The company manages streaming channels, video on demand releases, and sells home videos of PBS series and movies and PBS Kids series in various formats, as well as programming from other public television distributors such as American Public Television and the National Educational Telecommunications Association.

[4][6] In 2017 independent films produced by PBSd were added for theatrical distribution and home video releases.

[7] Established on September 7, 1977, the PBS Home Video, Inc. company originally distributed and sold VHS and Betamax tapes simply on their own.

Canadian-born entrepreneur David Lyons and PBS Distribution formed a joint venture to run the channel.

Through Independent Lens, PBS acquired Stanley Nelson's documentary film The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution.