Iowa’s Statewide Broadcast Network

As Iowa's only statewide television network, Iowa PBS’s mission to educate, inform, enrich and inspire Iowans guides our quality, noncommercial programming. We tell Iowa's stories like no one else can. Our four statewide, public channels offer programs of lasting value, regardless of where you live or what you can afford:

Antenna Channels

Iowa PBS’s antenna channel lineup:

IOWAPBS.1
Iowa PBS KIDS.2
Iowa PBS WORLD.3
Iowa PBS Create.4

Council Bluffs – Channel 32
Davenport – Channel 36
Decorah – Channel 24
Des Moines – Channel 11
Fort Dodge – Channel 21
Fort Madison – Channel 12
Iowa City – Channel 12
Keokuk – Channel 12
Keosauqua – Channel 12
Lansing – Channel 24
Mason City – Channel 24
Ottumwa – Channel 12
Red Oak – Channel 36
Rock Rapids – Channel 27
Sibley – Channel 27
Sioux City – Channel 27
Waterloo – Channel 32

Rescanning Channels

Some television sets perform channel scans automatically, but if you don’t see IowaPBS .4 in your channel lineup, you’ll have to perform a scan manually.

If you have a converter box with an older analog TV, use the box remote (not the TV remote). If you have a digital TV, use that remote.
Use the Menu button to search on-screen for a sub-section called “Auto Scan,” “Auto Program,” “Auto Tuning” or “Channel Scanning.” You may find it under a “Setup” heading. The specific wording varies among brands and you may need to check your owner’s manual. The “Setup” section will usually cover scanning.
Use the up/down and left/right arrows to move through the on-screen menu. Highlight the scanning function, press “OK” or “Enter” and let the scan proceed. It takes only a few minutes; results will display when the scan is done.
Once finished, your set should display all of Iowa PBS’s channels on the updated lineup.

Cable or Satellite Channels

We offer all four of our channels to cable and satellite providers, however those companies make the final decision about whether or not to include them in their packages. They also determine the channel number in their system.

Satellite television providers have chosen to not include PBS KIDS.2, PBS WORLD.3 and Iowa PBS Create.4 channels in any of their packages.

Mediacom Cable Channels

Iowa PBS KIDS.2 - Channel 794
Iowa PBS WORLD.3 - Channel 119
Iowa PBS Create.4 - Channel 118

If you subscribe to a different cable service, you will need to contact your provider to find out if they carry the Iowa PBS KIDS channel, WORLD and Create, and where to find them in the channel lineup.

Alternative Viewing Options

If you are able to receive our signals with an antenna, but have a cable plan that does not offer all four channels, or you subscribe to satellite, you still have some options. If your cable or satellite box is not using the ANT IN port on the back of your set, you can plug an antenna in there and use your remote to switch between inputs. If you’re a satellite subscriber, you may also find a port on the back of your satellite box where you can plug in an antenna. Or, consider having one TV in your home not connected to cable or satellite service to receive our over the air signals.

In addition to our statewide broadcast, Iowa PBS .1 is available to livestream on

Iowa PBS programs, behind-the-scenes extras and more can be enjoyed on our website, Facebook and YouTube. You can also stream your favorite shows on demand using the PBS Video App, available on iOS, Android and many streaming devices.

Extended access to PBS programming is available through the video on demand member benefit, Iowa PBS Passport.

Ratings Guide

In 1996, the National Association of Broadcasters, the National Cable Television Association and the Motion Picture Association of America established voluntary TV ratings. These ratings, display on your television screen for the first 15 seconds at the beginning of each hour of a program.

TVY: All Children

This program is designed to be appropriate for all children. Whether animated or live-action, the themes and elements in this program are specifically designed for a very young audience, including children from ages 2 - 6. This program is not expected to frighten younger children.

TVY7: Directed to Older Children

This program is designed for children age 7 and above. It may be more appropriate for children who have acquired the developmental skills needed to distinguish between make-believe and reality. Themes and elements in this program may include mild fantasy violence or comedic violence, or may frighten children under the age of 7. Therefore, parents may wish to consider the suitability of this program for their very young children.

TVY7-FV: Directed to Older Children (Fantasy Violence)

For those programs where fantasy violence may be more intense or more combative than other programs in this category, such programs will be designated TV-Y7-FV.

TVG: General Audience

Most parents would find this program suitable for all ages. Although this rating does not signify a program designed specifically for children, most parents may let younger children watch this program unattended. It contains little or no violence, no strong language and little or no sexual dialogue or situations.

TVPG: Parental Guidance Suggested

This program contains material that parents may find unsuitable for younger children. Many parents may want to watch it with their younger children. The theme itself may call for parental guidance and/or the program contains one or more of the following: moderate violence (V), some sexual situations (S), infrequent coarse language (L), or some suggestive dialogue (D).

TV14: Parents Strongly Cautioned

This program contains some material that many parents would find unsuitable for children under 14 years of age. Parents are strongly urged to exercise greater care in monitoring this program and are cautioned against letting children under the age of 14 watch unattended. This program contains one or more of the following: intense violence (V), intense sexual situations (S), strong coarse language (L), or intensely suggestive dialogue (D).

TVMA: Mature Audience Only

This program is specifically designed to be viewed by adults and therefore may be unsuitable for children under 17. This program contains one or more of the following: graphic violence (V), explicit sexual activity (S), or crude indecent language (L).