PBS: Watch TV & Documentaries Reviews

Loved watching the American Craft - Quilts

ocurbangirl

Just streamed the above on my iPad and had no problems. I had missed the show last night and was so glad it allowed me to watch it this morning. This was my first try with app so I was happy and will use again.

?An Update For Viewers Like You

? The White Tiger

Updated: 2019/12/25 For the issues that were fixed, thank you! - The home indicator now disappears during playback (but you still have to tap the screen to get rid of the show title/video scrubber) ?‍♂️ - I don’t have near as many commercials as before ? - STILL no picture-in-picture mode, or a fast forward button ⏩ - Streaming seems to be quite a bit better — no more black screen of death/black beauty, or the loading icon being stuck on the screen ⬛️? - No keyboard shortcut support (yet ?) Waiting for the next update. 2019/03/06 Everyone has their issues with this app, and, for me, most of them are pretty spot on with everyone else’s. My main frustrations: 1. On devices with no home button, I wish the Home Indicator would disappear during viewing as on other streaming services. 2. I didn’t start seeing commercials until I began paying for a Passport subscription... seems kinda backwards to me ? 3. There is no picture-in-picture support for iPad 4. There is no fast-forward button 5. Sometimes during streaming, the loading circle appears and stays on the screen; usually, tapping the rewind button a few times rids it, but still quite annoying 6. The app does not keep track of your viewing AT ALL, so you have to always remember which episode you last watched (of a series). And, with that... 7. Yes, the TV App does (usually) remember your next episode, but no matter if you finished the previous or not, it will always show the next episode. 8. [This would be a great added bonus] With other services, if you are using a smart keyboard with your iPad (Pro), you can start/pause streaming with the space bar, control volume with the up/down arrows, and RR/FF 15 seconds with the left/right arrows — this would be GREATLY welcomed. 9. Add a support button within the app... and, on the website. I would have rather contacted PBS technical support directly before making this review, but they make it pretty difficult to be reached; every screen on the website has a “Donate” button prominently displayed, but nowhere could I find a customer support tab/button. PBS is supported by the people... please support us.

Good Content, Poorly Executed

KingJunkie

As excited as I was to catch up on old favorites and discover new, I am left disappointed by the app. The layout of the app is not the best when it comes to finding programs. The worst parts, though, are: the amount of buffering (Disney+ is a dream compared to this); playback skips (watching Northanger Abbey is like listening to a record player while driving down a bumpy road); there is no memory of what has been watched and what hasn’t, good luck if you stop a show and want to go back; and not having autoplay for when watching a series. It’s not like streaming apps such as this are new concepts, so why does PBS have such a terrible platform? Also, I find the censorship of programs to be disheartening.

Pointless Features

Kwanzor

I’ve titled this Pointless Features because the member features aren’t usable by us. We’ve had the app for two years and have never been able to sign in with our KPBS membership. I threw in the towel after spending 45min getting codes, passwords, going inline and back to the TV to sign in and there was always an issue that made thole episode an endless circle. So we watch the shows we can and wish we could watch the shows we want to watch with our membership. Aside from that its also not very user-friendly to find shows and get to them quickly.

Cannot cast or AirPlay

FattieW

This app is so frustrating! I cannot chrome cast or airplay from the app, so this app is totally useless.

PBS ignores its mandate

outdcjrcgjk6

PBS ignores original purpose to inform regardless of income or ability to pay for increasingly costly “subscriptions” . Since public taxes support much of PBS, it should be banned from charging viewers to see its programs. Same goes for Smithsonian, though its mandate is different.

Start off where you paused

NWCreolelady

It’s so frustrating that you can’t start of at the same place where you stopped. Those who’ve experienced not being able to fast-forward, just look at the bottom of the screen and move the curser.

Disappointing

1Maura1

Download to watch the free shows offered, get bombarded with gimme money ads. Every couple minutes those ads break into whatever you are watching. After a while ( if I remember correctly) about a month, you can’t really access anything Unless you donate money. I didn’t, I removed the app instead. Being harassed to donate is not my idea of enjoyable viewing. I removed the app, went straight to my consumer blogs and warned people off. If the app was like the tv channel had been, a monthly fund-raising drive, it would’ve been much better, but not as it is now. Makes the PBS station seem desperate and greedy.

Love it because a specific show

valjebeidnwkxndn

If you download it you need to watch Sanditon is a super duper good show based on a Jane Austen unfinished book is so good!!!!!! And we need a season 2

Not Allowing Me To See and I’m a paying member!

Deanna Ryan

I’m a passport member who can’t see the passport shows even though I pay 120 a year! Please fix this PBS!

PBS: Watch TV & Documentaries Reviews – Page 14