How to Score Free Tickets to Antiques Roadshow

By Ben

January 29th, 2010

There are two ways to attend a taping of “Antiques Roadshow.” The first is to enter a random drawing for free tickets to any of the PBS program’s six summer stops—cities and dates for 2010 are San Diego on June 12, Billings on June 26, Miami Beach on July 10, Biloxi on July 24, Des Moines on August 7, and Washington, D.C. on August 21. As long as you apply between now and April 19, 2010, your chances of winning a pair of passes are just as good as anyone else’s.

This year, the show’s home station of WGBH in Boston is offering three lucky viewers the additional opportunity to win a pair of VIP passes to the show of your choice. All you have to do is enter the WGBH Lab’s Open Call program, which has been soliciting and airing viewer-produced videos since 2003.

The “Antiques Roadshow” Open Call is a first for the top-rated show. Naturally, videos submitted to this Open Call should focus on a cherished item or collection of things that have been in a family for a long, long time. With a maximum running time of two minutes, these videos will hopefully be similar in spirit to the segments that regularly air on “Antiques Roadshow,” in which the story of an item is given as much, if not more, prominence as its value.

Viewer-produced videos promise to be even more personal and revealing. Good ones will get you to a taping, great ones may be selected for airing on the “Roadshow” website or even on the show itself.

Videos may be submitted from now until the end of May, but winners of VIP tickets will be selected from one of three contest periods. End dates for each contest period are March 26, April 30, and May 28.

As for those fabled VIP passes, details are not precisely spelled out on the WGBH website, but it’s highly likely that one chief benefit will include not having to wait in as many of the show’s legendary lines to have your items appraised. But don’t make your video simply in the hopes of a free vacation with first-class air travel and luxury accommodations. Like the show’s arrangement with its beloved appraisers, getting to the show is on your nickel.

13 comments so far

  1. The WGBH Lab Says:

    deadline for submissions is on Friday!Hey there, it’s time to submit your antiques video – The 1st deadline for your chance to win a pair of VIP tickets to an Antiques Roadshow live appraisal event this summer is this Friday the 26th!

    Head to http://lab.wgbh.org/roadshow, and submit today. We’ll see you at the Roadshow!

  2. SLEEPING BAG Manufacturer Says:

    a good article.

  3. Theresa Davis Says:

    Hay Guys – what’s the deal???? I live here in DC and have lived here all my life. The antique road show is my favorite show. The first I heard that ARS was coming to DC was today on news 9, at 7 a.m. I think that is so unfair to the citizens of DC. All these out of towners have tickets to the show and the people of DC did not even get a chance to get free tickets. A lot of us have good items to show but now we won’t because others have beat us to the punch! The ticket scalpers are selling the free tickets anywhere from $300 to $600 dollars. It just ain’t fair to us original Washingtonians!!!!!

  4. Ronald A Hofaker Says:

    Not chosen for the fifth year in a row for tickets. A check of Ebay shows that the scalpers had no problem getting their usual supply.
    There should at least be preference points the years you’re refused.

  5. Ronald A. Hofaker Says:

    Turned down the seventh year in a row. The Ebay scalpers once again have their supply.

  6. Ronald A. Hofaker Says:

    Just advised that for the eighth straight attempt I have been refused tickets. I’m sure that the scalpers received their supply.

  7. Ronald A. Hofaker Says:

    Just learned I’ve been refused for the ninth consecutive year. A check of Ebay shows that the scalpers had no issue getting theirs.

  8. Ronald A. Hofaker Says:

    Just learned I’ve been turned down the tenth year in a row. A check of eBay shows the scalpers had no problem getting theirs.

  9. Ronald A. Hofaker Says:

    Eleventh year in a row I have requested but not received tickets. A check of Ebay shows that as usual Antiques Roadshow has provided the scalpers with plenty. Ronald Hofaker

  10. Teri Bloom Says:

    It took me 12 yrs. to get tickets.

  11. Ronald A. Hofaker Says:

    It has now been twelve years of turn downs. A check of Ebay shows that once again the scalpers had no trouble getting theirs. Ronald A, Hofaker

  12. Ronald A Hofaker Says:

    Thirteen years. Turned down once more.

  13. Ronald A. Hofaker Says:

    Fourteen years and turned down again. I’m sure the scalpers will manage to procure theirs. Ronald A Hofaker


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