Frequently Asked Questions

I NEED HELP WITH… 

Passport
Streaming Video Online
Managing Personal & Membership Information
Donations & Support
Broadcast Programming

 

PASSPORT

Q: What is TPT Passport?
A: TPT Passport is a new TPT membership benefit which allows extended access to TPT and PBS shows online and on-demand. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Q: How do I activate TPT Passport on my computer, tablet or phone?
A: If you’ve logged in to TPT.org before, then we’ll automatically activate your Passport benefit if you qualify. If you’ve never signed in before, it’s easy to get started!

1. Visit tpt.org/sign-in
2. Click on Create an Account
3. Follow the prompts to set-up your account and accept Terms & Conditions
4. After your account has been created, you’ll receive an email to verify your account
5. Once verified, you can enjoy Passport content!

Q: How do I activate TPT Passport on my TV?
A: If you have activated TPT Passport online, you can also watch via the PBS app on your TV using Apple TV, Roku and other OTT devices.

How to activate TPT Passport on Apple TV: 

1. Find the PBS app on Apple TV.
2. At the top of the app go to the settings menu.
3. In the settings menu, at the bottom, there is an option to deactivate. Select this option. The screen will not change.
4. Leave the PBS app and go back to the main screen of the Apple TV. This will give the PBS app time to reset and deactivate itself.
5. Find the PBS app again. You will see a new screen saying the app needs to be activated.
6. This new screen will give you activation instructions and an activation code, seven characters in length. Enter this code at https://www.pbs.org/activate
7. After you hit continue, you will be brought to a new page asking you to sign-in with a Google, Facebook, or PBS account. Choose the account you initially activated TPT Passport with online.
8. You will see a screen that your Apple TV has been activated. Return to the Apple TV where it will automatically update and you can begin watching TPT Passport videos.

How to activate TPT Passport on Roku: 

1. Enter the PBS channel on Roku.
2. At the top of the channel go to the Settings menu.
3. In the settings menu, at the bottom, there is an option to Deactivate Device. Select this option.
4. Leave the PBS channel and go back to the main screen of the Roku. This will give the PBS channel the time to reset and deactivate itself.
5. Enter the PBS channel again. You will see a new screen saying the channel needs to be activated.
6. This new screen will give you activation instructions and an activation code, seven characters in length. Enter this code at https://www.pbs.org/activate
7. After you hit continue, you will be brought to a new page asking you to sign in with a Google, Facebook, or PBS account. Choose the account you activated Passport with.
8. You will see a screen that your Roku has been activated. Return to the Roku where it will automatically update and you can begin watching Passport videos.

MANAGING PERSONAL & MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION 

First, let’s make sure you’re logged in to TPT.org.  Look in the upper right corner of TPT.org and click on “My Account”.  If you do not see “My Account”, you’ll need to sign in.  Click on “sign in” and sign into your account or create a new account if you don’t have one.

How do I cancel my membership? 
Please call our Member Services team at 651-229-1300 (Toll Free: 866-229-1300)  They are available Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Why do I have to call to cancel my membership?
We ask that you contact Member and Viewer Services to cancel your membership because as we are a non-profit and your membership with us is not always just a transactional affair. In many instances members have selected specific thank you gifts as part of their pledge of support, and those gifts are sent out in good faith that the member fulfill the pledge. We understand that circumstances change and are more than willing to try to accommodate life’s unexpected challenges. We have a friendly and capable staff that are capable of efficiently handling your requests and inquires.

I’m a longtime member, why can’t I see my membership information when I sign in to my account?
While we try our best to automatically connect you to your information when you create your TPT User Portal account, sometimes the site has a little trouble.  We can help!  Please contact our Member Services team at 651-229-1300 (Toll Free: 866-229-1300) or [email protected] and we’ll get it straightened out.

How do I update where my TPT magazine is sent?
Click on “My Account” and you will be taken to your account page.  Locate your address, click on “Update Address” and enter your updated address.  Make sure you hit “Save” when  you are done.  Please note: this will update where all mailed correspondence from TPT is sent.

How do I update my credit card number?
Click on “My Account” and you will be taken to your account page.  Look for the Membership section and locate your payment method.  Click on “Update Payment Info” and edit your payment information, then click “Save.”  Please note: this will only appear as an option if you are a sustaining member.

How do I change the payment method used for my sustaining membership?
Click on “My Account” and you will be taken to your account page.  Look for the Membership section and locate your payment method.  Click on “Update Payment Info” and then on “Switch Payment Type”, then click “Save.”   Please note: this will only appear as an option if you are a sustaining member.

BROADCAST PROGRAMMING

Q: Where can I watch TPT?

A: TPT is available over-the-air and via cable providers throughout the greater Twin Cities area as well as in parts of Iowa and Wisconsin. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION. Much of TPT’s content is also available online via www.tpt.org/shows.

Q: How do I submit a program or produce content for TPT?
A: TPT produces and airs many programs that are not from PBS and is open to submissions for work. Submissions will be considered on a case-by-case basis and can be proposed via TPT’s “contact us” form: www.tpt.org/about/contact

STREAMING VIDEO ONLINE

Q: Why can’t I watch a particular show online?
A: Any program or piece of television on TPT and PBS is a piece of intellectual property (just like a song or a book). With any piece of intellectual property come certain rights and allowances for the creators, distributors, and consumers. Many of these rights include online video viewing stipulations. If a program is not available for viewing on tpt.org, it is because of the specific intellectual property rights associated with that show, and often, these rights vary from show to show.  If you are interested in watching PBS Kids shows online, visit www.pbskids.org.

Q: Why am I seeing this message when I try to watch a video “This video is not available in your area. Find out more by visiting our FAQs page.”
A: Due to licensing agreements, some of the videos on tpt.org are only available to viewers within TPT’s Designated Market Area (DMA). A DMA is a geographic area that represents specific television markets as defined by the Nielsen Company.  Your DMA (zip code) is detected by your computer’s IP address. This method is not always perfect. If you are within TPT’s DMA and are receiving this message, please contact us for assistance.

Q: I know that I’m within TPT’s Designated Market Area (DMA), why am I still getting a message saying the video is not available in my area?
A: Due to the nature of cellular data, when accessing tpt.org with a cellular connection, your signal may be transmitting from a location outside of TPT’s DMA. That is because cell towers are sending your data request to data centers before sending it back to tpt.org. This means that the DMA (zip code) that tpt.org sees is the DMA of the data center, and not of your physical location.

For example: When using cellular data at your house, your data request may be sent to a data center in Chicago prior to being sent to tpt.org to view a video. When you access tpt.org from your a cell phone that isn’t connected to wifi, tpt.org would see your connection as coming from Chicago – therefore not within TPT’s DMA.  To avoid this, when you are within TPT’s DMA, connect to a wifi network to view videos on tpt.org whenever possible.

Q: Why can’t I watch video?

If you are having trouble watching video on tpt.org (e.g. screen is black), try these troubleshooting techniques. If you are still having trouble, please contact us.

Check to see if your ad blocker is turned on within your browser. Having your ad blocker turned on can prevent videos from playing. Below you will see how to check your ad blocker within Firefox, Chrome, IE and Safari.

Firefox

1. 1. Click the menu in the top right
   2. Choose “Add-ons”
   3. Choose “Extensions”
   4. Check to see if you have an add-on installed called “AdBlock”
   5. Remove by selecting “AdBlock” then click “Disable” or “Remove” to delete

Chrome

1. 1. If ad blocker is turned on you will see an icon of a red stop sign with a hand in it located near the Chrome menu (top right corner)
   2. If you see this icon, right click on the icon and choose “Pause AdBlock”
   3. Reload the page and the icon should fade
   4. Alternatively, you can remove the extension within your extensions (access via the Chrome menu)

IE (Internet Explorer)

1. 1. Click on the menu in the top right (looks like a gear)
   2. Choose “Manage add-ons”
   3. Look for an ad-blocking ad on and “disable”

Safari

1. Click on “Safari” located in the menu bar
2. Choose “Preferences”
3. Choose “Extensions”
4. Look for an extension called “AdBlock”
5. In the preference window, make sure the it is turned to “OFF”

Check to see if your cookie tracking is turned off within your browser. Not allowing cookies could prevent videos from playing. Below is how to check your cookie settings within Firefox, Chrome, IE and Safari.

Firefox

1. Click the menu in the top right
2. Choose “Privacy”
3. Under “History” choose “Firefox will use custom settings for history”
4. The checkbox “Accept cookies from sites” should be checked

Chrome

1. Click the menu in the top right
2. Choose “Settings”
3. Near the bottom of the page, choose “Show advanced settings”
4. Under “Privacy”, choose “Content settings”
5. The radio button “Allow local data to be set” should be selected

IE (Internet Explorer)

1. Click the menu in the top right (looks like a gear)
2. Choose “Internet Options”
3. Click on the “Privacy” tab
4. Click on the “Advanced” button
5. Check to make sure “Override automatic cookie handling” is NOT checked

Safari

1. Click on “Safari” located in the menu bar
2. Choose “Preferences”
3. Under “Cookies and website data” make sure “allow for websites I visit” is checked

 

DONATIONS & SUPPORT

Q: How do I volunteer for TPT?
A: TPT is always looking for enthusiastic volunteers! To inquire about volunteer opportunities, please contact Madelaine Strickland at  [email protected].

Q: How do I donate my vehicle to TPT?
A: Donating your vehicle to TPT is free, easy, and tax-deductible. Visit www.tpt.org/support/car-donation for more information.

Q: How much does a TPT membership cost?
A: There are a variety of membership levels and types at TPT. Sustaining gifts start as low as $5 per month and annual gifts at $60; but we encourage you to support TPT in whatever way works best for you. Please visit www.tpt.org/support/membership for more information.

Q: What is a TPT Family Membership?
A: A Family Membership is a special sustaining membership option at $10 per month. TPT Family Members receive a variety of family-friendly benefits. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Q: Does paying my cable subscriber support TPT or make me a member of TPT?
A: No. TPT does not receive any funding from cable television providers. You can only become a member of TPT directly through TPT.

Q: How is TPT funded?
A: TPT is over 50% member-supported! In addition to member support, TPT receives funding from a variety of public and private organizations as well as through grants and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Full public filing records can be found at www.tpt.org/public-filings

Q: How is TPT different from PBS?
A: TPT is the Twin Cities PBS member station – the critical link that brings PBS (and other) content to our local community. TPT is an independently funded and run 501C3 non-profit that is part of a membership network of public television stations who make up the PBS system.

PBS is a private, nonprofit national corporation whose members are America’s public TV stations (like TPT) — noncommercial, educational licensees that operate 350 PBS member stations and serve all 50 states, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa.

Q: Are Twin Cities PBS (TPT) and Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) the same organization?
A: No. TPT and MPR are colleagues in public media, but are not, and never have been, affiliated in any way. In some cities, public radio and public television are in the same organization, but that is not the case with TPT and MPR.