FEATURED PROGRAMS on Blue Ridge PBS
Be sure to check our schedule for additional air times!
Aging in America: Survive or Thrive
Thursday, May 29 @ 8pm
Aging in America: Survive or Thrive, narrated by Martin Sheen, is a one-hour documentary that celebrates the promise of increased longevity while addressing crucial and unprecedented public policy challenges. Using Dr. Robert Butler’s Pulitzer Prize winning book, Why Survive? as a guide, the film explores critical topics such as ageism, healthcare, economic insecurity, and Alzheimer’s disease.
America the Bountiful
Thursdays @ 7pm
A series that takes viewers on a journey into America’s heartland to learn about culture and find inspiration in the evocative chronicles of farmers, artisans, restauranteurs and home cooks through the fare they grow, produce and eat.
May 1 – Apples in Virginia
We discover the story of the apple is as complex as American history itself by visiting with a horticultural historian from Monticello and with a foodways interpreter who brings the stories of enslaved persons to life.
May 8 – Pheasants in South Dakota
There is a long tradition of hunting wild game in the Plains. Capri travels to South Dakota for pheasant season which is welcomed by both locals and visitors each year.
May 15 – Blue Crabs in Mayland
Maryland is synonymous with crabs and has been dating back to the 17th century. Crabs of many varieties are plentiful in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and people from all walks of life catch and eat this popular crustacean. s
May 22 – Corn in Arizona
Corn is a sacred food for all indigenous tribes of Arizona. Many of the original varieties of corn were lost since the time of colonization, but a handful of farmers and organizations are carrying on these traditions and creating a variety of memorable ancient and modern foods from blue, yellow and red flour-making maize.
May 29 – Ramps in West Virginia
Known for their pungent smell and uniquely delicious flavor, ramps have been foraged across North America for centuries. Capri forges for ramps in the West Virginian hills with a local family and celebrates the self-sufficient nature of Appalachian culture at a few seasonal ramp dinners and festivals.
American Experience: Mr. Polaroid
Monday, May 19 @ 9pm
Meet Edwin Land, a pioneering tech disruptor and inventor of the midcentury icon, the Polaroid camera. Introduced in 1948, it revolutionized amateur photography, making it instant and accessible to all.
American Masters: Tyrus Wong
Tuesday, May 27 @ 9pm
Discover the art, life and enduring impact of Tyrus Wong, the renowned Chinese American painter behind “Bambi” and “Rebel Without a Cause,” who once exhibited with Picasso and Matisse, via new and never-before-seen interviews, movie clips and art.
Antiques Roadshow
Mondays @ 8pm
Part adventure, part history lesson, part treasure hunt
May 5 – Celebrating Asian-Pacific Heritage
Travel with ROADSHOW as we turn the spotlight on incredible items with Asian and Pacific Islands origins, including a Hawaiian Kou bowl, a Gandhi presentation spinning wheel, and an 1888 Joseph Nawahi painting. Which is valued at $250,000-$300,000?
May 12 – Never Seen That Before!
Discover amazing items even our ROADSHOW experts had never seen, in person or possibly ever, prior to that magical moment at ROADSHOW. Finds include a Michelin Bibendum ad figure, a WWI surgical kit and a 19th c. southern basket.
May 19 – Junk in the Trunk 14
Watch newly revealed treasures from all five stops of ROADSHOW's Season 29 Tour, including a German tin toy motorcycle, a Babe Ruth exhibition card, and a Patek Philippe dress watch. Guess the big find from the Junk in our Trunk!
May 26 – Charleston, Hour 2
This episode features highlights such as a collection of Marilyn Monroe stills from some of her greatest cinematic hits; a British rainbow spatterware pot, ca. 1860 purchased for $10; and an 1849 ship’s log and register chronicling the journey from Boston to San Francisco during the Gold Rush.
Bugs That Rule the World – NEW SERIES!!
Wednesdays @ 10pm
Explore the fascinating world of bugs, the most essential yet least appreciated creatures on our planet.
May 7 – Insect Apocalypse
Scientists and enthusiasts investigate the global insect "apocalypse," revealing the crucial roles bugs play on our planet and the bleak picture future without them.
May 14 – Lifegivers
Dive into the colorful world of Earth’s essential pollinators – bees, moths, and butterflies. Scientists and enthusiasts discuss life without these resilient creatures, whose impact goes far beyond their delicate appearance.
May 21 – Eat or Be Eaten
Uncover the ruthless realm of some of the stealthiest insects in the animal kingdom. From praying mantises and aquatic insects to dragonflies, nature has equipped these creatures with intelligence, agility, and necessary hunting skills for survival.
May 28 – Beetle Mania
As the world’s most diverse and abundant species, the tiny yet mighty beetle plays crucial ecological roles in nearly every environment. Why are these colorful and ingenious creatures often regarded as “the most important species on the planet”?
Call the Midwife
Sundays @ 8pm
Set in 1970, Nonnatus House faces various complex social and health challenges as the new decade begins.
May 4 – Episode 6
A dustbin strike creates a refuse site outside Nonnatus House. Joyce handles a rude patient.
May 11 – Episode 7
Joyce faces a disciplinary hearing over a recent complaint which has been upheld.
May 18 – Episode 8
Joyce faces a disciplinary hearing over a recent complaint. Dr. Turner volunteers at a methadone clinic to treat heroin addiction.
May 19 – Episode 9
The midwives evacuate a Mother and Baby Home while Nancy's wedding plans go awry.
Code Name: Ayalon
Thursday, May 29 @ 9pm
The harrowing story of how a secret bullet factory was built, concealed, and operated under a kibbutz near Tel Aviv to defend the fledgling nation of Israel in a pivotal effort in the battle for statehood. Surviving members of the group of 45 teenagers who risked their lives for the mission share their stories along with re-enactments and historical commentary.
Great Performances
Fridays @ 9pm
Television’s longest-running performing arts anthology to enjoy the best in music, dance and theater.
May 2 – Now Hear This | The Barrios: Chopin of the Guitar
Discover Agustin Barrios’ rise from rural Paraguay to becoming a pioneering guitar composer.
May 9 – Next to Normal
Experience this Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical from London's Donmar Warehouse.
May 16 – Yellow Face
Enjoy Tony winner David Henry Hwang’s Broadway comedy starring Daniel Dae Kim.
May 23 – Girl from the North Country
Experience this musical by Conor McPherson featuring the music of Bob Dylan set in 1934 Minnesota.
May 30 – Kiss Me Kate
Experience this Cole Porter classic musical starring Tony winner Stephanie J. Block.
The Life of a Musician – NEW SEASON!
Saturdays @ 9pm
One-on-one conversations and performances with some of the best musicians in the country.
May 3 – Vince Gill, part 1
Vince Gill reflects on bluegrass roots, songwriting, and a lifetime of music.
May 10 – Vince Gill, part 2
Vince Gill gets personal with stories, songs, and surprises from a legendary career.
May 17 – James Nash
James Nash jams raw and real with Brandon Lee Adams at MerleFest.
May 24 – Roy Bookbinder, part 1
Roy Bookbinder shares blues roots and wild stories from a legendary road life.
May 31 – Roy Bookbinder, part 2
Roy Bookbinder picks, preaches, and passes down the blues with heart and humor.
Marie Antoinette
Sundays @ 10pm
Marie Antoinette knows that her enemies are waiting to destroy her as she and Louis face an unprecedented financial crisis. Provence and Chartres stir up the hatred of the nobles while disastrous consequences loom as the revolt rumbles on.
May 4 – Madame Deficit
Marie Antoinette deals with personal grief. Political turmoil, a struggling economy, and personal attacks push Louis toward a nervous breakdown.
May 11 – The End of the Beginning
Amid the revolution’s advance, Marie Antoinette struggles to support Louis’s rule. When he succumbs to depression, she steps up to rule in his place.
Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer’s on Independent Lens
Monday, May 5 @ 10pm
An intimate portrayal of three families confronting the unique challenges of Alzheimer’s and reveals how roles evolve when one life partner or adult child becomes a caregiver.
Miles, Morale, and Memories: Bob Hope and World War II
Thursday, May 22 @ 9pm
Legendary entertainer Bob Hope and his troupe of performers traveled more than 80,000 miles during World War II to entertain the troops. There were several close calls where Hope and his fellow entertainers were almost killed. Hope and his troupe often performed near the frontlines in Europe and the Pacific as part of an overall Hollywood effort to make sure stars brought some of America to the battle zones. Using animated maps and interviews with Hollywood historians, authors, and combat veterans, this documentary examines Hope's impact on World War II and why President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked some of Hollywood's top radio and movie stars to hold a microphone instead of a gun in the war.
Miss Austen on Masterpiece – NEW!
Sundays @ 9pm
Notoriously known for burning Jane’s letters, did Cassandra Austen truly protect her famous sister’s reputation? Immerse in this literary mystery, reimagined as a fascinating, witty, and heart-breaking tale of sisterly love.
May 4 – Episode 1
Why is Cassandra Austen determined to find the letters her sister Jane wrote to her friend Eliza?
May 11 – Episode 2
As Cassandra falls ill, her mind is flooded with memories of difficult times.
May 18 – Episodes 3 & 4
Through her fevered delirium, Cassandra guards Jane’s letters from her sister-in-law Mary Austen. Then Cassandra takes a final step to protect Jane’s legacy.
National Memorial Day Concert 2025
Sunday, May 25 @ 8pm, Encore Broadcast @ 9:30pm
America’s national night of remembrance live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol brings us together as one family of Americans to honor the service of generations of our men and women in uniform, our military families, and to pay tribute to all those who have given their lives for our country. The 2025 concert features personal stories and tributes interwoven with musical performances by world-renowned artists and the National Symphony Orchestra to commemorate the real meaning of the holiday.
Nature
Tuesdays @ 8pm
Forty years on, Nature is the premier voice for the natural world, an essential lens on the creatures, great and small, that sustain us all on our living planet.
April 30 – Niagara Falls
Embark to Niagara Falls and witness its amazing beauty and the wildlife that call it home.
May 7 – Hummingbirds of Hollywood
Amid the glamour of Hollywood, a woman finds herself on a transformative journey as she nurtures wounded hummingbirds, unraveling a visually captivating tale of love, fragility, healing, and the delicate beauty in profound acts of kindness.
May 14 – My Garden of a Thousand Bees
Discover the diverse species and personalities of bees who live in a British urban garden.
May 21 – Equus: The Story of the Horse: Origins
Travel around the world to uncover the history of mankind’s relationship with the horse.
May 28 – Equus: The Story of the Horse: Chasing the Wind
Travel around the world to uncover the history of mankind’s relationship with the horse.
NOVA
Tuesdays @ 9pm
Explore the science behind the headlines in PBS's premier science series.
April 30 – Critical Condition: Health in Black America
This two-hour feature documentary produced by acclaimed Oscar-nominated filmmaker Stanley Nelson traces the roots of systemic racism in our medical system and the biological impacts of discrimination on the body to understand why Black Americans experience such disproportionately poor health outcomes - and did long before COVID-19 highlighted the devastating health disparities in our country.
May 7 & 14 – Ultimate Crash Test
Surprisingly little is known about the behavior of cars and drivers in uncontrolled, real-world accidents, despite rigorous testing in laboratory-controlled crashes. Now, a first-of-its-kind experiment aims to discover what really happens in a multi-vehicle pileup and how cars and driving could be made safer.
“Countdown” airs May 7 & “Impact” airs May 14.
May 21 – Decoding the Universe: Cosmos
How big is the universe? Will it ever end? Why is so much of it made of mysterious dark matter and energy? See how mind-bending discoveries over the past 50 years have revolutionized our understanding of the universe.
May 28 – Decoding the Universe: Quantum
Dive into the universe at the tiniest – and weirdest – of scales.
Pati Jinich Explores Panamericana
Tuesdays @ 9pm
Join chef Pati Jinich on a Pan-American journey exploring cultural connections.
April 29 - Alaska Wilde Harverst
Pati travels from the northernmost place in the US to the remote island community of Halibut Cove.
May 6 – Juneau & Whitehorse: Sister Cities
Pati explores the sister cities of Alaska’s capital, Juneau, and the capital of Canada’s Yukon Territory, Whitehorse. She finds a pioneering culture of artistry and entrepreneurship thriving alongside the unforgiving wilderness.
May 13 – Alberta – Canada’s Changing Heartland
In Canada’s heartland, Alberta, Pati dives into cowboy culture and learns how thriving immigrant communities in Edmonton and Calgary are reshaping the Canadian identity.