PBS Expands Reach with Amazon Prime Video Partnership
In a significant move to broaden its audience, PBS has announced a new partnership with Amazon Prime Video, making its programming more accessible to viewers across the United States. This collaboration will bring over 150 local PBS affiliate stations and the PBS KIDS Channel to Amazon’s streaming platform.
Traditionally, PBS content has been available through dedicated PBS apps. However, this new initiative marks a substantial expansion of PBS’s digital footprint. Amazon Prime Video users will now have access to ad-free FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) channels featuring PBS content, as well as live streams from local PBS affiliates in the “Watch for Free” section of the platform.
Ira Rubenstein, PBS’s Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. “Our goal is to make our trusted content available to all Americans through as many platforms as possible,” Rubenstein stated. He emphasized PBS’s commitment to expanding its platform availability, ensuring that high-quality educational and informative content reaches a wider audience.
This move comes at a time when Amazon is refining its streaming strategy. The company recently shut down Freevee, its ad-supported channel, which offered a mix of original content and licensed programming. The inclusion of PBS content, notably without third-party advertisements, represents a shift in Amazon’s approach to free streaming options.
The partnership not only enhances PBS’s digital presence but also aligns with Amazon’s evolving content strategy, potentially setting a new standard for ad-free public broadcasting in the streaming era.
