JULY/AUGUST 2026
A WORD FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, THERESA SPENCER
One year ago, public media was defunded, and NMPBS continues to navigate a funding challenge we cannot meet alone.
As a dedicated member, you know NMPBS is more than television — it is a vital public service for New Mexico.
This past year has shown what’s possible when a community steps forward together.
Your generosity keeps local programs like New Mexico in Focus, ¡COLORES!, and Report from Santa Fe on the air, sustains trusted national journalism from PBS News Hour and FRONTLINE, and expands free educational resources for children and families at home and in classrooms.
NMPBS is powered by you, and with your continued support, it will remain strong, independent, and focused on telling the stories that matter most across New Mexico.
My wife and I watch New Mexico PBS almost exclusively. Your short subjects on New Mexico history and culture are especially interesting. Keep that up!
— Rudy, Durango
A New Era
We’re excited to welcome Dr. Phil Hoffman as general manager and CEO of NMPBS, effective April 1, marking a new chapter for the station and the communities it serves. With a focus on innovation, storytelling, and education, he brings decades of experience in public media. Building on NMPBS’s strong foundation, Hoffman will expand community connections, elevate diverse voices, including Indigenous perspectives, and help navigate an evolving media landscape.
“The opportunity to serve New Mexico, with its rich culture and strong commitment to education and community engagement, is energizing,” Hoffman said.
Dr. Phil Hoffman, General Manager and CEO of NMPBS
Great Performances: Vienna Philharmonic’s Summer Night Concert
Summer Symphony
Experience the magic of Great Performances: Vienna Philharmonic’s Summer Night Concert, an open-air performance set in the breathtaking gardens of Austria’s Schönbrunn Palace. Each year, this world-renowned event brings together audiences from around the globe for an evening of classical masterpieces performed with passion and artistry.
Led by guest conductor Lorenzo Viotti, the orchestra delivers a captivating program filled with elegance and emotion. Whether a lifelong fan or new listener, this concert offers a truly enchanting musical journey.
Premieres Friday, August 28, at 8 p.m. Watch live or stream with the PBS app.
Beyond the Stars
At the dawn of the Space Age, the question wasn’t just how we would get there, but who would get there first. Over the last 50 years, nations and private companies have been pushing boundaries, hoping one day to return to the moon and venture even farther, unlocking discoveries that could reshape our future.
But behind every launch are human stories of courage and progress. A mother leaving behind her one-year-old to become the first woman in space. A historic journey from slavery to the stars, as the first Black astronaut represents generations of change.
Breakthrough engineering meets relentless ambition in Once Upon a Time in Space, revealing the people, risks, and rivalries behind humanity’s next giant leap.
Premieres Tuesday, July 14, at 8 p.m. Watch live or stream with the PBS app.
Once Upon a Time in Space
America Turns 250
Celebrate America’s independence with a live national event from Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area on July 4, 2026.
America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together marks the nation’s semiquincentennial with a two-hour broadcast honoring the people, ideas, and defining moments that shaped the United States. Through live performances, music, and historic interpretation, this special brings the nation’s founding to life. Rooted in Virginia’s pivotal role, it invites viewers to reflect on the past, engage with the present, and see themselves in America’s continuing story.
Airs Saturday, July 4, at 8 p.m. Watch live or stream with the PBS app.
Thank YOU ALL for your commitment to quality programming. Please keep up the excellent work; we usually only watch PBS exclusively and love the varied, non-biased news and programs!
— James, Silver City
Life Beneath Waves
Dive beneath the waves with NATURE: Soul of the Ocean. Acclaimed underwater filmmaker Howard Hall reveals the extraordinary partnerships that sustain ocean life, from coral reef communities to majestic whales and sharks.
This breathtaking special explores the intricate connections that make marine ecosystems thrive, offering a powerful reminder that survival in the sea depends on cooperation, balance, and the remarkable bonds shared by its creatures.
Airs Wednesday, July, 15, at 7 p.m. Watch live or stream with the PBS app.
NATURE: Soul of the Ocean
Create Your Legacy
August is National Make-A-Will Month — a timely reminder to plan for the future and protect what matters most. Creating or updating your will ensures your wishes are honored, provides for loved ones, and offers a meaningful way to support causes you care about, like NMPBS.
Many supporters choose to include a gift in their estate plans to help sustain quality programming and community outreach for years to come.
To make the process simple, NMPBS offers free access to Giving Docs — an easy, secure tool that lets you create a will and other essential documents in about 20 minutes. There’s no obligation to include a gift — it’s simply our way of helping you plan ahead with confidence.
Learn more at givingdocs.com/nmpbs.
River of Life
Carving through canyons and deserts, the Colorado River is the lifeblood of the American Southwest, but its future is far from certain. As water demand rises and dams reshape its natural flow, the balance between people, wildlife, and the environment grows more fragile.
Along this iconic river, extraordinary stories unfold. Beavers reshape the landscape, elk call across open valleys, and condors soar above ancient cliffs, each playing a vital role in a delicate ecosystem. At the same time, Indigenous voices bring a deeper understanding of the land, its history, and what’s at stake.
Narrated by environmental advocate Quannah Chasinghorse, The American Southwest is a visually stunning and thought-provoking journey that reveals both the beauty of this region and the urgent need to protect it for generations to come.
Airs Wednesday, July 8, at 9 p.m. Watch live or stream with the PBS app.
The American Southwest
Keep up the good work. I can’t imagine a world without PBS and NPR.
— Meredith, Albuquerque
Your Questions Answered
Q: How can I stop receiving Ventana in the mail? I’d like to reduce my carbon footprint.
A: It’s easy to go paperless. Simply call Member Services at 505-277-2922 or 800-328-5663, or email [email protected], to opt out of the mailed edition.
You won’t miss a thing — the digital version of Ventana is available online in advance, so you can still stay up to date on programs and highlights.
Offering a print opt-out is just one way NMPBS is working to reduce its environmental impact.
From expanding online giving options to transitioning the MemberCard to a digital app, we’re taking steps toward a more sustainable future — alongside you.
Thank you for your wonderful work!
— Richard and Myra, Albuquerque
MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
NATIONAL HISPANIC
CULTURAL CENTER
Offer: 2-for-1 admission
1701 4th St SW
Albuquerque, NM
nhccnm.org
(505) 246-2261
HIGH DESERT YOGA
Offer: 10% off 5, 10, or 20 class packages
4600 Copper Ave. NE
Albuquerque NM
highdesertyoga.com
(505) 232-9642
AMORE NEAPOLITAN
PIZZERIA
Offer: 2-for-1 Neapolitan pizza
3600 Cutler Ave. NE
Albuquerque, NM
amoreabq.com
(505) 554-1967
Please visit the MemberCard app for most current information.
Every contribution makes a difference.
NMPBS Member & Viewer Services:
Telephone: 800-328-5663 or 505-277-2922
Email: [email protected]
1130 University Blvd. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87102