“From a small spark kindled in America, a flame has arisen, not to be extinguished,” wrote Thomas Paine. Now Ken Burns’ much-anticipated film examines how the American Revolution ignited a movement for people around the world to imagine new and better futures for themselves, for their nations, and for humanity. It opened the door to advance civil liberties and human rights, and it asked questions that we are still trying to answer today.
“The American Revolution has always been surrounded by myth that keeps us from seeing the real picture,” says Ken Burns. “The story of the birth of this country is at once devastating and inspiring. It was a bloody civil war that divided families and communities, displaced native nations, both challenged and protected the institution of slavery, while also proclaiming the noblest aspirations of humankind.”
Viewers will be immersed in the beauty and diversity of the North American landscape. Cinematographers shot in every season over the course of several years, at nearly a hundred locations, within and beyond the original 13 colonies. This includes Colonial Williamsburg, Fort Ticonderoga, Valley Forge National Historical Park, the South Carolina backcountry, and overseas in London.
Told over six consecutive nights, the 12-hour documentary delves into the remarkable stories of the people who lived through the Revolution. Featuring the voices of a stellar cast of actors including Tom Hanks, Samuel L. Jackson, Laura Linney, and narrator Peter Coyote, the film brings to life the everyday concerns, hopes, fears, and failings of nearly 200 historic figures.
Like all of Ken Burns’ work, this production can only be experienced on PBS. “I have spent my entire professional life making films that are broadcast on PBS and stream on PBS services. I believe in its mission. I couldn’t have made my films anywhere else.” Public broadcasting offers the creative freedom to undertake the deep dives into complex subjects, meticulous research, and storytelling that define Burns’ work.
Premieres Sunday, November 16 at 8 p.m. and airs for six consecutive nights through Friday, November 21 on VPM PBS.
A More Perfect Union
Inspiring Civic & Civil Conversations Across America
Accompanying The American Revolution, this one-hour special will follow the November 2025 premiere of Ken Burns’ new series. Taped at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, A More Perfect Union will examine the ways people think about America’s founding and how the ideas and values articulated 250 years ago remain relevant to conversations about governance today. Our aim is to inspire and unite Americans through a renewed civic conversation rooted in the founders’ original principles within the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the visionary American idea. Filmmaker Ken Burns, National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen, and others will explore essential themes such as liberty, equality, democracy, separation of powers, and civil rights.
Airs Monday, November 24 at 9 p.m. on VPM PBS.
HoPE of the SeAsoN
CHRISTMAS WITH THE TABERNACLE CHOIR
It’s starting to sound a lot like Christmas on PBS! Join the world-renowned Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square along with Tony Awardwinner Ruthie Ann Miles and Hollywood veteran Dennis Haysbert in this unforgettable holiday spectacular, Hope of the Season. Packed with classic carols, holiday favorites, and an inspirational portrait of real life, this 90-minute concert features songs and stories of hope for audiences of all ages.
The 360-member chorus of men and women has performed at World’s Fairs and expositions, at inaugurations of U.S. presidents, and in acclaimed concert halls around the world. Now you can enjoy the healing power of music from the comfort of your home this holiday season on PBS.
Coming this December on VPM PBS. Check listings for details.
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From the Desk of … Jayme Swain
Dear Friend,
As we prepare for the holiday season, I want to thank you for your extraordinary support this year. Your notes of encouragement and generous contributions to advance VPM’s mission have meant so much to us. Together, we will continue providing free access to programs that educate, entertain and inspire to everyone in our community
We are proud to bring Ken Burns’ new film The American Revolution to Central Virginia in just a few weeks. This powerful series tells the story of the birth of our nation and will create opportunities for conversation about our shared history and what it means to be an American citizen today.
To ensure you have the information you need on Election Day, VPM News will have in-depth coverage about the candidates and issues, no matter where you get your news.
Visit us at VPM.org, on our social media channels, or check out our podcast, RVA’s Got Issues.
Heading into December, VPM will air holiday specials you can enjoy with your whole family, including perennial favorite Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir.
On behalf of everyone at VPM, I wish you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season.
Warmly,
Jayme Swain President and CEO, VPM and
the Virginia
Foundation
for Public Media
Starring dramatic royalty Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson in their final acting roles, The Great Escaper tells the true story of Bernard “Bernie” Jordan (Michael Caine), who made global headlines in the summer of 2014. Jordan staged a “great escape” from his nursing home to join fellow war veterans on a beach in Normandy to commemorate their fallen comrades at the D-Day Landing’s 70th anniversary. Bernie’s adventure, spanning a mere 48 hours, also marked the culmination of his 60-year marriage to Rene (Glenda Jackson). It was a story that captured the imagination of the world as Bernie embodied the defiant can-do spirit of a generation that was fast disappearing. Sure to become a MASTERPIECE favorite, this celebration of Bernie and Rene’s enduring love will inspire viewers while also teaching one more lesson from the Greatest Generation.
Airs Sundays at 9 p.m. starting November 23 on VPM PBS.
Air dates/times are subject to change. Please check vpm.org/watch/tv-schedule for updates.
A CRAFT IN AMERICA 250 SPECIAL
Much has changed since the birth of America, but the practice of making things by hand endures. Handwork 2026 celebrates the artisanship that built our nation and the role that handcrafted objects continue to play in shaping and reflecting America’s diverse cultural heritage. The four-part series from Peabody Award-winning Craft in America premieres in December. Beginning with segments EAST and WEST, each episode is told through the unique narratives of makers and reveals ancestral traditions and modern innovation.
EAST explores the meeting of history, culture, and contemporary craft in the Eastern
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United States. These American stories, from a fabric flower factory, to a silversmith, to a potter, highlight the diverse expressions behind modern craft.
WEST takes inspiration from the landscape, history, and culture of the American West. Illuminating Southwest cowboy arts, Hawaiian indigenous practices, and Native American handwork, the artists show how traditional craft can be revived, reworked, and reinvented in the art of today.
Coming this December on VPM PBS. Check listings for details.
NOVA
JAGUAR BEACH
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their home. At the top of the food chain reigns the healthiest population of jaguars in Central America, thanks to a rewilding project that has brought the forest back to life. The diversity of life in the forest is rivaled only by the waters just offshore. Here legions of olive ridley sea turtles gather every month preparing to emerge from the ocean for an ancient mass nesting ritual called the arribada. This sets the scene for two unlikely creatures — the jaguar and the sea turtle — to meet.
Jaguar Beach is a first-of-its-kind film, rooted in an intimate jaguar family story. Using the latest camera technology, the filmmakers explore the complex lives of these mysterious and powerful cats as they navigate this unique environment. Find out how this apex predator may be the guardian of new generations of sea turtle hatchlings.
Airs Wednesday, November 12 at 8 p.m. on VPM PBS.
NOVA celebrates the 25th anniversary of continuous human presence in space aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Astronauts and Mission Control insiders will reveal the most terrifying moments on this remarkable orbiting laboratory. A marvel of engineering, the ISS is the size of a football field, and it circles around the earth at 17,000 mph. It’s designed to shield its astronauts from the most hostile environment humans have ever endured. Yet a single mistake could prove fatal.
Viewers will learn about the near disasters, such as meteor strikes, docking disasters, spacewalk horrors, potentially lethal showers of space junk, and the moment the entire ISS backflipped out of control. Don’t miss these fascinating tales of life and death at 1.3 million feet above our planet — and the human ingenuity and teamwork that each time saved the day on Operation Space Station
Airs Wednesday, November 5 at 9 p.m. on VPM PBS.
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A SALUTE TO SERVICE 2025
A Veterans Day Celebration
Join us for a heartfelt Veterans Day celebration brimming with inspiring military stories and performances that honor heroes past and present. Featuring the United States Army Field Band and other artists, A Salute to Service is a beloved annual tradition that unites us in gratitude as we reflect on service, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of America.
Airs Monday, November 10 at 9 p.m. on VPM PBS.
November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
What can we, as individuals, do about Alzheimer’s? Over 6 million people are living with a type of dementia in the United States with no immediate sign of a cure through pharmaceuticals alone. VPM’s four-part documentary series about dementia explores how person-centered care and lifestyle changes can improve the quality of life for those living with dementia.
You can watch VPM’s dementia documentary series for free at any time on the PBS App, on VPM’s YouTube channel, and at VPM.org/dementia-documentary-series.
A New Season of VHG Clippings Begins This November
Can’t get enough of Virginia Home Grown? During the program’s “off-season,” you can start planning for next year’s garden with VHG Clippings! Now going into its fifth season, VHG Clippings features segments from Virginia Home Grown’s live shows, introduced by host Peggy Singlemann. Tune in for eight new episodes on Saturday mornings at 8 a.m. on VPM PBS, beginning Saturday, November 15.
VPM News Election Coverage
Keep up with the need-to-know info for this year’s elections with VPM News. Leading up to Election Day, you can find any and all VPM News coverage of the upcoming General Assembly and statewide elections at VPM.org/tags/elections.
On Election Day, see our team’s most recent coverage of Virginia’s election results at VPM.org/elections. Check in with VPM News the night of the election for official AP results updating throughout the night and until races are called. You can also tune in to VPM News 88.9 FM for live breaks with updates and election night analysis.
If you’re 70½ or older, you can make a powerful impact at VPM through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA. A QCD allows you to give directly to VPM — up to $100,000 per year — without increasing your taxable income. It’s a smart way to support the programs you love while potentially reducing your tax burden.
Following the loss of federal funding earlier this year, your gift is more important that ever, helping VPM deliver trusted news, educational content, and inspiring stories across radio, television, and digital platforms.
To learn more or get started, visit VPM.org/giveIRA or contact Angie Hatcher Sledge at 804-560-8253.
