How to Watch

Watch the Way You Want

Cable Television in PA

Watch PCN on cable anywhere in Pennsylvania. Find our channel in your area on our channels listing page. Please note: Direct TV and Dish Network have chosen not to carry PCN.

Streaming Worldwide

With PCN Select, watch the live network, multiple live streams, and a large selection of video on demand. Register today to stream Pennsylvania politics & policy, history & culture, and sports on your favorite device.

To get started, sign up for a PCN Select subscription online at pcntv.com/membership-signup. You must sign up online. Your subscription starts automatically after clicking submit.
Download the PCN Select app on your favorite device. It's free!
Open the PCN Select app and sign in. Select a program category to start watching.
You can also watch PCN on a laptop or desktop. Click here to watch now.
Note: Some content is free while others require a subscription. You do not need an account or subscription to watch free content.
As of January 2022, Brightcove will transition to TLS 1.2 This upgrade means that customers with old, non-upgradeable devices will not be able to play video on demand or live stream with PCN Select. Click here for a list of impacted devices.

Available on Your Favorite Devices

**Mobile & Tablet**
Amazon Fire Tablets
Android Phones & Tablets
iPhone & iPad

Frequently Asked Questions

Don't see the answer to your question? Contact us at 717-730-6000 or info@pcntv.com

What kind of programming does PCN carry?

The Pennsylvania Cable Network was organized August 29, 1979, as a nonprofit corporation by Pennsylvania cable companies. Its purpose was to provide a cable television network as a public service for the distribution of educational programming by Pennsylvania institutions of higher learning under the leadership of Penn State University.

Over the years, we've expanded our coverage to Pennsylvania state political programming plus original programming on Pennsylvania history, culture, and sports. Event coverage includes the Pennsylvania Farm Show, Groundhog Day, Pennsylvania Budget Hearings, PIAA high school sport championships, and Gettysburg National Military Park Battlewalks. Original programs include PA Books, PCN Tours, Keystone Cuisine, PCN Call-In Program, and Voices of Veterans.

In 1993, PCN added unedited, live, and same-day coverage of Pennsylvania Senate and House floor proceedings. Today, we also televise committee hearings, press conferences, speeches and other public forums and events.

What channel is PCN on my television?

We are voluntarily carried by every cable system in the state. PCN is in 3.1 million households, reaching over 10 million people. To see a list of participating cable companies and channel designations, click here.

Instead of cable, I have a satellite dish. Can I still watch PCN?

PA cable operators voluntarily carry PCN as a service to their customers. However, satellite providers Direct TV and Dish Network choose not to carry PCN, even though it is available to them. As a satellite subscriber, you can still access all of PCN's unique programming with a subscription to PCN Select. Visit pcnselect.com to subscribe so you can watch PCN on your computer, smart phone, tablet, Roku, and FireTV.

What if I miss a program?

Events generally re-air in the days immediately following the first air. In addition, most programs are available to watch on demand through our PCN Select streaming service. Viewers can also purchase DVDs, Blu-rays, and digital downloads of sports, public affairs programming, regular PCN series, and special events for personal viewing.

What is PCN's connection to high school sports?

Through an agreement with the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), we have statewide telecasting rights to high school championships in soccer, field hockey, volleyball, cross country, football, swimming and diving, basketball, track and field, lacrosse, baseball, and softball. Most state finals are carried live and replayed at least once on cable. Click here to learn more about PIAA.

The finals are available live and on demand with PCN Select on your favorite device plus FireTV and Roku. Click here to subscribe.

These programs are also available for purchase at our PCN Store.

We also partner with other sports associations and cable networks to air PSAC, WPIAL, USA Field Hockey, and Rugby Pennsylvania. Check our full schedule at pcntv.com/sports.

How do I get PCN?

PCN can be enjoyed on cable and streaming on most devices. PCN is on all cable systems throughout Pennsylvania. Click here for channel listing.

If you prefer to stream, PCN is available to stream with a PCN Select subscription on most devices, including Apple TV, FireTV, and Roku. Click here to subscribe.

What is PCN Select?

PCN Select is the Pennsylvania Cable Network's online video streaming service. PCN Select enables viewers to access PCN content anytime, anywhere, on your favorite device with a PCN Select subscription.

Our Election coverage is always free and so is our public affairs event coverage. Retro PCN clips, Weather World, and Civics 101 are free as well as clips and testimonials for many of our programs.

Download the PCN Select mobile application to watch the network live or stream multiple events on your favorite device. The PCN Select app is a free download from any online application marketplace and available on Apple TV, FireTV, Roku, and for Android 4.0+, iOS 4.0+, iOS 8.1, and iPad2+. For the best quality streams, we recommend streaming on a wired connection with high-speed internet. PCN Select is not compatible with Chromecast or other screen mirroring options.

Certain content requires a PCN Select subscription. Stream multiple channels to watch live or choose from a variety of PCN originals like PCN Tours, PA Books, or Gettysburg Battlewalks to watch on demand anytime.

How do I watch on the PCN Select app?

First, subscribe to PCN Select at pcnselect.com. Two subscription choices are available. All subscriptions are active immediately upon payment.

Then, download the PCN Select app on your app store. Login using your information, and enjoy PCN live and on demand!

Is there anything free on the app?

Yes. When browsing programs in the categories, look for green flags that denote content as FREE. Previews, select programs, clips, and several public affairs events can all be accessed without a paid account.

See your mobile application store to download the PCN Select App to begin watching now.

How do I create an account?

You will need a PCN Select subscription to have an account. Visit pcntv.com and choose “Register” in the top, left corner of the home page. Follow the instructions to pay by credit card, completing the steps as directed by the form. An email notification will confirm your account registration. Click here to subscribe.

The PCN Select subscription purchase appears on bank and credit card statements as Pennsylvania Education Systems. If you have additional questions, please contact us at 717-730-6000 or info@pcntv.com.