Hi, I’m Steve Collins. I have a long flight or a road trip coming up, and I'd love to save PBS videos for later watching.
That's where things get confusing. "I've donated, I have my passport, so why can't I download this episode?" is something I've thought myself. I've seen this anger expressed in a huge number of online communities and groups, where people are frantically trying to save a much-loved show before it is taken down.
It's not as easy as it looks to watch PBS shows when you're not online. There are official rules, one big exception to those rules, and a number of unofficial ways to do things that run from being very complicated to being very easy.
My goal with this guide is to cut through all that confusion. We'll start by looking at what PBS officially allows, and then we'll walk through every viable method, step-by-step, so you can choose the one that’s right for you.
What is PBS?
PBS has a variety of genres like local, arts and music, culture, drama, food, and history – all without needing an account. The downside? You can't directly download PBS videos from its official site for offline watching.
No worries! This article shows you 3 verified methods to download PBS video. If you want to enjoy PBS offline, just follow our guide. Let's get started on making PBS videos available whenever you want them.
If you're also curious about other streaming services, continue to read how to download Udemy courses for offline viewing, and download Gaia videos on computers.
The Big Exception: The PBS KIDS Video App
Here is the one, very important exception to the rule. Understanding the needs of parents and caregivers, PBS has built a download feature directly into its separate PBS KIDS Video app. This is a lifesaver for anyone needing to keep children entertained on the go without relying on a cellular connection.
The feature is straightforward but comes with some specific limitations you should be aware of:
How it Works
Within the app, you can browse for eligible shows and tap a download icon to save full episodes and shorter clips directly to your device for offline viewing.
Device Compatibility
This feature is available for Apple iPhones and iPads (iOS 11+), Android phones and tablets (Android 5.0+), and Amazon Fire tablets.
Content Limitations
Only select shows are available for download. While the list includes popular titles like Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Wild Kratts, Alma's Way, and Donkey Hodie, not every show in the PBS KIDS library is included.
Technical Constraints
This is a crucial point for many. Downloaded videos are restricted to 480p standard-definition (SD) quality. Furthermore, there is a 5 GB storage limit for all downloaded content, which translates to roughly 27-33 full episodes.
Expiration Dates
Your access to downloaded content is temporary. Full episodes typically expire and are removed from your device after 14 days, while shorter clips last for 90 days.
For parents, this is often good enough. But for anyone wanting to save general audience programming or archive shows in high definition, this official solution won't work.
How to Download PBS Video for Offline Viewing?
In this part, we'll show you different ways to download PBS videos. You can use an offline PBS downloader, an online PBS downloader, or a browser extension. Read on to find out the step-by-step instructions for downloading PBS videos using these methods.
[Method 1] Use a Professional PBS Downloader - KeepStreams
KeepStreams is an all-in-one downloader that effortlessly downloads videos from over 3,000 websites, including sites like PBS, Channel 4, DPLA, etc. With stable and consistent support for more than 40 major streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video, and others, its success rate remains an outstanding 98.97%.
What's more, KeepStreams can automatically transfer the PBS downloads into compatible MP4/MKV format, so that you can watch them offline on any device you like. A new user can enjoy the free trial to download 3 full high-quality videos, before making any purchase.
If you're a computer novice, you don't need to worry about the usage of KeepStreams. Thanks to the intuitive and user-friendly UI, KeepStreams is the best tool for you when you totally have no clue about how to download video from PBS.
So how to download video from PBS with KeepStreams? In fact, you only need to follow these simple steps below:
- Download and install KeepStreams on your computer.
- Launch KeepStreams and enter pbs.org into the top search bar, in order to get access to it with the built-in browser.
- Sign into your PBS account and browse for your desired PBS video.
- Play the video, and a download window will appear, allowing you to customize the download settings.
- Click on the Download Now button to download the PBS videos immediately or add the video to the download queue for later.
Now, you've successfully downloaded PBS videos on your Windows PC or Mac. You can feel free to enjoy when offline anytime you want. KeepStreams also allows you to download M3U8 format videos.
[Method 2] Use an Online PBS Downloader - Youtube4KDownloader
When I search for "how to download a PBS video" on Google, it always pops up many online video downloaders, and many of them are free, such as Youtube4KDownloader.
This tool supports downloading videos from over 1,000 websites, but most of them are video-sharing sites, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. The usage of such an online video downloader is simple, but you need to pay attention to the pop-up ads during the download process.
I follow these simple steps to download PBS videos with Youtube4KDownloader:
- Visit pbs.org and sign in to your account.
- Browse PBS for your desired video and copy its URL from the address bar.
- Open a new tab and go to youtube4kdownloader.com. Paste the copied video URL into the Enter video link here... box.
- Wait for Youtube4KDownloader to analyze the video. If it shows the "Couldn't fetch download links at the moment, please try again" warning, click on the Download button to retry.
- Check the output format, and choose from Video, Sound Only, or Video without Sound.
- Then, click on the Download button. This will redirect you to a new page. In this page, click on the three-dot button in the lower right corner of the player and select Download.
[Method 3] Use a Browser Extension - Video DownloadHelper
If you prefer a more convenient method than the program or online tool, Video DownloadHelper can be your next choice. This browser extension is compatible with Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, enabling convenient video downloads directly from your browser.
However, the download success rate will be relatively lower if you choose a browser extension. Based on our test of 5 videos from PBS, Video DownloadHelper could only detect 4 of them, and successfully downloaded 2 720p videos from PBS finally. The success rate is only 40%.
The convenience is undoubted though. So if you want to try to rip videos from PBS in this way, follow the steps using Chrome as an example to download PBS videos with Video DownloadHelper:
- Visit the Chrome Web Store and search for Video DownloadHelper.
- Add Video DownloadHelper to Chrome and pin it in the Extensions.
- Download and install the Video DownloadHelper Companion App.
- Go to pbs.org and locate the video you wish to download.
- Play the video to allow Video DownloadHelper to detect the files.
- Choose from the available options and click on the right arrow next to your selection.
- Select your desired download options to start downloading, with additional settings available for customization. If you haven't installed the Video DownloadHelper Companion App in the previous steps, you'll be prompted to install it at this stage.
Comparing Your Options: Which PBS Download Method Is Right for You?
We've covered a lot of ground. To help you decide which path to take, this table breaks down the pros and cons of each method. You can use it to find the solution that best fits your technical skill level, budget, and viewing needs.
| Method | Ease of Use | Best For | Max Quality | Cost | Key Limitation |
| PBS KIDS App | Very Easy | Parents needing kids' shows for tablets | SD (480p) | Free | Kids' content only; downloads expire |
| yt-dlp | Difficult | Tech-savvy archivists needing control | Up to 1080p+ | Free |
Steep learning curve; breaks often |
| Browser Inspector | Very Difficult | Experts hunting for the highest quality stream | Up to 1080p+ | Free |
Extremely complex; requires manual work |
| Browser Extensions | Easy | Casual, one-off downloads | Variable | Free |
Unreliable; potential security risks |
| KeepStreams | Very Easy | Anyone wanting a simple, reliable solution | Up to 1080p/4K | Paid | Requires installing software |
The Simple & Reliable Path: Using a Dedicated Video Downloader
After exploring the official limitations and the complexities of the technical path, we arrive at the third option: using dedicated, third-party downloader software. This approach is for the user who values simplicity, reliability, and high-quality results, and is willing to use a paid tool to achieve them without the hassle.
Why a Dedicated Tool Solves the PBS Puzzle
The need for a dedicated tool arises directly from the shortcomings of the other methods.
- The official PBS KIDS app is great, but it's only for kids' shows, the quality is low (480p), and the downloads expire.
- Technical tools like yt-dlp are powerful but require command-line knowledge and break whenever PBS updates its site, requiring constant user maintenance.
- Browser extensions are often unreliable and can introduce security concerns.
A dedicated, professionally maintained downloader like KeepStreams is designed to solve these specific problems. A team of developers works to keep the software updated, ensuring that it works even when PBS changes its site structure.
It replaces technical complexity with a user-friendly interface, allowing anyone to download high-quality video without needing to understand source code or command lines.
Your PBS Download Questions Answered (FAQ)
Even with all this information, you might still have a few questions. This section is designed to answer the most common queries we see in search results and community forums.
Q: Is it legal to download videos from PBS?
A: This is a gray area and depends on your location and how you use the downloaded content. Generally, copyright law prohibits making and distributing copies of protected works. However, many interpret making a copy for personal, non-commercial, time-shifting purposes (like watching a show on a plane) as fair use.
The terms of service for PBS prohibit downloading through unofficial means. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Using downloaders for personal archiving is a common practice, but distributing the content is illegal.
Q: Can you download shows from PBS Masterpiece or Frontline?
A: Yes. While the official PBS apps do not allow you to download these shows, dedicated third-party downloaders and the more technical methods (like yt-dlp) are designed to work with all content on the main PBS website, including popular series from Masterpiece, Frontline, NOVA, and American Experience.
Q: Why did my free downloader tool or yt-dlp stop working for PBS?
A: This is a very common problem. Streaming websites like PBS regularly update their site's code to improve performance and security. These changes can inadvertently break unofficial download tools that rely on the old code structure.
This is why tools like yt-dlp require frequent updates, and it’s the primary reason why professionally maintained software is often more reliable in the long run.
Q: What is the best format to download PBS videos in?
A: For nearly all use cases, MP4 is the best format. It offers a great balance of quality and file size and is universally compatible with virtually every device, including Windows PCs, Macs, iPhones, iPads, Android devices, smart TVs, and game consoles.
Conclusion
This article offers 3 easy solutions to download PBS video on your computer or download PBS video online. Whether you choose KeepStreams for its high success rate, Youtube4KDownloader for online simplicity, or Video DownloadHelper as an easy browser extension, the steps are clear.
With these methods, PBS videos become accessible offline, providing flexibility and convenience for your viewing preferences. Follow the steps, and start downloading your favorite PBS videos effortlessly. Happy watching!
And since you're here, you may also be interested in other video downloaders, such as the Movavi review.
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