Can I unsubscribe from PBS anytime?

Yes, you can cancel your recurring donation to PBS anytime. You'll keep your Passport access until the end of your current billing period, whether that's monthly or yearly.

Can I get a refund from PBS if I forgot to cancel?

Almost never. Because PBS Passport is a benefit for a donation to a non-profit, refunds are not typically issued. Think of it as a donation that's already been made. Super annoying, but that's the policy.

How do I know my PBS subscription is cancelled?

You should receive a confirmation email from your local station or from the app store (Apple or Google) you used. You can also log back into your account and check the 'My Passport Membership' section to see if it's listed as inactive.

How long does it take for PBS to cancel?

The cancellation itself is instant, but your access continues until your paid-through date. For example, if you cancel on the 5th and your renewal date is the 25th, you can still watch everything until the 25th.

What else should I know before I cancel my PBS subscription?

Remember that you are canceling a donation to your local public television station. This is different from canceling Netflix. The process can sometimes be less straightforward because it's managed locally, not by a big national team.

How do I raise a complaint to PBS?

You need to contact your local member station directly. PBS national will just send you back to them. Find your station's contact information on their website using the PBS station finder tool.

How to Cancel Your PBS Subscription (2025)

How to Cancel PBS on iPhone (iOS)

If you subscribed to PBS through the App Store, your subscription is managed by Apple. You'll need to cancel it through your iPhone or iPad settings, not the PBS app itself.

1 Open the Settings App

Find and tap the gray gear icon on your iPhone's home screen to open Settings.

2 Tap Your Apple ID

Your name and profile picture are at the very top of the Settings menu. Tap on it to access your Apple ID, iCloud, and other media settings.

3 Select Subscriptions

On the Apple ID screen, tap on the Subscriptions option. This will show you all the active and expired subscriptions linked to your Apple account.

4 Find and Cancel PBS

Scroll through the list to find your PBS subscription. Tap on it, then select the Cancel Subscription button. You'll need to confirm your choice. Your access will continue until the end of the current billing period.

How to Cancel PBS on Android

Forgetting where you subscribed is common. If you used your Android device to sign up, your PBS subscription is managed through the Google Play Store.

1 Open the Google Play Store

Launch the Google Play Store app on your Android device. It's the primary hub for managing your app-based subscriptions.

2 Access Your Profile

Tap on your profile icon, which is usually located in the top-right corner of the screen.

3 Go to Payments & Subscriptions

From the menu that appears, select Payments & subscriptions. This is where Google keeps track of all your recurring charges.

4 Manage Your Subscriptions

Tap on Subscriptions to see a list of all your active services. Find PBS in the list and tap on it.

5 Cancel the Subscription

At the bottom of the screen, you'll see an option to Cancel subscription. Tap it and follow the on-screen prompts to confirm. It's pretty straightforward from there.

How to Cancel PBS on Desktop or Laptop

Canceling directly through the PBS website can be confusing because your 'subscription' is technically a recurring donation to your local station. Be prepared to navigate away from the main PBS site.

1 Go to the PBS Website

Open your web browser and navigate to the official PBS.org website. This is the most direct way if you signed up on your computer.

2 Sign In to Your Account

Click the Sign In button, usually at the top of the page, and enter your login credentials. If you signed in with Google or Facebook, use that option.

3 Navigate to Your Profile

Once logged in, click on your name or profile icon. A dropdown menu should appear. Look for an option like My Profile or Settings.

4 Find Your Membership Details

This is where it gets tricky. Your PBS Passport subscription is often tied to your donation to a local station. You may need to find a section called My Station or Membership. Sometimes you are redirected to your local station's website to manage the payment.

5 Cancel or Turn Off Auto-Renew

Look for a link that says Cancel Subscription, Update Payment, or Turn off auto-renew. Follow the instructions to terminate your recurring donation. Honestly, I had to click around a bit to find this the first time.

Having Trouble Cancelling Your PBS Subscription?

It happens. If the steps above aren't working, here are a few things to try:

Check Third-Party Billing: Did you sign up through Roku, Amazon Prime Video Channels, or another service? If so, you must cancel through that specific platform. PBS can't cancel it for you.
Use a Desktop Computer: Some subscription management portals just work better on a desktop browser than on a mobile device. Give it a try if the mobile app or site is failing.
Clear Your Browser Cache: Sometimes old data can cause login or page-loading issues. Clear your cache and cookies or try using an incognito/private browser window.
Contact Your Local Station: Since PBS Passport is tied to your local station, they are the ones who ultimately manage your payment. Find the contact information for your specific local station (e.g., WNET, WGBH) and reach out to their member services department directly. This is often the fastest way to resolve issues.

Subscription Plans and Pricing (2025)

Plan Name	Typical Price (USD)	Details
PBS Passport	$5 per month or $60 per year	This is a member benefit, not a typical subscription. Price is the minimum donation to your local station and may vary. Provides extended, on-demand access to a large library of PBS shows.

How Pine AI Can Help You Cancel Your PBS Subscription

Tired of navigating confusing websites just to cancel a subscription? Let Pine AI handle it. We securely access your account, process the cancellation, and send you a confirmation, so you don't have to. Save time and avoid unwanted charges with just a few clicks.

Frequently Asked Questions about PBS

Chloe Anne-Bennett

Streaming & Entertainment Editor

Chloe Anne-Bennett is the Streaming & Entertainment Editor at Pine AI. Chloe is a leading voice on the business of streaming, entertainment and the evolving landscape of digital media. Before contributing to Pine AI, Chloe was an entertainment correspondent for a major news outlet, where she reported on everything from box office trends to the impact of streaming services on traditional media. At Pine AI, Chloe leverages her deep industry knowledge to provide our readers with insightful analysis of the latest trends, helping them make sense of their subscriptions and where to hit the sweet spots in how to handle customer service reps.