WXXI TV

See The Tragically Hip’s final iconic performance from 2016 at the K-Rock Centre in the band’s hometown of Kingston, Ontario

The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration airs Sunday, July 28, 2024 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV

In 2015 the band’s captivating frontman, Gord Downie, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, a prognosis that shook the band’s devoted fans around the world. Gord’s response was to spend this precious time as he always had — making music, making memories, and expressing deep gratitude to his family and friends. 

Having just finished their latest record, Man Machine Poem, the band took it out on tour — a tour that felt like a farewell. The 15-show run, culminated in a National Celebration on Aug. 20, 2016, at the K-Rock Centre in The Tragically Hip’s hometown of Kingston, Ontario, which would be their last performance as a five-piece band. The concert was broadcast live on CBC, an event that remains among the biggest in the country’s broadcast history.

Among the songs included in the special are “New Orleans Is Sinking,” “Fiddler’s Green,” “Fifty Mission Cap,” “My Music at Work,” “Ahead by a Century,” “Little Bones,” and “Courage.”

This 2005 documentary film, directed by Martin Scorsese, explores the early life and career of the legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan.

American Masters Bob Dylan: No Direction Home, a two-part series, airs Thursday, July 25 and August 1 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV

Starting at Dylan’s arrival in New York City in 1961, through a mix of rare archival footage, concert performances, and contemporary interviews, the documentary provides an in-depth look at Dylan’s influence on the cultural landscape of the 1960s.

At this Republican National Convention, you can expect the party to highlight its current values and strategies with keynote speeches from prominent Republican figures, including party leaders, past and present officeholders.

The Republican Convention airs Monday, July 15- Thursday, July 18 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV

The Republican Convention will be focusing on policy issues and the future direction of the party. There will be in-depth platform discussions, where party members debate and outline their stances on various political, economic, and social issues.

A major highlight will be the formal nominations for the Republican presidential and vice-presidential candidates, accompanied by their acceptance speeches. New policy initiatives and legislative priorities for the upcoming election cycle will be introduced, providing a glimpse into the GOP’s plans.

Watch the iconic 25th anniversary show of Third Eye Blind at the Red Rocks, the show which despite all odds rocked their fans.

Third Eye Blind – Live at the Red Rocks airs Sunday, July 21, at 2:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV

On the eve of the 25th anniversary of their iconic self-titled debut album released in 1997, Third Eye Blind played the historic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado for the first time in 2022. An approaching storm threatened to cancel the show as the band overcame speech-losing migraines, altitude sickness, and a lighting person walking off to deliver a hit-filled performance to thousands of their adoring fans.

July of 2024 promises two things: long, sun-filled summer days and the much-anticipated Paris Summer Olympics! To make sure our viewers are prepared for the world’s biggest sporting event, we’ve crafted the ultimate viewing guide. Get ready to dive into the most iconic moments in sports to appreciate this Olympic season even further.

#1: American Experience: The Boys of ’36 • Airing Tuesday, July 9 at 9pm on WXXI-TV 
In 1936, nine working-class young men from the University of Washington took the rowing world and America by storm when they captured the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Berlin. 

#2: Hitler’s Olympics  • Airing Tuesday, July 9 at 10pm on WXXI-TV 
The complete story of the Berlin games – the early plans, the Nazi takeover, the purge of Jews from German athletics and the grand spectacle itself. 

#3: Jesse Owens: American Experience • Airing Saturday, July 20 at 4pm on WXXI-TV  
The most famous athlete of his time, Jesse Owens’ grace and athleticism rallied crowds across the globe. But when the four-time Olympic gold medalist returned home, he could not even ride in the front of a bus. The story of the 22-year-old son of a sharecropper who triumphed over adversity to become the hero and world champion we know today.  

#4: Gods of Tennis: Billie Jean King and Arthur Ashe • Airing Tuesday, July 23 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV
In 1975, the legendary Billie Jean King and Arthur Ashe are fighting to become Wimbledon champions, while in their own ways, they are also battling social change for equality on a global level. 

Join the triple Grammy winner for new songs, Hootie & the Blowfish classics, and his solo hits.

Darius Rucker: Live from Nashville airs Sunday, July 7 at 2:30 p.m. on WXX-TV

Grab a front-row seat as the three-time Grammy Award winner performs songs from his latest album, Carolyn’s Boys, along with Hootie & the Blowfish classics and his solo country hits, including a special performance of Diamond-certified “Wagon Wheel” with Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor.

WXXI puts a spotlight on the work of Rochester Institute of Technology film and photo journalism students by presenting three short films.

RIT Shorts airs Friday, July 12 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV. Repeats Saturday, July 13 at 4:30 p.m.

The first edition of RIT Shorts features three short films themed around sports. They include:

Back to the Ballpark, which chronicles the heartwarming return of the Rochester Red Wings and their devoted fans as a new season kicks off at Innovative Field. It captures the joy and anticipation as players and supporters reunite after a prolonged hiatus. follows five days leading up to the Rochester Red Wings opening day at Innovative Field. The production team includes first-year students Liam McCammon, Max Alves, and Dillon Sharp.

Falling Forward, produced by Georgia Pressley, a fourth-year photojournalism student, follows the story of Pamela Tuety, Adele Long, and Lauren Ayes, who all found roller derby at different times. “It’s almost like an addiction or something,” says Tuety. Is it the pseudonyms and alternate personas, the ferocity of a full-contact sport, or the community of people? The documentary looks inside the lives of three of the players at the Roc City Roller Derby team and what makes the community unique.

Protect Our House, directed by Denna Alece-Dom, a fourth-year animation student, and produced by Michelle Snow, a fourth-year production student who is also pursuing an MBA, introduces viewers to three all-star players of the RIT Division 1 men’s hockey team. The mixed media documentary shares how the unique hockey fan culture impacts their lives both as students and as players.

Photo: From “Back to the Ball Park.” Red Wings players standing for the National Anthem
Photo credit: Liam McCammon