FEATURED PROGRAMS on Blue Ridge PBS

Be sure to check our schedule for additional air times!

guests on the #4 Hispanic Heritage Awards

34th Hispanic Heritage Awards

Friday, October 8 @ 9pm & Sunday, October 10 @ 7pm

Celebrate the recipients of the annual Hispanic Heritage Awards. The evening includes performances and appearances by some of the country's most celebrated Hispanic artists and visionaries.

ACL Presents: 50 Years of Asleep at the Wheel

Saturday, October 2 @ 9pm

Enjoy a special hour of Austin City Limits performances by Austin’s Western swing faithkeepers Asleep at the Wheel. Spanning nearly fifty years of appearances, the songs include “Boogie Back to Texas,” “Choo Choo Ch’boogie” and “Take Me Back to Tulsa.”

Alma’s Way

Premiering Monday, October 3 @ 8:30am

The engaging modern-day series stars 6-year-old Alma Rivera, a proud, confident Puerto Rican girl, who lives in the Bronx with her parents and younger brother, Junior, as well as a diverse group of close-knit and loving friends, family, and community members. ALMA’S WAY gives children ages 4-6 the power to find their own answers to their problems, express what they think and feel, and recognize and respect the unique perspective of others.

American Experience

@ 9pm

Discover the incredible characters and epic stories that have shaped America’s past and present. Television’s most-watched history series, acclaimed by viewers and critics alike, has been honored with every major broadcast award.

Monday, September 13 – Sandra Day O’Connor: The First
Discover the story of the Supreme Court’s first female justice. A pioneer who both reflected and shaped an era, she was the deciding vote in cases on some of the 20th century’s most controversial issues—including race, gender and reproductive rights.
Monday & Tuesday, September 27 & 28 – Citizen Hearst
Explore the life of William Randolph Hearst. The model for Orson Welles’s Citizen Kane, he controlled a vast media empire, wielded unprecedented power and influence, and forever transformed the media’s role in American life and politics.

American Masters

Tuesdays @ 9pm
Explore the lives and creative journeys of America’s most enduring artistic and cultural giants. With insight and originality, the series illuminates the extraordinary mosaic of our nation’s landscape, heritage and traditions.

October 5 – Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided to Go For It
Discover how Moreno defied her humble upbringing and racism to become one of a select group of Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winners. Explore her 70-year career with new interviews, clips of her iconic roles and scenes of the star on set today.
October 19 – Becoming Helen Keller
Revisit the complex life and legacy of the author, advocate and human rights pioneer. Helen Keller, who was deaf and blind, used her celebrity and wit to champion rights for women, people with disabilities and people living in poverty.

American Veteran

Tuesdays @ 9pm
This 4 part series illuminates the veteran experience with a stunning range of voices from today and across the arc of American history. Every voice featured is a veteran’s. From the citizen-soldiers returning from the American Revolution to today’s warrior class, they tell a deeply moving story, highlighting personal remembrances, drawing civilian viewers into an unfamiliar culture, and highlighting the evolving relationship between Americans who have served in the military and those who have not.

October 26 – The Crossing
Recruits leave the civilian world to become a soldier, sailor, marine, airman or woman.
November 2 – The Mission
Join host Senator Tammy Duckworth to learn how military life profoundly shapes those who serve.
November 9 – The Return
Join host Wes Studi to explore veterans’ experiences returning to civilian life.
November 16 – The Reckoning
Join host J.R. Martinez as veterans reflect on their different experiences in the military.

Antiques Roadshow – NEW EPISODES!

Mondays @ 8pm
Part adventure, part history lesson, part treasure hunt, 19-time Emmy® Award nominated ANTIQUES ROADSHOW began its 25th broadcast season in 2021 and is the highest-rated ongoing primetime PBS series.

October 4 – Extraordinary Finds 2
Follow the stories behind more unforgettable treasures from ANTIQUES ROADSHOW’s history and learn what happened after the cameras stop rolling through all-new interviews with fan-favorite appraisers, standout guests, and more!
October 11 – Modern Icons
Celebrate the influential icons of our collective and recent memory with treasures like a Jean-Michel Basquiat oil stick drawing, a Fred & Joanne Rogers trolley and card, and Julia Child's copper pans. Which has an updated value of $500,000?
October 18 – Best Bargains
Steals and deals abound as ROADSHOW features great bargains including a Chiparus sculpture, an 1811 North Carolina fraktur, and "New Republic Portfolio" prints. Which of these was found at a flea market for $40 and is now valued at $15,000-$25,000?
October 25 – Tearjerkers
Grab your tissues for an emotional special episode full of guests who wear their hearts on their sleeves. Standouts include an 1888 Joseph Nāwahī oil, a Navajo Ute First Phase blanket, and a Gambrinus beer stein. One is now $1.5 million-$2 million!

Baptiste, Season 2, on Masterpiece

Sundays @ 10pm
Fiona Shaw guest stars in the second season of this spinoff of THE MISSING. The acclaimed series follows retired detective Julien Baptiste (Tchéky Karyo) as he delves into Budapest’s corrupt underworld to find a British Ambassador’s family who go missing on a skiing holiday in the Hungarian mountains.

October 17 – Episode One
Julien Baptiste travels to Hungary to help the British Ambassador, Emma Chambers, find her missing family. When a body is found, the pressure is on to save Emma’s two sons.
October 24 – Episode Two
Julien and Zsofia track down the tattooed man but he gives little away. Things escalate when the police receive a hostage video, and Emma takes drastic action for her family.
October 31 – Episode Three
As Julien and Zsofia investigate controversial politician Kamilla Agoston, Emma finds a lead on Alex’s computer that takes her and Julien to a shocking and bloody discovery.

Beyond Your Backyard, Season 4

Mondays @ 7:30pm
The new season of this Emmy ® award-winning, educational travel series explores destinations in North America and beyond demonstrating there’s so much more that brings us together than divides us.

October 4 – Gothenburg, Sweden
Join Erik in the cockpit, on board Norwegian’s 787 Dreamliner as he travels to Sweden’s second largest city.
October 11 – Happy Valley, PA
Spend some time with Erik as he explores this unique geographic region in the center of Pennsylvania.
October 18 – Lake Murray, SC
Grab your binoculars and life vest and join Erik for a lake adventure! Get out on the lake with Erik as he discovers this gorgeous area and the phenomena of the Purple Martins that flock to this area every year.
October 25 – Long Beach, CA
Take a trip with Erik to this vibrant waterfront city bursting with activity.
October 31 – Ashland, WI
Head up north with Erik as he experiences true Midwestern kindness from the locals of this inviting Wisconsin town.

Call The Midwife, Season 10

Sundays @ 8pm
It’s 1966, and it’s a testing time for the midwives. But there’s excitement, too, as the women’s rights movement intensifies. With Trixie’s help, Sister Julienne is determined to steer Nonnatus House out of its financial quandary. Dr Turner deals with an array of difficult cases including a former soldier involved in nuclear test explosions. Sister Monica Joan experiences a crisis of faith. Sister Frances realizes she needs to be a little less spiritual if she’s to really connect with the local women.

October 3 – Episode One
Sister Julienne and Dr. Turner clash over whether to provide a private care service.
October 10 – Episode Two
Sister Frances finds herself in a tricky situation when a pregnant woman confides in her.
October 17 – Episode Three
A complicated pregnancy leads the Nonnatus team on a path of discovery.
October 24 – Episode Four
It's July 1966, and Britain is in the grip of World Cup fever.
October 31 – Episode Five
With Sister Hilda away on a refresher course, Sister Julienne steps in to carry out home visits.

Call the Midwife, Season 8

Encore Presentation! - Thursdays @ 7pm

At the start of season eight, it’s spring of 1964 and everyone is excited for the Queen’s Royal Birth. With the additions of two new Sisters, who have been sent to live and work with the team in Poplar, Nonnatus House feels full once more.

Front & Center

Saturdays @ 10pm
FRONT AND CENTER showcases an eclectic variety of musicians, from industry veterans to emerging artists, in an intimate setting that uniquely connects an artist to their fans. Artists play their defining hits and introduce new work in a dynamic hour of music and banter about life on the road, songwriting influences, and the hard work and heartbreak that come before the sold-out shows and crowded award shelves.

October 2 – Brantley Gilbert
A new take on his No. 1’s “Bottoms Up,” “One Hell of an Amen” and more.
October 9 – Old Dominion
The Country-pop band performs “Never Be Sorry,” “One Man Band,” “Make it Sweet,” more.
October 16 – Lady A
The Grammy-winning trio perform hits “Like a Lady,” “Need You Now,” “Champagne Night,” more.
October 23 – Maddie & Tae
The Country twosome performs “Girl in a Country Song,” “Die from a Broken Heart,” “Woman You Got,” more.
October 30 - John Hiatt with Jerry Douglas and special guest Tommy Emmanuel
Icons jam at Analog in Nashville.

Grantchester, Season 6, on Masterpiece

Sundays @ 9pm
With trouble brewing in Grantchester, it’s going to take all of Will’s skill and empathy to navigate these choppy waters and help the ones he loves.

October 3 – Episode One
A much-needed summer break at a vacation resort takes an unexpected turn for Will and Geordie when the camp owner is found dead in suspicious circumstances.
October 10 – Episode Two
Will and Geordie negotiate a complex family dispute that may be connected to the murder of the head of a local adoption agency. A sinister letter arrives for Leonard.
October 17 – Episode Three
Will and Geordie are drawn into local politics when the death of a councilor prompts a parish election. An allegation against Leonard rocks life at the vicarage to its core.
October 24 – Episode Four
When an American airman dies in the police station, a quiet late shift turns into a challenging night for Will and Geordie. Leonard and Daniel reassess their relationship.
October 31 – Episode Five
Will and Geordie investigate an audacious bank robbery, which sees Geordie unexpectedly cross paths with an old friend from his army days.

Grantchester, Season 4, on Masterpiece

Encore Presentation! - Thursdays @ 10pm

It’s 1956, and there’s a new vicar in town: Will Davenport, a firebrand who embraces the future and shocks Grantchester. But throughout the upheaval, Geordie knows one constant remains: a vicar can sometimes be a detective’s best friend.

Great Performances – Now Hear This: Beethoven’s Ghost

Friday, October 29 @ 9pm

Go inside the mind of a genius as host Scott Yoo and fellow musicians undertake a recording of Beethoven's most personal music at a historic Berkshires manor to explore the composer's brilliant career where they are visited by some unexpected guests.

Impossible Builds

Wednesdays @ 8pm
Learn about the creation of some of the world’s most ambitious and technologically advanced buildings. From subaquatic homes to futuristic towers and pencil thin skyscrapers, see how these previously impossible structures are taking shape.

October 6 – Skinny Skyscraper
Witness the construction of the skinniest skyscraper ever to make it off the drawing board. Located in New York and rising from within a landmarked building the team will attempt to build the world's thinnest skyscraper on the construction equivalent of a postage stamp.
October 13 – Ice World
Over the top, ambitious and nature-defying, China's incredible Ice World will transform 37 acres of sub-tropical quarry into a sub-zero ski resort. The construction team will have to battle the worst nature can throw at them. But If they can pull it off, they'll make science fiction a reality.

In Their Own Words

@ 8pm
Explore the lives and impact of the most transformative figures in modern history. Through an innovative combination of interview, archive and animated content, take a journey into the lives and minds of some of the world’s most compelling people.

Tuesday, September 28 - Jimmy Carter
Hear the inspiring story of a long-shot outsider who fought his way to the top office in the world, beat the odds against him again and again, and never looked back in his quest to better the lives of millions.
Wednesday, September 29 – Elon Musk
Revel in the life story of a thrilling 21st century Iron Man come alive. See how Musk went from bullied boy to young innovator to self-taught rocket scientist, ultimately becoming one of richest men in the world.

The Kennedy Center at 50

Friday, October 1 @ 9pm
A celebration of performing arts in America marking the Kennedy Center’s 50thAnniversary. This special evening will bring together the National Symphony Orchestra with preeminent artists of our time.

La Frontera with Pati Jinich

Fridays @ 9pm
Savor the sights, sounds and flavors of the U.S.-Mexico border alongside acclaimed James Beard Award-winning chef Pati Jinich, host of PBS’s PATI’S MEXICAN TABLE, as she experiences the region’s rich culture, people and cuisine.

October 15 – Miles from Nowhere
Pati, travels from El Paso and Juarez to Big Bend National Park. She discovers the people, places, and food -- from burritos to middle eastern cuisine, that make this region unique.
October 22 – From Dos Laredos to Mars
Pati travels from Laredo and Nuevo Laredo to Brownsville, Texas. She learns how tight-knit family bonds are an underlying theme connecting everything in the Laredos, and throughout La Frontera.

Life from Above

Wednesdays @ 10pm
Behold Earth as it’s never been seen before. Cameras in space tell stories of life on our planet from a brand-new perspective, revealing its incredible movements, colors, patterns and just how fast it’s changing.

September 29 – Moving Planet
See new footage of the greatest, most beautiful and powerful movements on our planet.
October 6 – Colorful Planet
Discover the extraordinary stories behind Earth’s kaleidoscope of colors.
October 13 – Patterned Planet
Marvel at the weird and wonderful shapes that cover Earth’s surface.

Margaret: Rebel Princess

Sundays @ 10pm
This intimate two-part series profiles Princess Margaret, whose life and loves reflected the social and sexual revolution that transformed the western world during the 20th century.

October 3 – Part One
Learn how Princess Margaret’s life and loves reflected the social and sexual revolution that transformed the western world during the 20th century, and redefined society’s image of the modern princess.
October 10 – Part Two
Peek in on Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones at the start of their married life. They’re happy to ride the wave of a cultural and sexual revolution that’s transforming Britain, but a more open society may spell trouble for the monarchy.

Nature – NEW EPISODES!

Wednesdays @ 8pm
Experience the splendors and compelling stories of the natural world from all over the globe.

October 20 – My Garden of a Thousand Bees
A story of surprise and revelation. A wildlife cameraman spends his time during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown filming the bees in his urban garden and discovers the many diverse species and personalities that exist in this insect family.
October 27 – Season of the Osprey
Follow the struggles, failures and triumphs of a single osprey family. Ospreys are unique among raptors for their ability to hunt live fish and dive into water.

NOVA - The Cannabis Question

Wednesday, September 29 @ 9pm

NOVA investigates the story of cannabis in the U.S., from the criminalization that has disproportionately harmed communities of color to the latest medical understanding of the plant. What risks does cannabis pose to the developing brain? How much do we know about its potential medical benefits? As cannabis becomes socially accepted, scientists are racing to understand its long-term health consequences.

Raising the Future: Childcare Crisis

Tuesday, October 12 @ 10pm
PBS NewsHour explores the burden costly childcare places on families, travels to cities and states experimenting with new ways of providing childcare, and delves into the political battle brewing over the idea of federally funded universal childcare.

Rock Castle Home

Monday, October 18 @ 10pm on SWVA PTV
Rock Castle Home delves deep into the history of a 1930s Virginia mountain community displaced by the Blue Ridge Parkway. Told through the words of community members, Rock Castle Home shows how hidden local histories are essential to telling a more inclusive story of our national parks and of America writ large. This is a story of a fight to preserve local stories and identities despite the political, economic, and natural forces that seek to subsume them.