ARLINGTON VA and EL SEGUNDO, CA (Feb. 16, 2022) – DIRECTV STREAM, an industry leader in live local news, entertainment and regional sports, has completed its national rollout of local PBS member stations in three months – nearly nine months ahead of its original schedule. 

DIRECTV STREAM started launching local PBS stations in mid-November, and since that time, has added nearly 250 local PBS stations in 198 Nielsen DMAs that reach 99 percent of all U.S. TV homes. PBS on DIRECTV STREAM provides each of the PBS member stations’ full broadcast channels streamed live, as well as the PBS video-on-demand library at no additional cost to complement its live broadcasts. 

With this robust station lineup now intact from coast-to-coast, DIRECTV today announced that it is also one of the premiere sponsors for two important upcoming PBS documentaries – BECOMING FREDERICK DOUGLASS and HARRIET TUBMAN: VISIONS OF FREEDOM – that shed new light on the lives of a pair of towering figures in the struggle to end slavery. Created by award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson, these two films are produced by Maryland Public Television (MPT) in association with Firelight Films and further PBS’s and DIRECTV’s shared focus on delivering trusted, informational media content, available to viewers anytime and anywhere. 

As part of this collaboration, screenings of each film will take place in locations across the United States later this summer – sponsored by DIRECTV – prior to the premieres of the films nationwide on PBS member stations this fall. As an additional component of the DIRECTV sponsorship, MPT will make educational materials available online to students in grades K-12.

“The rapid adoption of PBS on DIRECTV STREAM ensures that we’re delivering some of the best programming to customers across the nation,” said Rob Thun, Chief Content Officer, DIRECTV. “Additionally, we’re honored to work hand-in-hand with PBS to amplify diverse voices and creators to help keep our nation’s history alive.”

“PBS’ partnership with DIRECTV STREAM allows our award-winning, educational content to reach more viewers across the country,” said Ira Rubenstein, PBS Chief Digital & Marketing Officer. “PBS and its member stations offer more diverse and localized programming than any other broadcast network, and we are pleased to continue to share this content across a wide array of digital platforms.”

The availability of PBS across both DIRECTV and DIRECTV STREAM continues to expand the digital presence of PBS and boasts award-winning content from locally produced shows and PBS award-winning staples like MASTERPIECE, ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, FRONTLINE, PBS NEWSHOUR and more. National service PBS KIDS recently joined both the DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV lineups, helping to prepare young children for success in school and life.

Unlike other major national broadcast networks, PBS boasts multiple local station affiliates in several cities, and DIRECTV STREAM has launched at least three different PBS stations into nine Nielsen DMAs and two local PBS stations into another 33 media markets. DIRECTV STREAM customers living in cities including New York (3), Los Angeles (3), Chicago (2), Philadelphia (3), San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose (2), Washington (3), Boston (2), Atlanta (2), Seattle-Tacoma (2), Minneapolis-St. Paul (3), Miami-Fort Lauderdale (2), Denver (2), Cleveland (2), Charlotte (3), Indianapolis (2), Nashville (2), Columbus OH (2), Cincinnati (3), and Greenville-Spartanburg SC-Asheville NC (2), among many others, will receive multiple local PBS affiliates. [Complete list below].

With the addition of these PBS affiliates, DIRECTV STREAM offers more than 1,000 local ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and PBS stations, as well as 30+ regional sports networks from AT&T SportsNet, Bally Sports, NBC Sports, Spectrum SportsNet and top independents Altitude Sports, MSG Networks, MASN, NESN and YES Network. The unique combination enables users to watch their favorite entertainment, information and local sports teams all in one destination.

DIRECTV STREAM customers can access the service via their own compatible devices or an exclusive DIRECTV STREAM device featuring a voice-activated remote, preloaded apps like HBO Max, Netflix, YouTube, Spotify and Pandora, and access to thousands of others. DIRECTV STREAM combines the best of live TV and On-Demand with more than 65,000 shows and movies available for streaming via phone, tablet or TV, anytime and anywhere. DIRECTV STREAM works over a high-speed internet connection, and it only takes a few minutes for customers to set up the device and begin streaming their content.

About DIRECTV: 

Since its launch in 1994, DIRECTV has continually evolved its product, best-in-class content, service and user experience to provide customers with an industry-leading video offering. DIRECTV offers the industry’s best picture format and exciting content in 4K HDR. It is the undisputed leader in sports, bringing NFL Sunday Ticket customers every live out-of-market NFL game, every Sunday during the NFL season. DIRECTV also gives customers the choice of watching movies and TV shows from virtually anywhere – on their TVs at home or their favorite mobile devices via the DIRECTV app. DIRECTV STREAM, the streaming video service, is designed for the household that wants the best of live TV and on-demand, compelling live TV packages, sports and, when using a DIRECTV STREAM device, access to more than 7,000 apps on Google Play. 

DIRECTV products and services are provided or offered by DIRECTV, LLC., its subsidiaries and affiliates under the DIRECTV brand. DIRECTV, the DIRECTV logo and other markets are trademarks and service marks of DIRECTV or its affiliated companies. Google and Google Play are trademarks of Google LLC. 

About PBS: 

PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 120 million people through television and 26 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirm that PBS’ premier children’s media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV – including a 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot- org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Communications on Twitter. 

CONTACTS: 

PBS, PR@PBS.org
Tom Tyrer, DIRECTV STREAM, 310-874-0441, ttyrer@directv.com

Local PBS Stations Now Available on DIRECTV STREAM 

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