NMPBS March 2026 Newsletter

MARCH/APRIL 2026

A WORD FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, THERESA SPENCER

As we enter a new season, thank you for your extraordinary support. Because of you, NMPBS continues to deliver trusted journalism, award-winning dramas, and programs that uplift New Mexico.

Spring brings fresh energy and exciting stories, including a MASTERPIECE double premiere. The Forsytes explores a Victorian family navigating loyalty, ambition, and desire, while The Count of Monte Cristo features a stellar cast, including Sam Claflin and Jeremy Irons, in a thrilling reimagining of the classic tale.

Your support also brings enriching local programs that highlight the people, stories, and issues shaping life in New Mexico. Shows like New Mexico in Focus, Report from Santa Fe, and ¡COLORES! connect communities across the state.

With federal funding cuts, member generosity is more important than ever. Your gifts ensure NMPBS remains strong today and for generations to come. Thank you for being part of our mission.

PBS has the best programming available. It’s my “go to” station.

— Nancy, Albuquerque

Secrets and Sacrifice

This season, MASTERPIECE presents two sweeping new dramas that explore the power of love, ambition, and destiny.

The Forsytes

The Count of Monte Cristo

In The Forsytes, you’ll follow a prominent Victorian family whose generations navigate shifting social expectations, fraught romances, and the timeless conflict between duty and desire. Their world of privilege is shaken by emotional upheaval, challenging every assumption about loyalty, marriage, and legacy.

Alongside it comes a bold new adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo, where Edmond Dantès — betrayed and falsely imprisoned — embarks on a gripping quest for justice. His transformation from hopeful young sailor to legendary figure of vengeance delivers unforgettable tension, rich emotion, and remarkable performances.

Together, these two epic tales offer everything viewers love about MASTERPIECE: complex characters, lush period settings, and stories that reveal how far the human heart will go in search of truth, freedom, and belonging.

The Forsytes premieres Sunday, March 22, at 9 p.m.
The Count of Monte Cristo premieres Sunday, March 22, at 10 p.m.
Watch live or stream with the PBS app.

A Season of Hope

Call the Midwife returns with Season 15, bringing heartfelt stories of courage, compassion, and change. The Christmas special followed senior Nonnatus staff on a mercy mission to Hong Kong, where Sister Julienne embraced new hope for the order’s future.

Back in the snowy East End, younger midwives step up amid unexpected challenges. As the series moves into 1971, the team navigates a rapidly shifting world marked by women’s liberation protests and complex medical cases — from premature births and placenta previa to kidney cancer, tuberculosis, and modern-day slavery.

Premieres Sunday, March 22, at 7 p.m. Watch live or stream with the PBS app.

Call the Midwife

Living in Harmony

Shared Planet isn’t just another show about nature — it’s a celebration of hope and collaboration.

The series highlights people around the world creating real change by working with nature. In the American West, ranchers help beavers revive dried-up rivers. In Borneo, women protect endangered orangutans while supporting their families. And in Kenya, Maasai warriors learn to coexist peacefully with lions.

Filmed across the globe by an Emmy-winning team, Shared Planet shows that we’re not separate from nature, we’re part of it.

Airs Wednesday, April 29, at 10 p.m. Watch live or stream with the PBS app.

Henry David Thoreau

Thoreau Revealed

Discover the life, writings, and enduring influence of one of America’s most iconic thinkers, Henry David Thoreau. The two-night film presented by Ken Burns explores the ideas that shaped his writing.

With newly uncovered historical material, the filmmakers revisit the world Thoreau lived in and the cultural tensions he challenged. His reflections on nature, civic responsibility, and moral courage are presented not as relics of the past, but as principles still relevant in modern debates. The film examines how Thoreau’s work intersects with environmental stewardship, social justice, and the importance of standing publicly for one’s convictions.

The result is a compelling portrait that situates Thoreau in his time while highlighting the lasting impact of his ideas on American thought, activism, and cultural discourse.

Premieres Monday, March 30, and Tuesday, March 31, at 8 p.m. Watch live or stream with the PBS app.

PBS is one of the most powerful tools for protecting democracy through education. Thank you so much for all you do.

— Tom, Albuquerque

Rise of a Dynasty

Ranthambore National Park is home to one of the greatest wildlife turnarounds in modern history, and NATURE: Legendary Tigers of India tells that remarkable story. Decades ago, the park’s tigers were nearly extinct — only a dozen remained. Once hunted by dignitaries, including Queen Elizabeth II, they later gained crucial protection under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, laying the groundwork for an extraordinary recovery.

Today, more than 70 tigers roam the park. Much of what we know about them comes from the late Valmik Thapar, who spent 50 years documenting their lives. Drawing on his extensive archive and insights from family and colleagues, this special reveals the struggles and triumphs behind one of India’s greatest conservation successes.

Premieres Wednesday, April 22, at 7 p.m. Watch live or stream with the PBS app.

NATURE: Legendary Tigers of India

Now Hear This

Musical Discovery

Now Hear This invites viewers to join violinist and conductor Scott Yoo on a new global journey into the heart of great music. Yoo — chief conductor and artistic director of the Mexico City Philharmonic — brings his talent for making complex ideas feel engaging and personal.

This season spans the sweeping landscapes of Iceland, the ragtime brilliance of Scott Joplin, the artistry of violinist Kyung-Wha Chung, and the emotional depth of Johannes Brahms.

Each episode blends travel, history, and performance to show how these artists’ lives shaped the music we know today.

Whether you’re steeped in classical repertoire or simply curious, Now Hear This offers an inviting window into the craft behind some of the world’s most enduring music.

Airs Fridays beginning April 10 at 8 p.m. Watch live or stream with the PBS app.

Honoring Music Legends

The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song brings together an extraordinary lineup of musicians to honor an artist whose work has shaped the soundtrack of American life. The 2026 edition continues this tradition, celebrating the newest recipient of the nation’s highest award for achievement in popular song.

Established in 2007, the Gershwin Prize recognizes artists whose music has left a lasting cultural mark, with past honorees including Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan, Garth Brooks, and Elton John. Their songs are preserved in the Library of Congress as part of the nation’s creative history.

This year’s broadcast promises live performances, heartfelt tributes, and unforgettable moments that show how music connects people across generations and experiences.

Premieres this spring. Watch live or stream with the PBS app.

The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song

PBS was there for me as a poor kid; I want it to be there for future children.

— Cheryl, Tijeras

Ways to Give

NMPBS is grateful for the incredible support from our donors, who help us deliver trusted journalism, award-winning programs, and community services across New Mexico. There are many ways to support the station, including:

Appreciated stock
Donor Advised Fund gift
Qualified Charitable Distribution
Estate plan bequest
Vehicle donation
Year-end cash gift tax deductible

Your financial advisor can help determine the giving option that best meets your goals. If giving through an DAF, please include your name and address so we can thank you personally. For more information, contact Theresa Spencer, NMPBS Director of Development, at (505) 277-1225 or [email protected].

I truly appreciate New Mexico PBS, now more than ever. Thanks for all you do there.

— Lynn, Santa Fe

Your Questions Answered

Q: What is the difference between the PBS App and PBS Passport?

A: PBS is a free service to the American people and the PBS App is a way to extend that service beyond traditional broadcasts. Most PBS programs are available to stream for free on the app for a limited amount of time.

PBS Passport is a benefit of membership for viewers who donate $5 or more each month or $60 or more annually. Passport offers a larger library of available programs to stream for longer periods of time as well as many other programs that are not broadcast.