WXXI TV

2024 Media Access Awards • WXXI-TV

Hosted by comedian and disability activist Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, the Media Access Awards ceremony honors artists and film and television projects that are inclusive of disabled talent in front of and behind the cameras.

2024 Media Access Awards airs Friday, January 17, 2025 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.

The Media Access Awards ceremony took place on October 29, 2024 in Hollywood, CA. The show marks the first fully accessible awards show in history with heartwarming and empowering moments from stars including Michael J. Fox, Selma Blair, Marlee Matlin, and more.

Founded by the late Norman Lear in 1979, the Media Access Awards pioneered the celebration of on-screen representation for the disability community. Television host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel will present a special tribute to Lear who passed in December 2023.

This program is presented as part of Dialogue on Disability, a partnership between WXXI and Al Sigl Community of Agencies – in conjunction with the Herman and Margaret Schwartz Community Series. Dialogue on Disability is supported by the Fred L. Emerson Foundation with additional support from The Golisano Foundation. The weeklong initiative runs January 13-19, 2025

WXXI and Al Sigl have been hosting Dialogue on Disability since 2005. In 2014, with the support of businessman and philanthropist Tom Golisano and the Golisano Foundation, Move to Include™ was formed. This initiative enables WXXI to present and develop programming that promotes inclusion year round.

Independent Lens “Dallas, 2019” • WXXI-TV

This two-part documentary captures the pulse of a city and the people who work and live there, all trying to build a better future.

Independent Lens “Dallas, 2019” airs Fridays, January 3 and 10 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV

A cross section of life in Dallas the year before the pandemic hit, as fault lines emerge between those who follow, make, and battle the law. This five-part series follows the harried lives of city workers, community organizers, and diverse citizens as they confront natural and human-made disasters, a struggling school system, and cycles of incarceration. What will the future of Dallas look like?

Great Performances “From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2025” • WXXI-TV

Experience this annual beloved concert from the Golden Hall of the Musikverein celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Johann Strauss.

Great Performances “From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2025” airs Wednesday, January 1 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

Ring in 2025 with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in this beloved annual concert. PBS favorite Hugh Bonneville hosts the traditional concert for the eighth consecutive year, commemorating the 200^th birthday of Johann Strauss. Showcasing the talents of the orchestra accompanied by on-location dance sequences with the Vienna State Ballet, the program also takes audiences on a tour of The Leopold Museum, the grand Südbahn Hotel, the mountains of the Semmering Hirschenkogel ski resort and more. Conducted by Riccardo Muti for the seventh time, PBS favorite Hugh Bonneville returns to host.

Norm & Company: Justin Vigdor • WXXI-TV

In memory of Rochester attorney Justin Vigdor, who passed away earlier this week, WXXI presents a special broadcast of an episode of Norm & Company from 2013 featuring Mr. Vigdor as the guest.

Norm & Company: Justin Vigdor airs Friday, January 3 at 5:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

In 2013, Mr. Vigdor, then Senior Counsel at Boylan Code LLP, sat down with WXXI President Norm Silverstein for an episode of Norm & Company. In the episode he speaks about his military law career, how he came to make Rochester his home, and his extensive involvement in the Rochester community.

Hosted by former and long-time WXXI President Norm Silverstein, Norm & Company is a series where long-time Rochesterians recount fascinating stories about their lives in the community.

Call The Midwife Holiday Special 2024 • WXXI-TV

It’s Christmas 1969, and the funfair and carol concert add color to frosty Poplar.

Call The Midwife Holiday Special 2024 airs Wednesday, December 25 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

Yet, the festive spirit at Nonnatus House is dampened by the spread of influenza alongside growing fears of an escaped prisoner after a spate of break-ins.

Too Hot to Handel: The Gospel Messiah • WXXI-TV

Handel’s 18th-century masterpiece “The Messiah” is reimagined and infused with Gospel, Jazz, and R&B.

Too Hot to Handel: The Gospel Messiah airs Sunday, December 22 at 1 p.m. on WXXI-TV

Handel’s 18th-century masterpiece “The Messiah” is reimagined by Conductor Marin Alsop and colleagues Bob Christianson and Gary Anderson. Handel’s arias, choruses, and orchestration are infused with Gospel, Jazz, and R&B, creating an uplifting reinterpretation of this seasonal favorite. “Too Hot To Handel: The Gospel Messiah” has been seen regularly across the United States since its premiere in New York in 1993. This performance in front of nearly 5,000 people at London’s Royal Albert Hall marks its European premiere. Presented by choirmaster and broadcaster Gareth Malone, the program sees The BBC Concert Orchestra joined by The BBC Symphony Chorus and The London Adventist Chorale, along with soloists Vanessa Haynes and Zwakele Tshabalala.

Photo: Singer Vanessa Haynes on stage/Credit: Michael O’Halloran, BBC Studios

A Classic Christmas with the Bach Festival Society • WXXI-TV

The Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra performs a beloved Central Florida Tradition.

A Classic Christmas with the Bach Festival Society airs Tuesday, December 24 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

A Classic Christmas is a beloved Central Florida tradition. From the beautiful Knowles Memorial Chapel on the campus of Rollins College, the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra, along with guest soloists Mary Wilson and Stephen Mumbert, as well as the Bach Festival Children’s Choir, perform custom arrangements of treasured holiday classics created specifically for this joyous celebration.

Mary Berry’s Highland Christmas • WXXI-TV

Much loved home cook Dame Mary Berry travels to her mother’s homeland, Scotland, for a magical winter break.

Mary Berry’s Highland Christmas airs Monday, December 23 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

Much loved home cook Dame Mary Berry travels to her mother’s homeland Scotland for a magical winter break. Inspired by her own family holidays, she cooks up an array of sumptuous dishes. She’s joined by friends Andy Murray, Iain Stirling and Emeli Sandé to cook indulgent Christmas dishes that can be enjoyed anytime over the holidays.

Mary begins her journey on a steam train, heading off into the beautiful Highlands.

After settling into her cozy holiday kitchen, Mary kicks things off creating a spectacular Christmas Cranachan wreath, combining the traditional Scottish dessert with a pavlova twist.

Mary takes a trip to tennis player Andy Murray’s hotel in Dunblane to catch up with him and his Granny, where they cook classic breakfast dish Kedgeree and tease Andy about his culinary skills.

Back at the cottage, Mary rustles up the perfect festive canape for any time of day with smoked salmon and guacamole, followed by her Fennel and red onion tarte tatin accompanied with a raw winter veg slaw.

Iain Stirling attempts to herd some reindeer while Mary rustles up an indulgent Christmas fondue with a twist; it uses the classic leftovers from the big day – proving her theory that everything tastes better with melted cheese, especially pigs in blankets. Back at the cottage, Mary makes her ‘Happy Christmas Pie’ with Aberdeen Angus beef and pickled walnuts. Then it’s off to a traditional ceilidh, where she makes her classic mulled wine for the revelers.

Inspired by her years spent working in the alps as a chalet girl, Mary makes her festive stollen, perfect at any time over the season.

Aberdeenshire-raised singer, Emeli Sandé, pops in to help Mary make her classic Buche de Noel, before surprising her with some visitors – a carol singing choir, performing outside the cottage in the snow.