LOS ANGELES  Tim Muskatell was weaned on KCET, Los Angeles’ flagship PBS station, where he tuned in for landmark programs like “Sesame Street.” Now 41 years old and without a cable subscription, he said he still relied on KCET for documentaries and shows like the “Masterpiece” series.

But three months from now, viewers like Mr. Muskatell will have to look elsewhere for programming from the Public Broadcasting Service. As it announced on Friday, KCET is preparing to cut ties with PBS at the end of the year, when it will become the largest independent television station in the country  and leave the nation’s second-largest city, already without an NFL franchise to call its own, without a major PBS station either.

After KCET drops PBS, the PBS flagship in the Los Angeles area will be KOCE in Orange County.

Los Angeles residents have reacted to the plan with a mix of frustration and indifference.

“I have a baby coming in about four months, that would be a shame not to have ‘Sesame Street’ or ‘Electric Company’ or all the shows that used to be on KCET,” Mr. Muskatell said.