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POV: Fire Through Dry Grass • WXXI-TV

Wearing snapback caps and Air Jordans, the Reality Poets aren’t typical nursing home residents. 

POV: Fire Through Dry Grass airs Sunday, January 19 at 2:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV

In Fire Through Dry Grass, these young, Black and brown disabled artists document their lives on lockdown during COVID, their rhymes underscoring the danger and imprisonment they feel. In the face of institutional neglect, they refuse to be abused, confined, and erased. 

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.

Photo: Reality Poets Vince, Jay, Tito, Pete, and Var • Credit: Elias Williams

USA Wheelchair Football Buffalo Championship Game • WXXI-TV

The USA Wheelchair Football League Championship game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs is the culmination of incredible competition and sportsmanship over the two-day tournament.

USA Wheelchair Football Buffalo Championship Game airs Thursday, January 25 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV

2023 marks the third year of USA Wheelchair Football League (USAWFL) tournament play. The USAWFL is a program of Move United that is made possible in part by support from the National Football League (NFL) – and Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) partnership, which is part of the League’s Salute to Service initiative. The league is the first-of-its-kind football league for adults with disabilities to reach their highest potential through a competitive, fast-paced team sport. As of the 2023 season, 13 teams are in the USA Wheelchair Football League.

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 22 through January 28, 2024.

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.

Photo: David Cross (#33) drops back to pass as Ben Richard (#78) swings out wide • Credit: WNED

Nature: The Platypus Guardian • WXXI-TV

Witness the story of Pete Walsh, a Tasmanian man who befriends a platypus he names Zoom.

Nature: The Platypus Guardian airs Wednesday, January 24 at 3 p.m. on WXXI-TV

Pete Walsh is a Tasmanian obsessed with one of nature’s least understood creatures, the platypus. An egg-laying, duck-billed, venom-spined, furry-coated underwater mammal, the platypus’ natural environment is in danger from urban development in the capital city of Hobart. With the help of experts, Pete embarks on a mission to rally his community and save the species before it is too late.

During this endeavor, Pete befriends one particular female platypus he names “Zoom.” She lets him into her secretive world, and Pete learns more about the life of this enigmatic species, capturing unique footage of their behavior. Zoom’s behavior sheds light on platypus survival techniques and offers insight into how the species might be protected. Pete will reveal the life of this enigmatic creature, but his time is precious as he manages with his MS diagnosis.

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 22 through January 28, 2024.

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.

Photo: Pete Walsh • Credit: Courtesy of Oliver Berlin / © WildBear Entertainment

Wonders of the World I Can’t See with Chris McCausland

Comedian Chris McCausland, who is blind, travels the globe to explore some of the world’s most iconic, unforgettable world landmarks, but in a new and unique way that discovers things the ordinary traveller might miss.

Wonders of the World I Can’t See airs Sundays, November 10 – December 1 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

In each episode, reluctant traveller Chris will be joined by a different special celebrity guest as his travelling companion. As well as providing a humorous ‘audio description’ of their surroundings for him, the celebrity companions will do their best to prove to Chris that there’s much more to visiting these places than just what they look like, by engaging their other senses. Will they manage to convince him that it was worth getting off his couch after all?

Episode 1 (Airs 11/10 at 8 p.m.): In Athens, Chris and comedy legend Harry Hill try their hand at Olympic sports and pottery. And can Harry do the Acropolis justice when he describes it to Chris?

Episode 2 (Airs 11/17 at 8 p.m.): In Rome, Chris and Tom Allen train as gladiators and make pasta. And can Tom convey the majesty of the Colosseum to Chris?

Episode 3 (Airs 11/24 at 8 p.m.) : Chris and Guz Khan visit the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, where floating, haggling, camel riding and some unique descriptions from Guz await.

Episode 4 (Airs 11/24 at 9 p.m.): In Canada, Liza Tarbuck and Chris experience Niagara Falls. Chris is especially excited about experiencing a wonder that actually makes a noise.

This series is presented as part of Move to Include™ .

Photo: Chris with comedian Tom Allen • Credit: BBC

A Good Life • WXXI-TV

Life is full of joys and challenges for us all — but the experiences of individuals living with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) is something that not everyone understands or appreciates.

A Good Life airs Friday, January 17 at 5 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

A Good Life, a WXXI production, takes an intimate look into the lives of six adults living with I/DD and their families. The film shares the challenges and opportunities they face, while leading national experts and historians in the field offer insight. 

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.


Photo: Title card • Credit: WXXI

PBS KIDS Family Night

Gather the gang for Family Night, weekly family viewing events featuring movie specials or themed programming. Watch, play and learn with your favorite PBS KIDS characters every Saturday and Sunday from 7 to 9 pm.

Where to Watch:

Ultimate PBS KIDS Movies Marathon Make Your Own Family Movie Night

Empowered State On-Demand

 

Episode 1: Powered for Good: Meet the “Empowered State” roadtrippers: David, Leila, and Julia—three New Yorkers interested in finding their place in the clean energy revolution; then follow along as they explore hydroelectric power’s potential at Niagara Falls and visit Ithaca, one of New York’s greenest cities.

Episode 2: Under the Ground and Through the Air | Empowered State: Air travel currently emits over one billion tons of carbon dioxide each year—but a cleaner choice is coming. In this episode, the roadtrippers climb inside the next generation of electric planes to imagine how battery-powered flight could help save our climate. Plus, they learn how to harness the Earth’s natural power through geothermal energy, and see how sustainable skyscrapers take shape.

Episode 3: A More Equitable Revolution | Empowered State: How can we make sure the clean energy revolution creates a better future for all—without leaving anyone behind? In this episode, the roadtrippers talk to policymakers and activists about the human side of the switch to renewable energy—including a visit to a sustainable community farm and a sitdown with environmental attorney Elizabeth Yeampierre.

Episode 4: We Power New York | Empowered State: As the road trip comes to an end, interviews with clean energy executives and entrepreneurs help the roadtrippers feel empowered to personally take on one of our planet’s biggest, most urgent challenges—and find career fulfillment along their paths.

Watch Empowered State On-Demand (All episodes) Electric planes. Towns powered by waterfalls. Offshore wind farms. This isn’t the far-off future of clean energy—it’s what’s happening right now in New York State. Join three New Yorkers as they explore the clean energy revolution taking place in their backyard.

Resource Website

More Roadtrip Nation Specials

WXXI Broadcast Coverage Area

WXXI DTV
WXXI TV broadcasts four over-the-air channels which are also carried by Spectrum Digital Cable in the Rochester region, all channels can be livestreamed, and viewed on the PBS Player App and the WXXI App.

WXXI’s Designated Market Area, as defined by The Nielsen Company, is the Greater Rochester Metro region encompassing six counties:  Monroe, Livingston, Orleans, Ontario, Wayne, and Yates.  WXXI-TV can be seen in 11 counties surrounding Rochester.  WXXI’s four TV channels are available over the air and through Spectrum Cable.  WXXI Television High-Definition programming is also available on DIRECTV and Dish Network.

1)        WXXI-HD — Digital Cable 11/1221 / DT21.1 and Live Stream
2)        WXXI World — Digital Cable 1275 / DT21.2  and Live Stream
3)        WXXI Create — Digital Cable 1276 / DT21.3 and Live Stream
4)        WXXI Kids 24/7 –Digital Cable 1277 /DT21.4 and Live Stream

City 12 
Offered only on cable within the City of Rochester limits, City 12 is a unique relationship between the City of Rochester and the WXXI Public Broadcasting Council.  The goal of this partnership is to bring to Rochester area residents useful and practical life skills information that enhances their daily living tailored to thriving in an urban environment.

WXXI-AM 1370 
WXXI-AM is a 24-hour, 5 KW AM radio station, located in Rochester, broadcasting at 1370 Kilohertz.  During the hours from local sunrise to local sunset the primary signal covers a circular area with a 40 to 50-mile radius around Rochester.  The WXXI-AM  signal can be heard across much of the five-county area around Rochester.

From sunset to sunrise WXXI-AM broadcasts on a directional pattern as required by the Federal Communications Commission to protect other stations operating on the same frequency to the west and northeast.  WXXI-AM’s night-time signal reaches the City of Rochester and its northern and southeastern suburbs.  1370 AM programming is simulcast during morning on WRUR-FM 88.5 in partnership with the University of Rochester, and on WXXY-FM 90.3 in Houghton.  It is also heard simulcast 24/7 on WXXI-FM HD 2.

WXXI-AM 1370 also can be streamed live on WXXINews.org.  Downloadable audio and podcasts are also available for many programs, features, and news coverage on the WXXI News site and on your favorite podcast platforms.

WXXI-FM 105.9

WXXI News/NPR can now be heard on a full-powered FM signal. 105.9 WXXI-FM Rochester launched in 2023 as a 24/7 simulcast of AM 1370. All the vital WXXI and NPR news programming that listeners depend upon can now be heard on 105.9 FM. The WXXI-FM 105.9 signal extends 40 miles in all directions from a broadcast tower on Pinnacle Hill in Rochester.

WXXI News will still be heard on AM 1370, as well as streamed on WXXINews.org, and can be accessed on home smart speakers.

WXXO-FM 91.5
The WXXO-FM 91.5 analog and digital 91.5 signals extend 50 miles in all directions from a broadcast tower on Pinnacle Hill in Rochester.  WXXI-FM’s classical music programming also can be streamed live on WXXIClassical.org.

WRUR-FM 88.5 
WRUR-FM 88.5 is a broadcast partnership of the University of Rochester and WXXI that provides NPR news and eclectic music programming to the Rochester community and beyond.  The signal reaches eastern Orleans and Genesee counties, Livingston County north of Dansville, the majority of Ontario and western Wayne counties, as well as northwest Wyoming and northeast Yates counties.  WRUR-FM also can be streamed live on WRUR.org.

WXXY-FM 90.3
WXXY-FM 90.3, located in Houghton, broadcasts to Allegheny County and portions of the Southern Tier. The station broadcasts a combination of classical music and NPR News programs such as Morning Edition and All Things Considered.  The signal reaches Mount Morris, Dansville, Hornell, Alfred, Friendship, Cuba, Ischua, Franklinville, Lime Lake, Arcade (northern and central Allegany County, western Steuben County, northwestern Potter County, east central Cattaraugus County and southern Wyoming County).

WEOS-FM 89.5 / 90.3

WEOS-FM 89.5/90.3, located in Geneva, is an NPR station and partnership between WXXI and Hobart and William Smith Colleges, provides 24 hours of NPR news programs and eclectic entertainment to the Finger Lakes area.  The signal reaches Honeoye Lake on the west, Otisco Lake on the east, north to Lyons, and south to Dundee.  WEOS-FM also can be streamed live on WEOS.org.

WITH-FM 90.1
WITH-FM 90.1 is a new public radio station serving Ithaca and the surrounding areas.  It is operated jointly between WEOS and WXXI and offers a mix of eclectic music programs along with alternative news programs.   The signal reaches the southern Finger Lakes area, including Ithaca and Watkins Glen, from Ovid to south of Ithaca, west of Seneca Lake and near Cortland to the east.  WITH-FM also provides, via the HD2 signal, a 24- hour classical music service.  WITH-FM also can be streamed live on WITHradio.org.

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