PBS America heads for Freesat

PBS America has struck a significant carriage deal with UK satellite platform Freesat.

The agreement, which begins on October 31, will bring the US-backed factual-leaning channel into the UK’s free-to-air space for the first time, opening it up to four million Freesat viewers.

PBS America is currently available as a pay channel on Sky’s satellite platform and Virgin Media’s cable network.

The channel’s general manager, Richard Kingsbury, said: “We’ve always had a lot of interest from free-to-air viewers who enjoy quality docs and so it’s wonderful to be able to reach them at last. I’m confident the Freesat launch will further accelerate the growth of PBS America.”

Since launching four years ago, the channel has doubled its share of viewing and carved a niche for itself in the factual section of the EPG with a range of documentaries on American history and science, as well as current affairs programmes. It recently increased its third-party acquisitions to sit alongside its main PBS inventory.

To mark its launch on the platform, PBS America is lining up a special six-week Ken Burns season from November 1, featuring a selection of films from the renowned US documentary filmmaker – including a 25th anniversary remastered version of The Civil War.

PBS US president and CEO Paula Kerger said: “I strongly believe in the power of media to bring people together, across neighbourhoods and across oceans, and this is an important step forward for that mission.”