PBS, established in 1969, brings us Masterpiece and Nova. Passport access usually starts at $5/month or $60/year. You can save up to $60 annually by cancelling. Visit PBS. Maybe you finished All Creatures Great and Small and want to cut costs. Pissed Consumer lists over 40 complaints in the last 3 years, frequently mentioning "incorrect billing amounts" and "poor customer service" regarding recurring donations. Users often struggle because these are charitable gifts to local stations, not standard subscriptions. If you are tired of "technical support" loops or price hikes, here is how to cancel on iOS, Android, and desktop.
How to Cancel PBS on iPhone (iOS)
If you subscribed to PBS directly through the Apple App Store, you must handle it here. Deleting the app does nothing.
1 Open Settings
Tap the Settings app on your iPhone home screen. It is the grey gear icon.
2 Tap Your Name
Click on your Apple ID name at the very top of the Settings menu.
3 Select Subscriptions
Tap on Subscriptions. If you do not see it, look under 'Media & Purchases'.
4 Find PBS
Scroll through the list to find PBS or PBS Passport. Tap it.
5 Cancel Subscription
Tap Cancel Subscription. You might need to confirm your decision. If you only see 'Renew', it is already cancelled.
How to Cancel PBS on Android
For users who signed up via the Google Play billing system, this is the only way to stop the charges.
1 Open Google Play Store
Launch the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
2 Tap Profile Icon
Tap your profile picture in the top right corner.
3 Go to Payments & Subscriptions
Select Payments & subscriptions from the menu list.
4 Select Subscriptions
Tap on Subscriptions to view your active plans.
5 Cancel PBS
Find PBS in the list, tap it, and select Cancel subscription. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm.
How to Cancel PBS on Desktop (Local Station)
This is the most confusing method because PBS is technically a donation. You are often cancelling a 'sustaining membership' rather than a simple subscription.
1 Identify Your Station
PBS Passport is a benefit of donating to a specific local station (like WGBH, KQED, or KERA). You must cancel with them directly.
2 Visit Station Website
Go to your local station's website. Look for a Member Portal or My Account link.
3 Manage Recurring Donation
Log in and look for 'Recurring Gifts' or 'Sustaining Membership'. Select the option to Stop Payment or Cancel Pledge.
4 Email Member Services
If there is no button (common with older systems), find the Contact Us page. Send an email stating: 'Please cancel my recurring monthly donation for PBS Passport immediately.'
Before You Cancel PBS: What You Should Know
Will I get a refund?
Generally, no. Since PBS payments are classified as charitable donations to local stations, they are rarely refunded. You can try asking, but do not count on it.
When does access stop?
If you cancel a recurring donation, your access to Passport content usually continues until your current billing month expires. However, some stations might cut access immediately since it is a donor benefit.
Tax Deductions
Remember that your payments were likely tax-deductible. Once you cancel, you lose that small write-off for future payments.
Having Trouble Cancelling Your PBS Subscription?
Check Amazon Prime Video
Did you sign up for the PBS Masterpiece channel on Amazon Prime? That is different from PBS Passport. You must go to Amazon > Accounts & Lists > Memberships & Subscriptions to cancel that specific channel.
Call Your Station
If the website is broken or confusing, call your local station's membership department during business hours. They can manually stop the recurring charge on their end.
Check Your Bank Statement
Look at the charge description. If it says "Google PBS" or "Apple PBS," use your phone settings. If it lists a station call sign (e.g., "WNET DONATION"), you must contact that station directly.
Subscription Plans and Pricing (2025)
| Plan Type | Price (Approx.) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Sustainer | $5.00 / mo | Standard entry-level donation for Passport access. |
| Annual Membership | $60.00 / yr | One-time yearly payment. Grants 12 months of access. |
| Amazon Masterpiece | $5.99 / mo | Prime Video add-on. Limited to Masterpiece content only. |
| PBS Documentaries | $3.99 / mo | Prime Video add-on. Documentaries only. |
How Pine AI Can Help You Cancel Your PBS Subscription
Cancelling PBS is surprisingly complex because it is often tied to a local station donation rather than a central switch. With streaming costs rising in 2025, ensuring that recurring donation actually stops is critical.
Step 1: Let's get started to cancel PBS Simply tell us you want to cancel your PBS subscription. We will ask if it is a direct station donation, an Amazon channel, or an app store subscription to route it correctly.
Step 2: Pine gets to work We navigate the confusing local station portals, wait on hold with membership services, or handle the awkward emails to ensure the recurring payment is actually severed. We don't just suggest it; we finish it.
Step 3: You're free from PBS The payments stop and you get your time back. No "retention offers," no run-around, just a confirmed "one-and-done" result.
Frequently Asked Questions about PBS
Can I unsubscribe from PBS anytime?
Can I get a refund from PBS if I forgot to cancel?
How do I know my PBS subscription is cancelled?
How long does it take for PBS to cancel?
What else should I know before I cancel my PBS subscription?
How do I raise a complaint to PBS?
How does Pine AI work with PBS to cancel my subscription?
