What PBS Masterpiece costs and how to watch

PBS Masterpiece is a collection of British and international dramas available through PBS, the public television network. You can watch Masterpiece content in two ways: through the free PBS app or website (with ads, and on a delay after broadcast), or through a paid PBS Passport subscription that removes ads and gives you early access to new episodes.

PBS Passport costs $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year when you pay through the PBS website directly. Some public television stations offer PBS Passport as a membership benefit if you donate at certain levels — typically $60 or more annually — so the actual cost depends on whether you donate to your local station or pay PBS directly. If you already have a PBS Passport membership through your station, you use the same login across all PBS apps and websites.

Masterpiece itself does not charge a separate fee beyond PBS Passport. Once you have an active Passport subscription, you can watch all Masterpiece series included in the service without additional cost. New seasons premiere on PBS during the broadcast year (typically fall through spring), and Passport members see episodes a week early.

Key Takeaways

  • PBS Masterpiece is free to watch on the PBS app and website, but new episodes appear a week after broadcast and include ads.
  • PBS Passport removes ads and gives you early access to new episodes for $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year paid directly to PBS.
  • Your local public television station may offer PBS Passport as a membership benefit if you donate, which can be a lower total cost if you were planning to donate anyway.
  • You need a PBS account (free) to watch anything, and a PBS Passport subscription to unlock ad-free viewing and early episodes.
  • Masterpiece content rotates; older seasons remain available on-demand, but new series premiere only during the broadcast season.

How to set up a PBS account and watch Masterpiece

Start by creating a free PBS account on the PBS website or through the PBS app (available on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Android, and iOS). You will need an email address and a password. This account is separate from a PBS Passport subscription — the free account lets you watch ad-supported content and save your place in episodes.

Once your account is created, open the PBS app or go to pbs.org, search for "Masterpiece," and start watching. The current season's most recent episode will be available one week after it airs on television. Older episodes and completed seasons are available on-demand when ready. If you want to remove ads and watch new episodes the same day they broadcast, you will need to add a PBS Passport subscription to your account.

To add PBS Passport, go to your account settings on PBS.org, select "Upgrade to Passport," and choose monthly or annual billing. You can also call your local public television station to ask whether they offer PBS Passport as a membership benefit. If they do, you donate to the station at the Passport level, and they provide you with a code to set up Passport on your PBS account.

What's included in PBS Passport beyond Masterpiece

PBS Passport is not limited to Masterpiece. The subscription removes ads from all PBS content and gives you early access to new episodes across the entire PBS library. This includes documentaries, history series, nature programs, cooking shows, and educational content. You are paying for ad-free PBS viewing overall, not for Masterpiece specifically.

Passport also includes PBS Passport+ features on some programs, which may offer bonus content, behind-the-scenes material, or extended interviews. These extras vary by series and are not may provide on every show. The core benefit is ad-free viewing and early episode access across all PBS programming.

Comparing PBS Passport to other streaming options

If you watch Masterpiece through a cable or satellite TV subscription that includes PBS, you already have access to the broadcast version. You see episodes when they air on television and can often watch them on-demand through your cable provider's app. PBS Passport is useful if you cut cable or want to watch on your own schedule without waiting for broadcast time.

BritBox is a separate streaming service focused on British television and costs $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year. BritBox includes some Masterpiece content, but not all current seasons. If you watch a lot of British drama beyond Masterpiece, BritBox may be worth comparing. However, if Masterpiece is your main interest, PBS Passport is usually the more direct route because new seasons premiere there first.

Acorn TV is another British-focused streamer at $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year. Like BritBox, it carries some British dramas but does not have exclusive rights to Masterpiece. Your choice depends on whether you want to watch other PBS content (Passport), other British shows (BritBox or Acorn), or a mix.

How to cancel PBS Passport and what happens to your access

If you subscribed through PBS.org directly, log into your account, go to "Manage Subscription," and select "Cancel Subscription." The cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle. You will not be charged again, but you will keep access to Masterpiece and other PBS content until that date. After cancellation, you can still watch on the free tier with ads and the one-week delay.

If you subscribed through your local public television station as a membership benefit, contact the station directly to cancel. They will walk you through the process and explain what happens to your membership status. Some stations tie PBS Passport to a broader membership level, so canceling Passport may affect other station benefits.

You can reactivate PBS Passport at any time by logging back into your account and resubscribing. There is no penalty for canceling and returning later. Your watch history and saved shows remain tied to your PBS account even if your Passport subscription lapses.

Troubleshooting common PBS Passport and Masterpiece problems

If you are not seeing the ad-free version or early episodes after subscribing, log out of the PBS app completely, clear the app cache (in your device settings), and log back in. Sometimes the app does not when ready recognize a new subscription. If the problem persists, try accessing PBS through a web browser instead of the app to confirm your Passport is active.

If you are having trouble creating a PBS account, check that your email address is not already registered under a different password. PBS will not let you create two accounts with the same email. Use the "Forgot Password" link to reset if you are unsure. If you still cannot log in, contact PBS support through the website.

If a Masterpiece episode is not available when you expect it, check the PBS schedule on their website. Episodes sometimes shift due to special programming or station scheduling. You can also check the Masterpiece page in the app, which shows the air date and when it will be available on-demand. If an episode is listed as "coming soon" but the date has passed, refresh the app or try again in a few hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Masterpiece on my TV if I have PBS Passport?

Yes. read the PBS app on your smart TV (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Samsung, LG, and others), log in with your PBS account, and you will have access to all Masterpiece content with your Passport subscription. The app works the same way as on phones and tablets.

Do I need PBS Passport to watch Masterpiece, or can I watch for free?

You can watch for free on the PBS app or website with a free PBS account. New episodes appear one week after they broadcast on television, and you will see ads. PBS Passport removes ads and lets you watch new episodes the same day they air, but it is not required.

Is PBS Masterpiece the same as BritBox?

No. Masterpiece is part of PBS and included with PBS Passport. BritBox is a separate streaming service owned by ITV and BBC. Some Masterpiece episodes appear on BritBox, but not all current seasons. If you want to watch Masterpiece as it airs, PBS Passport is the primary source.

What happens if I donate to my local PBS station — do I automatically get PBS Passport?

Only if you donate at the Passport membership level, which your station will describe when you call or visit their website. Not all donations include Passport. Ask your station what membership level includes PBS Passport and what the annual cost is before you donate.

Can I share my PBS Passport login with family members?

PBS allows one account per person. If family members want to watch on separate devices or maintain separate watch histories, each person should create their own PBS account. You can share a single Passport subscription across devices if you log in with the same account, but PBS's terms of service do not permit sharing login credentials with people outside your household.