Many PBS stations are now streaming a simulcast of their over-the-air programming online for free.
The service, available at PBS.org/livestream and the PBS Roku app, works without a login within each station’s market area. When visiting that URL, visitors see their local PBS stream if it’s available; otherwise, they are redirected to the site’s front page.
The dozens of stations now available include:
- Iowa PBS
- Lakeland PBS (north-central Minnesota)
- Milwaukee PBS
- NET Nebraska
- Pioneer PBS (southwestern Minnesota/eastern South Dakota)
- Prairie Public Broadcasting (North Dakota/northwestern Minnesota)
- South Dakota Public Broadcasting
- WQPT (Quad Cities)
The stations also feature their stream embedded on their own websites. A FAQ page on the PBS website says some programming on the streams may differ from the over-the-air broadcast.
Additionally, PBS Wisconsin streams three channels through its own website within state borders. That leaves only a handful of Upper Midwest PBS stations not yet freely available online.