PBS Videos

Is America Truly a Democracy? | Civics Made Easy - October 14, 2026 - PBS
Democracy is a word we hear a lot. But is it actually America’s system of government? Didn’t the founders say we’re a republic? Ben Sheehan traces both ideas back to ancient Athens and Rome, follows how voting rights grew, and asks Stanford constitutional scholar Eugene Volokh to settle the debate. Plus, three Americans share how they show up for democracy.
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#civics #democracy #government #republic
Civics Made Easy
Hosted by Ben Sheehan, this series breaks down the complex world of American government and civic participation. Each episode transforms intricate concepts into clear, digestible lessons, equipping viewers with the essential knowledge to actively participate in their democracy. Designed to empower and inform, the series makes understanding civics both accessible and engaging for all.
Inside a Lost Route 66 Motel Found in the Weeds | American Lens - October 13, 2026 - PBS
Route 66 represents the best of Americana to Roamin’ Rich Dinkela and he’s spent the last twenty years on the Route documenting its landmarks, past and present. But in all those years, he had never heard of the Shamrock Court just outside Sullivan, Missouri. Built in the 1940s, the Shamrock had been long-abandoned and was hidden under a thicket of high weeds when Rich stumbled upon it in 2021.
Watch Capturing America - The Carol Highsmith Story: https://www.pbs.org/show/capturing-america-the-carol-highsmith-story/
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#missouri #route66 #americana #motel #photography
Capturing America - The Carol Highsmith Story
For more than 40 years, Carol Highsmith wakes up every single day with one mission: to document every nook and cranny of the United States, from its majestic mountains and quirky roadside attractions to its most unforgettable characters, known and unknown.
The Hidden Black Towns Built Right After Slavery | Full Documentary | Raise Your Head Up - October 12, 2026 - PBS
After the American Civil War, over four million formerly enslaved people were set free, but most had no place to go. Wanting some autonomy over their own lives, many formed Freedom Colonies in an endeavor to live as far away from the racism of Jim Crow as possible. In 1988, documentary photographer Richard Orton began a decades-long project that followed the descendants of four of these communities. This documentary explores their accomplishments, along with the challenges they face to keep these legacies alive.
RAISE YOUR HEAD UP: FREEDOM COLONIES IN AMERICA | Full Documentary
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#blackhistory #americanhistory #ushistory
Why Olivia Rodrigo Wants You to Listen to her New Album on Vinyl | Austin City Limits - October 9, 2026 - PBS
Watch more: https://to.pbs.org/42kz0lc | #acltv
Olivia Rodrigo sits down backstage at Austin City Limits to talk about her unlikely friendship with The Cure’s Robert Smith, the story behind her third album "you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love", and why she wants fans to listen from start to finish.
Five years after debuting Sour on Austin City Limits, @OliviaRodrigo is back for another first full-length live performance of her newest album. Watch on PBS: https://to.pbs.org/42kz0lc
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About Austin City Limits
A monument to music, @AustinCityLimitsTV has showcased iconic performances from legends and innovators in every genre of popular song for a remarkable five decades. The series is the inspiration for the popular Austin City Limits Music Festival and has earned countless accolades for its quality presentation of live music performances, including a Peabody Award, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame designation and it remains the only TV series awarded the National Medal of Arts.
The Climate Paradox: Why New York City Is Greener Than You Think - October 8, 2026 - PBS
Many people see New York City as an environmental problem. Experts argue the opposite: New Yorkers use less energy, drive less, and have smaller carbon footprints than most Americans. But as Superstorm Sandy revealed, coastal cities like NYC may face some of climate change's greatest dangers.
This excerpt comes from "The Future of Cities" and installment of "New York: A Documentary Film". Follow New York’s stunning transformation in the decades since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. As the city reckons with multiple major crises, including financial collapse, Superstorm Sandy, and a devastating pandemic, it defies the predictions of doomsayers and rebuilds—emerging each time more resilient.
Watch the full film: https://www.pbs.org/show/new-york-a-documentary-film/
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NEW YORK: A DOCUMENTARY FILM
Explore the story of New York from the end of the 20th century through the first quarter of the 21st—one of the most dramatic, demanding and transformational periods in the city’s history. In this two-part follow-up to the landmark 8-part NEW YORK: A DOCUMENTARY FILM, witness an epic portrait of America’s largest city through decades of challenge, growth and change. WATCH: https://www.pbs.org/show/new-york-a-documentary-film/
The Colosseum’s Rise and Fall | Full Episode | Secrets of the Dead - October 6, 2026 - PBS
Watch more: https://to.pbs.org/3mHxfbj | #SecretsDeadPBS
The Colosseum: the jewel of Ancient Rome. It wowed vast crowds with extraordinary battles. It pushed the boundaries of technology. It exhibited Rome’s vast wealth and power. Roman leaders spread the Colosseum’s design throughout the Empire, and it helped them conquer the ancient world. But just as the structure embodied Rome’s power, so too did it contribute to the Empire’s downfall.
The Rise and Fall of the Colosseum | Secrets of the Dead
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#SecretsoftheDead #ancientrome #colosseum #rome
Secrets of the Dead
Part detective story, part true-life drama, @secretsofthedead unearths evidence from around the world, challenging prevailing ideas and throwing fresh light on unexplained events.
Jeff Tweedy Performs "Enough" | The Caverns Sessions - October 5, 2026 - PBS
Watch more from this series: https://to.pbs.org/46SUKWZ
Jeff Tweedy performs his song "Enough," live in-front of a audience deep inside an underground amphitheater for The Caverns Sessions. The song comes from Tweedy's fifth solo studio album Twilight Override, released in 2025.
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#jefftweedy #livemusic #tennessee
The Caverns Sessions
A live music series taped deep within The Caverns, an underground amphitheater in the Tennessee mountains. This 16-time EMMY winning "musical adventure" proudly features established & emerging artists across a broad spectrum of genres. Watch full episodes: https://to.pbs.org/46SUKWZ
Jon Gabrus Is Having a Midlife Crisis | The Drawing Room with Mo Welch - October 2, 2026 - PBS
Comedian Jon Gabrus is in the middle of a midlife crisis. He and Mo sketch each other while covering Long Island's South Shore, rugby, lifeguarding, and SNL. Plus: the tooth fairy has some explaining to do.
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The Drawing Room with Mo Welch
What happens when interviews become art projects? Comedian and illustrator Mo Welch invites notable guests to join her at the easel, turning conversations into creative collaborations. This non-traditional PBS series puts Mo’s full talents on display, blending humor, vulnerability, and artistry as she and her guest draw each other out—literally and figuratively.
Carlos Vives Sings His Hit "Robarte Un Beso" | Austin City Limits - October 1, 2026 - PBS
Watch more: https://to.pbs.org/42kz0lc | #acltv
Feel the love in this live performance of "Robarte un Beso" from Colombian singer-songwriter Carlos Vives and his band La Provincia on Austin City Limits. The Latin Grammy winner brings his signature vallenato sound to the ACL stage. Full episode streaming now on PBS: https://www.pbs.org/video/carlos-vives-y-la-provincia-zhexes/
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#livemusic #cumbia #vallenato
About Austin City Limits
A monument to music, @AustinCityLimitsTV has showcased iconic performances from legends and innovators in every genre of popular song for a remarkable five decades. The series is the inspiration for the popular Austin City Limits Music Festival and has earned countless accolades for its quality presentation of live music performances, including a Peabody Award, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame designation and it remains the only TV series awarded the National Medal of Arts.
Diving to Antarctica's Seafloor in a Tiny Sub - September 30, 2026 - PBS
Watch more of this series: https://to.pbs.org/3Vig7OG
Explore Antarctica's deep sea in a submersible with scientists studying fragile ecosystems, glass sponges, octopuses & ancient coral.
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Ages of Ice
A story of scientific daring and discovery, grit, and human endeavor, where unlocking the mysteries of our icy worlds is key to unlocking the forces that drive our planet. The three-part documentary series narrated by acclaimed Scottish actor David Tennant, is a high-stakes journey into the planet's frozen wilderness, revealing the extraordinary wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and rapidly changing ecosystems of Earth's polar regions.
How Jack Maple Revolutionized Policing in New York - September 29, 2026 - PBS
How did New York City go from nearly 2,000 murders a year to just over 600?
The answer begins with an unlikely figure: Jack Maple, a bowtie-wearing subway cop who helped revolutionize policing with the then-radical idea to use real-time crime data and put police where they were needed most.
His creation, CompStat, transformed the NYPD and helped drive a staggering decline in crime. But policing was only part of the story: economic changes, demographics, immigration, the decline of the crack epidemic, and community action all played a role, as well.
This is the story of how New York changed — even as the causes of that transformation remain fiercely debated.
Watch the full film: https://www.pbs.org/show/new-york-a-documentary-film/
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NEW YORK: A DOCUMENTARY FILM
Explore the story of New York from the end of the 20th century through the first quarter of the 21st—one of the most dramatic, demanding and transformational periods in the city’s history. In this two-part follow-up to the landmark 8-part NEW YORK: A DOCUMENTARY FILM, witness an epic portrait of America’s largest city through decades of challenge, growth and change. WATCH: https://www.pbs.org/show/new-york-a-documentary-film/
Inside Hannibal, Missouri: Where Mark Twain's Legacy Lives On - September 28, 2026 - PBS
Nearly 50 years ago, Captain Steve Terry was a young man seeking his life’s purpose. That’s when he discovered a love for piloting the Mississippi River in Hannibal, Missouri. Here, in Mark Twain’s hometown, he shares his knowledge of one of the world’s largest waterways. Now, Captain Steve is looking toward the future by training his grandson, Colton, to take over his piloting duties.
Watch Capturing America - The Carol Highsmith Story: https://www.pbs.org/show/capturing-america-the-carol-highsmith-story/
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Capturing America - The Carol Highsmith Story
For more than 40 years, Carol Highsmith wakes up every single day with one mission: to document every nook and cranny of the United States, from its majestic mountains and quirky roadside attractions to its most unforgettable characters, known and unknown.