Solving playback issues

[Kgm231]

The PBS app on my Roku Ultra LT stopped loading after the most recent app update, a few days ago. All other apps are working properly. After clicking on the app, it shows a brief blank screen then returns to the Roku home screen. App ver 5.8 build 3.

Tried deleting the app then rebooting and reloading the app, still not working. 

[ivakatz]

PBS live programming has stopped working.  Did all the things suggested, deleted and reentered app, unplugged Roku and router, etc.  Went to system update and it is up to date with version 14.0.4.  I can see PBS recorded programs but not live programming.  Any suggestions?

[Rotiman]

I'm having the same problem with my live PBS. I tried the same solutions with no avail. I hope PBS gets on it. I sure miss watching my Saturday night programming on KVCR i.e. Nightmare Theater, Native Shorts, & Classic Movies. 😞💯

[Thesnide]

Same problem here. Wanted to finish watching an episode of the American experience on PBS. When loading the channel, a brief  blue "PBS" screen appears and then it returns to the home screen. I tried rebooting the Roku TV from the system menu several times and rebooted my Wi-Fi network. Uninstalling/reinstalling the channel and rebooting does not help

[PatsyK9z]

Did not help even after turning off & restarting TV 

[andyross]

Same problem on both my 2020 Ultra and Express 4K+. Same version. It did work a day or so ago, but not certain what version that is.

Try and contact PBS, as they are responsible for writing the apps, not Roku.

I went to the PBS support site, and they have a notice about issues with the Apple PBS app. So it looks like this is not just a Roku issue.

https://help.pbs.org/support/home 

[wyt]

Does it do it for all programs, or merely some? It seems to be what happens when the app can't reach the advertising server that's at a different internet address than the main PBS streams. So when it can't reach that server -- which can be at any of a number of addresses and can fail to be reached either because of local firewall settings on your own systems or routing blockage in between you and there -- it just bombs out. Of course, PBS could write its app so when it fails just the advertising fails, and we still get the programs we've paid to subscribe for. But PBS values its advertisers over its public in this. 

Anyway, the question is because some shows seem to end up with different advertising servers than others, so sometimes some work while others don't.

[andyross]

To add, you can submit a ticket here:

https://help.pbs.org/support/tickets/new 

[Ccshipman]

I have previously had PBS App on my tv, via Roku Express 4

However now I can remove and add the App, but I cannot view anything.  I’m taken to a screen that indicates Sign in or subscribe, and it just takes me back to that same screen? 

I have rebooted every and that did not help. 

[PatsyK9z]

Just PBS.  I followed some suggestion in settings to PERMISSIVE.  Didn't work. Set back to default.   Removed PBS.  Turned off TV.  Back on & reinstalled.  Still doesn't work.