Yes. KPBS content is available on both Google and Alexa smart speakers. For specific instructions for your device, click one of the questions immediately below this one.
Yes. KPBS has three skills in the Alexa store. To enable one of these:
1. Open up the Alexa app 2. Click on More+ 3. Select Skills & Games 4. In the Search Alexa Skills box, enter KPBS and click Search 5. Select the KPBS skill with your preferred activation phrases and then click Enable to Use or LAUNCH.
Once the skill is enabled, you can use your selected skill phrases to play KPBS. For example:
"Alexa, open KPBS"
"Alexa ask KPBS to play Live"
"Alexa, open San Diego News"
Yes. To listen to the KPBS live stream, you can say:
"OK Google, play KPBS"
To listen to a KPBS podcast, say:
"OK Google, play <name of program> podcast."
For example, "OK Google, play Cinema Junkie podcast".
In 2017, KPBS moved from in-story comments, opting to engage with audiences on social media, following suit of larger news organizations such as NPR. The goal was to make stories load faster and talk with readers on larger, more diverse platforms. You can connect with KPBS on Facebook,, Instagram and TikTok.
KPBS is a not-for-profit organization under Internal Revenue Code section 501 C(3).
San Diego State University Research Foundation Federal Tax ID Number: 956042721
View the statements online, or you can call KPBS Audience Services at 619-594-6983 or 888-399-5727 and they will gladly send you a copy of our financial statement.
KPBS holds many different events each year as well as participates in events around the San Diego community. In addition, each year we coordinate special shows featuring PBS and public radio personalities. For more information, visit our KPBS Events page periodically for upcoming events.
KPBS does not air Public Service Announcements. We are a public broadcasting station and as such, our programming and community outreach activities are a public service to the San Diego area.
KPBS is a broadcast service of San Diego State University, all human resources for KPBS are managed by SDSU and the SDSU Research Foundation. SDSU Foundation provides a job hotline at 619-594-1900 which includes listings for employment opportunities at KPBS as well as San Diego State University. To speak to an associate in the Personnel Office, please call 619-594-4139. You may also visit the jobs page on the San Diego State University Foundation website.
KPBS Channel Options
For people without cable, all services are available via free, terrestrial television broadcast. All you need is an antenna. You may need to re-scan the channels on your TV in order to get the new channels over the air. Over-the-air channel designations are: KPBS – Channel 15.1, KPBS 2 – Channel 15.2, KPBS Create – Channel 15.3, and KPBS Kids – Channel 15.4. KPBS-TV can also be viewed on Cox Cable at 1011, KPBS 2 – Cox 811, KPBS Create – Cox 816, and KPBS Kids – Cox 809. You will find these same channels on Spectrum Cable, KPBS-TV – 1221, KPBS 2 – 1277, KPBS Create – 1275 KPBS, and KPBS Kids – 1276.
KPBS 2 offers award-winning and original nonfiction content that connects viewers to today's news headlines, scientific advances, historic revelations, natural wonders, and personal stories along with exclusive dramas and encore presentations of the best that PBS has to offer. Series presented on KPBS 2 include “American ReFramed,” “Independent Lens,” “POV,” “Secrets of the Dead,” and “American Masters,” among others. The primetime line-up will be locally scheduled and will feature the best of KPBS original content including “KPBS Evening Edition,” “KPBS News This Week,"” and selections from the KPBS Explore local content initiative.
If you are a customer of Direct TV, Dish or AT&T, KPBS' multicast channels are not currently available via these carriers. However, no public TV multicast channels are being carried by these providers anywhere in the U.S. - so its not just San Diego. If you have access to an antenna, this is one way you can receive KPBS' additional channels. With an antenna you can view KPBS' primary channel on 15, KPBS-2 on 15.2, Create on 15.3 and KPBS Kids on 15.4. Moving forward, KPBS will continue to work with our public television leadership to encourage these non-cable television providers to offer public media multicast channels in all US markets.
Create TV is public television’s most-watched lifestyle channel, seen annually by 46 million viewers. KPBS Create presents the best educational and entertaining public television series— from America’s Test Kitchen to Rick Steves’ Europe to This Old House. On the weekends, KPBS Create will air themed marathons featuring 12 hand-picked episodes centered on a specific holiday, host, or theme.
The 24/7 KPBS Kids channel supports the station’s mission to provide curriculum based entertainment through its broadcast and digital platforms. KPBS Kids will present educational children’s shows 24 hours a day, making it easy for San Diego area children to watch their favorite series during primetime and other non-school hours when viewing among families is high. Programs aired on KPBS Kids include popular favorites such as “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” “Odd Squad,” “Wild Kratts,” and “Dinosaur Train” and more.
KPBS Passport Members-Only Video Benefit
KPBS Passport is a member benefit provided in collaboration with PBS that gives eligible donors and supporters extended access to an on-demand library of quality public television programming online. The KPBS Passport library currently offers members thousands of episodes to watch, with new PBS programs being added weekly. The library features episodes from popular programs like Masterpiece, Frontline, NOVA, American Experience, American Masters, Antiques Roadshow, and Nature as well as "Walter Presents" a curated collection of award-winning international dramas and mysteries. In addition to these signature series, the library is full of public television’s acclaimed arts, science, history, and lifestyle programs; including Great Performances, Austin City Limits, America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston, This Old House, and the Ken Burns library of critically-acclaimed documentaries. Learn more about KPBS Passport.
You should have received an email from PBS with your activation code. If you can't find it, you can have it re-sent by entering the email address associated with your membership at https://www.pbs.org/passport/lookup/. Once you get the email, click on the link provided to activate Passport. You can activate Passport with a PBS account, Google/Gmail account, Facebook account, or with your Apple ID.
Once you've activated the KPBS Passport benefit, you can go to https://video.kpbs.org/, click Sign In and log in to Passport. You can also use the same Passport login information to view videos on the PBS website, Roku, Apple TV 4 (October 2015 or newer), Amazon Fire Stick, Android TV, Samsung TV (2017 or newer), or other similar devices.
How to activate KPBS Passport
How to activate KPBS Passport on Amazon Fire TV
How to activate KPBS Passport on Android TV
How to activate KPBS Passport on Apple TV
How to activate KPBS Passport on Roku TV
How to activate KPBS Passport on Samsung TV
How to activate KPBS Passport on Vizio Smartcast TV
KPBS Podcasts
A podcast is an on-demand show broken down into episodes you can enjoy on a computer, mobile phone, or tablet. Think of it as radio that you can listen to on-demand over the internet on your own schedule.
Choose an episode you want to listen to and click the play button.
Or download and use the NPR or KPBS app. to access KPBS podcasts.
Go to Google Play and download the Google Podcast app.
Open the Google Podcast app.
Search for “KPBS.”
Scroll down to see “Show results.”
Choose a KPBS podcast.
Select the “subscribe” button at the top or select an episode to play and start listening.
Or download and use the NPR or KPBS app. to access KPBS podcasts.
Use the Apple Podcast app.
Select the Apple Podcast app icon.
Select the search 🔎 icon and type in “KPBS.”
Select “See All.”
Choose a KPBS podcast.
Select “subscribe” or select an episode to play and start listening.
Or download and use the NPR or KPBS app. to access KPBS podcasts.
Membership
To activate your Passport membership benefit, you'll first need a unique four-word activation code sent by KPBS. This code is specific to each member but follows a consistent format. Some stations provide the code immediately after your donation, while others may take more time. If you haven't received the code, use the Passport Lookup Tool to request an activation email. Once you have the code, visit the Passport activation page, enter it, and proceed to following the instructions on your screen. Sign in with a PBS, Google, Facebook, or Apple ID account. Confirm the Passport terms of use, and you're ready to start using your Passport benefit. Remember, no need for the activation code again; just use your login email and password. Access Passport videos anytime at PBS.org, alongside non-Passport content. If the Passport Lookup Tool is not helpful, contact our Audience Services team by calling 619-594-6983, option 5, M-F 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. (PST).
To verify the activation status of your PBS Passport membership, follow these steps using the Passport Lookup Tool:
Use Consistent Email: Ensure that you use the same email address you provided during your PBS Passport signup. For email support, please call: 619-594-6983, option 5, M-F 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. (PST).
Check for Email: If your email address is associated with a PBS station membership or benefit, you should receive an email containing details about your Passport benefit.
If you've made a donation but haven't received an email containing your activation code, consider the following:
Processing Time: Your local PBS station may still be processing your donation. Typically, activation emails are sent shortly after donation submission, but delays can occur.
Check Spam Folder: Verify your spam/junk folder in your email inbox, as the activation email might have been filtered there. Also, ensure that you used the correct contact email when making your donation.
No Contact Email Provided: If you didn't include a contact email during your donation submission and also didn't receive an email receipt from your station, reach out directly to your local station for assistance.
Check Activation Status: To confirm your Passport activation, visit https://video.kpbs.org/ and sign in using the same credentials you used during activation. If successful, you'll spot a small blue and white compass rose symbol near your name on the upper left of the screen. Videos with this symbol are accessible to Passport members.
Multiple Email Addresses: If you can't find the blue Passport icon, it's possible you haven't completed the activation process or didn't use the same email address during activation. Try signing in with any other email addresses you might have used. If problems persist, contact support for assistance.
Please contact our Audience Services team at (888) 399-5727 or send them a message online and they'll call you to update your membership information. (Note: Please do not ever transmit your credit card number via email!) If your sustaining membership donation has been interrupted due to a lapsed credit card, you can submit an updated donation at www.kpbs.org/sustainerupdate.
KPBS is a not-for-profit organization under Internal Revenue Code section 501 C(3). San Diego State University Research Foundation’s Federal Tax ID Number: 956042721
KPBS holds three major television membership campaigns each year during the months of August, December and March. We also program short weekend or mini-membership campaigns on KPBS TV at other times during the year. We also hold three radio membership campaigns each year during the months of October, February and April. As a member-supported organization, on-air membership campaigns are the single most effective way to gain new members – while our audience is viewing and listening.
There are many ways you can become a member of the KPBS family. You may call Audience Services at 888-399-5727 to join by telephone using a credit card. You may also join online with a credit card or bank account. If you would like to send a check, please mail it to: KPBS Membership Dept., 5200 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182 and include a note with your name, address, phone number and desired membership level. Please write "New Membership" on your check.
KPBS regularly rents names from list brokers to solicit, via mail, potential new members. Before sending mail solicitations we run a computerized merge/purge process. This process compares our list of member names to the list of names we rent and it purges any duplicate names that are found between the two lists. Sometimes a name or address is different enough on the two lists ("John Smith" vs. "John M. Smith" or "1234 Cass Street" vs. 1234 Kass Street) that an existing member’s name slips through and is mailed a new member appeal. Another cause of duplicate mailings is when a member has more than one account set up in our computer database. Duplicate accounts are sometimes generated during our on air membership campaigns when a member calls in and uses a different variation in the spelling of his/her name. If you believe that you have two or more accounts set up for your membership, please alert KPBS Member Services at 888-399-5727 or via our online contact form
Please call Member Services at 888-399-5727 or via our online contact form for details.
For each one-time gift (paid all at once) KPBS sends an acknowledgement letter/tax receipt within a few weeks after the contribution is made. Members who make more than one such donation during the calendar year should hold on to each acknowledgement letter as we will not automatically mail a separate tax receipt with all of those donations combined. For Sustaining Members and installment-payments only, KPBS mails tax receipts as a courtesy to our members at the beginning of each calendar year, acknowledging the total amount contributed during the previous calendar year. We make every effort to send these by January 31. If you need a receipt at any other time, please contact Member Services at 888-399-5727 or via our online contact form.
It generally takes 6-8 weeks to receive your gift(s).
Your membership identification number can be found on the return form enclosed with your renewal notice, above your name and mailing address. It can also be obtained by emailing KPBS Member Services at members@kpbs.org or via our online form.
The rate of membership for students, senior citizens and military families is $25 yearly. (You do not need to ask for a discount. KPBS assumes anybody who becomes a member for $25 is asking for the discounted membership rate.) However, you might find a $5 per month sustaining membership even easier on your budget.
Most non-profit and commercial organizations mail early renewal notices to their members or subscribers. Renewing early helps avoid lapses in membership benefits and other possible complications. It also helps KPBS with budgeting because we know ahead of time that we can count on your continued support. Please note that, when you renew, a full year is added to your current membership expiration date, so you do not lose any time by renewing in advance.
Should be made payable to "KPBS" and mailed to: KPBS 5200 Campanile Dr San Diego, CA 92182
PBS Apps
Yes, you can watch our local programs on the PBS iPhone app. Here's how
The KPBS App is where you can listen, watch, stream, and read local and national news and entertainment from San Diego’s public media station. From the KPBS FM radio livestream, to today’s breaking news, to podcasts and TV shows, tap into your community in one place.
News
Read local and national headlines, investigations and more from the KPBS, NPR and PBS news teams
Receive breaking news alerts
Live Streaming
Listen to KPBS FM
Listen to Classical San Diego FM
Watch KPBS TV
Pause and rewind your program with ease
On Demand
Access KPBS, PBS, PBS Kids and NPR programs and podcasts easily and quickly
Pause and rewind your program with ease
When listening to programs, individual segments (when available) are listed so you can review and choose one or listen to the entire program
Easy to access past programs
Sign in with your Passport account to access the full PBS Passport library
Additional features
View the radio and TV schedules
Bookmark a program for later viewing
KPBS membership support
Send KPBS a recorded audio or video message
A built-in Sleep Timer and Alarm Clock allows you to go to sleep and wake up to your favorite station
The stream may suffer technical difficulties due to a number of reasons. Sometimes it is an issue on our end. We do our best to immediately address any issues within our control by working closely with our streaming service. Other times the difficulty is due to data signals, internet service providers, or weather. Any temporary loss in connectivity will cause the stream to be interrupted. We will publish a note on kpbs.org if there is a technical outage we are working on and do our best to provide a timeframe for a solution.
Just click on the Listen button on our website and select the Classical San Diego tab from the player page. You can also listen on an HD Radio, or you can download and use the NPR or KPBS app.
Newsletters
Generally speaking, you should receive your first daily newsletter the next business day after you sign up. If you do not see the newsletter, please check your junk or spam folders. Please add newsletters@kpbs.org to your address book to ensure our newsletters don't get lost in your spam folder.
Locate any KPBS newsletter in your inbox. At the very bottom, you can click "opt out" to stop receiving that specific newsletter, or click "unsubscribe" to stop receiving all emails from KPBS
Radio Reading Service Update
You may access our content through smart speakers as well as the website kpbs.org. You must have a print or reading impairment to use the service available streaming online.
KPBS creates digital content that is available to all people. Our websites can be accessed via a variety of devices, such as screen readers for the sight- and print-impaired or devices that can be controlled with a mouth, chin or head for people who don't have use of their hands. Our staff is trained by the California State University system to meet strict requirements for accessibility, and often surpass expectations set by the state to ensure the best possible user experience.
We are currently not accepting donations for the RRS. If you previously made a donation and want to check on its status, please contact (888) 399-5727.
There is no cost to access the Radio Reading Service, but you must have a print or reading impairment to use the service available streaming online.
Call 619-594-8170. Our Mailing address:
KPBS Reading Service,
5200 Campanile Dr., San Diego, CA 92182.
Radio Schedule Changes
Each year, KPBS pays fees to several organizations that allow us to broadcast their programs, including Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me, The World, BBC News, and Marketplace. Your donation helps support the production and presentation of these programs - both on air and online. In addition, KPBS offers programming especially for our local audience. KPBS Midday Edition and The Roundtable are produced by KPBS and present local news in a balanced, thoughtful, and engaging way. Our award winning journalists cover the top local stories each day, providing context and depth unique to public radio. As a member, your support helps KPBS present valuable, trusted, and enriching content across multiple media outlets for the benefit of the entire community.
There are many factors considered when making a change to the schedule. Rating reports are important; audience tune in (or lack thereof) is one way of measuring a program’s success. Other factors may include program costs, broadcast rights, quality and variety of content, and larger format changes. Our Programming department considers many factors, as noted above, before making changes to the schedule including audience response – both quantitatively via ratings and qualitatively via comments, calls, and emails – and our assessment of the show’s content. KPBS makes its own decisions based on what we feel is in the best interest of our audience as a whole. We present content that reflects our values of excellence, quality, balance, accuracy, and diversity – values our audience expects from KPBS.
KPBS is changing its radio program schedule to better meet our audience’s need for timely, relevant news during the day. Recent ratings reports reveal KPBS’ Radio audience at an all-time high. This tells us that KPBS’ news content is what our listeners expect. The move to feature more news in the middle of the day supports KPBS’ mission to be a trusted source of news and information for the greater San Diego community. The station is always on the lookout for new talent and great programs. When they become available and seem to have a future — like Snap Judgment and Wits — we want to find room for them in the schedule. Given the limited air time, some shows will have to be removed to make room for new shows. We also want to give more prominent time slots to programs that have become popular with our audience like Ask Me Another and TED Radio Hour. Overall we want to continue providing a reliable news and information service, but also bring new voices to the air when possible.
KPBS.org streams Classical Music 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The great thing about the classical music stream is you can listen all day, any day from your computer, internet-connected device, or on an HD Radio. Or you can download and use the NPR or KPBS app.
A Web stream delivers live audio through the Internet to your computer. If you have a computer with an Internet connection, you have everything you need. Just visit KPBS.org where you can listen for free.
TV Rescan
Rescanning only takes a few minutes.
Select "scan" or "autotune" from your TV or converter box control menu to start the scanning process.
You can usually find instructions by pressing the "set-up" or "menu" buttons on your television or digital antenna remote control.
Your TV will do the rest. This process usually takes just a few minutes.
This may require viewers who use an antenna to watch TV to rescan more than once – each time a local station changes frequencies.
If you haven’t rescanned your TV recently, you may discover TV channels you didn’t know you were missing.
For additional assistance, contact the FCC’s consumer hotline at 1-888-225-5322. Once connected, select your preferred language and then press prompt number 6. This is a government call center not affiliated with KPBS.
Rescanning is when your TV finds all the available channels in your area.
