered invisibly on web pages when you open a page. Pixels can be used to recognize certain information on your device or the time and date you visit a web page. They may also be used to aid interactions with social media or other third-party sites. Pixels often rely on cookies to work, so turning off cookies can impair them. But even if you turn off cookies, pixels can still detect a web page visit.
C. Software Development Kits (SDKs)
SDKs are pieces of code provided by our digital vendors (e.g., third-party advertising companies, ad networks and analytics providers) in our mobile apps to collect and analyze certain device and user data.
D. JavaScript
JavaScript is a programming language. It can be used to write trackers that, when embedded into a webpage, allow us to measure how you interact with our site and other sites.
E. Device Identifiers
Device identifiers are unique user-resettable identifiers comprised of numbers and letters that are stored directly on your device. They are used to recognize you and/or your device(s) and across different apps and devices for marketing and advertising purposes.
F. ID Synching
In order to decide what type of sponsorship messaging or marketing might interest you, our vendors sometimes link data — inferred from your browsing of other sites or collected from other sources — using a method known as “ID synching” or “cookie synching.” To do this, they match the tracker ID they have assigned to you with one or more tracker IDs that are held in another company’s database and that are likely also associated with you. Any of the linked trackers may have certain interests and other demographic information attributed to it. That information is then used to determine which ad to show you.
F. Local Storage (Web Storage API)
Local Storage is a browser-based technology that allows a website to save information directly on your device. Unlike cookies, this data is not automatically sent to the server with every HTTP request and can only be accessed by the specific website (domain) that created it.
We use Local Storage to remember your preferences (such as language or display settings), keep you signed in between visits, and improve performance by storing certain data locally rather than reloading it every time.
2. Types of Cookies We Use
A. Essential Cookies
These cookies are necessary for you to use the Services, including enabling you to move around our site and to use the features. For example, these cookies allow you to securely log into your PBS account, sync the Services to your local Member Station, and remember your consent management choices (meaning, what cookies you opted into). These cookies are always on.
B. Performance Cookies
These necessary cookies allow PBS and or our third-party analytics providers to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our Services. These cookies generate aggregate data that is not associated with an individualized user and may enable the disclosure of that information to our analytics partners. These cookies are always on.
C. Functional Cookies
These cookies enable helpful but non-essential functions to give you an improved personalized experience, including by customizing the content you see on the Services to make it more relevant to you and your interests. For example, these cookies allow us to remember your preferences, like your language settings, without you having to re-enter them every time you visit our Services. These cookies may enable individual user identification across websites and over time. These cookies are not set without your consent.
D. Marketing and Targeting Cookies
These cookies are used so that we and our third-party sponsors and marketing partners can deliver sponsorship credits and targeted messages to you — both on and off our Services — that are based on your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see certain messages and to help measure the effectiveness of different campaigns. Marketing and targeting cookies allow PBS and third parties to know that you have visited our Services and this information is shared with other organizations (such as our Member Stations). These cookies are not set without your consent.
3. How can you control the use of cookies?
A. PBS Services (Including Our Website)
Depending on where you access the Services, you may be presented with a cookie banner or other tool to provide permissions to set Functional cookies and Targeting and Marketing cookies. In this case, we only set these Functional cookies and Targeting and Marketing cookies with your consent. You can also manage your cookie settings at any time, including accepting or rejecting the Functional cookies and Targeting and Marketing cookies, by clicking the “Cookie Settings” link in the bottom banner of our site.
B. Browsers
Most browsers let you remove or reject cookies, including cookies used for interest-based sponsorship and marketing messages. To do this, follow the instructions in your browser settings. Many browsers accept cookies by default until you change your settings. Opt-out instructions for a selection of popular browsers can be found in the links below:
a. Safari desktop + Safari Mobile (iPhones and iPads): Note that, by default, Safari is engineered to protect you from being tracked from site to site unless you disable Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP).
b. Firefox: By default, Firefox protects you from cross-site tracking so long as you have not disabled Total Cookie Protection.
c. Microsoft Edge: Enabling tracking prevention with Edge will protect you from being tracked between sites, such that there will be less of a need to manage your cookies in order to protect your privacy.
d. Chrome
For more information about how to change your browser cookie settings, please refer to this “All About Cookies” guide or your specific browser’s instructions. For more information about trackers, including information about how to manage and delete trackers, please visit the ICO’s website.
C. Google Analytics
To opt out of Google Analytics data collection, follow these Google instructions.
D. Mobile Targeting IDs
To limit the use of any Mobile Targeting IDs associated with your mobile device, follow Google Android instructions and Apple iOS instructions.
E. Platform Opt-Outs
Some of our sponsors or marketing partners offer opt-out features that let you opt out of your information for interest-based messaging including:
a. Google
b. Facebook
c. Pinterest
F. Industry Opt-Out Tools
The third-party advertisers and other vendors with which we work may be members of industry groups that can provide additional options to limit use of your information for personalized or “interest-based” and “cross-contextual” online marketing messages and advertisements:
a. Network Advertising Initiative (NAI): visit NAI consumer opt-out
b. Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA): visit AboutAds.info (laptop) or AppChoices (mobile)
c. Self-Regulatory Program for Online Behavioural Advertising and/or the European Digital Advertising Alliance (eDAA): visit the European Digital Advertising Alliance (laptop) or NAI Mobile Choices (mobile)
4. Cookie Policy Changes
We may change this Cookie Policy at any time. Check the “last revised” date at the top of this page to see when this Cookie Policy was last revised. Any change becomes effective when we post the revised Cookie Policy on or through our site.
5. Contact Info
If you have any questions regarding this Cookie Policy, please contact us at audienceservices@pbs.org.