Skip to main content

PBS Fast Facts

Each month, more than 66 million people watch their local PBS stations, more than 32 million viewers watch video on PBS’s site and apps, and over 48 million fans enjoy PBS Digital Studios and other content on social media.

 

  • Over the course of a year, 67% of all U.S. television households – more than 160 million people – watch PBS via traditional television.
  • PBS KIDS averages 15.4 million monthly users and 371 million monthly streams across PBS KIDS’ digital platforms.
  • PBS stations reach more children, and more caretakers of young children, than any of the children’s TV networks.
  • PBS and its member stations are America's undisputed home for documentary storytelling. During the 2021-2022 season, PBS offered 170 hours of new documentary content, seen by nearly 60 million people.
  • PBS and its member stations are helping to keep the arts alive today and for generations to come. During the 2021-2022 season, PBS offered nearly 250 hours of new arts and cultural programming, seen by 73 million people.
  • While financial support of PBS and our member stations from the federal government is critically important, those monies represent about 15% of our annual revenues, underscoring the vital need of philanthropy to fulfill our mission to serve the American public.

 

For 20 consecutive years, a national study has rated PBS as the most-trusted institution in America. When asked which networks they trust most when it comes to news and public affairs programming, respondents ranked PBS #1, ahead of the major broadcast and cable news networks.

Last updated May 2023