FAQ for Mountain Lake PBS

Streaming Video:

Can I view a live stream of Mountain Lake PBS? Is it free?

Yes, you can stream for free 24/7 if you’re located in the United States within Mountain Lake PBS broadcasting range. Enabling location access via your device is required. If you have any issues with enabling your location’s device, click here for further help: https://help.pbs.org/support/solutions/articles/12000070717-something-went-wrong-while-getting-your-device-s-location- 

You can stream live by clicking here: https://mountainlake.org/watch/live/  

Does Mountain Lake PBS offer any on demand videos?

If you live within Mountain Lake PBS broadcast range, you can view on demand videos at https://video.mountainlake.org

What on demand videos are available for viewers who reside in Canada?

For only $5.00 a month, you can access PBS Passport in Canada. For further details, please click here: https://help.pbs.org/support/solutions/articles/12000073169-using-pbs-passport-as-a-canadian-member 

What devices can I use to stream Mountain Lake PBS?

You can stream on the following devices: Roku, Android Mobile, IPhone and IPad, Amazon Fire and Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast and Samsung TV.  For troubleshooting on any device, please click here: https://help.pbs.org/support/solutions/articles/12000069454-pbs-live-streaming-faq-and-troubleshooting 

What web browser is required to stream MLPBS on my phone or tablet?

You may use Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Apple’s Safari and Firefox.

Why is a video labeled as “Unavailable in your Area”?

There are a few different reasons why you may have received this message.

The streaming rights for the video you are trying to watch may have expired.

A video’s expiration date can be found beneath the video in the video details section, as shown below. As you may know PBS is not a producer, but rather a distributor of programming. Our distribution rights are fairly limited and are sometimes confined to only broadcasting. However, when PBS is allowed streaming rights, they are subjected to time limitations, usually of two weeks. If a video has expired, PBS no longer holds rights to stream this program online. In these cases, an expiration date will be listed beneath the video title.                                                                                                                                                 

Please keep in mind that many videos are available for streaming the day after they are broadcast on television and for up to two weeks after for users without the Passport benefit. So when an episode airs on television on Sunday evening, it is available online Monday and for the next two weeks. It’s possible that your station does not offer the local station membership benefit Passport, which allows members extended access to a library of public television.

If your local station does not currently offer PBS Passport, feel free to contact them and ask if they have plans to in the future. If the video has a small blue compass rose icon () next to its title, then it is available exclusively for PBS stations which offer the Passport benefit. Learn more about PBS Passport.

Our distribution rights are fairly limited and are generally confined to dissemination within the United States.

While over-the-air broadcasts reach beyond U.S. borders, online video is subject to geo-filtering, which restricts the areas that can view PBS content. PBS is legally obligated to ensure each program does not exceed its granted rights, which unfortunately eliminates international streaming ability for PBS programs outside the US. We regret not being able to offer all our content online to our supporters. Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience.

Supporting Mountain Lake PBS:

How is Mountain Lake PBS funded? 

Mountain Lake PBS is a 501(c) non-profit and 40 % of the budget is generously contributed from businesses and individuals like you right here in our local community in Plattsburgh along with Montreal Canada, Burlington VT and everywhere in between. We thank you for your continued support. 

How can I donate my vehicle to Mountain Lake PBS?

You may donate your vehicle by clicking here: https://mountainlake.org/support/cars/

How can I designate Mountain Lake PBS as a beneficiary of my retirement plan assets?

Reach out to your retirement plan administrator, insurance company, bank or financial institution for a change-of-beneficiary form.

Decide what percentage from (1 to 100) that you would like us to receive and name Mountain Lake Public Telecommunications Council, Inc. Tax ID 14-1513789 along with the percentage you chose, on the beneficiary form.

Return the completed filled out form to your plan administrator, insurance company, bank or financial institution.

How can I make a gift to Mountain Lake PBS in my estate planning? What about including Mountain Lake PBS in my will or trust or a gift of stock? Please contact Beth Davis, Director of Development at  (518) 324-0125 or bdavis@mlpbs.org to discuss making a gift within your estate planning.

How do I obtain a year end gift statement for tax purposes?
Mountain Lake PBS automatically mails tax receipts in the United States and Canada to all donors each year. Tax receipts are mailed by January 30th.  Feel free to contact our membership department at (518) 324-0129 or mlpbs@mlpbs.org for more information.

How can my company support MLPBS?

Underwriting is a mutually beneficial partnership between businesses/organizations and Mountain Lake PBS. Simply put, underwriting is a non-commercial sponsorship of programs or events. By associating your business/organization with Mountain Lake PBS, you’ll put your brand in front of an intelligent, appreciative audience that values public media sponsors because PBS ranks #1 in public trust.

How can I check if my employer will match my donation?

Regardless if you’re currently employed or retired, your company might increase your individual contribution with a matching gift. There are several companies who will also match gifts from spouses, surviving spouses and outside directors. To determine if your employee participates in matching gifts, provide the Mountain Lake PBS tax ID/EIN: 14-1513789 to the human resources department of your company for more information. 

What if I need to cancel my membership?

Please contact our membership department at 518-324-0129 or mlpbs@mlpbs.org

How can I volunteer at MLPBS?

Please log onto: https://mountainlake.org/support/volunteers-2/ to view what volunteer opportunities we have available. Regardless of your skillset, if you’ve got a few hours to give, we’d love to hear from you!

Passport:

What is Mountain Lake PBS Passport?

PBS Passport is a member benefit from participating PBS stations that gives eligible donors and supporters extended access to an on-demand library of quality public television programming online.  The PBS Passport library features episodes from popular programs, including American Experience, American Masters, Antiques Roadshow, Nature, NOVA, and Masterpiece. In addition to these signature series, the library is full of public television’s acclaimed arts, science, history, and lifestyle programs; including How We Got to Now, Earth a New Wild, Austin City Limits, and a rotating selection of films from Ken Burns. 

Local stations give the Passport benefit to their supporters who qualify for their Passport membership benefit. Each station can set their own qualifications for Passport, but most stations give the benefit to members who donate at least $60 a year, or $5 Sustainer/Ongoing-monthly gifts. For the most accurate information, please contact your local station or visit their website.

If you are interested in receiving the Passport membership benefit or are already a contributor with your local station, please contact your local station and ask about their eligibility requirements and membership activation.

If you have additional questions about the Passport membership benefit, please check the list of related questions below or use the search bar above to find additional answers on our PBS Help site

What devices can I use to stream Passport shows? 

You can stream Passport on the following devices: Roku/ Roku TV, Android Mobile, IPhone and IPad, Amazon Fire and Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast and Samsung TV (models 2017 or later).

How do I sign in to Passport on my TV?

Please view the following website to show step by step instruction on how to sign into Passport for your TV: https://help.pbs.org/support/solutions/articles/12000014155-how-do-i-log-into-my-passport-account-on-my-amazon-fire-tv-amazon-fire-stick-or-android-smart-tv- 

Broadcasting and Programming:

Will Mountain Lake PBS run my public service announcement (PSA)? 

Mountain Lake PBS is the public television station serving a very large region in Northeastern New York, Vermont, and Canada, and providing educational and informative programming for our viewers. Because of the tremendous coverage area and limited airtime between programs, we are unable to promote all of the many quality local events and charities on our air. Additionally, the breaks between programs are Mountain Lake’s opportunity to promote the station’s programming, community outreach efforts, local partnerships, and special events. Therefore, we regret to inform you that we do not accept public service announcements (PSAs).

What are cable providers for Mountain Lake PBS?

Where can I find a printable program guide? 

Mountain Lake PBS provides a Primetime Grid along with a printable PDF version and an HTML version which can be found here:  https://mountainlake.org/view-our-tv-schedule-for-upcoming-shows/ 

How can I add an event to your community calendar? 

To submit an event for review, please click here and submit the required information: https://mountainlake.org/events/community/add 

How can I submit a news story? 

Please fill out the form that can be found here and choose the option of Submit a News Item for consideration: https://mountainlake.org/about/contact/

PBS Education

How can I connect my classroom or homeschool group with Mountain Lake PBS Education?

Tours

Learn & Play Blog

Professional development workshops and trainings

School Advisory Committee and organizational partnerships

For specific questions, or to partner with MLPBS Education, contact Logan Brody, Education & Office Coordinator, at Lbrody@mlpbs.org or by phone at (518) 324-0102. 

Employment & Internships:

I’m interested in employment or an internship with Mountain Lake PBS. Where do I find information on available opportunities and who do I speak to?

Mountain Lake PBS is an equal opportunity employer, and offers employment opportunities in a variety of disciplines including production, programming, development, communications, engineering, information technology and many other areas. 

You can view all current job positions and internship opportunities on the Mountain Lake PBS website by logging on to: https://mountainlake.org/about/jobs-and-internships/ Please direct all inquiries to Human Resources at hr@mlpbs.org. Or by mail to Mountain Lake PBS, ATTN: Human Resources, One Sesame Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901.