WXXI TV

GOSPEL Live! Presented by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. • WXXI-TV

From the blues to hip-hop, African Americans have been the driving force of sonic innovation for over a century.

GOSPEL Live! Presented by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. airs Tuesday, June 4 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

Musical styles come and go, but there is one sound that has been a constant source of strength, courage, and wisdom from the pulpit to the choir lofts on any given Sunday: the gospel. The gospel concert special, produced by McGee Media, Done + Dusted, and Friends at Work, celebrates gospel music and its extraordinary impact on culture and pop music. Featuring the biggest names in gospel music together with the biggest stars from the world of pop, R&B and beyond, the concert will be recorded in Los Angeles in front of a live audience, hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. This one-hour PBS special, from showrunner Kristen V. Carter, will both be inspired by and build excitement for the landmark four-hour history series, GOSPEL.

Photo: Lena Byrd Miles • Credit: PBS

Shuttlesworth • WXXI-TV

A film that traces the unique crucible of Birmingham’s brutal industrial history in creating what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., called the “most segregated city in America” and the people that were willing to take it on – personified in the fearless, indomitable Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth.

Shuttlesworth airs Monday, February 17 at 9 p .m. on WXXI-TV.

His tireless work in the face of beatings at the hands of the KKK and bombing of his own home, as well as constant harassment by the police and shunning by members of his own community, was unprecedented in the Movement leadership and inspired legions of Foot Soldiers willing to follow him into the breach.

Beginning with his segregated childhood in the Oxmoor Valley, Shuttlesworth follows the reverend’s life through Bethel Baptist Church, the Birmingham Campaign and the reactionary violence unleashed by the white power structure of the city. Through this lens, Shuttlesworth examines the City of Birmingham, its unique history and culture, and how the city became the symbol for social justice and the American Civil Rights Movement.

Photo: Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth • Credit: PBS

American Masters – Little Richard: The King and Queen of Rock and Roll • WXXI-TV

Experience the meteoric rise and enduring legacy of Little Richard.

American Masters – Little Richard: The King and Queen of Rock and Roll airs Thursday, July 11 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

American Masters – Little Richard: King and Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll explores the music icon’s influence and advocacy for the rights of Black artists and features interviews with Keith Richards, Ringo Starr, Big Freedia and more.

A fearless pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll who broke the color barrier in the 1950s with hits like “Tutti Frutti” and “Long Tall Sally,” Little Richard defined a genre and inspired generations by defying societal expectations. Charting the meteoric rise of the artist who counted The Beatles and the Rolling Stones as his opening acts, American Masters – Little Richard: King and Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll provides an intimate exploration of the renowned, electrifying and multifaceted individual.

Lyla in the Loop • WXXI-TV

A funny and engaging new animated series that follows Lyla, a dynamic 7-year-old girl, who lives in a big city with her close-knit family.

Lyla in the Loop airs daily at 8 a.m. on WXXI-TV and weekdays at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on WXXI Kids 24/7.

Lyla in the Loop is a funny and engaging new animated series for kids ages 4-8. Produced by Mighty Picnic and Pipeline Studios, it follows Lyla, a dynamic 7-year-old girl, who lives in a big city with her close-knit family, fantastical blue sidekick Stu, and a host of relatable and quirky characters in her community, who use creative and strategic problem-solving and critical thinking skills to address a range of everyday problems together. The new series will debut in both English and Spanish.

Lyla in the Loop centers on Lyla and her family – mom Lydia and dad Louis, who run Loops Lunch diner; older twin sisters Liana and Louisa; younger brother Luke; and sidekick Stu, who always does exactly, literally, what was asked. With her family and best friend Everett Phan, Lyla tackles all sorts of challenges, from building her own homemade carnival games using repurposed materials, to riding along and lending a hand on the neighborhood trash and recycling route, to making a puppet show that recreates the Jamaican folktale, Anansi and the Goat.

Check out: Lyla in the Loop: Videos, Games & Activities from WXXI Education

A Wider World

A trusted source of information for individuals, their families, and loved ones with disabilities.

A Wider World airs Saturday at 9:30 a.m. on WXXI-TV.

This series focuses on inspirational tales, stigma busting, cutting edge treatment options and assisting technology, veterans issues, sports, and other stories that celebrate the resilience of the human spirit and the abilities of all. In this episode, we learn about the importance of wearing a helmet when participating in winter sports.

Frontline: Democracy on Trial • WXXI-TV

The roots of the criminal cases against former President Trump stemming from his 2020 election loss.

This March, former President Donald Trump is scheduled to begin standing trial on federal conspiracy and obstruction charges, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S., in connection with efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss. What are the roots of the federal criminal case against Trump, who is now the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and who says the charges against him are politically motivated? How did the country arrive at this fraught and historic moment: A U.S. president charged with trying to subvert democracy while in office? How has Trump challenged the case? And what are the stakes?

Frontline investigates these questions in Democracy on Trial, a 2.5-hour documentary special that offers television’s most comprehensive look at what led to Trump’s upcoming federal trial. Gripping and illuminating, the newest film from Frontline’s award-winning political team, Michael Kirk, Mike Wiser and Vanessa Fica, traces the road to this unprecedented moment, and examines the implications of the historic criminal case unfolding in the midst of a presidential election year.

Iconic America: Our Symbols and Stories with David Rubenstein “Golden Gate Bridge” • WXXI-TV

Explore the story behind this engineering marvel that symbolizes America’s can-do spirit.

Iconic America: Our Symbols and Stories with David Rubenstein “Golden Gate Bridge” airs Sunday, January 28 at 5 p.m. on WXXI-TV

The Golden Gate bridge is an engineering marvel that symbolizes America’s can-do spirit. Explore if America can continue to execute bold and ambitious infrastructure projects in the 21st century.

Photo: Golden Gate Bridge • Credit: Show of Force

Inside Our Autistic Minds, Pt. 2 • WXXI-TV

Chris Packham helps autistic people illustrate how their minds work, helping them connect with their friends and family in a new, more authentic way.

Inside Our Autistic Minds, a two-part docuseries, concludes Monday, January 29 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV

Since sharing his own autism diagnosis with the world, naturalist and presenter Chris Packham has been flooded with letters and emails from other autistic people, frustrated that their friends, families and co-workers don’t understand them. By teaming up with top film-makers, graphic designers, animators and musicians, Chris helps a group of autistic people create short films to reveal to their family and friends how they’re truly feeling inside – what’s really going on in their autistic minds.

This program is presented as part of Move to Include™, WXXI and The Golisano Foundation’s national initiative that uses the power of public media to promote inclusion.

Photo: Naturalist and presenter Chris Packham • Credit: BBC