PBS is an American free-to-air streaming channel known for its educational and cultural programming.
Its programming is designed to provide viewers with a deeper understanding of the world and its complexities.
However, it is only available in the US. You can watch PBS in Ireland with the help of a VPN by connecting to a US server.
If you attempt to access PBS without a VPN in Ireland or anywhere outside the premises of the US, you will receive an error message, that says:
“We are sorry, but this video is not available”
I was able to unblock PBS in Ireland by connecting to the US server over ExpressVPN.
Our Recommended VPN – ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is our recommended choice for streaming any geo-restricted services that are unavailable in Ireland OR it is used to stay anonymous over the internet for watching anything for free as it hides your streaming activity from the ISPs.
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How to Watch PBS in Ireland
Since PBS is unavailable in Ireland, you will need a VPN to watch your favourite shows on the platform.
Although it doesn’t necessarily need an account sign-up to stream the shows, only a few shows will be available without the membership. It is free but requires signup for certain shows.
Here’s how you can freely watch PBS in Ireland:
Step 1: Subscribe to a good VPN (We recommend ExpressVPN)
Step 2: Download and install the ExpressVPN app on your device
Step 3: Open the VPN app and connect it to a US server (e.g. New York)
Step 4: Go to the PBS website and click on sign up
Step 5: Log in with either of the options, for example, Gmail
Step 6: Now scroll down on the homepage and click on “Choose Station”
Step 7: Select any US State and then click on “search by state”
Step 8: Select a station
Step 9: Now go to “shows” at the top menu to stream its content
Step 10: Select any genre of shows you want to watch, for example, Drama
Step 11: Select a drama, for example, A slow-burning romance
Step 12: Choose an episode
Step 13: Click on the Play button
Step 14: Happy Streaming!
Top VPNs to Unblock PBS in Ireland
I checked around 35+ VPNs to see which ones work best for unblocking PBS in Ireland and found out that these 3 VPNs were able to bypass PBS restrictions within the first attempt.
1. ExpressVPN – Best VPN for Unblocking PBS
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Global Servers | 3200 servers in 100+ countries |
| US Server locations | 24 US cities |
| Exclusive deal | €6.42/month (30-day money-back guarantee) |
| Multi-Device Compatibility | Connect up to 8 devices at once – Windows, Android, Mac, and more |
| Enhanced Streaming | Fast and throttle-free streaming with Smart DNS, Split Tunneling, and Lightway Protocol. |
| Top-notch Privacy | Digital privacy with 256-bit Encryption, Kill Switch, and No Log policy. |
Recommended Servers: New York, New Jersey, Washington
ExpressVPN is our #1 choice for seamless access to geo-restricted channels through its vast network of high-speed servers.
Speed Test Results: While testing the New York Server of ExpressVPN, I reached a speed of 41 Mbps out of a possible 50 Mbps.
Access Beyond PBS: This enables you to unlock additional geo-restricted channels and services in Ireland, including USA Network, Frndly TV, Prende TV, etc.
2. Surfshark – Most Affordable VPN for Streaming PBS
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Global Servers | 3200+ servers in 100 countries |
| US Server locations | 600+ US servers across 25 cities |
| Price | Surfshark Price (30-day money-back guarantee) |
| Device Compatibility | Unlimited devices – Windows, Android, Mac, and more |
| Fast Streaming | Uninterrupted streaming with Higher bandwidth per user, and numerous servers |
| Added Privacy | Secure the connection with Camouflage Mode, AES-256-GCM Encryption, Kill Switch, and No-Logs Policy. |
Recommended Servers: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas
Surfshark stands out as a top VPN option for accessing PBS in Ireland, offering a blend of affordability and cutting-edge technology that makes it a top recommendation.
During my evaluations, I was particularly pleased with its capability to bypass geo-restrictions effectively and its strong emphasis on full forward secrecy to protect my privacy.
Additionally, this VPN service facilitates access to other geo-restricted channels and services in Ireland, such as 9 Now, Servus TV, 7Plus, Netflix, Prime Video etc.
3. NordVPN – Biggest Server Pool to Access PBS
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Global Servers | 6000+ servers in 60 countries |
| US Server locations | 1,970+ US Servers across 19 cities. |
| Price | NordVPN price (30-day money-back guarantee) |
| Device Compatibility | Up to 6 devices simultaneously – Windows, Android, Mac, and more |
| Enhanced Streaming | Faster streaming with a Wider server range & NordLynx Protocol. |
| Added Privacy | Military-grade encryption, Double VPN, CyberSec, and No logs policy, |
Recommended Servers: San Francisco, Dallas, San Jose
NordVPN features an extensive server network and offers smooth streaming experiences. Its interface is notably user-friendly, simplifying navigation.
In my testing for accessing PBS, NordVPN’s broad network provided a consistent and rapid connection, ensuring seamless streaming.
Moreover, NordVPN excels in accessing additional geo-restricted channels and services in Ireland, such as ORF, Hulu, FuboTV, Sling, BBC iPlayer etc.
Why a VPN is Required to Stream PBS in Ireland?
PBS is only available in the United States, licensing agreements and copyright ownership are the reasons why a VPN is required to stream PBS in Ireland.
because of this. If you live in Ireland, this means you won’t be able to watch PBS’s exclusive shows.
A VPN will change your virtual location from Ireland to the US by virtually altering your IP address.
This way, when you access PBS, your location will be shown as US and you’ll be allowed access to the platform. ExpressVPN is our #1 choice.
What to Watch on PBS?
You can watch a variety of shows on PBS in a variety of genres. Here’s a list of my favorite shows:
- Downtown Abbey
- Maryland
- Cranford
- Sanditon
- Guilt
- Roadkill
- Miss Scarlet & the Duke
- Victoria
- Grantchester
- Little Bird
- Professor T
How to Watch PBS Outside the US on Mobile
In order to watch PBS on mobile, make sure you are connected to a VPN. Now follow these steps:
Step 1: Connect to the US server on ExpressVPN app.
Step 2: Download the PBS APK
Step 3: Open the app and Click Dismiss
Step 4: Select the Live TV option or any show
Step 5: Click Play
Step 6: Start streaming!
Note: If it doesn’t start streaming, then change the station and stream!
Which Devices Support PBS?
Here is the list of devices that are compatible with PBS:
- Apple iPhone and iPad
- Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K
- Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Fire Stick
- Android mobile and tablet
- Android TV
- Google TV streaming devices and TVs
- Google Chromecast
- Samsung Smart TV (2017 models and later)
- VIZIO SmartCast TV
- Roku
Troubleshooting Playback Issues
You may experience videos that don’t play smoothly, often stuttering, buffering, or failing to load entirely. Here are some strategies to enhance your streaming performance.
Conduct an Internet Speed Test: Slow network speeds might be affecting your streaming. Search online for “internet speed test” and use one of the websites to check your speed.
For optimal viewing, a broadband connection of at least 500 Kbps is necessary. Lower speeds may result in choppy video playback.
Try a Different Browser or the PBS App: Since various browsers interact differently with websites and video players, consider using a different web browser to see if it improves streaming.
Alternatively, if you are on a compatible device, downloading the free PBS app might enhance your experience.
If performance improves in a different browser but you prefer your original one, ensure it is updated and check for any extensions or background processes that could be affecting playback.
Restart Your Device: Other processes on your device could be impacting video playback. Consider restarting your computer, browser, app, or device to resolve the issue.
Restart Your Network: Power off your modem and/or router, wait a minute, and then turn it back on. After reconnecting your device to the internet, try playing the video again.
Update Your Browser or PBS App: Ensure your browser is up-to-date by checking its main settings. Most browsers prompt an update if an older version is detected. For the PBS app, try uninstalling and reinstalling it on your device to ensure it’s current.
Adjust the Streaming Rate: On pbs.org, videos allow you to adjust the streaming rate via the gear icon in the video player’s lower corner.
Selecting a lower kbps reduces the network speed required but also lowers video quality, so it’s best to explore other options first for optimal performance.
Note: The PBS livestream and PBS App do not provide this option; they auto-adjust based on your network speed.
Contact Your Internet Service Provider (ISP): If there are ongoing service issues, your ISP can help. They can also check your router’s connection to your device.
Revisit the Video Later: Temporary playback issues are common. Try returning to the video later or on a different day to see if playback has improved. If issues persist, ensure your device and browser are updated, and verify that your network speed supports video streaming.
Other Live TV Services to Watch in Ireland
There are many other streaming services that you can subscribe to in Ireland. Following are some of our recommendations to watch in Ireland:
FAQs – PBS
Do I have to buy a PBS membership?
No, for PBS membership, all you need is to log in to the PBS and you will be able to access all of its shows and enjoy all the features.
- The video might be listed under a different title. Verify that there are no errors or special characters in your search term.
- Consider using fewer words in your search query to potentially broaden the search results.
- The video may not have been aired on PBS yet, and as a result, it isn’t available for online streaming until after its broadcast premiere.
- It’s possible that PBS does not hold the online streaming rights for the video.
Is it necessary to sign up for PBS?
It is not necessary. But it is recommended to sign up for it because without it, you won’t be able to access all the shows and episodes. Your access will be limited to only some shows.
I’m looking to watch a PBS program that was aired but isn’t available online yet. What can I do?
There is often a delay between when a program is broadcast and when it becomes available for streaming.
Generally, shows are accessible for streaming one day after their television broadcast and remain available online for about two weeks.
Check the PBS.org website the day after the show’s broadcast to see if it is available for streaming.
Conclusion
PBS is a US streaming service that allows you to watch your favorite episodes and movies for free.
The majority of the content, however, is only available in the US. You can watch PBS in Ireland using a VPN and connecting to a US server.
ExpressVPN is our recommended choice. It easily bypasses geographical restrictions and helps watch PBS outside the USA.
