FEATURED PROGRAMS on Blue Ridge PBS
Be sure to check our schedule for additional air times!
Dolly Parton: Here I Am
Thursday, August 27 @ 9pm
Join the legend for a moving, musical journey through the people and places that shaped her iconic career. Featuring career-spanning archival footage, the film reveals the spirit, soul and hard work of an inspiring artist.
Downton Abbey, Season 3 on Masterpiece Classic
Sundays in August @ 10pm
The Great War is over and the long-awaited engagement of Lady Mary and Matthew is on, but all is not tranquil at Downton Abbey as wrenching social changes, romantic intrigues, and personal crises grip the majestic English country estate. Shirley MacLaine joins the much-loved cast, which includes Dame Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, Hugh Bonneville, Dan Stevens, Michelle Dockery, Jim Carter, Penelope Wilton, and a host of others. “No family is ever what it seems from the outside,” observes Smith’s shrewd character.
Great Performances: Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert 2026
Friday, August 28 @ 9pm
Each summer, the world-renowned Vienna Philharmonic is joined by a guest soloist to perform an enchanting open-air concert under the direction of a guest conductor from the magnificent gardens of Austria's Imperial Schonbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
Hemingway: A Writer (1899-1929)
Thursday, August 27 @ 10:30pm
Hemingway, yearning for adventure, volunteers for the Red Cross during World War I. He marries Hadley Richardson and moves to Paris, publishes The Sun Also Rises and finds critical and commercial success with his second novel, A Farewell to Arms.
Mr. Bates vs The Post Office on Masterpiece
Back-to-Back Episodes! Sundays, August 23 & 30 @ 8pm
Follow one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in British legal history. Hundreds of innocent village Subpostmasters were accused of theft and fraud caused by errors in the Post Office’s computer system – something it denied for years.
COMING IN SEPTEMBER!
Ages of Ice -NEW MINISERIES!
Wednesdays @ 10pm
A story of scientific daring and discovery, grit, and human endeavour, where unlocking the mysteries of our icy worlds is key to unlocking the forces that drive our planet.
September 16 – The Frozen Heart
Venture into our planet’s most extreme ice fields alongside scientists uncovering the history of our climate. From scaling jagged peaks to descending deep into the ice sheet, track how the polar world is transforming.
September 23 – Polar Seas
The polar seas are one of Earth’s great superpowers, helping regulate our entire planet. But as they warm and sea ice disappears, explore why their health is inseparable from our survival.
September 30 – The Incubator of Life
Journey beneath the ice to discover hidden worlds where life flourishes against the odds. As scientists explore glaciers, oceans, and frozen frontiers, they uncover remarkable clues that may one day help us find life beyond Earth.
Al Capone: Icon
Tuesday, September 1 @ 10pm
Al Capone: the quintessential self-made American man, ruthless killer or both? Just his name sparks images of pin-stripe suits and bloody violence. To this day, Americans are fascinated by this celebrity gangster. The question is why?
American Experience
Tuesdays @ 9pm
Discover the incredible characters and epic stories that have shaped America’s past and present.
September 1 – Billy The Kid
Deconstruct the mythology surrounding the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid.
September 8 – Bonny and Clyde
Discover the true story of the most famous outlaw couple in US history.
September 15 – Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Separate fact from fiction regarding the bank robbers whose exploits captivated America.
American Masters - Julia Alvarez: A Life Reimagined
Tuesday, September 15 @ 10pm
Explore the life and career of Julia Alvarez, one of the most influential Latina writers of her generation. As one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful writers, Alvarez’s work spans multiple genres and audiences, including three books of nonfiction, three collections of poetry, 11 books for children and young adults, and seven literary novels.
Antiques Roadshow
Mondays @ 8pm
Part adventure, part history lesson, part treasure hunt, Emmy® Award-nominated ANTIQUES ROADSHOW began its 30th broadcast season in 2026 and is the most watched ongoing primetime PBS series.
September 7 – Vintage San Diego
See memorable items appraised at the 2001 San Diego ROADSHOW.
September 14 – Vintage Miami
Look back to 2001 to learn what's happened in the antiques market!
September 21 – Vintage First Finds, Hour One
Travel back to Season 1 to learn what the series’ first finds are worth today, including an 1895 UNC football, an 1856 Chinese export Canton fire oil painting and a Jacob Hurd silver cann, ca. 1745. Which has the most dramatic value change?
September 28 – Vintage First Finds, Hour Two
See premiere vintage finds from ROADSHOW’s first season including a Gibson style H-2 mandola, ca. 1918, a Tiffany Studios Daffodil lamp, ca. 1906, and an 1852 Lincoln manuscript! One illuminating find has a value jump to between $50,000 and $70,000!
Big Cats 24/7
Wednesdays @ 8pm
The Big Cats 24/7 team uses the latest tech to film the Okavango Delta’s lions, leopards and cheetahs day and night.
September 2 – episode one
The Big Cats 24/7 team follows lions, leopards and cheetahs in the Okavango Delta.
September 9 – episode two
The team faces a wildfire, forcing the resident big cats to swiftly adapt.
September 16 – episode three
After fighting intruders, the dominant male lions disappear, leaving their family exposed.
September 23 – episode four
The annual flood has finally arrived at Okavango Delta, bringing new challenges for the big cats.
September 30 – episode five
The team witnesses a baby boom in the Delta, putting lion, leopard and cheetah mothers to the test.
The Declaration’s Journey
Tuesday, September 22 @ 10pm
The Declaration’s Journey traces the story of the Declaration of Independence from Jefferson’s pen to movements for freedom around the world. In partnership with the Museum of the American Revolution, the series explores how its words inspired revolutions, challenged injustice, and continue to shape our shared pursuit of equality.
Downton Abbey, Season 3 on Masterpiece Classic
Sundays, September 6 & 13 @ 10pm
The Great War is over and the long-awaited engagement of Lady Mary and Matthew is on, but all is not tranquil at Downton Abbey as wrenching social changes, romantic intrigues, and personal crises grip the majestic English country estate. Shirley MacLaine joins the much-loved cast, which includes Dame Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, Hugh Bonneville, Dan Stevens, Michelle Dockery, Jim Carter, Penelope Wilton, and a host of others. “No family is ever what it seems from the outside,” observes Smith’s shrewd character.
Frontline
Tuesday
Experience powerful investigative storytelling that answers only to you.
September 8 @ 10pm – The Man Who Knew
As an FBI agent who specialized in counter-terrorism, John P. O’Neill investigated the bombing of the American embassies in Africa, the USS Cole in Yemen, the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, and the first attack on the World Trade Center. O’Neill came to believe America should kill Osama bin Laden before Al Qaeda launched a devastating attack, but his was often a lonely voice. A controversial figure inside the buttoned-down world of the FBI, he was forced out of the job he loved and entered the private sector – as director of security for the World Trade Center.
September 29 @ 9pm – Scammed
How online scams steal billions of dollars and ruin victims' lives. With The Associated Press, the rise of a global criminal industry, the people and technology enabling it, and the efforts to shut it down.
Great Performances - Verdi’s Requiem: The Met Remembers 9/11
Friday, September 11 @ 9pm
A special performance of the Verdi Requiem from 2021 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks; hosted by Misty Copeland.
Hemingway
Thursdays @ 9pm
Hemingway, a documentary film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, examines the visionary work and the turbulent life of Ernest Hemingway, one of the greatest and most influential writers America has ever produced.
September 3 – The Avatar (1929-1944)
Hemingway, having achieved a level of fame rarely seen in the literary world, settles in Key West with Pauline Pfeiffer but can’t stay put for long. He reports on the Spanish Civil War and begins a tempestuous romance with Martha Gellhorn.
September 10 – The Blank Page (1944-1961)
Hemingway follows the Army as they advance through Europe. Afterwards, he tries to start a life with Mary Welsh, but is beset with tragedies. He publishes The Old Man and the Sea to acclaim but is overcome by his declining mental condition.
Joffrey Ballet: The Next Movement
Friday, September 18 @ 9pm
Five rising choreographers create world premieres for The Joffrey Ballet's Winning Works. Under intense time pressure, artists from across cultures and backgrounds transform personal stories into bold choreography shaping ballet's future.
Made in the West
Friday, September 4 @ 9pm
In a world of fast fashion and fast furniture, functional art invites us to slow down and appreciate the details. This is art you can sit on, drink out of, or wear on your feet. It reflects the natural surroundings, and nowhere is this clearer than in the American West. Many of today's master artisans are aging out of the craft, and the path to preserve this uniquely American art form is at stake.
Marble Hall Murders on Masterpiece – NEW SUSAN RYELAND MYSTERY!
Sundays @ 9pm
Worlds collide as Pünd is caught in a suspicious death and Susan is tied to a real murder case.
September 6 – Episode One
Susan is once again corralled into the world of detective Atticus Pünd.
September 13 – Episode Two
Pünd interrogates the Chalfont family. Meanwhile, Susan uncovers evidence of a real-life murder.
September 20 – Episode Three
While a deteriorating Eliot accuses his family of murder, Pünd closes in on a suspect.
September 27 – Episode Four
The Corfu murderer strikes a second time. Back in reality, Susan falls under suspicion.
The Marlow Murder Club on Masterpiece – NEW SEASON!
Sundays @ 8pm
Now a key part of DI Malik’s team, Judith, Suzie, and Becks face a string of high-profile murders.
September 6 – The Queen of Poisons, Part One
Judith, Becks, and Suzie investigate the mayor of Marlow’s shocking death.
September 13 – The Queen of Poisons, Part Two
As the suspects’ secrets unravel, the trio struggles to find a clear motive.
September 20 – Murder in the Dark, Part One
A murder at a university reunion puts Becks directly in the line of fire.
September 27 – Murder in the Dark, Part Two
While Judith and Suzie track down the murderer, tensions reach a boiling point.
NOVA
Wednesdays @ 9pm
Explore the science behind the headlines in PBS's premiere science series.
September 2 – Egypt’s Tomb of Amun
Explore the science behind the headlines in PBS's premiere science series.
September 9 – Angkor: Hidden Jungle Empire
New evidence sheds light on the remarkable life – and mysterious collapse – of the ancient jungle city.
September 16 – The Battle to Breathe – NEW!
Once a death sentence, cystic fibrosis now has an apparent miracle treatment. Follow the decades-long scientific quest, fueled by desperate parents, that led to this breakthrough and ponder the implications for the future of
personalized medicine.
September 23 – Knowledge Keepers - NEW!
For millennia, Indigenous communities in North America have practiced a unique form of science. From navigating the featureless Arctic to building energy-efficient homes in the desert, see how cultural traditions have led to remarkable innovations.
September 30 – Stone Age Masterpiece – NEW!
Take an exclusive journey into a spectacular cave, hidden for millennia. Discover well-preserved Stone Age art of lions and mammoths, and see how scientists are unlocking the secrets of these masterpieces of early human creativity.
Resolve to Solve with Miles O’Brien
Wednesdays @ 10pm
Miles O'Brien travels the globe searching for solutions to climate, water, and health crises. From building sea curtains in Antarctica to restoring wildlife in Argentina, the answers are closer than we think thanks to people with a resolve to solve.
September 2 – Preserving Nature in Argentina and Antarctica
Miles O'Brien travels to Argentina, where jaguars are being brought back from extinction. Then to Antarctica's collapsing Doomsday Glacier. The planet is in crisis — but people are fighting back.
September 9 - Mindshift: Rewiring the Human Brain
Sound waves may rewire addiction. Psychedelics may reopen the brain's capacity to learn. Miles O'Brien makes it personal — enrolling in a study to treat his own phantom pain.
Shenandoah
Monday, September 21 @ 10pm
SHENANDOAH offers viewers a peek into the majesty of Shenandoah National Park. This hour-long film explores mountain caves to find the elusive American eel, climbs cliff faces to witness a peregrine falcon's first flight, and ventures far off the beaten path to discover the endangered Shenandoah salamander. The Appalachian Mountains are a place shaped by ongoing formations, migrations and transformations. This constant change is driven by the region's diverse species, geology and human history, which all play a role in the story of Shenandoah's lush and fragile wilderness - a place that has evolved for millions of years and continues to adapt today. With striking cinematography from two renowned National Geographic filmmakers, SHENANDOAH also explores the history of the park itself, chronicling how the physical landscape and its cultural impact have shifted over time.
Sing Democracy 250
Friday, September 25 @ 9pm
Celebrate America’s 250th and reaffirm the promise of democracy at the Minneapolis Signature Concert. Powerful choral performances honor our nation’s founding ideals, inspire hope, and remind us that We, the People, are at the heart of it all.
Trespasses
Sundays, September 20-October 11 @ 10pm
Cushla is a young Catholic schoolteacher whose life in 1975 Northern Ireland is shadowed by the Troubles. She meets and falls for Michael — an older, married Protestant barrister. Their affair is intoxicating and dangerous. As the forbidden love between Cushla and Michael deepens, violence looms and tensions rise. Cushla is pulled between duty and desire, family and freedom.
Underground Railroad: The William Still Story
Tuesday September 22 @ 9pm
Underground Railroad: The Williams Still Story is the story of a humble Philadelphia clerk who risked his life shepherding runaway slaves to freedom in the tumultuous years leading up to America’s Civil War. William Still was the director of a complex network of abolitionists, sympathizers and safe houses that stretched from Philadelphia to what is now Southern Ontario.
Velvet, Season 3
Thursdays @ 9pm
Alberto rebels against the expectations heaped on him. Ana, who longs to become a designer, struggles to assert herself as a creative personality.
September 17 - Man of the Year
Patricia starts losing her corporate power; Cristina refuses to let go; Rita and Pedro have unfinished business; Esteban wins Raúl's trust; Alberto receives honors.
September 24 – To Be or Not to Be
A business tragedy devastates Raúl and exposes a Velvet executive; Pedro awaits a relative coming to town; Bárbara and Cristina pitch a new product line.
VOCES – Omara: Cuba’s Legendary Diva
Monday, September 28 @ 10pm
Meet the beloved Cuban singer Omara Portuondo, who has thrilled audiences for over half a century, from the stages of Havana’s legendary nightclubs to her worldwide fame as part of the Grammy-winning Buena Vista Social Club.