( in full the Public Broadcasting Service )
( in the US ) a television system that broadcasts programmes to an association of local stations which use no television advertisements and do not make a profit. It was established by the Public Broadcasting Act (1967) and is supported by money from the US government, large companies and the public. PBS is known for broadcasting programmes of good quality, such as Sesame Street and the National Geographic Special series. Many of the best British programmes are shown on Masterpiece Theater .