PBS is ready to bring the holiday cheer next month as they bring in their Christmas programming. As usual, you can always count on PBS to deliver musical specials and fan-favorite TV shows for free on your local channel, and on YouTube TV starting November 4th.
Here’s their line up:
Saturday, November 16
A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS (MY MUSIC) 8:00-10:00 p.m. ET Join hosts Gavin MacLeod (“The Love Boat”) and Marion Ross (“Happy Days”) for this festive, all-star special of favorite carols and popular standards. Performers include Bing Crosby, PerryComo, Judy Garland, Nat King Cole, The Carpenters and many more.
Friday, December 13
A CHEF’S LIFE HOLIDAY SPECIAL 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET Join American Chef Vivian Howard as she serves up the best of her Southern cooking heritage and the Chanukah traditions of her husband Ben. From humble Hoppin’ John to elegant red velvet cake, sample a charming and delicious holiday celebration
Monday, December 16
CHRISTMAS WITH THE TABERNACLE CHOIR FEATURING KRISTIN CHENOWETH 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square are joined by Kristin Chenoweth, Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and singer, for this beloved Christmas tradition featuring favorite holiday music, dancing and storytelling
Tuesday, December 17
THE ORNAMENT OF THE WORLD 8:00-10:00 p.m. ET Filmed in Cordoba, Granada, Seville and Toledo, this is the story of a remarkable 800-year period when Muslims, Christians and Jews in medieval Spain forged a common cultural identity that often transcended their religious differences.
Monday, December 23
CHRISTMAS AT BELMONT 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET Christmas at Belmont 2019 features Belmont University students along with Michael W. Smith, CeCe Winans and the Nashville Children’s Choir. Taped in Nashville’s Schermerhorn SymphonyCenter, the show includes classic holiday songs and festive tunes
Tuesday, December 24,
CHRISTMAS AT BELMONT 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET
Wednesday, December 25
LUCY WORSLEY’S 12 DAYS OF TUDOR CHRISTMAS 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET Join Lucy Worsley on a 12-day extravaganza as she discovers that much of what we enjoy in contemporary Christmas–from carols to turkey, gift-giving to mistletoe and mulled wine–has surprising Tudor origins, rooted in devotion and charity
CALL THE MIDWIFE HOLIDAY SPECIAL 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET Mother Mildred and the NonnatusHouse team go to the Outer Hebrides in response to a nursing shortage. Navigating the terrain, they strive to keep up with the needs of the locals.
Thursday, December 26
LUCY WORSLEY’S 12 DAYS OF TUDOR CHRISTMAS 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET
Saturday, December 28
AUSTIN CITY LIMITS 6TH ANNUAL HALL OF FAME HONORS 11:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. ET. Celebrate the 2019 Hall of Fame with host Robert Earl Keen as Shawn Colvin, Buddy Guy and Lyle Lovett are honored. Guest performers include Jackson Browne, Bruce Hornsby, Shemekia Copeland, Jimmie Vaughan, Sarah Jarosz and more
Tuesday, December 31
LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER “New York Philharmonic New Year’s Eve 2019: Sondheim Celebration” 8:00-9:30 p.m. ET Ring in the New Year with the New York Philharmonic and guest vocalist Katrina Lenk (“The Band’s Visit”) celebrating the orchestral music of Stephen Sondheim by performing suites from“Sunday in the Park,” “Into the Woods,” “Sweeney Todd” and more.
Wednesday, January 1
GREAT PERFORMANCES “From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2020” 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET Celebrate 2020 with the Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein. Under the baton of guest conductor Andris Nelsons and featuring the Vienna City Ballet, the orchestra will play the waltzes of Strauss. PBS favorite Hugh Bonneville returns as host.
DOCUMENTARY PREMIERES
Friday, October 25
SONGWRITING WITH SOLDIERS–VETERANS DAY 10:00-11:00p.m. ET Join Songwriting With Soldiers’ unique collaborative of professional artists working with veterans to tell their stories of war and the return home through song. This concert special celebrates music’s power to heal and bring diverse people together
Monday, November 4
ANTIQUES ROADSHOW“Extraordinary Finds” 8:00-9:00p.m. ET In honor of ROADSHOW’s 500th episode, look back at pivotal moments of some of the most amazing objects and enjoy all-new interviews, appraisal updates and more
Monday, November 11
THE WARRIOR TRADITION 9:00-10:00p.m. ET Learn the heartbreaking, inspiring and largely untold story of Native Americans in the UnitedStates military. The film relates the stories of Native American warriors from their own points of view—stories of service, pain, courage and fear
Monday, November 18
AMERICAN MASTERS “N. Scott Momaday: Words from a Bear” 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET Delve into the enigmatic life and mind of the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and poet N. Scott Momaday, best known for “House Made ofDawn,” and a formative voice of the Native American renaissance in art and literature
Tuesday, November 19
FRONTLINE “For Sama” 10:00-11:30p.m. ET An intimate and visceral documentary about a mother’s experience during the Syrian war, as she determines whether to flee or stay. This film, produced by Channel 4 News/ITN Productions for channel 4 and WGBH/FRONTLINE is the 2019 winner of the Cannes Film Festival Best Documentary Award, and the Documentary Feature winner at the 2019 SXSW Feature FilmGrand Jury Awards.
Wednesday, November 20
NOVA “The Fall of Violence” 9:00-11:00 p.m. ET Despite the constant news of violence, Steven Pinker believes we’re living in the most peaceful period in human history. Journey through history and the human mind to explore why violence has diminished—and how we might create a more peaceful world.
Monday-Tuesday, November 25-26
COLLEGE BEHIND BARS 9:00-11:00p.m. ET Explore the transformative power of education through the eyes of a dozen incarcerated men and women trying to earn college degrees—and a chance at redemption—from one of the country’s most rigorous prison education systems. Directed by Lynn Novick
Wednesday, November 27
NOVA “Animal Espionage 9:00-10:00p.m. ET Camera traps and drones are revolutionizing the study of wildlife by providing an up-close look at animals without disturbing them. See how these technologies are helping us understand everything from mysterious whale behavior to tiger migration
BROADWAY’S BEST
Friday, November 1
GREAT PERFORMANCES “42nd Street” 9:00-11:30 p.m. ET Tap-dance along to this musical extravaganza about a starry-eyed performer who gets her big break on Broadway, set to a lively score of iconic songs including “Lullaby of Broadway,” “We’re in the Money” and the show-stopping title song.
Friday, November 8
GREAT PERFORMANCES “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I” 9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. ET Kelli O’Hara and Ken Watanabe star in a Tony Award-winning revival of the beloved musical about a British schoolteacher instructing the royal children of the King of Siam, featuring classic songs including “Hello, Young Lovers” and “Shall We Dance.”
Friday, November 15
GREAT PERFORMANCES “Red” 9:00-10:30p.m. ET Experience the passion of painter Mark Rothko in this six-timeTony-winning play dramatizing Rothko’s greatest challenge, creating the murals for New York’s iconic Four Seasons restaurant. Stars Alfred Molina with Alfred Enoch as Rothko’s assistant
Friday, November 22
GREAT PERFORMANCES “Much Ado About Nothing” 9:00-11:30 p.m. ET Recorded live at The PublicTheater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park, this modern interpretation of Shakespeare’s romantic classic with an all-black cast features Danielle Brooks and Grantham Coleman. Directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon.
Friday, November 29
GREAT PERFORMANCES “Kinky Boots” 9:00-11:30 p.m. ET Rejoice with the Tony Award-winning high-heeled hit musical with songs by pop icon Cyndi Lauper and a book by Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein about an unexpected duo that embraces their differences to create an extraordinary line of shoes
PBS KIDS
NATURE CAT: A NATURE CAROL
Special PBS KIDS 24/7 Channel Premiere: November 29 at 7:00 p.m. ET
PBS Stations Premiere: November 30 at 8:00 a.m. ET
Airs December 2, 4, 6, 16, 24, 25, and 27 (Check Local Listings)
Tally ho-ho-ho! Please join Nature Cat and his pals for an extra-special, hour-long Christmas movie! In this homage to A Christmas Carol, Nature Cat is bursting with what he thinks is “Christmas spirit,” and wants to celebrate with lots of presents for himself, and by decorating the woods with bright lights and loud festive music for everyone. Fa-la-la, that doesn’t sound like Nature Cat? Daisy, Hal and Squeeks are upset because Nature Cat’s desire to celebrate Christmas in a great -big -way is causing problems with their friendship, as well as bothering all of the animals in the woods. It’s not until Nature Cat is visited by three Christmas Spirits that he finally sees the true meaning of Christmas
CYBERCHASE: GIVING THANKS DAY
Premiere: Friday, November 22 (PBS KIDS 24/7) and Saturday, November 23 on PBS
Stations (Check Local Listings)
Cyberchase returns for a new season with a special Thanksgiving-themed episode premiering as part of a Thanksgiving-themed Family Night event on the 24/7 channel. It’s Giving Thanks Day in Cyberspace! The CyberSquad is excited to celebrate together with a meal featuring Jackie’s famous pumpkin pie. But, there’s a big problem—all the pristine produce in Cornucopia is sold out for the season! The last customer was none other than…Hacker. Hacker is busy preparing his own spectacular meal, but he refuses to share any extra fruits and vegetables. With only unwanted, dented, and bruised produce left at the farm, can the CyberSquad pull off a successful Giving Thanks Day feast? Or is there more to food than meets the eye?
CURIOUS GEORGE: A VERY MONKEY CHRISTMAS
Encore Presentations: December 3, 5, 24, 25
Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat are having a wonderful time getting ready for Christmas. There’s only one dilemma – neither of them can figure out what to give the other for a present! In the end, both gift-giving predicaments are simply and beautifully resolved, revealing the true spirit of the holiday season.
THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT CHRISTMAS!
Encore Presentations: December 2, 6, 10, 19, 24, 25
This adventure finds the Cat in the Hat, Nick and Sally on a journey around the world to help a lost reindeer find his way home to Freezeyourknees Snowland in time for Christmas. On the way, the Thinga-ma-jigger breaks down, and they depend on a variety of animals – from African bush elephants to bottlenose dolphins to red crabs – and their remarkable abilities to help them make an amazing journey home.
LET’S GO LUNA: LUNA’S CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD
Encore Presentations: December 2, 6, 17, 24, 25, 26
When the Circo gets stranded in Antarctica on Christmas Eve, Carmen enlists Luna and the kids to play Santa and save Christmas for an unbelievably cute stowaway duckling named Lil’ Teeny
PEG + CAT + HOLIDAYS
Encore Presentations: December 2, 11, 24, 25
“The Hanukkah Problem” – When Albert Einstein invites Peg and Cat over for Hanukkah, he shows them how to make a 2D piece of paper into a 3D dreidel. Later, they need to use this process to bring peace to Al’s home and save his Hanukkah.
“The Christmas Problem” – When Santa Claus is in trouble, Peg and Cat have to solve their biggest problem ever: how to make and wrap presents for all the children of the world and deliver them using 100 sleighs.
“The Penguin Problem” – Peg and Cat coach a team of skiing penguins, who would have a shot at the Olympic gold medal if only they knew “over,” “under” and “in between.”
WILD KRATTS: A CREATURE CHRISTMAS
Encore Presentations: December 2, 6, 12, 23, 24, 25
In this one-hour special, it’s Christmastime and the Wild Kratts are taking a break from creature adventuring to celebrate. But when the Wild Kratts receive an alert that their favorite creatures are suddenly disappearing around the globe, their holiday party quickly turns into a rescue
mission. The Wild Kratts must race against time to thwart their greedy archrivals’ most miserly scheme yet! Will they be able to travel to the ends of the earth and return their baby animal friends to their homes in time for the holidays?
You can watch PBS for free on your local channel, as well as including PBS.org and the PBS Video App, available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and on YouTube TV starting November 4th.
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