Make your gift
Give $8 a month or $96 a year to East Tennessee PBS at our Passport sign-up page. Use an email address you check regularly.
Give & get Passport ↗YOUR FAVORITE PROGRAMS. YOUR LOCAL PBS.
More to love.
More to discover.
More PBS.
Stories that stay with you. Familiar favorites that feel like home. Passport brings you more of the PBS you love—and your gift keeps East Tennessee PBS here for our community.
$8/month or $96/year · A thank-you for your support
A little comfort. A lot of great storytelling.All Creatures Great and Small · MASTERPIECE
GREAT VIEWING. LOCAL IMPACT.
Your next favorite show.
Our way of saying thanks.
With a qualifying gift to East Tennessee PBS, Passport gives you extended, on-demand access to a rich library of PBS programs. Settle in for available seasons of a favorite drama, explore remarkable history, or follow your curiosity somewhere new.
Your donation also supports the work we do right here: local storytelling, educational resources, trusted information, and community connections. You give to East Tennessee PBS. Passport is one way we say thank you.
Extended on-demand accessNo cable subscription neededTV, computer, phone & tablet
MAKE TONIGHT A PBS NIGHT
So much worth watching.
HISTORY & DOCUMENTARY
The Ken Burns Collection
Extraordinary stories that help us understand America—and each other. Explore the films currently available with Passport.
Explore Ken Burns →
SCIENCE & DISCOVERY
NOVA
Big questions. Remarkable discoveries. Explore the world through an extensive selection of NOVA episodes.
Follow your curiosity →DRAMA & MYSTERY
MASTERPIECE
Compelling mysteries, unforgettable characters, and beloved dramas—including All Creatures Great and Small.
Find your next favorite →
NEWS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS · FREE TO STREAM
PBS News Hour
Stay informed with thoughtful reporting and context. Watch free in the same PBS app you use for Passport.
Watch PBS News Hour →Passport adds an extended library to the free PBS viewing experience. Titles, seasons, episodes, and early-access offers vary over time and by location. Not every PBS program or every episode is included; check each title’s current availability.
MADE HERE. ROOTED HERE.
National favorites.
Local treasures.
There’s a whole community of stories waiting for you. Discover the familiar faces, remarkable histories, student achievements, and performances that make East Tennessee PBS your local station. Your support helps make this work possible.
Health Matters
Join Dr. Jay Crook for conversations about health issues that matter to East Tennesseans.
Explore episodes →
Scholars’ Bowl
Cheer on local students as school teams put their knowledge to the test.
Explore episodes →
Fit & Fun with Missy Kane
Move more and feel better with fitness instruction and encouragement from Missy Kane.
Explore episodes →
Black in Appalachia
Explore the history, voices, and contributions of Black communities in the mountain South.
Explore episodes →
Live at Lucille’s
Settle in for great performances from the world of jazz.
Explore episodes →
Tennessee Life
Discover the people, places, history, arts, and traditions that make our region special.
Explore episodes →Check it out now.
Local favorites. National discoveries. See what’s available today at watch.easttennesseepbs.org.
Many local programs are free to stream. Some episodes may require Passport; availability varies by program and streaming rights.
FROM YOUR GIFT TO YOUR FIRST EPISODE
Let’s get you watching.
New to Passport? Follow these steps. Already activated? Sign in with your existing PBS account and start watching.
Look for your email
Watch for Passport activation instructions after your gift is processed. Check spam, junk, and promotions folders. Your email will include an activation link or four-word code.
Can’t find the email? ↗Activate & choose your account
Follow the link or enter your code at pbs.org/passport. Sign in to an existing PBS account, or create one. Confirm the account and accept the Passport terms.
Activate Passport ↗Sign in & enjoy
Open our video website or the PBS app. Choose East Tennessee PBS as your station and sign in with the very same account you used to activate Passport.
Start watching ↗YOUR SCREEN. YOUR SCHEDULE.
Watch where you feel at home.
Passport lives inside the PBS app and PBS websites. There’s no separate Passport app to download.
Make your TV a PBS TV.
- Open your device’s app store and search for PBS. Install the free PBS app.
- Open the app and follow the sign-in instructions. If a code or QR code appears, use a phone or computer to visit the address shown on your TV (often pbs.org/activate).
- Enter the TV’s code, then sign in with the same account you used to activate Passport. Follow the prompts to finish connecting your TV.
- Select East Tennessee PBS as your local station and look for Passport programs.
Common options include Roku, Fire TV/Fire Stick, Apple TV HD/4K, Android TV/Google TV, supported Samsung TVs (2017 and later), VIZIO SmartCast, and supported Comcast/Xfinity devices. Compatibility varies by model.
Can’t find the app? An external supported streaming device can be an option for a TV without a compatible PBS app.
Get the PBS app & device instructions ↗Take a little PBS with you.
- On an iPhone or iPad, open the App Store. On an Android phone or tablet, open Google Play.
- Search for PBS and install the free PBS app. You can also use the official download links below.
- Open the app, choose East Tennessee PBS as your station, and sign in with the account linked to your Passport benefit.
- Choose a show and an available episode. Tap play and enjoy.
Downloading the app is free. Streaming needs an internet connection; PBS does not offer offline episode downloads. Mobile-data charges may apply.
Open official PBS app download links ↗Open a browser. Find your next story.
- Visit watch.easttennesseepbs.org on your computer.
- Select Sign In and use the same account and sign-in method linked to Passport.
- Choose East Tennessee PBS as your local station if prompted.
- Browse shows or search for a favorite, then choose an available episode.
Use an up-to-date version of Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge. No app download is needed on your computer. You can also watch at PBS.org.
Explore everything available now ↗Device availability depends on model and software. Use the PBS app rather than a smart TV’s built-in web browser. Check PBS’s current supported-device list ↗
EAST TENNESSEE PBS, LIVE
Local television.
Without the antenna.
Watch the East Tennessee PBS live stream in a supported browser or select Live TV in the PBS app on a supported device. Choose East Tennessee PBS as your station and allow location access if asked.
The local live stream is free—Passport is not required. It’s available in our broadcast service area, with some programs subject to streaming restrictions. The live-stream schedule may differ from the broadcast schedule.
Watch East Tennessee PBS live ↗● LIVE & ON DEMANDTwo ways to watch.
Two ways to watch.
One place to find them.
- Live TV
- What’s playing now on our local stream. Free to watch in our service area.
- On demand + Passport
- Choose a program and press play on your schedule. Look for the Passport icon on member videos.
LET’S SORT IT OUT
A little help getting back to your show.
Choose what’s happening for a practical next step.
Let’s find your activation instructions.
- Check the email address you used for your donation, including spam, junk, and promotions folders.
- Use the Passport Member Lookup tool with your donation email to request your activation information. Your gift may still be processing.
- If the tool can’t find your benefit—or you need help after a business day—contact Gary. He can check the gift and email address on your station record.
Your gift and your sign-in may need connecting.
- Confirm you completed Passport activation, including accepting the terms. Creating a free PBS account alone doesn’t activate the benefit.
- Sign out, then sign in using the exact account and sign-in method you chose during activation. If your TV is using another account, sign out there and reconnect it.
- If your donation or benefit needs renewal, or you still see a donation request, Gary can check your record before you give again.
First, check which code you have.
- Your Passport benefit uses an activation link or four-word code. Enter that code at pbs.org/passport.
- A TV’s sign-in code connects that device to your PBS account. Use the web address displayed on the TV, often pbs.org/activate. These are two different steps.
- If your Passport code says it was already activated, try signing in with the account used before. For an expired TV code, get a fresh code from the TV. Still stuck? Ask Gary to help.
Get back into the account you already use.
- At the PBS sign-in screen, choose the password-reset option for a PBS email-and-password account.
- Check your inbox and spam folder for the reset message. If you originally signed in with Google, Apple, or Facebook, use that same provider and its account-recovery process.
- After resetting, use the same linked account on each device. Don’t create another account to work around a forgotten password.
Try a few quick playback checks.
- Close and reopen the PBS app or reload the browser page. Try a different episode to see whether the issue affects one video or everything.
- Check your internet connection. Restart the device and router, and update the PBS app or browser. If possible, test another device or network.
- For browser playback, try an up-to-date supported browser. If trouble continues, tell Gary the program, episode, device, and error message.
Let’s check the local-stream settings.
- Choose East Tennessee PBS as your station, and make sure you are within our broadcast service area. Allow location access when your browser or app asks.
- A VPN or a network that reports the wrong location can affect availability. Check your network settings; use PBS’s location-verification instructions if the app offers them.
- If Live TV is missing, check whether your device supports the live stream, or try a current browser on your computer. Contact Gary if your location is being misidentified.
Check the show’s current streaming library.
- Search the show title on our video website, then check available seasons and episodes. Broadcast and streaming rights can differ.
- Passport doesn’t include every PBS program or every season forever. Some titles have limited windows, regional restrictions, or separate release dates.
- If a video is marked for Passport but won’t play, confirm you’re signed in with your activated account. Gary can help you work out whether this is an account issue or availability.
GOOD QUESTIONS. CLEAR ANSWERS.
Passport, explained.
What is East Tennessee PBS Passport?
Passport is a thank-you benefit for qualifying East Tennessee PBS donors. It adds extended access to an on-demand library of PBS programs on PBS websites and the free PBS app. Your donation supports this local station and its service to the community.
What donation qualifies me for Passport?
Our current Passport offer is $8 per month or $96 per year. Start at easttennesseepbs.org/passport. Already giving? Contact Gary Ellis so he can check your eligibility and activation status before you make another gift.
Does Passport include every PBS show and every season?
No. It includes an extended selection of drama, documentary, history, science, arts, and other programming. Available titles and episodes change as streaming rights change. Look at the current Passport library before signing up for a particular show.
Can I watch PBS without donating?
Yes. Many programs are available free on PBS websites and the PBS app. East Tennessee PBS’s local live stream is also free in our service area. Passport extends access to additional on-demand programs; your donation helps keep public television available for our whole community.
Is there a separate Passport app?
No. Download the free PBS app. Passport programs, free programs, and supported local live streams are found within the PBS experience. Use the account linked to Passport to unlock eligible member videos.
Why do I have to activate after making my donation?
Your station donation record and your PBS viewing account need to be linked. Activation makes that connection. Follow the activation email, sign in or create a PBS account, confirm the account, and accept the Passport terms. Once activated, use that same sign-in everywhere.
Are Passport activation and TV activation the same thing?
They are different steps. Your Passport activation link or four-word code links the benefit to your account at pbs.org/passport. A code displayed on a TV signs that device into your account, usually at pbs.org/activate. Follow the address on your TV and use the account already linked to Passport.
Can I use Passport on more than one device?
Yes. Sign in on each supported device with the same account you used when activating Passport. You do not need another donation or a new Passport benefit for each device. Your home internet speed can affect simultaneous playback.
Is Passport the same as PBS MASTERPIECE on Amazon Prime Video?
No. PBS MASTERPIECE and PBS Documentaries channels on Amazon are separate subscriptions with their own catalogs and billing. An East Tennessee PBS Passport benefit is used through PBS websites and the PBS app; it does not unlock paid Amazon channels. On a Fire TV, install the PBS app and sign in there.
Can I download episodes to watch offline?
No. You can download the PBS app, but PBS does not currently offer downloads of episodes for offline viewing. Streaming requires an internet connection.
How do I watch East Tennessee PBS live?
Go to our live stream, or select Live TV on a supported PBS app device. Select East Tennessee PBS as your station and allow location access if asked. Local live streaming is limited to our service area. No Passport donation is required.
Can I watch while traveling?
On-demand Passport viewing is available in the United States and its territories, and Canada, subject to each program’s rights. Catalogs can differ. It is generally unavailable elsewhere. The East Tennessee PBS local live stream has separate service-area restrictions, even for donors.
Are PBS KIDS programs part of Passport?
PBS KIDS has its own free viewing options through the PBS KIDS website and PBS KIDS Video app. You do not need Passport for that free service. Visit PBS KIDS Video.
How do I turn on captions?
During playback, look for the CC or captions control in the video player or playback settings. The exact location depends on your device. Choose your preferred caption option where available.
How do I update my donation, renew, or cancel?
Contact Gary Ellis at gellis@easttennesseepbs.org or 865-595-0239 for help with your East Tennessee PBS donor record, recurring gift, or Passport benefit. Deleting the PBS app does not stop a recurring donation.
I already support another PBS station. Can Gary help?
Gary can help with East Tennessee PBS gifts and benefits. If your Passport benefit comes from another station, contact that station about its donation or activation record. You can still choose East Tennessee PBS to explore local programs.
No matching questions. Try another word, or contact Gary below.
REAL HELP. RIGHT HERE.
You have someone
to call.
Whether you’re signing up, switching TVs, or trying to get back into your account, we’ll help you find your next step.
YOUR EAST TENNESSEE PBS CONTACT
Gary Ellis
Membership Manager
gellis@easttennesseepbs.org865-595-0239Tell Gary the email associated with your gift, your device model, and the message you’re seeing. Please don’t email passwords or payment-card details.
Your favorite programs are calling.
Come for the stories. Stay connected to your community.
Support East Tennessee PBS & get Passport ↗About this guide & official resources
Instructions reviewed October 23, 2026. PBS interfaces and streaming rights can change.
PBS activation guide · PBS common questions · Passport availability · PBS North Carolina setup guide · South Florida PBS getting started · KPBS Passport FAQProgram imagery courtesy of official PBS program pages. All program names and images belong to their respective owners.