PBS revealed its new programming for Fall 2011 on Monday, unveiling a schedule that will kick off on Oct. 2 with the premiere of the Ken Burns and Lynn Novick documentary "Prohibition."
Other slate highlights include the "Nova" miniseries "The Fabric of the Cosmos," which "takes us to the frontiers of physics to see how scientists are piecing together the most complete picture yet of space."
The upcoming schedule will also feature the nine-program PBS Arts Fall Festival, which features programming ranging from the Steve Martin-narrated "Give Me the Banjo" documentary to the San Francisco Ballet's performance of "The Little Mermaid."
Read PBS's full release on its fall schedule below.
PBS ANNOUNCES NEW FALL SHOWS
Featuring Nine-Program PBS Arts Fall Festival, Ken Burns’s and Lynn Novick’s PROHIBITION and Brian Greene’s “The Fabric of the Cosmos” From NOVA
ARLINGTON, VA, MAY 10, 2011 – Building on a year of audience growth on-air and on digital and mobile platforms, today, PBS announces a new slate of fall programming, including a celebration of the arts, in advance of its Annual Meeting with PBS stations. At the May 16-19 meeting in Orlando, PBS will preview additional new content and digital and children’s initiatives.
PBS Arts Fall Festival On-Air, Online, Local and in the Classroom Along with PROHIBITION and NOVA “The Fabric of the Cosmos,” a centerpiece of the fall is the first-ever PBS Arts Fall Festival, offering full-length performances, artist and performer profiles, behind-the-scenes documentaries and mini-films about the art scenes in Miami, San Francisco, Cleveland, Chicago, the Blue Ridge Mountains and other areas of the country. The festival kicks off Friday, October 14, 2011, at 9:00 p.m. ET and airs on Fridays through December with all-new broadcasts of classic and contemporary performances, including WOMEN WHO ROCK, inspired by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s exhibit of the same name; GIVE ME THE BANJO, narrated by Steve Martin, a banjoist himself, exploring the roots of American music; and GREAT PERFORMANCES “The Little Mermaid From San Francisco Ballet.” Plans call for immersive online exhibits that extend the broadcast specials and innovative educational tools that connect to the programs and help fill gaps in arts education. In addition, PBS member stations will have the opportunity to enhance their own local broadcasts with additional arts content from their community.
“For four decades, PBS has been a passionate proponent and participant in the arts, giving millions of Americans their first glimpses at dance, theater, opera and music. The PBS Arts Fall Festival will bring unparalleled access to the arts from multiple media platforms and in the classroom,” said PBS President and CEO Paula A. Kerger. “More audiences have been tuning into PBS on television, visiting PBS.org online and streaming PBS content on mobile devices over the last two seasons. We hope to continue to delight fans by offering windows into the worlds of culture, history, science and so much more this fall season.”
