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Ways to Watch WTTW

Ways to Watch WTTW

You can find WTTW on all of your favorite devices in any format you choose, traditional over-the-air broadcast TV, online, and on the PBS Video app for mobile, smart TVs, and streaming devices. Explore the possibilities below.

Watch WTTW on TV

While you can still enjoy WTTW and PBS's exemplary programming with your antenna or cable/satellite subscription in the Chicagoland area, you can also watch anytime through your smart TV or other internet-connected streaming device.

Broadcast, Cable & Satellite

Still a popular way to watch television, find all of WTTW's broadcast, cable, and satellite channels below. Click on the blue tabs above to discover our smart TV streaming options.

Channels

WTTW (11.1)
Antenna: 11-1
Comcast: 11 and 191
RCN: 11 and 611
DISH: 8496

WTTW Prime (11.2)
Antenna: 11-2
Comcast: 367
RCN: 37

WTTW Create (11.3)
Antenna: 11-3
Comcast: 369
RCN: 38

WTTW Kids 24/7 (11.4)
Antenna: 11-4
Comcast: 368
RCN: 39

WTTW World (11.5)
Antenna: 11-5

View the WTTW TV Schedules

Roku

If you have a Roku device connected to your TV (or a smart TV with Roku built-in known as Roku TV) you can add the PBS channel by following the steps below.

  • On your Roku home screen, select Streaming Channels. Depending on your Roku device, this option may instead appear as Channel Store.
  • A list of available channels on your Roku device will appear. To quickly find the PBS Video channel, select the Search Channels option and search for "PBS".
  • Roku will return a list of search results, including the PBS Video channel. Select this search result.
  • Select Add channel on the right side of the screen. Roku will begin downloading the PBS Video channel to your device.
  • Once the download is complete, you will have the option to Go to channel. You can also now find the PBS Video channel icon on your Roku's home screen for future visits.

More help for RokuView/Purchase Roku devices

Amazon Fire TV

To activate your streaming device, click here or navigate to http://www.pbs.org/activate on your computer or mobile device.

  • When you open the PBS Video app on your Amazon Fire TV and receive a message to activate, take note of the activation code. You will use this code for the next step.
  • On your computer, tablet, or phone, open a web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
  • Type http://www.pbs.org/activate in the address bar.
  • Type your activation code in the textbox provided.
  • Click Continue.
  • Your Amazon Fire TV has been activated and you can return to your Amazon Fire TV to begin watching PBS and WTTW videos.

More help for Amazon Fire devicesView/Purchase Amazon Fire devices

Android TV

To activate your streaming device, click here or navigate to http://www.pbs.org/activate on your computer or mobile device.

  • Navigate to the Google Play Store app on your Android TV or Android TV device and download the PBS Video app.
  • Open the PBS Video app on your TV and you will receive a message to activate. Take note of the activation code; you will use this code in the next step.
  • On your computer, tablet, or phone, open a web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
  • Type http://www.pbs.org/activate in the address bar.
  • Type your activation code in the textbox provided.
  • Click Continue.
  • Your Android TV app has been activated and you can return to your TV to begin watching PBS and WTTW videos.

View/Purchase Android TV devices

Apple TV

To activate your streaming device, click here or navigate to http://www.pbs.org/activate on your computer or mobile device.

  • Open the PBS Video app on your Apple TV and you will receive a message to activate. Take note of the activation code; you will use this code in the next step.
  • On your computer, tablet, or phone, open a web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
  • Type http://www.pbs.org/activate in the address bar.
  • Type your activation code in the textbox provided.
  • Click Continue.
  • Your Apple TV app has been activated and you can return to your TV to begin watching PBS and WTTW videos.

More help with Apple TVView/Purchase Apple TV devices

Samsung TVs

The PBS Video app is available for download on Samsung Smart TV for 2017 models and newer. To download the app, you'll need to create or sign in with your Samsung account.

To download the PBS Video app:

  • Go to your Samsung smart TV's Home menu by selecting the Home button on your remote.
  • Using your remote's arrow buttons, navigate to and select the Apps button.
  • Navigate to and select the Search button (magnifying glass icon).
  • Search for "PBS", then select and Install the app. Can't find the PBS Video app? Check if your TV is compatible.

The app will begin installing to your Samsung Smart TV. When the download completes, open the app and enjoy your favorite WTTW programs!

Chromecast

Chromecast allows you to stream PBS and WTTW content directly from your computer, iOS, or Android device to your TV.

If you already have a Chromecast device plugged in to your television, use the instructions below to Cast from the PBS Video app or WTTW website.

From the PBS Video app

Simply open the PBS Video app on your phone. On any screen of the app, you should see the Chromecast icon in the upper right corner (pictured below) next to the search icon. Simply tap the icon, choose the device to Cast to, and play your video.

From the WTTW Website

If using the website instead of the PBS Video app, navigate to the video you'd like to watch on WTTW.com or video.wttw.com from your computer or mobile device.

In the lower right corner of any video on WTTW.com you should see a similar Chromecast icon to the one pictured in the screenshot above. Simply tap that icon and choose the device to which you'd like to Cast the video.

More help with ChromecastView/Purchase Chromecast devices

Watch WTTW Online

WTTW video portal on Pixel Slate

Good news! You can catch up on your favorite WTTW programs like Chicago Stories, Chicago Tonight, and Chicago Tours with Geoffrey Baer — in addition to popular PBS programs like Antiques Roadshow, Masterpiece, NOVA, and PBS NewsHour — on our website on-demand.

Watch on-demand nowWatch live now

PB///s Video App icon

Watch WTTW on Mobile

The same great content that is available online and on your TV is also with you wherever you go! Download the PBS Video app for your Android device and iPhone or iPad.

Get the PBS Video app on Google PlayPBS Video app screens on Google Pixel 3 and Pixel Slate Get the PBS Video app on the App StorePBS Video app screens on iPhone and iPad

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I live stream WTTW?

Yes! You can watch WTTW's primary channel (11.1) and our WTTW/PBS Kids channel (11.4) live wherever you are. To live stream WTTW, visit wttw.com/live or click the "Live TV" button on the PBS Video app after selecting WTTW as your PBS station. To live stream WTTW/PBS Kids, visit wttw.com/kids. We also stream Chicago Tonight live every night on wttw.com/news, Facebook, and YouTube.

You can also watch WTTW's primary channel live on YouTube TV and DIRECTV Stream if you have a subscription.

What is WTTW Passport?

WTTW Passport is the newest member benefit for WTTW members with a contribution of $5/month or $60/year as a WTTW Sustainer.

If you are not a WTTW member who meets the qualifications above, you can donate and activate WTTW Passport now!

Learn more about WTTW Passport or find answers to Passport FAQs >>

How do I activate the PBS Video app on my device?
  • When you are on your device (e.g. Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, etc.) and receive a message to activate, take note of the activation code. You will use this code in the next step.
  • On your computer, tablet, or phone, open a web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
  • Type http://www.pbs.org/activate in the address bar.
  • Type your activation code in the textbox provided.
  • Click Continue.
  • Your device has been activated and you can return to it to begin enjoying WTTW videos.
  • For the best streaming experience on smart TVs, we recommend using our app on Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV and Stick, Android Smart TVs, and Samsung Smart TVs (2017+). View a full list of devices we support.