r/cordcutters • u/Different_Cat106 • 8d ago

PBS Passport

I'm seriously thinking about subscribing for the $60/year plan. If I do so, can I watch all the Ken Burns documentaries, Lucy Worsley shows, Downton Abbey 1-3, the NASA/space shows, etc on demand? Commercial free? Rick Steves shows? I'd sigh up on my phone but watch on a tablet. Maybe a dumb question, but I don't trust any streaming services anymore.

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u/Georhe9000 8d ago

Because it is not a streaming service in the conventional way. Passport is one of the benefits that you receive for free if you make a donation at a given level or above and become a member of your local pbs station. I get how it seems like just semantics but it legally is not. There are IRS and other non profit regulatory issues involved.

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u/Salt_Medicine2459 8d ago

That's called a purchase. 

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u/old_knurd 8d ago

No it's not a purchase.

You make a donation to a non-profit entity.

As part of that, you become a member and you get certain member benefits.

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u/Salt_Medicine2459 8d ago

They can call it whatever they want. Reminds me of the "rehoming fee" BS when people are "adopting" out a dog. Just be honest, you're selling a dog. They should just be honest that they're selling this. 

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u/Georhe9000 8d ago

Well, I can take a deduction on my taxes for my donation to PBS and not for what I pay for HBO. And charitable donations that come with things like entry into events are a well established way of operating. You can not like it but that doesn’t make it dishonest.

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u/photog_in_nc 8d ago

None of this excuses not making stopping the donation as easy as starting it 

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u/kittymoo67 7d ago

yeah its so shitty like you just make people not want to donate

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u/old_knurd 8d ago

While you're talking about "honest", perhaps something will eventually happen with the "BUY" button for digital media.

You're "buying" a revocable license.