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Frequently Asked Questions

If your question is not answered below, or you seek additional technical assistance, please check out the extended FAQs from PBS Support, submit an online support request or call PBS Support at (844) 704-5578 (Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.).

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Donations & Membership

What is a membership?

An Austin PBS membership supports trusted local journalism, educational resources for families, and arts programming for our community. Membership starts at $5/month or $60/year. https://donate.austinpbs.org/austinpbs/donate

Benefits include Austin PBS Passport, invitations to special events and screenings, and being the first to know about upcoming tapings. Explore more member benefits on our Austin PBS Membership page. https://austinpbs.org/membership

Donations to Austin PBS are tax-deductible; Austin PBS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. PBS Passport is a member benefit and not available for purchase, so there is no fair market value. If you chose a thank-you gift with your donation, only a portion of your donation is tax-deductible; please see your donation acknowledgement for details.

How do I get my donation summary for tax purposes?

If you made a one-time gift, the thank you letter or email that you received acts as your tax acknowledgement letter for that donation. Monthly or sustaining donations are added up at the end of the calendar year and are sent by January 31, per IRS guidelines.

Should you need a replacement for any reason, we will be happy to provide one. Please email membership@klru.org with your request. We appreciate your patience and understanding, as well as your support!

How can I cancel my sustaining membership?

Please email membership@klru.org or call 512-890-1020 with your name, email address, plus:

  • if pausing: for how long? (We can pause memberships for up to 3 months)
  • if canceling: reason for canceling.

How do I update my membership?

Members giving monthly can update:

Members renewing or rejoining:

Members who want to update their contact information can update:

What other gifts can I donate to Austin PBS?

Thank you for your interest! Austin PBS accepts a wide variety of donations, from vehicles to tablets, employer matching gifts to land, etc. See a full list of ways to support the station at https://austinpbs.org/ways-to-give

PBS Passport

What is Austin PBS Passport?

Austin PBS Passport is a member benefit provided in collaboration with PBS that gives eligible donors and supporters extended access to an on-demand library of quality public television programming online.

The Austin PBS Passport library grows every week as more series and episodes are added. Passport videos are designated by a blue “compass rose” icon. Notable titles include select MASTERPIECE series such as The Forsytes and The Count of Monte Cristo, along with other favorites such as NOVA, Nature, Call the Midwife, and many more.

Austin PBS Passport also includes popular local programs such as Austin City Limits, Central Texas Gardener, and Overheard with Evan Smith.

Is Austin PBS Passport available outside the U.S.?

All PBS streaming video, including Austin PBS Passport, is available only within the United States due to PBS streaming rights.

The PBS app is inaccessible using a VPN.

How can I view Austin PBS Passport content?

Austin PBS Passport can be accessed on desktop computers and laptops at video.austinpbs.org

For mobile devices or your Smart TV, please download the PBS App.

For a full list of supported devices, and for instructions on setting up the PBS app on your device, please visit help.pbs.org

How do I activate PBS Passport?

If you are donating online for the first time for PBS Passport you will receive a PBS Passport activation email within 2 business days at the email address you used for your donation.

Open the email and click on the first link and follow the steps to get your PBS Passport activated.

Did not receive the PBS Passport activation email? Check your spam or junk folder. Still have not received it? Email membership@klru.org

If you donated online to renew or rejoin, your access to PBS Passport will be reactivated within 2 business days.

Can I donate via check/DAF/IRA for PBS Passport?

Donating via check or DAF/IRA? Please include your email address on the check or paperwork so a PBS Passport activation email can be sent to you or so that we can credit your donor record and keep your PBS Passport active.

Why am I not able to access PBS Passport?

PBS Passport requires a minimum donation of $5 per month or $60 per year.

If you have made the minimum donation you can check your PBS Passport status in the Passport Member Lookup.

Did not receive an email or feel the Passport Member Lookup information is wrong? Contact membership@klru.org

Broadcast / Streaming / PBS App

How do I watch Austin PBS?

Many of our programs are available for free on various digital platforms including PBS.org, PBS mobile applications, and the PBS channels on Roku, AppleTV, and other streaming services. And of course, PBS and Austin PBS programs will continue to be broadcast to the public, for free, over the air.

All broadcast content will remain available to watch for free online and on mobile for at least two weeks after airing and, in some cases, longer. After which, these programs will become exclusively available through Austin PBS Passport.

What about PBS KIDS content?

While PBS KIDS shows are not available on Austin PBS Passport at this time, PBS may include KIDS programming in the future. Until then, you can watch and download the free PBS KIDS Video App.

What kind of content can I expect to find on Austin PBS Passport?

Availability of certain videos on the PBS.org player and the PBS app are always subject to change due to streaming rights. PBS.org and the PBS app continue to offer access to hundreds of hours of recently broadcast programming, as well as past episodes of popular series, and news, public affairs and independent film series such as Frontline, PBS Newshour, Independent Lens, and POV.

I have forgotten my password. What can I do?

If you do not remember your password, you can reset your password then follow the instructions on the screen. You’ll get an email with the subject “Reset Your PBS Password” with a link inside to create a new password. Clicking the link will take you to the screen where you’ll need to enter your new password twice, then hit "Reset".

I've updated my login information, but I keep getting redirected to my PBS profile page. How can I get out of this loop?

If you find yourself in a loop after updating log in information, logout and exit the browser completely. Then go back into our site and sign in.