PBS, the Public Broadcasting Service, is a nonprofit television network that provides educational and cultural programming across the United States. It was founded in 1970 and operates through a network of locally owned member stations. PBS is supported by member stations, viewer donations, corporate underwriting, and, until recently, funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

The network is widely respected for its commitment to public service and noncommercial television content. It focuses on programming that informs, educates, and inspires, rather than on entertainment for ratings alone. This mission-driven approach sets PBS apart from commercial broadcast and cable networks.

PBS offers a broad range of programming, including news, science, history, arts, and children’s television. The current lineup includes shows such as PBS NewsHourand Amanpour & Co., which deliver in-depth news coverage. The network also airs documentary series and reality TV shows such as All Creatures Big and Small, NOVA, Finding Your Roots, and Antiques Roadshow. It also offers a collection of scripted series, including British dramas like Masterpiece and Call the Midwife. 

PBS is home to a lineup of on-air talent that gives the network a trusted, recognizable image. Notable figures include Amna Nawaz, Geoff Bennett, William Brangham, and Nick Schifrin, who lead the PBS news coverage. Others include Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and Rick Steves, who are vital to the network’s cultural and scientific exploration.