The Best TV Shows on PBS

Journalists participate in a round-table discussion of news events in this award-winning public affairs series. It first aired in 1967, making it the longest-running prime-time news and public affairs program on television.

Carl Sagan covers a wide range of scientific subjects, including the origin of life and a perspective of our place in the universe.

An immersive 360-degree narrative telling the epic story of the Vietnam War as it has never before been told on film. Featuring testimony from nearly 80 witnesses, including many Americans who fought in the war and others who opposed it, as well as Vietnamese combatants and civilians from both the winning and losing sides.

A documentary on the American Civil War narrated by Ken Burns, covering the secession of the Confederacy to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

The spirited and impulsive Charlotte Heywood moves from her rural home to Sanditon, a fishing village attempting to reinvent itself as a seaside resort.

TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today.

Join author, activist and commentator Margaret Hoover for a public affairs talk show that delivers a civil and engaging contest of ideas among the brightest minds and voices from across the ideological spectrum.

Based on the popular BBC series running since 1979, the PBS Antiques Roadshow combines history with discovery. Each year, the show visits a handful of cities to appraise items brought in by viewers. Are these items worth a lot of money, more than the visitors expect?

This drama follows Inspector Kurt Wallander – a middle-aged everyman – as he struggles against a rising tide of violence in the apparently sleepy backwaters in and around Ystad in Skane, southern Sweden. Based on the international best-selling books by Henning Mankell.

The story of Queen Victoria, who came to the throne at a time of great economic turbulence and resurgent republicanism – and died 64 years later the head of the largest empire the world had ever seen, having revitalised the throne’s public image and become “grandmother of Europe”.

With the help of his friend “The Man in the Yellow Hat,” a curious little monkey named George sets out on adventures to learn about the world around him.

PBS' premier science series helps viewers of all ages explore the science behind the headlines. Along the way, NOVA demystifies science and technology, and highlights the people involved in scientific pursuits.

Mr. Selfridge recounts the real life story of the flamboyant and visionary American founder of Selfridge's, London's lavish department store. Set in 1909 London, when women were reveling in a new sense of freedom and modernity, it follows Harry Gordon Selfridge ('Mile a Minute Harry'), a man with a mission to make shopping as thrilling as sex. Pioneering and reckless, with an almost manic energy, Harry created a theater of retail where any topic or trend that was new, exciting, entertaining - or just eccentric - was showcased.

America's first and longest running hour-long nightly news broadcast known for its in-depth coverage of issues and current events.

TV's original home-improvement show, following one whole-house renovation over several episodes.

Off the Record is a weekly, political talk program produced by Michigan public television station WKAR-TV in East Lansing, Michigan, and broadcast statewide on PBS member stations throughout Michigan. Off The Record is hosted by Michigan's senior capitol correspondent, Tim Skubick. The program covers the governor, legislature, political campaigns and state government. Off the Record has two segments, opening with a panel of reporters discussing recent news for 15 minutes followed by a roundtable interview with a politician or newsmaker.

This award-winning weekly automotive magazine provides unbiased, consumer-oriented car news with feature stories on related topics.

As Schools Match Wits is a high school quiz show, hosted by Beth Ward, that airs on PBS member station WGBY in Springfield, Massachusetts, and produced in association with Westfield State College. America's longest-running high school quiz show, As Schools Match Wits is well known throughout western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut.

Shaped by Sound spotlights North Carolina’s thriving music scene, featuring artists from a broad range of genres, including indie rock, hip-hop, R&B, alt-country, jazz, bluegrass and folk. Each episode weaves a visually stunning live studio performance by an NC artist or band with an intimate conversation about their creative journey. Made possible through support from Come Hear NC, a program of the N.C. Music Office within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

A weekly outdoors/nature series focusing on the incredible diversity of wildlife, scenic locations and fascinating characters that make Texas unique.