The marvelous PBS Passport streaming platform offers extended access to PBS’s quality programming and library. It’s a phenomenal opportunity. For a minimal $60 annual contribution (tax-deductible), the subscriber will be able to access the popular programs listed below. These programs barely scratch the surface. Check pbs.org for a complete listing and details:

Masterpiece Dramas: Examples: Poldark, Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, Baptiste, Howards End, The Durells in Corfu, World on Fire

Ken Burns Special Documentaries: Examples: The Civil War, The Roosevelts: An Intimate History, The War, Baseball, Jazz

American Masters: Comprehensive film biographies about people who affected our cultural history. Examples: Trail Blazers: A Century of Extraordinary Women; Bombshell: The Hedy Lamar Story

Independent Lens: Television’s largest showcase for independent documentary films. Examples: I Am Not Your Negro; Winnie

Frontline: Explores and illuminates critical issues of our time from business and health to social issues, politics, and war. Examples: Covering Coronavirus; China Undercover

Nova: Stories about breakthroughs in science and engineering. Examples: Eagle Power, Decoding COVID-19

Nature: Brings the beauty and wonder of the natural world into your living room. Examples: Sex, Lies and Butterflies; Spy in the Wild Series   

Currently, PBS Passport is  available via  desktop computer or laptop using the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge. PBS Passport is also available on iOs, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Android Smart TV, and Samsung Smart TV.

The above pertains to the New York PBS station. Contact your local PBS station as the required minimum contribution, features, and  content offered  may differ in each city. IMPORTANT:  Currently the PBS Platform is only available in the U.S.

 

Coming Soon, Can’t Wait

Jul 03: Disney+. Original video recording of the Broadway production Hamilton

Aug 14: Platform TBD. The Personal History of David Copperfield. Dev Patel in a reimagining of the classic Charles Dickens novel through the comedic lens of Armando Iannucci.

Aug 21: HBOMax. Chemical Hearts. Emotional coming-of-age story

Sep 04: Disney+. The Beatles: Get Back. A documentary that chronicles the Beatles recording of their 1970 album, Let It Be.

Sep 25: Netflix. The Trial of the Chicago 7. Aaron Sorkin directing the seven men charged with conspiracy during the anti-Vietnam war protests.

Dec 18: Platform TBD. West Side Story. Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of the Broadway classic. 

 

News & Commentary

“PEACOCK (NBCUniversal) will launch in July. The full slate of original content that PEACOCK was banking on for 2020 will be limited due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has shut down production across Hollywood.” —Lillian Rizzo, The Wall Street Journal

Commentary: The coronavirus has not only curtailed production  at the major Hollywood studios but also the digital companies. The big ones like Netflix, AmazonTV+,  Disney+, and Hulu were geared  to spend billions in 2020 on original content. This has not only come to a full stop, but may extend to 2021.