Cancel PBS

Table of Contents

• General Information
  
  • PBS Notice Period & Conditions
    
  • What Information Does PBS Need?
    
  • What Happens After I Cancel My PBS Membership?
    
  • Can I Also Contact PBS Directly?
    
  • Can I Revoke My Membership Cancellation?
    
  • How Do I Check my PBS Membership?
    
• About PBS
  
  • What Kind of Memberships Does PBS Offer?

General Information

PBS Notice Period & Conditions

PBS doesn’t have a single, standardized cancellation policy across all stations. Since PBS operates through a network of member stations, your cancellation conditions may depend on the station you joined through. Typically, PBS does not require a long notice period. In most cases, cancellations take effect at the end of your current billing cycle.

If you’ve opted into recurring donations, your membership will usually continue until you request it to stop. Depending on the station, your request might need to be submitted a few days before your next billing date. Failing to meet this lead time may result in one final charge before the cancellation becomes active.

For one-time donations, there’s generally no recurring billing involved, so cancellation isn't applicable. However, for recurring donors or Passport users, understanding your local station’s terms is important. Check the original email or statement from your PBS affiliate to confirm specific timelines and cancellation policies.

What Information Does PBS Need?

To cancel a PBS membership, you'll typically need a few key details. Your name and the email address used at sign-up are usually enough to locate your record. But if you have a donor or membership ID, that’s even better. This ID is often found on your billing confirmation or in emails you received after your first donation.

Some stations may also request your mailing address, especially if your donation involved receiving a thank-you gift. If you're contacting customer service by phone or email, be prepared to confirm your identity with these details. It helps avoid delays in processing your request and ensures the cancellation is matched to the correct record.

When submitting your request through the PBS website, you may need to log into your account or use a cancellation request form. If you're not sure where to find this, your local PBS station website is a good place to start.

What Happens After I Cancel My PBS Membership?

Once you've canceled your PBS membership, a confirmation email is usually sent. This message should outline your final billing date, along with any additional steps or information. If you used PBS Passport, your access to the digital streaming service will remain active until the end of your current billing cycle.

For those who received any gifts or physical items as part of their membership, you won’t need to return them. Those are considered tokens of appreciation, and you typically keep them even after you cancel. However, donations are usually non-refundable, so if you've just made a recent contribution and changed your mind, reach out to your station promptly to see what can be done.

It's also a good idea to review your bank or credit card statements after cancellation. Look out for any unexpected charges and contact PBS or your local station if anything seems off.

Can I Also Contact PBS Directly?

Yes, you can absolutely contact PBS directly for cancellation. That said, PBS headquarters often refers membership-related inquiries to the local station where you originally signed up. This means you’ll likely get faster results by going through your local PBS affiliate.

If you still prefer to contact PBS national headquarters, you can find their contact information on the official PBS.org website. But if your membership was established with a regional station, they’ll be the one managing your donation or Passport account. This applies especially to monthly supporters and digital subscribers.

Emails, contact forms, or phone numbers are typically listed on each station’s website. Look for a "Contact Us" section or a “Membership Services” link. Reaching out during weekday hours often yields the fastest response.

Can I Revoke My Membership Cancellation?

In many cases, you can revoke a PBS membership cancellation request if it's made quickly enough. If you’ve just submitted your cancellation and had a change of heart, reach out to your station or the PBS support team as soon as possible. If the cancellation hasn’t yet been processed, they may be able to keep your membership active.

This is especially true if the billing date hasn't passed yet or the streaming service hasn't been deactivated. However, after the final payment is processed and access is turned off, you may need to reactivate your membership from scratch rather than revoking a prior request.

Each PBS station may have slightly different procedures, so it’s best to contact them directly. Be sure to use the same email and membership ID you used previously for quicker results.

How Do I Check my PBS Membership?

You can check your PBS membership status by visiting the official PBS website or the website of your local station. If you’re a PBS Passport user, logging into your PBS account will show your current subscription status and renewal date.

If you’re unsure whether you’re an active member, try locating the last confirmation or donation email. These often contain your account number and a direct link to manage your membership. Some local stations also offer a member portal where you can view your donation history, billing cycle, and membership perks.

Alternatively, you can contact customer service and ask them to verify your membership. Just provide your name and email, and they’ll be able to tell you whether your account is still active or when it will expire after cancellation.

About PBS

PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) is a nonprofit organization that offers television programming through member stations across the U.S. It delivers educational, cultural, and public interest content, often funded through individual donations and public support.

Founded in 1970, PBS isn’t a centralized entity in the way many media companies are. Instead, it works through partnerships with hundreds of local affiliates. This structure means memberships and services can vary depending on your location. That includes billing methods, donation perks, and cancellation procedures.

What Kind of Memberships Does PBS Offer?

PBS offers several ways to support public broadcasting. One-time donations are simple contributions, often made without ongoing commitment. Recurring memberships, on the other hand, involve automatic monthly or yearly donations in return for benefits like PBS Passport access.

Passport is PBS’s digital streaming service. It offers on-demand access to thousands of hours of programming, including full seasons of popular shows like Masterpiece, NOVA, and American Experience. To access Passport, you must meet a minimum donation threshold set by your local station.

Each station may offer unique incentives based on donation amount. Some provide exclusive access to events or physical gifts. Others focus solely on digital benefits and thank-you acknowledgments. All memberships help keep public television free and accessible for everyone.