Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make a donation? 

We’re so grateful for your support! You can give online, by phone, or by mail—whatever works best for you.  

• Phone: Contact Audience Services at (703) 998-2724,  9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• Email: membership@weta.org 
• Mailing Address:  
  WETA 
  P.O. BOX 96100 
  Washington, D.C. 20090-6100 

Your generous contribution will support the trusted programs you value on WETA TV, WETA Classical and our new streaming service, WETA+.  With your gift of $8 per month or more, more or $96  per year or more, you’ll receive access to our streaming video member benefit, WETA+ with PBS Passport. 

What is the Leadership Circle?

Donors contributing $100 per month or $1,200 annually are members of the Leadership Circle. Learn more about the Leadership Circle and the special benefits donors receive like our annual Salon Series of events, recognition in the Annual Report to the Community, and other benefits designed to bring donors closer to WETA.  Join the Leadership Circle or renew your support now. 

• Phone: Contact the Leadership Circle office at (703) 998-2691, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. 
• Email: LCircle@weta.org 
• Mailing Address:  
  Attn: Leadership Circle 
  3939 Campbell Avenue 
  Arlington, VA 22206 

What is WETA’s legal name and Federal Tax ID? 

Our legal name is Greater Washington Educational Telecommunications Assoc. Inc. and our Federal Tax ID (EIN) is 53-0242992. 

How can I support WETA through a Donor-Advised Fund, IRA distribution or with a gift of stock? 

Donor-Advised Fund: 

If you’d like to recommend a grant to WETA through your Donor-Advised Fund, contact the sponsoring organization (Fidelity, Vanguard, etc.) and give them the following information, and please ask them to let us know who is making the gift: 

• Legal Name: Greater Washington Educational Telecommunications Assoc., Inc. 
• Federal Tax ID: 53-0242992 

Learn more about recommending a gift from your Donor-Advised Fund to support WETA or make your gift online. 

IRA Charitable Distribution: 

For individuals aged 70 ½ or older, a traditional IRA can become a powerful tool for charitable giving through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). You can avoid taxes on transfers of up to $111,000 from your IRA to WETA, make a gift that is not subject to the deduction limits on charitable gifts and support the programming you value on WETA Television, WETA Classical and our new streaming service, WETA+. 

To make a QCD from your IRA, you will need to give your plan administrator the following information:  

• Legal Name: Greater Washington Educational Telecommunications Assoc., Inc.  
• Federal Tax ID: 53-0242992.  
• Mailing Address: WETA, 3939 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA 22206 

Learn more about making a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA to support WETA. 

Stock or Bonds: 

A gift of appreciated securities, including stocks or bonds, is an easy way for you to make a gift to WETA. When providing instructions to your broker, please be sure to have the stock transfer clearly designate the donation to the Greater Washington Educational Telecommunications Association, Inc.  

 Our Federal Tax Identification Number is 53-0242992. Your broker will need the following information to complete the transfer/donation: 

• DTC #: 8862 
• Account #: 7wd-04255 
• Brokerage: Merrill Lynch, 1800 K ST NW, STE 800, Washington, DC 20006 
• Broker: George L. Balboa, Jr., (202) 659-6112; George_Balboajr@ml.com 

Contact Debbie Eliason, Senior Director, Planned Gifts, at (703) 998-1834 or send an email to deliason@weta.org with the name and estimated shares of stock you are giving to WETA so that we may thank you in a timely manner when the gift is received. 

Learn more about how to make a contribution to support WETA through a gift of appreciated securities. 

How can I support WETA with a vehicle donation? 

Help support WETA when you donate your car, boat, motorcycle, truck or other vehicle. We’ll even schedule free pick-up service at a time that’s convenient for you. 

Get started by entering your information into our quick and easy form right now or call 1-888-400-WETA (9382). 

How do I update my communication preferences or my contact information like name, address or email? 

We want to reach you in the way that works best for you. Although we do not have an online form for you to make adjustments, you can email us with your preferences or change of contact information at membership@weta.org or call Audience Services at 703-998-2724, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Or, if you are a Leadership Circle member, contact the Leadership Circle office at (703) 998-2691, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday or email us at LCircle@weta.org. 

When is my renewal due? 

Your membership is renewed 12 months from your most recent gift. We’ll send a friendly reminder about four months before that date, so you have plenty of time to renew and not lose access to your member benefits, like WETA+ with PBS Passport. 

I gave through a Donor-Advised Fund, IRA, or workplace campaign but am still getting renewal notices. 

Gifts from these sources sometimes take a little extra time to reach us. Once we receive yours, we’ll update your information right away. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to us and we’re happy to check on it. When you contribute via your Donor-Advised Fund, please ask for your name to be included as the gift is made to WETA so we may properly credit your donation. 

Email us at membership@weta.org  or call Audience Services at 703-998-2724, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 

I did not receive my WETA Magazine. 

Please be aware the WETA Magazine should arrive on the first of the month. If it is after the first of the month, email us at membership@weta.org with your name and mailing address and we will send you a new one. In the meantime, a digital version of the WETA Magazine can be found here. 

When will I receive my thank-you gift? 

Thank-you gifts typically arrive within 2–8 weeks. We will be in touch if we experience any delays. 

How do I make a gift to WETA in my will or trust, or name WETA as a beneficiary? 

You can make a lasting impact for WETA and future generations of viewers and listeners when you name WETA as a beneficiary through a will, trust or IRA. Learn more about how WETA can be part of your legacy or contact us and we will get back to you promptly. 

 Our planned giving pages contain useful tools and videos about estate planning and other ways to give. Bequest language can be found here and you can also request a copy of our free Estate Planning Guide to help you with your planning.  

What is the Elizabeth P. Campbell Legacy Society? 

Named for WETA founder Elizabeth P. Campbell, the Legacy Society recognizes those individuals whose generosity through a will, trust, retirement account, charitable gift annuity, or other financial plan will help ensure WETA programs and services will be available for audiences in years to come.  

 If you have made a future gift to WETA through your will, trust, or retirement plan or other financial instrument, please complete our Legacy Society Recognition form so we may thank you today for your intention and welcome you into the Legacy Society. 

What is a sustaining gift and why is it the best way to support WETA? 

You can choose to support WETA with either a monthly sustaining or annual recurring donation from your bank account or credit card. Your monthly sustaining gift will charge on the same day each month; your annual recurring will charge on the anniversary of your gift each following year. You can cancel at any time.  

A monthly or annual recurring gift, no matter the size, accumulates over time, creating a powerful, sustained effect no matter what challenges come our way as we navigate a future without federal funding. If you are able to consider making a monthly gift, your steady support will provide critical, reliable funding WETA needs to plan for and deliver thought-provoking television, inspirational classical music and our community programs. 

It is our strongest defense in this new era, giving us the ability to sustain our current programs, and push forward to serve our community with the trusted programming you rely on.  

As a sustainer, you'll enjoy uninterrupted access to your WETA member benefits including invitations to special events and on demand streaming of your favorite PBS and WETA shows on WETA + with PBS Passport. There is also no need for renewal reminders as your membership will remain current until you decide to change or cancel it. 

It’s easy to sign up: just visit our donation form, choose your sustaining gift amount, and enter your payment details.  

How do I update my payment info for my sustaining gift? 

You can update your monthly payment information online or call Audience Services at (703) 998-2724,  9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or email us at membership@weta.org. Please do not email your full credit card number or banking information. If you are adding a new payment method either use the online portal or call us. Only request donation amount changes by email. 

Or, if you are a Leadership Circle member, contact the Leadership Circle office at (703) 998-2691, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday or email us at LCircle@weta.org. 

How do I cancel my sustaining gift? 

We’re sorry to see you go! If it would help to pause your sustaining gift for a temporary time period or if you want to reduce your monthly or annual recurring amount, we can help you adjust your account. For help or to cancel, you can call Audience Audience Services at (703) 998-2724,  9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or email us at membership@weta.org. 

Or, if you are a Leadership Circle member, contact the Leadership Circle office at (703) 998-2691, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday or email us at LCircle@weta.org. 

Can I see my sustaining gift details online? 

We do not have an online link to view your sustaining gift information. The easiest way to ask any questions about your WETA Membership is to give our friendly Audience Services team a call directly at (703) 998-2724 or email membership@weta.org.  

Or, if you are a Leadership Circle member, contact the Leadership Circle office at (703) 998-2691, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday or email us at LCircle@weta.org. 

What is WETA+ and what is PBS Passport? 

WETA+ is our free streaming service, where you can watch all your PBS and WETA favorites on your schedule, plus watch all of our WETA channels and more live.  WETA+ is FREE on any device where it is available including most TV streaming devices, smart TVs, phones, tablets, and web browsers.  

Learn more about WETA+.   

PBS Passport is a special member benefit which unlocks even more of the best of PBS and WETA, including full seasons, early releases, and fan favorites.  When you contribute a minimum of $8 per month or more, or $96 per year or more, you can stream Passport exclusives, enjoy special early access to full seasons of hit shows before they air, and binge-watch your favorite programs. Make a qualifying donation today and start streaming WETA+ with PBS Passport right now. 

Am I eligible for PBS Passport? 

PBS Passport is a member benefit available to contributors who donate $8 per month or $96 or more per year. If you are not yet eligible, you can donate right now for instant access to PBS Passport and start watching. 

How do I get my PBS Passport activation code? 

After making a qualifying donation, check your inbox for a message coming from an @pbs.org email address or your spam folder, just in case. Your activation code can take up to three hours to arrive. 

If you still haven’t received it, go to the Passport Member Lookup tool and it can be resent to you. 

How do I access the WETA+ app? 

Visit our WETA+ help page to learn how to download WETA+. It’s free! It’s available on most connected TV devices, smart TVs, phones and tablets including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, LG TV, Samsung, Android TV, iOS, and Android devices. You can also watch on your computer. 

You can sign in with your PBS or WETA account, or create a free account if you don’t already have one. 

How do I set up WETA+ on my device? 

Visit our WETA+ help page to get step-by-step directions on how to set up WETA+ on your device. 

Prefer to talk it through or need help? Our friendly Audience Services team is here for you! Our hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Phone: (703) 998-2724 ·  

Email: plushelp@weta.org  

How do I sign into PBS Passport? 

If you have already created a PBS or WETA+ account and made a donation of $8 per month or $96 for a year, your existing account should get access to PBS Passport programs.  

If you have not created an account, please refer to “How do I set up WETA+ on my device.” Please note you will also need to make a donation of $8 per month or $96 per year for PBS Passport access, if you do not already qualify. 

If you already have made a qualifying donation and are having difficulty accessing Passport, start with the Member Lookup Tool. It may be able to send you an activation code right away. If not, we’re here to help: contact us at (703) 998-2724, 9 a.m-5 p.m., Monday through Friday or at membership@weta.org. 

A show I am looking for isn’t in PBS Passport. Why? 

We wish we could offer everything! Streaming availability depends on rights agreements with program owners and distributors. If a show isn’t in Passport, we haven’t been granted permission to stream it. This is especially common for some WETA UK productions. 

I’m a WETA member but don’t have a PBS Passport code. What do I do? 

Start with the Member Lookup Tool. It may be able to resend your code right away. If not, we’re here to help: contact us at (703) 998-2724, 9 a.m-5 p.m., Monday through Friday or at membership@weta.org.  

How can I watch WETA PBS? 

WETA’s TV channels are available wherever you watch including: 

• Through your cable provider (channel numbers vary, please see our Channel Guide for each channel  
• Over the air broadcast signal with an antenna on Channel 26  
• All 5 WETA channels are always LIVE on WETA+ 
• WETA Metro is also available on YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Amazon Prime 

Can I livestream WETA without cable? 

Yes. You can livestream all 5 WETA channels on WETA+: WETA PBS, WETA UK, WETA Metro, WETA World and WETA PBS Kids. You can also stream NHK World and FNX. 

I lost WETA over the air. How do I fix it? 

Coverage can be sporadic if you live near the edge of our broadcast zone. If you are inside the zone, please try the below instructions.

Occasional temporary signal loss, especially during bad weather is often signal interference that clears up when the weather passes. However, if there isn't bad weather or it's been more than several minutes without a signal you may need to “rescan” or “double rescan” to fix your antenna. 

Rescan: Please note that these are “generic” instructions and your TV may use different descriptions and for exact instructions, you can consult your TV owner’s manual. If you no longer have the manual, you can search online by typing “how to rescan my [Brand Name] TV”. 

1. Go to the TV Menu on your remote control 
2. Select/find “Channel Setup” (or similar) 
3. Choose “Antenna” and/or “Air” 
4. Run “Auto Program” (or similar) 
5. Your TV may take roughly 3 to 15 minutes to find all the channels in your area 

If rescanning does not work, you can try Double Rescan (because sometimes a simple rescan does not work to recover lost channels). 

1. While the TV is on, disconnect the antenna cable from the television 
2. Rescan for channels (as above) and you should not receive any channels at all at this point 
3. Turn off the TV 
4. Reconnect the antenna 
5. Turn on the TV and rescan 

Can I watch WETA's TV channels outside of the DC area? 

Yes! You can watch all 5 WETA TV channels anywhere in the U.S. on WETA+ with PBS Passport. If you are not yet a WETA member at the level of $8 per month or more, or $96 per year or more, you can donate and get PBS Passport access here. You can watch all 5 WETA TV channels live on WETA+ for free (without Passport) within the DC area. 

There’s no audio on a program. How do I fix it? 

You can try several things to restore your audio. 

1. The first thing to do is press the mute button on your remote. If the TV was accidentally muted, this will unmute it.  
2. You can press the volume up button. This will also let you see the volume your TV is operating at.  
3. If those don’t restore your audio, go to your TV’s audio settings. As the correct way to access these setting varies by device, your TV owner's manual can help, but it's often found under settings, which your TV or remote usually uses a gear icon to indicate.  
   
   Inside the settings, you will want to locate the audio settings. If the audio settings are showing a language other than “English” or “Channel 1” change the setting to those.  
   
   Audio settings frequently have a variety of options for different languages or for hearing impairment, and accidentally triggering those settings results in the sound loss this is trying to fix.

I am hearing a voice narrating what is on my screen, in addition to the regular audio. 

You have probably turned on your TV’s Descriptive Video Service. Go into your TVs audio setting (usually found in the settings menu, indicated by a gear on the TV menu or remote) and look for either “SAP ON” or a channel setting other than “Channel 1”. Turning SAP off or changing the channel setting to Channel 1 should fix the issue.   

How can I listen to WETA Classical? 

There are so many ways to enjoy WETA Classical, such as over the air, online, or on our WETA Classical mobile app. 

Find the option that fits your life.

One of our most popular ways to listen is on your computer via our Listen Live feature. 

What is WETA Virtuoso? 

WETA Virtuoso is our new radio channel dedicated to comprehensive classical listening.  

You can hear the station on HD Channel 90.9-3, online, on the WETA Classical app, and on smart speakers.  

 WETA Virtuoso is a companion to WETA Classical and WETA VivaLaVoce, serving listeners who want a deeper experience with classical music in all its diversity, from medieval chant to composers of today. You'll hear recordings presented by WETA Classical hosts as well as special programs featuring live concert recordings, including weekly broadcasts of the top American orchestras and the long-running early-music program Millennium of Music, hosted by Robert Aubry Davis. Learn more about WETA Virtuoso. 

What is VivaLaVoce? 

Love opera and other choral works? You’ll want to listen to VivaLaVoce, on HD Channel 90.9-2 and online. 

What is “Friends of Classical Music?” 

You can express your appreciation for WETA Classical by joining the Leadership Circle Friends of Classical Music with a gift of $1,200 or more to the Leadership Circle Annual Fund.  

Your generosity helps bring the world’s finest performances and compositions into your home every day while supporting educational programming, concert broadcasts and initiatives that share the power and beauty of classical music with audiences of all ages. Friends of Classical Music are also invited to special events hosted by WETA Classical. 

Learn more or make your gift today to become a Friend of Classical Music today. 

How do I learn more about the WETA Classical hosts? 

You can read the bios of our experienced hosts here. 

How do I learn even more about the classical music I’m listening to on WETA Classical? 

You can sign up for our podcast, Classical Breakdown,  or read our blog, Classical Score.  

Can I livestream PBS News Hour? 

Yes!  You can livestream or watch on WETA+ or on the PBS News Hour channel on YouTube. 

Today’s episode of PBS News Hour hasn’t loaded for streaming yet. 

We appreciate your patience! Live programs take a little extra time to prepare for on-demand streaming, and our team works as quickly as possible to get it posted. In the meantime, the episode also replays on multiple WETA channels throughout the evening. 

View the full replay schedule. 

How do I share feedback about PBS News Hour? 

The PBS News Hour team values hearing from viewers like you. The best way to reach them is to send an email to: viewermail@newshour.org 

I have more questions about PBS News Hour, including how I can support the program with a generous tax-deductible donation. What should I do? 

Go to the PBS News Hour website, where you can watch videos, read articles and sign up for newsletters from PBS News Hour.  You can go to the Frequently Asked Questions section of their website for more information on donating to PBS News Hour. 

Can I listen to PBS News Hour and other PBS related podcasts? 

Yes. PBS News Hour podcasts are available on the PBS News Podcast page.

Where else can I find PBS News Hour? 

PBS News Hour is available on most social media platforms including YouTube, Facebook, X(formally Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and Threads.