SPRING 2025
A WORD FROM OUR GENERAL MANAGER, DEANNA MACKEY
Stories that Captivate
Experience the magic of timeless storytelling and historical drama with two extraordinary “MASTERPIECE” programs that delve into love, legacy and power.
‘Wolf Hall’
For those who love intrigue and historical drama, “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light” offers a riveting exploration of Thomas Cromwell’s rise and fall in King Henry VIII’s court. Amid shifting alliances and deadly ambition, Cromwell navigates the volatile politics of Tudor England in pursuit of power. This gripping drama captures the intricate web of political scheming, religious upheaval and personal sacrifice, bringing the brutal yet fascinating Tudor period to life with breathtaking performances and meticulous historical detail.
“Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light” premieres Sunday, March 23, at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
‘Miss Austen’
In “Miss Austen,” step into the world of Jane Austen through the eyes of her devoted sister, Cassandra. This reimagined tale unravels one of literary history’s greatest mysteries: why did Cassandra burn Jane’s letters? Set in 1830, long after Jane’s death, the story follows Cassandra’s quest to protect her sister’s legacy by uncovering hidden letters that could tarnish Jane’s reputation. Through flashbacks, we see the Austen sisters’ lives, filled with romantic infatuations, family feuds and the experiences that inspired Jane’s unforgettable stories.
“Miss Austen” Premieres Sunday, Sunday, May 4, at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
A New Era Unfolds
The beloved series returns with a captivating new season, delving into the challenges and transformations of the 1970s.
In March 1970, the Nonnatus team supports a pregnant teenage girl whose parents insist her pregnancy is an immaculate conception, all while demonstrations disrupt their work. Nancy’s blossoming relationship adds a layer of warmth amidst the chaos.
April brings more complex cases as Trixie oversees the care of Arlene, an unmarried mother facing societal stigma. Rising rates of gonorrhea in the district alarm the midwives, especially when Zeta, a young Cypriot expectant mother, receives a diagnosis that shakes her world. Meanwhile, Cyril and Rosalind dedicate themselves to volunteering at a homeless shelter, offering compassion and hope to those in need.
With heartwarming moments, heartbreaking decisions and the return of your favorite characters, “Call the Midwife” continues to deliver the poignant and powerful storytelling fans adore.
“Call the Midwife” airs Sunday, March 30, at 8 p.m. on KPBS-TV. Watch live or stream.
Honoring Voices of Color in Theatre
Get ready for an inspiring new season of “Theatre Corner” with six exciting episodes filmed at the Black Box Theatre at San Diego City College. Host Michael Taylor engages with some of the most influential people of color in theatre, offering in-depth conversations about their work and impact on the stage. This season also includes a special tribute to the late playwright Dea Hurston, celebrating her legacy.
Featured guests include director Sheldon Epps, artistic director Tarell Alvin McCraney, singer Deborah Cox, poet Gill Sotu and host Parker Edison, among others.
Catch the premiere on Thursday, March 13, at 8:30 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
Explore Baja’s Beauty and Flavors
We are excited to bring you the 14th season of “Crossing South.” First, come with us to Bahia Gonzaga, a picturesque off-the-grid paradise where we can escape from it all. After that, we’ll take an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the Fender Guitar Factory in Ensenada and meet the most interesting woman in the world. We’ll also be meeting some superstar chefs who share their rockin’ dishes at spots like Oja, La Justina, Tres Galline and more. Beautiful places, musical legends, fascinating people and exploding flavors!
Premieres Thursday, April 24th at 9:30 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
Join us at the GI Film Festival San Diego
KPBS is home to a must-attend event for film lovers, history enthusiasts, military supporters and you! Now in its 10th year, the GI Film Festival San Diego combines an appreciation for independent cinema with military and veteran stories.
Taking place May 7-9 at the Museum of Photographic Arts at the San Diego Museum of Art, the festival will feature compelling and original films that amplify the stories of military service, reveal untold histories and showcase the creative voices of service-connected filmmakers. Films are followed by panel discussions with available filmmakers, film subjects and local experts.
The festival’s online box office opens March 5 and tickets begin at $15 each for general audiences or $10 for KPBS members, veterans, or service members. As a thank you for your loyal support, KPBS members can claim up to two free tickets using promo code KPBS-25. This offer will expire on March 19. (Box office opens March 5.) To see the schedule, preview the films and secure your tickets, visit GIFilmFestivalSD.org.
Honoring America’s Heroes
The “National Memorial Day Concert” is an annual favorite and an unforgettable tribute to our nation’s finest. This inspiring event, set against the beauty of the West Lawn of the United States Capitol, honors our military personnel, veterans and the heroes we’ve lost. The bravery of the fallen is remembered through the sharing of their stories and musical performances by our nation’s most renowned artists. The concert includes stirring performances by military choirs and ensembles and the treasured tradition of the Salute to Services.
This impactful evening provides an opportunity for our nation to unite in gratitude and solemn remembrance.
Airs Sunday, May 25, at 8 p.m. and again at 9:30 p.m. on KPBS-TV. Watch live or stream.
Protecting and Preserving Earth’s Future
Earth Day, April 22, is a time to reflect on environmental challenges and inspire action for a sustainable future. KPBS is marking the occasion with two powerful programs:
“The Future of Nature” explores how Earth’s ecosystems — oceans, grasslands and forests — play a vital role in combating climate change. Through global stories, this program highlights nature’s power to rebalance the carbon cycle and secure our future. Airs Wednesday, March 26, at 10 p.m. on KPBS-TV. Watch live or stream.
And witness history in the making as “Changing Planet: River Restoration” documents the world’s largest dam removal project as California’s Klamath River flows freely for the first time in over a century. This historic restoration underscores the importance of protecting river systems. Airs Wednesday, April 23, at 10 p.m. on KPBS-TV. Watch live or stream.
Be My Neighbor Day 2025!
KPBS Be My Neighbor Day is back on Saturday, April 5, 2025, on the San Diego State University campus. With generous support from Fred Rogers Productions and PNC Bank, this free family-friendly event invites young children and their families to learn about kindness, caring and what it means to be a great neighbor.
Be My Neighbor Day offers engaging activities like arts and crafts, storytelling, and even a nature walk hosted by KPBS partner organizations. It’s a day filled with fun, family engagement and opportunities to connect with your local community.
The highlight of the event? A meet-and-greet with Daniel Tiger from “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood!” Bring your camera and enjoy a memorable photo opportunity with everyone’s favorite tiger.
Mark your calendar for this special day celebrating kindness, learning and connection. Stay updated at kpbs.org/kpbskids. We can’t wait to see you there!
19 Years of Shared Stories
One Book, One San Diego is our region’s premier literary program, presented in partnership between KPBS and over 80 public libraries, service organizations and educational institutions. Now in its 19th year, the purpose is to bring our community closer together through the shared experience of reading and discussing the same book.
Each year, One Book, One San Diego features one book for adults, one for teens, one for kids and one for Spanish language readers (One Book Sin Fronteras).
Year round, the community is asked to nominate titles the entire region should read together. The Advisory Committees review these nominations and ultimately select titles they believe fit the selection criteria best. In the fall, KPBS and our community partners host events inspired by the books selected.
Learn more: https://www.kpbs.org/onebook
Musical Discoveries
Embark on an enchanting journey through the world of classical music with virtuoso violinist and conductor Scott Yoo in “Now Hear This.” Season 6 highlights the works of Luigi Boccherini, Frédéric Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Manuel Ponce, uncovering the fascinating stories behind these timeless compositions.
Whether you’re a lifelong classical music lover or just beginning to delve into the genre, each episode reveals the artistry, history and cultural connections that make these masterpieces resonate today. Experience the magic of music through the lens of “Now Hear This” — a series designed to inspire and delight audiences everywhere.
“Now Hear This”airs Fridays, beginning April 11, at 9 p.m. on KPBS-2. Watch live or stream.
Rhythm and Connection
“Independent Lens” is where award-winning filmmakers bring diverse cultural stories to life.
Experience “We Want the Funk,” a rhythmic journey through funk music’s evolution, from African and jazz roots to James Brown and Parliament Funkadelic. Delve into funk’s cultural impact, its ties to 1970s racial dynamics and its enduring influence on Black culture and hip-hop. Airs Tuesday, April 8, at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV. Watch live or stream.
Also featured is “Free for All: The Public Library,” celebrating the vital role of libraries as sanctuaries for knowledge and connection. As libraries face modern challenges, this film highlights their enduring importance as cherished institutions. Airs Tuesday, April 29, at 10 p.m. on KPBS-TV. Watch live or stream.
Supporting Public Media
Mark your calendars for Public Media Giving Days, a two-day digital celebration on May 1–2, 2025! This special event unites supporters of public media to highlight the vital role it plays in our communities. Together, we’ll raise awareness, spark meaningful conversations, and show how public media enriches lives every day.
Your support during Public Media Giving Days ensures that trusted journalism, inspiring stories, and educational programs continue to thrive. Let’s come together to celebrate KPBS and sustain the value of public media in shaping a better future for all.
Please join in by making an extra gift to support KPBS during this special event.
Love and Resilience
For Bradley Cooper, caregiving is deeply personal. As a caregiver for his late father during his battle with lung cancer, Cooper experienced the challenges and emotional toll firsthand. This experience inspired him to executive produce “Caregiving,” a documentary that highlights the resilience and strength of family and professional caregivers.
Through diverse voices and real-life experiences, “Caregiving” offers an intimate look at the challenges and triumphs of those who dedicate themselves to caring for others. From managing immense responsibilities to navigating emotional bonds, the film captures the heart and humanity of this often-overlooked role. It seeks to deepen understanding, spark important conversations and honor the millions who provide care daily.
This two-hour documentary is a powerful exploration of love, empathy and perseverance.
“Caregiving” premieres spring 2025 on KPBS-TV. Watch live or stream.
Do More With KPBS by Joining the Producers Club!
Producers Club members share the distinction of being KPBS’ most generous annual contributors, giving $1,200 or more annually to strengthen the impact of local public broadcasting. Producers Club members are the station’s most invested and engaged supporters, serving as our ambassadors and counselors. They enable KPBS to expand its vision of excellence, develop new programs and serve our communities. More importantly, they provide foundational support that enables our growth today and into the future.
Producers Club members also enjoy many unique opportunities to engage with KPBS, including by-invitation-only events with on-air personalities, advance notice of upcoming projects and programs of special interest, behind-the-scenes station tours and more.
To become a Producers Club member or to learn more visit www.kpbs.org/pc or contact Jared Blakeley at (619) 594-0851 or [email protected].
Did You Know? You can make a Producers Club level gift through your IRA and have it qualify against your annual Required Minimum Distribution. Contact us to learn more.
Other Ways to Give
There’s another way to give to KPBS! Donate your real estate is a great way to support the programming you love. We take any property type, from houses and land to commercial, in any location, as long as there is equity. Our real estate donation program makes the donation process straightforward, and you may even claim a significant tax deduction in the process. Start your donation today at kpbs.givingproperty.org or call 844-277-HOME (4663).
Sponsor Message
A cooking competition becomes a hilarious battleground for belonging.
Ready, set, fry! Winner of the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, THE HOT WING KING is a fresh, fierce comedy that explores the challenges and rewards of being true to yourself and the families we create. As Memphis’s annual “Hot Wang Festival” approaches, Cordell Crutchfield is determined to win the crown with the support of his boyfriend Dwayne and their friends, aka “The New Wing Order.” Just when victory seems certain, a family tragedy brings Dwayne’s troubled nephew into the mix, turning their preparations into a recipe for chaos. At Cygnet Theatre April 9 to May 2, 2025.
Get tickets at www.cygnettheatre.com or call 619-337-1525
Art Alive at The San Diego Museum of Art combines art, architecture, and flowers for an incredible weekend of events this April 24-27, 2025. See nearly one hundred works of art interpreted through stunning floral arrangements throughout the Museum complemented by four days of fun-filled events, including the Premiere Dinner, the tenth edition of the iconic Bloom Bash kick-off party and a garden of activities for families and artists of all ages. The 2025 event of this annual springtime tradition celebrates art and architecture inspired by the groundbreaking architectural designs of Lord Norman Foster and his internationally renowned studio Foster + Partners.
Art Alive is The San Diego Museum of Art’s signature annual fundraiser, providing essential support for the Museum’s exhibitions, education, outreach and public programs throughout the year. Learn more about Art Alive and get tickets at www.SDMArt.org/ArtAlive
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KPBS channel info—television
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