WXXI TV

A four-part global investigation into insect declines, exploring their diversity and their critical roles on the planet.

Bug That Rule the World airs Wednesday, May 7-28 at 10 p.m. on  WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.

Explore the fascinating world of bugs, their beauty, and ecological importance. From pollinators and insect predators to the clean-up crews purifying our planet, scientists examine the decline of these essential yet least appreciated creatures.

Insect Apocalypse I May 7 Scientists and enthusiasts investigate the global insect “apocalypse,” revealing the crucial roles bugs play on our planet and the bleak picture future without them.

Life-Givers I May 14 Dive into the colorful world of Earth’s essential pollinators – bees, moths, and butterflies. Scientists and enthusiasts discuss life without these resilient creatures, whose impact goes far beyond their delicate appearance.

Eat or Be Eater I May 21 Uncover the ruthless realm of some of the stealthiest insects in the animal kingdom. From praying mantises and aquatic insects to dragonflies, nature has equipped these creatures with intelligence, agility and necessary hunting skills for survival.

Beetlemania I May 28 As the world’s most diverse and abundant species, the tiny yet mighty beetle plays crucial ecological roles in nearly every environment. Why are these colorful and ingenious creatures often regarded as “the most important species on the planet”?

A stunning and immersive look at the cost of opposing Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

FRONTLINE “Antidote” airs Tuesday, May 6 at 10 p.m. on  WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.

Antidote chronicles the lives of Christo Grozev, a Bulgarian investigative journalist whose reporting has exposed hundreds of Russian spies, assassins, and those involved in the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny; and Evgenia Kara-Murza, the wife of prominent political activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was poisoned twice and sentenced to 25 years in a Russian prison. 

The feature documentary lays bare the grave consequences that come with speaking out against the Putin regime, revealing the threats Grozev, Kara-Murza and their families face as they seek to expose the actions of the Kremlin to the world.

Photo: Edgar Dubrovskiy, credit: Passion Pictures

A portrayal of three families confronting the unique challenges of Alzheimer’s and how the disease transforms roles and relationships.

Independent Lens “Matter of the Mind: My Alzheimer’s” airs Monday, May 5 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming on the WXXI app.

Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer’s is an intimate portrayal of three families confronting the unique challenges of Alzheimer’s and how this progressive neurodegenerative disease transforms roles and relationships. Whether it’s a partner becoming a caregiver or an adult child shifting into being their parent’s caretaker, these stories show how families evolve when a loved one is diagnosed.

Roy Orbison fans won’t want to miss these two concert performances that celebrate the singer-song writer legend.

Roy Orbison Marathon airs Saturday, April 26 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on  WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.

At 3 p.m. it’s Roy Orbison Forever, featuring Interviews and archive performances that celebrate the life and career of the five-time Grammy Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.

At 4:30 p.m. enjoy Roy Orbison & Friends: A Black and White Night. The singer performs with Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, k.d. lang, Bonnie Raitt, Jennifer Warnes, Jackson Browne, Tom Waits, T-Bone Burnett in Los Angeles.

To mark the passing of Pope Francis, WXXI presents an encore broadcast of this In Their Own Words episode.

In Their Own Words “Pope Francis” airs Monday, April 21 9 p.m. on  WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.

Learn what experiences led Jorge Bergoglio to the highest office in the Catholic Church. Taking the name Francis, he was the first pope from the Americas, and the first non-European and first Jesuit priest to be named pope.

Please note: Due to this program change, Single-Use Planet, which was originally slated for this time slot will debut at a later date, To Be Determined.

Explore the wealth of stories nestled along the world’s iconic waterways.

World’s Most Scenic River Journeys airs Sundays, March 30-May 4 at 7 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.

Narrated by Bill Nighy, explore the wealth of stories nestled along the world’s iconic waterways – from the Niagara and the Potomac, to Scotland’s River Spey and France’s River Dordogne.

Episodes include:
“Guadalquivir, Spain” – Sunday, March 30 Follow in the footsteps of explorers down Spain’s Guadalquivir River.
“The Potomac, USA” – Sunday, April 6 The Potomac River winds through America’s capital, passing a number of historic sites on its way.
“Dordogne River , France” – Sunday, April 13 France’s Dordogne River weaves past castles and greenery in the heart of Southwest France.
“River Spey, Scotland” – Sunday, April 20 The breathtaking River Spey in Scotland is home to world-famous whiskey and salmon fishing.
“The Hudson River, USA” – Sunday, April 27 The Hudson River winds through much of New York State’s most beautiful natural scenery.
“Niagara River, Canada & the US” – Sunday, May 4 Home to the iconic falls, the Niagara River boasts a storied history and scenic landscape.