PBS America has officially unveiled its new on-demand player, which is now available on Freeview Play.
First spotted testing in September, the PBS America on-demand service allows viewers to access the channel’s factual programmes on-demand through the main Freeview Play portal on channel 100. Box sets include the critically acclaimed factual series The Vietnam War.
It partially makes up for the limited hour service PBS America operates on Freeview: its linear channel on 84 runs parts time, between 13:00 and 00:00.
More Freeview viewers can now access PBS America content
Unlike the linear channel, PBS America on-demand is available wherever even just the basic Freeview channels are available. That means viewers receiving Freeview from a relay which doesn’t carry PBS America on channel 84 can now access content from the channel through Freeview Play’s portal on channel 100 instead.
How can I tell if my TV supports Freeview Play?
Most smart TVs and boxes from the last few years support Freeview Play. But not all Freeview TVs do Freeview Play.
To check, go to channel 100.
See a text based information service on a black background? Your device is not compatible with Freeview Play.
But devices that support Freeview Play will attempt to connect to the internet to load the Freeview Play portal when you select channel 100. If it’s the first time you’ve used the portal, it may start showing you a brief introductory video.
PBS America on-demand is currently exclusive to Freeview. The live linear channel remains available as usual on Sky, Freesat and Virgin Media. A selection of PBS America content is also available on Amazon Prime Channels. Viewers with a compatible Samsung Smart TV or smartphone can stream PBS America through TV Plus in the UK.
Other on-demand players available through Freeview Play include All4, BBC iPlayer, Legend and UKTV Play.
[Image: PBS America]
Article updated 16:31