WINTER 2024/2025
A WORD FROM OUR GENERAL MANAGER, DEANNA MACKEY
The holidays are a time of togetherness and bonding with family and friends. At KPBS, we strive to tell stories that bring awareness of the commonality we share and the unique aspects of our region to strengthen our community connections. You trust and rely on KPBS to be reflective of our shared humanity. This is why KPBS launched its Public Matters initiative earlier this year with inewsource and Voice of San Diego. Public Matters strives to expand the culture of civic engagement in our community through increased public conversation and coverage of critical issues that matter to our region. As part of this, KPBS will be facilitating conversations between San Diegans with different political views in an effort to model that respect and understanding can be demonstrated even when we don’t agree. I will be sharing more information on this program in the coming months.
Speaking of time well spent, there are plenty of things to do in San Diego to celebrate the winter holidays. You can find these opportunities in our events calendar at kpbs.org/winterholidays.
As we gather this holiday season, please take good care of yourselves and those you love as we look ahead to a new year. Thank you all for your support of KPBS.
‘Vienna Blood’
In “Vienna Blood” Season 4, Doctor Max Liebermann and Detective Inspector Oskar Rheinhardt face a high-stakes conspiracy. When a shocking double murder rocks Vienna, they uncover a dangerous traitor within the imperial government. Racing against time, the duo must solve the mystery of the elusive “Mephisto” before it’s too late.
“Vienna Blood” premieres Sunday, January 5, at 10 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
‘Miss Scarlet’
Over in London, “Miss Scarlet” returns with Eliza Scarlet’s detective agency thriving, but her personal life takes a complicated turn as the dashing Detective Inspector Alexander Blake arrives at Scotland Yard. As chemistry flares and rivalry brews between them, Eliza finds herself juggling career success with a tumultuous personal life. Will she find a way to balance it all?
“Miss Scarlet” premieres Sunday, January 12, at 8 p.m. on KPBS-TV. Passport viewers can begin streaming the new season on December 8.
‘All Creatures Great & Small’
And in Yorkshire, Season 5 of “All Creatures Great & Small” welcomes viewers back to the endearing world of Skeldale House. With Tristan’s return from the Royal Veterinary Corps, and the Herriots adjusting to life as new parents, the series delivers its signature mix of family warmth, countryside charm and a touch of animal whimsy.
“All Creatures Great & Small” premieres Sunday, January 12, at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
Spend the Holidays with KPBS
Get ready to celebrate the holiday season with an array of heartwarming specials that are sure to bring joy to your festivities.
“Joy: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir” features the choir’s harmonious melodies and festive spirit that will fill your home with the magic of Christmas.
“Too Hot To Handel: The Gospel Messiah,” is a soul-stirring reimagining of Handel’s “Messiah.” Conductor Marin Alsop, along with Bob Christianson and Gary Anderson, infuse the 18th-century masterpiece with vibrant gospel, jazz and R & B elements to uplift and inspire.
Christmas Eve at “1222 Oceanfront: A Black Family Christmas” invites you to join Dorothy Black and her family for a festive evening of food, dancing and holiday songs. Written by Dea Hurston, the show blends tradition, love and some family drama.
Be a part of the festivities at Nonnatus House. Enjoy the kindness and warmth of nuns and midwives in “Call the Midwife: Holiday Special,” as these beloved characters commemorate the season with touching stories and cherished traditions.
Sara Bareilles, known for her breakout hit “Love Song” and her acclaimed work on Broadway’s “Waitress,” returns to the Kennedy Center for a special New Year’s Eve performance with the National Symphony Orchestra & Friends. Additionally, ring in the New Year with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, offering a graceful and grand way to welcome the year ahead.
Schedule
December 17
8 p.m. | “Joy: Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir” (New)
9:30 p.m. | “1222 Oceanfront: A Black Family Christmas” (New)
December 24
8 p.m. | “Too Hot To Handle: The Gospel Messiah” (New)
9:30 p.m. | KPBS Holiday Special 2023 (Encore)
December 25
8 p.m. | “Call the Midwife Holiday Special” Special 2024 (New)
New Year’s Eve, December 31
8 p.m. | “Next at the Kennedy Center: Sara Bareilles: New Year’s Eve with the National Symphony & Friends” (New)
New Year’s Day, January 1, 2025
8 p.m. | “Great Performances: From Vienna – The New Year’s Celebration 2025” (New)
Watch these programs live on KPBS-TV or stream with the PBS App.
Watch History Come Alive!
“Historic Places with Elsa Sevilla” returns with two new episodes on the historic landmark, the Hotel del Coronado!
Join Emmy-nominated executive producer & host Elsa Sevilla as she takes you behind the scenes of one of the most ambitious restoration projects in recent history. In these exclusive episodes, you’ll hear from preservation architects, historians and artisans who played critical roles in reviving The Del to its former grandeur. Discover the fascinating stories behind the meticulous work that went into restoring this beloved gem, and get an insider’s look at the history, craftsmanship and dedication that make The Del an enduring symbol of heritage and luxury.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, architecture lover, or simply curious about this iconic landmark, these episodes offer a rare and intimate glimpse into the rich legacy and stunning transformation of the Hotel del Coronado.
Don’t miss your chance to explore, discover and be amazed by the incredible journey of “Historic Places with Elsa Sevilla!”
Watch live or stream Mondays, beginning December 9, at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
KPBS Commemorates Black History Month
Embark on the journeys that reshaped the demographic landscape of America in “Great Migrations: A People on the Move,” a four-part documentary series led by renowned historian Henry Louis Gates Jr. This compelling series chronicles the Great Migration, which saw African Americans traveling from the rural South to settle in urban centers in the North and West between the 1910s and 1970s. Through gripping storytelling and insightful historical analysis, the series delves into the reasons behind these migrations and highlights the ongoing search for economic and social opportunity. Beyond recounting the past, “Great Migrations: A People on the Move” examines contemporary migrations of Black Americans as the quest for prosperity continues to take shape today.
“Great Migrations: A People on the Move” premieres Tuesday, January 28, at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
Watch this program live or stream with the PBS App.
Spanish-Language Dramas
“Velvet,” Season 1
Alberto, heir to the Velvet empire, returns home for his father’s latest collection. But among the luxury and glamor, the Art Deco palace hides family secrets and forbidden loves.
“The Accident,” Season 1
An airplane crash becomes the catalyst for a family’s upheaval, a drug kingpin’s escalation and a town’s reckoning. In Spanish with English subtitles.
“The Drought” (Sequía), Season 1
A tight-knit community on both sides of the Spanish-Portuguese border face more than water scarcity when an unprecedented drought reveals macabre evidence of a decades-old crime.
Last Chance Streaming: “La Otra Mirada” from Walter Presents Seasons 1-2 Available through December 31. Set in 1920s Seville, where Teresa, a woman with a mysterious past, flees to a young girls’ academy with a secret goal related to the academy itself. This series portrays the journey of brave women finding their own voice.
Stream four Spanish-language dramas with English subtitles on KPBS Passport with the PBS App.
GivingTuesday is a special, global day of giving to support the nonprofit organizations that are making an impact in our communities.
Will you consider a gift of support to KPBS on this special day?
Give Smart—Plan Ahead
It’s not too late to make a 2024 charitable gift with your IRA. If you want to support KPBS and make a lasting impact, you have two great options through your IRA: a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) or lifetime income from a charitable gift annuity.
Each year, the IRS requires you to withdraw a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA. If you are at least 70½ years old, you can make a gift, a QCD, from your IRA without penalty. Give a one-time gift to KPBS without increasing your taxable income.
Or, use your IRA to fund a charitable gift annuity, which creates lifetime income for you through a gift to KPBS. If you are age 70½ or older, you can convert up to $50,000 of your IRA into a stream of income without paying federal income tax on the principal.
Advantages of funding a lifetime income gift from your IRA:
- Guaranteed income for life with a KPBS charitable gift annuity
- Meet your RMD without adding to your taxable income
- Significant support for KPBS
- Qualify for KPBS’ Friends for Life membership
For more information, call Jared Blakeley at (619) 594-0851 or email: [email protected].
Discovering Our Shared Heritage
Join us for more thought-provoking journeys into the past to illuminate the roots that connect us all. “Finding Your Roots” returns for its eleventh season, with more of the ancestral stories of some of today’s most beloved personalities.
With guests from diverse backgrounds, ranging from actors and chefs to writers and historians, we learn how each person’s family history contributes to the rich tapestry of American identity. Host Henry Louis Gates Jr. leads the way, uncovering surprising revelations about the heritages of Joy Behar, Sheryl Lee Ralph, José Andrés, Amy Tan and more. Each episode digs into the complex intersections of race, religion and ethnicity, revealing how family lineages can confirm or challenge the myths that shape our national identity.
“Finding Your Roots” airs Tuesdays, beginning January 7, at 8 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
Watch this program live or stream with the PBS App.
Survival Instincts
Experience the beauty and tenacity of wildlife with “NATURE: Big Cats, Small World.” This two-part series follows the lives of three big cats as they navigate the challenges of survival along the Gomoti River in Botswana. You’ll meet a lion guiding his new cubs away from the threats presented by rival males, a cheetah mother raising her five cubs in the face of lurking dangers and a young male leopard seeking his place in the world as a new father. Each cat must leverage their unique abilities to outwit their rivals and thrive in a crowded territory. “NATURE: Big Cats, Small World” delivers a raw, intimate look at the daily struggles and triumphs of these magnificent animals.
“NATURE: Big Cats, Small World” premieres Wednesday, January 22, at 8 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
Watch this program live or stream with the PBS App.
The Unexplained
“NOVA: What Are UFOs?” delves into the intriguing mysteries surrounding UFOs, exploring the possibilities with a fresh scientific perspective. Through expert insights from physicists, engineers and cosmologists, the program examines the latest technologies and strategies being used to understand these unexplained sightings. From new ground-based sensors to crowdsourced data, “NOVA” uncovers the ways scientists are working to separate physical objects—like drones or balloons—and weather phenomena from the truly unexplainable. With a balance of scientific inquiry and curiosity, “NOVA” raises compelling questions about potential secret technologies developed by world governments and whether interstellar travel from alien civilizations could be possible.
“NOVA: What Are UFO’s?” premieres Wednesday, January 22, at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
Watch this program live or stream with the PBS App.
Dynamic Voices
KPBS offers compelling podcasts that vividly depict the rich histories of our area, providing an intimate look at the curiosity, culture and legacy that have shaped San Diego.
“Rap Diego” is a new 12-episode podcast from KPBS chronicling San Diego’s underground rap movement that launched numerous artists into the spotlight and fostered a subculture that ultimately became mainstream and influential. It shares the history, decade-by-decade, of San Diego’s untold music revolution, from the minds of Parker Edison, Chris Reyes and J. Smith. Episodes feature early music and performances that have rarely, if ever, been heard by the public. Listen at kpbs.org/rapdiego and check out bonus material, including a Spotify playlist.
“Port of Entry” has a fresh new season for you with more rich stories of our border region. This time around, we are spotlighting “Shapers and Visionaries” of borderlands. Episodes feature people who are impacting the region, and in some cases the world, with their work and research from urbanism and architecture to education and politics and to art and robotics. Listen now here.
Immerse yourself in the rich, complex history of the region with these two powerful KPBS podcasts.
Sponsor Message
Just in Time for Foster Youth
Remember your first steps into adulthood? Now imagine facing that without family support. That’s the reality for many foster youth aging out of the system. Just in Time for Foster Youth (JIT) steps in, ensuring these young adults don’t navigate adulthood alone.
Serving San Diego transition-age foster youth ages 18-26, JIT creates a network of support that feels like family. Our team goes beyond basics, offering help with higher education, financial literacy, mental health support and career guidance. We welcome youth into a reliable, responsive and real community to encourage and empower them on their path to self-sufficiency.
We believe consistent, long-term help from the heart is the foundation for the success of our youth so that they can thrive and enjoy productive, satisfying lives.
If you are interested in joining the Just in Time community as a volunteer or investor? Visit us at www.jitfosteryouth.org or call (619)269-5422
(619) 594-6983 or (888) 399-5727; [email protected]
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KPBS channel info—television
KPBS-TV—15.1, Cox 11, Spectrum 1221
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Vehicle donations have the potential to bring significant funds to KPBS. Please consider donating your extra car, truck or other vehicle and we’ll turn it into more hours of your favorite programs. Turn that last memory with your car into a lasting impact for KPBS. Donating is easy and the pickup is free. Call 877-KPBS-CAR or visit kpbs.org/car to learn more.