PBS

PBS is home to long-running flagship programs like "Masterpiece," "Nova," "Frontline," "Antiques Roadshow," and "PBS NewsHour." Children's programming includes "Arthur" and "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood," though "Sesame Street" moved to HBO Max in 2015 before later shifting to other streaming platforms. The network also produces acclaimed documentaries through series like "American Experience" and "Independent Lens."

PBS is funded through a combination of federal appropriations via the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), private foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual viewer contributions known as "Viewers Like You." Local member stations also rely on pledge drives and state-level funding. PBS is not a network in the traditional sense—it's a distribution service for over 330 independent member stations that produce and select their own programming.

Yes, PBS offers free streaming of many current and past programs through the PBS app and PBS.org. A premium tier called PBS Passport provides access to an expanded library of thousands of episodes, including full seasons of "Masterpiece" and "Nova," and is available to active donors of local member stations.

PBS operates through over 330 independently operated member stations, each of which selects and schedules its own programming from the national PBS feed. This means a viewer in Boston (WGBH) may see different shows or air times than someone in Los Angeles (KCET or KOCE). Member stations also produce their own local content, such as WNET in New York and KQED in San Francisco.