Editing PBS Distribution (section)

===Independent films===
After a backlash from filmmakers over [[WNET]]'s attempts to move independent documentary series to its [[WLIW-TV|secondary station]], PBS took feedback from the documentary community and developed an [[indie film]] strategy.

Through [[Independent Lens]], PBS acquired [[Stanley Nelson]]'s documentary film ''[[The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution]]''. The history of [[The Black Panthers]] was especially timely due to the contemporary [[Black Lives Matter]] movement's growth. The film was first released in theaters in late 2015, then had  a special nationwide [[public television]] premiere in late 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gomez |first=Luis |date=2015-08-05 |title=PBS appeals to indie filmmakers with bigger marketing budget, multiplatform strategy |url=https://current.org/2015/08/pbs-appeals-to-indie-filmmakers-with-bigger-marketing-budget-multiplatform-strategy/ |access-date=2017-01-28 |website=Current |language=en-US}}</ref>

PBSd expanded its operation to included theatrical distribution of documentary films by hiring Erin Owens as PBS Distribution's Head of Theatrical Distribution; and Emily Rothschild as Director of Theatrical Acquisitions and Marketing. Owens and Rothschild had just worked with PBS on Stanley Nelson's ''The Black Panthers'' distribution.

The operations expansion of PBSd was announced at the [[Sundance Film Festival]] on 19 January 2017.<ref name=pbssundance/>  The company plans to get theatrical and non-theatrical rights for up to six feature-length documentaries to release per year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=N'Duka |first=Amanda |date=2017-01-19 |title=Jaunt Unveils 2017 Production Slate; PBS To Expand Indie Film Distribution Efforts — Sundance Briefs |url=https://deadline.com/2017/01/jaunt-production-slate-2017-pbs-indie-film-sundance-1201890075/ |access-date=2017-01-28 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

PBSd put British show, ''[[Jamestown (TV series)|Jamestown]]'' as a streaming first run on PBS Passport and PBS Masterpiece as of March 23, 2018.<ref name=":0" />