FEATURED PROGRAMS on Blue Ridge PBS
Be sure to check our schedule for additional air times!
60s and 70s Soul Celebration (My Music Presents)
Monday, December 2 @ 8:30pm
The legends of 60's and '70s soul music return to perform their biggest hits. Featuring The Temptations, James Brown, Patti LaBelle, The Chi-Lites, The Spinners, Sam Moore and more in this first-time-ever classic R&B and soul compilation from 30 years of the TJL archive.
All Creatures Great & Small, Season 4, on Masterpiece
Back-to-Back Episodes! Sundays, December 22 & 29 @ 9pm
It’s Spring 1940 and with Europe at war, the community in Darrowby are pulling together more than ever before. With Tristan away serving, Siegfried and James bring in some extra hands to help around the practice: highly efficient bookkeeper Miss Harbottle, and student vet Richard Carmody. Happily married Helen and James begin to think about their future despite the looming possibility that James could be called up to serve.
Season 5 premieres January 12, 2025!!
All Creatures Great & Small: Tricki & Friends
Thursday, December 5 @ 8pm & Sunday, December 8 @ 7pm
Celebrate the animals we love by revisiting moments from the series where they always come first. Meet Tricki — the biggest scene stealer and smallest cast member — and the many other creatures that illustrate the bond between humans and animals.
All is Calm: Christmas Truce of 1914
Thursday, December 12 @ 9pm
The Western Front. Christmas. 1914. Out of the violence comes a silence, then a song. A German soldier steps into No Man's Land Singing "Stille Nacht." Thus begins an extraordinary night of camaraderie, music and peace. This award-winning docu-musical theatre production recreates an astounding moment in history when Allied and German soldiers laid down their arms to celebrate the holiday together by trading carols, sharing food and drink, playing soccer and burying the dead. This remarkable story is told through the words of the great WWI poets, official war documents, diary entries and letters written by more than thirty WWI soldiers. The historic documents are woven together with iconic WWI songs and European Christmas carols to create a profound retelling of this extraordinary moment in history.
American Masters
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.
Friday, December 13 @ 9pm - Keith Haring: Street Art Boy
Explore the definitive story of international art sensation Keith Haring who blazed a trail through the art scene of '80s New York and revolutionized the worlds of pop culture and fine art. The film features previously unheard interviews with Haring.
Monday, December 16 @ 10pm - Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around
Discover the story behind Brenda Lee and explore how her early fame and life of poverty shaped her music, including the classic “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.” The film features interviews with Keith Urban, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo and more.
Art Happens Here with John Lithgow
Monday, December 9 @ 10pm
This one-hour special features actor John Lithgow (“Killers of the Flower Moon,” “The Crown,” “Interstellar”) going back to school to demonstrate the transformative power of arts education. He immerses himself with teachers and students to explore four arts disciplines: dance, ceramics, silk-screen printing and vocal jazz ensemble. The program celebrates how arts education nurtures and inspires the hearts and minds of students of all ages. Featuring organizations that include Self Help Graphics & Art, The Debbie Allen Dance Academy, the La Canada-Flintridge Community Center and the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA).
Behind the Scenes of Leonardo da Vinci
Tuesday, December 3 @ 10:30pm & Sunday, December 8 @ 5:30pm
Explore the making of the groundbreaking documentary about the artist's towering achievements. Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon discuss their creative process and reveal the challenges of telling this 500-year-old story for today's viewers.
Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2024
Wednesday, December 25 @ 8pm
It’s Christmas 1969, and the funfair and carol concert add color to frosty Poplar. Yet, the festive spirit at Nonnatus House is dampened by the spread of influenza alongside growing fears of an escaped prisoner after a spate of break-ins.
Charley Crockett: Live from the Ryman
Saturday, December 7 @ 10pm
Grab a front-row seat to the country and blues singer’s first-ever show at the fabled auditorium in downtown Nashville, a sold-out celebratory event. Crockett performs songs from his deep catalog along with his ace band, The Blue Drifters.
Christmas in New England
Thursday, December 12 @ 7pm
From the coast of Maine to the hills of the Berkshires, New England is a uniquely magical place to celebrate the holidays. Join host Lindsay Paris as she visits eight regional destinations to take a look at the traditions and events that make Christmas in New England so special.
Christmas on the Danube
Thursday, December 26 @ 7pm
Traveling the majestic Danube River as it passes through stunning European landscape, history and culture, this program visits theses cities along the Danube, which are particularly spectacular at Christmas: Vienna, Salzburg, Oberdorf, and more.
Classic Christmas with the Bach Festival Society
Monday, December 23 @ 7pm
From the beautiful Knowles Memorial Chapel on the campus of Rollins College, the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra, along with guest soloists Mary Wilson and Stephen Mumbert as well as the Bach Festival Children's Choir, performs custom arrangements of treasured holiday classics created specifically for this joyous celebration.
Craft in America
Back-to-Back Episodes! Friday, December 27
The newest season of this series explores the vitality, history and significance of the craft movement in the United States and its impact on our nation’s rich cultural heritage.
9pm - SCIENCE investigates the unexpected intersection between art and the sciences, spanning technology, engineering, biology, math, and the climate emergency.
10pm - COLLECTORS reveals the essential role that craft appreciators play in the community.
Darius Rucker: Live from Nashville
Saturday, December 14 @ 10pm
Grab a front-row seat as the three-time Grammy Award winner performs songs from his latest album, Carolyn’s Boys, along with Hootie & the Blowfish classics and his solo country hits, including a special performance of “Wagon Wheel” with Ketch Secor.
The Earthshot Report 2024
Wednesday, December 18 @ 8pm
Introduced by HRH Prince William and hosted by Hannah Waddingham, The Earthshot Report takes a deep dive into previous Earthshot finalist stories, looks at the global picture and shows how we are progressing towards a sustainable future.
European Christmas Markets
Tuesday, December 10 @ 7pm
Join us on our discovery of Europe's Christmas Markets, where the town center, market square or just the narrow, cobblestone streets of the cities and towns of Europe come alive in winter with festively decorated wooden stalls offering all sorts of treats and delights.
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. – The Fabric of America
Tuesday, December 3 @ 8pm & Sunday, December 8 @ 8:30pm
Explore the work of one of the most renowned, respected and popular cultural historians with this new retrospective documentary, which explores his work and how it has made history come alive for tens of millions of Americans.
Henry Mancini: 100 at the Hollywood Bowl onGreat Performances
Sunday, December 1 @ 7:30pm
The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, along with special guests, celebrate the centennial birthday of Henry Mancini, the peerless composer for film, television and popular song. The 4-time Oscar and 20-time Grammy-winning composer of "Moon River" and the "Pink Panther" made 29 conducting appearances on the iconic Bowl's stage. Michael Buble, Cynthia Erivo, saxophonist Dave Koz and Mancini's daughter Monica Mancini gather to perform Mancini's signature songs, interspersed with clips from his beloved movies and TV shows.
Holiday Handbells: The Raleigh Ringers
Thursday, December 5 @ 7pm & Tuesday, December 24 @ 7pm
The Raleigh Ringers, an internationally acclaimed community handbell choir based in Raleigh, North Carolina, present the sequel to their critically acclaimed holiday special, One Winter Evening at Meymandi.
John & Yoko: Above Us Only Sky
Wednesday, December 4 @ 9:30pm
Discover how the couple’s unique relationship led to the creation of the iconic 1971 album Imagine. The film features new interviews with Yoko, Lennon’s son Julian, and others who knew the couple best, along with archival footage, audio and photos.
Joy: Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir
Tuesdays, December 18 @ 8pm & December 24 @ 9:30pm
Broadway star Michael Maliakel and beloved actress Lesley Nicol (Downton Abbey) inspire in this holiday special that weaves Christmas classics with the story of Victor Hugo to show that opening our hearts to all is the true meaning of the season.
Leonard Cohen: Live in Dublin
Sunday, December 1 @ 5:30pm
Discover how the couple’s unique relationship led to the creation of the iconic 1971 album Imagine. The film features new interviews with Yoko, Lennon’s son Julian, and others who knew the couple best, along with archival footage, audio and photos.
Let Your Heart Be Light: Christmas in the Adirondacks
Wednesday, December 25 @ 7pm
Featuring acoustic guitarist/kalimba artist Trevor Gordon Hall, performing much-loved Holiday classics from his album of the same name. This special celebrates a wintry Christmas in New York's Adirondack region.
Liona Boyd: A Winter Fantasy
Thursday, December 12 @ 8pm
Filmed in historic Richmond Hill United Church in December 2017, Liona Boyd: A Winter Fantasy perfectly captures a magical evening concert performed by world-renowned classical guitarist, Liona Boyd and her protege, Andrew Dolson. The film also features special guest, Grammy nominated flautist Ron Korb, as well as the Chancel Choir of Richmond Hill.
Lucy Worsley’s Holmes vs. Doyle
Sundays, December 15 & 22 @ 8pm
Sherlock Holmes is the most famous detective in the world. He made his author, Arthur Conan Doyle, rich and famous. But the writer came to hate his fictional character. Through the changing world of Victorian and Edwardian Britain, Lucy Worsley explores why.
Lucy Worsley’s Royal Myths & Secrets
Sunday, December 29 @ 8pm
Investigate why Queen Anne’s powerful role in the forging of Great Britain has often been forgotten. Lucy Worsley shares the inside story of the salacious gossip about Anne’s love life that helped destroy her image and legacy.
Magic of Christmas in Alsace
Tuesday, December 17 @ 7pm & Wednesday, December 25 @ 7:30pm
Christmas in the Alsace region of France is best experienced in the small towns and villages where each community has its own unique holiday traditions, celebrations, food, and of course wine. The Alsatian landscape is covered with medieval towns, castle ruins and vineyards that overflow with charm and history. And at Christmas, the townspeople go all out in decorating each of their towns to outdo the next in celebration of the season, and their Christmas markets are a truly magical take on this uniquely French celebration of Christmas.
Mary Berry’s Highland Christmas
Mondays December 16 @ 7pm & December 23 @ 9pm
Join Mary Berry as she travels to her mother’s homeland, Scotland, and is joined by her friends Andy Murray, Iain Stirling, and Emeli Sandé to cook indulgent Christmas dishes that can be enjoyed anytime over the holidays.
Mary Berry’s Ultimate Christmas
Monday, December 9 @ 7pm & Monday December 23 @ 10pm
Mary Berry shares her ultimate Christmas feast with all the trimmings. Friends and Chefs Angela Hartnett and Monica Galetti join her to share favorite festive recipes from their heritage and Mary and TV host Rylan Clark try and convert some kids to Brussels sprouts.
Nature
Wednesdays @ 8pm (except where noted)
NATURE on PBS brings rich and rewarding stories from the wild to homes across America.
December 4 – Attenborough’s Life Journey
An intimate portrait of Sir David Attenborough’s life, from his boyhood days as a fossil hunter, through his early days as a BBC host, to his revered status as the foremost natural history presenter.
December 11 – Portugal: Wild Land on the Edge
Discover the wildlife and landscapes of Portugal, impacted by its history as a global trading hub. From forest to coast, witness the majesty of the country’s wild horses, storks, monk seals and more.
Friday, December 20 @ 9pm - The Alps: The High Life
In Europe’s highest mountain range, discover how Eurasian lynx, griffon vultures, ibex, marmots and more face extreme seasonal fluctuations, from volatile thunderstorms and landslides of summer to avalanches and frozen temperatures of winter. In Part One of the miniseries "The Alps", enjoy the Alps in spring and summertime as newborn animals grow up to face the coming brutal winter.
Next at the Kennedy Center
Tuesday, December 31
Captured to match the unique style of the artists, each episode of NEXT AT THE KENNEDY CENTER will weave together performances filmed live at the Center with intimate backstage moments and first-person commentary.
7pm – Cynthia Erivo & Friends
Cynthia Erivo invites you to a musical New Year's Eve with Ben Platt and Joaquina Kalukango.
8pm & 9:30pm – Sara Bareilles: New Year’s Eve with the National Symphony Orchestra
Acclaimed singer, songwriter and actress Sara Bareilles takes the stage at the Kennedy Center with the National Symphony Orchestra for an enchanting evening of song and celebration in this New Year's Eve special.
Norfolk & Western Railway: Steam, Steel, and Storylines
Monday, December 2 @ 7pm & Thursday, December 5 @ 9pm
Explore the rise of the Norfolk and Western Railway, its innovative steam engines, and its lasting impact on Roanoke and Southwest Virginia. From its role as a major employer to its transformation during the diesel era, the N&W's story remains a captivating chapter in 20th-century railroading.
NOVA
Wednesdays @ 9pm
Explore the science behind the headlines in PBS's premier science series. With compelling stories and spectacular visuals, NOVA programs demystify science and technology for viewers of all ages and spotlight people involved in scientific pursuits.
December 11 – Rebuilding Notre Dame
Following the April, 2019 fire that almost destroyed Paris’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, a team of engineers, masons, and timber workers set out on the daunting challenge of restoring France’s historic landmark.
December 18 – Lost Tombs of Notre Dame
After the Notre Dame fire in 2019, two mysterious coffins were found buried beneath its floor. Where did they come from and who was inside? Follow scientists and historians as they investigate what their stories reveal about this iconic cathedral.
Repeat the Sounding Joy: A Concordia Christmas
Thursday, December 19 @ 8pm
The vocal and instrumental musical ensembles of Concordia University Irvine and friends invite you to join us for a festive collection of music that repeats the sounding joy heard at the first Christmas. Songs include the Latvian folk song "The Christmas Season", "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel", "Alabanzas Al Rey", "Joy to the World", "Carol of the Bells", and many more.
Too Hot to Handel: The Gospel Messiah
Tuesdays, December 17 @ 9:30pm & December 24 @ 8pm
Handel’s 18th-century masterpiece, “The Messiah,” has been reimagined and infused with Gospel, Jazz, and R&B. The result is an uplifting reinterpretation of this seasonal favorite, captured at its European premiere at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Velvet
Thursdays @ 9pm
In late 1950s Madrid, the golden age of haute couture, there is one place everyone would like to shop at least once in their lifetime: the Galerias Velvet. From Walter Presents, in Spanish with English subtitles.
December 19 – Butterfly Wings
When Don Rafael presents his latest collection, his son returns from his studies abroad.
December 26 – The Seamstress
Ana and Alberto learn Don Rafael has died. Alberto must share his inheritance.
Vienna Blood: Analyzing the Hidden Truths
Tuesday, December 3 @ 9:30pm
Go behind the scenes of this thrilling murder mystery series set in dangerous and dazzling Vienna in the early 1900s. Interviews with the cast and creators explore the fascinating cases, characters, and relationships featured in the series.
Season 4 Premieres January 5!!