WXXI TV

Father and son bond on an ambitious 350-mile bike ride in this portrait of familial love.

Independent Lens “Bike Vessel” airs Monday, February 24 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

Knowing his dad miraculously recovered from three open-heart surgeries after discovering a passion for cycling, filmmaker Eric D. Seals proposes an ambitious idea: Bike together from St. Louis to Chicago. 350 miles. 4 days. On their journey, the two push each other as they find a deeper connection and a renewed appreciation of their quests for their own health and to reimagine Black health.

Watch the trailer and learn more about the film.

Sir David Attenborough explores London’s Natural History Museum and meets some of the most extraordinary creatures from the past.

Nature “Museum Alive with David Attenborough” airs Sunday, February 23 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV

A landmark documentary fulfills the long-held dreams of David Attenborough by bringing the incredible pantheon of the London Natural History Museum’s long-extinct creatures to life. Using a groundbreaking collaboration of cutting-edge science and astounding CGI, Attenborough takes us on a magical after-hours journey through the museum to see the now-living exhibits as they looked when they roamed the planet.

One evening, David Attenborough slips past the security guards deep into London’s Natural History Museum. Now locked in, he witnesses something extraordinary: long-extinct creatures burst to life, turning from fossils to living, breathing and walking beasts. The historic museum building, with its romanesque columns, great arches and spiral towers, becomes the playground of these fascinating creatures. This adventure takes Attenborough on an enchanting journey through time where he comes face-to-face with a saber-toothed tiger, witnesses the terrifying descent of a giant predatory bird, escapes the coils of a colossal snake, and befriends a giant dinosaur, the Diplodocus. Along the way he reveals the very latest scientific insights into these extinct creatures and how our understanding of them has changed over time.

 Enjoy an evening of two iconic Ken Burns’ films.

The Statue of Liberty airs Friday, February 14 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the WXXI app. The Congress follows at 10:30 p.m.

Burns’ 1985 film The Statue of Liberty presents a lyrical, compelling and provocative portrait of the statue. He explores both the history of America’s premier symbol and the meaning of liberty itself. Featuring rare archival photographs, paintings and drawings, readings from actual diaries, letters and newspapers of the day, the fascinating story of this universally admired monument is told. In interviews with Americans from all walks of life, including former New York governor Mario Cuomo, the late congresswoman Barbara Jordan and the late writers James Baldwin and Jerzy Kosinski, The Statue of Liberty examines the nature of liberty and the significance of the statue to American life.

Burns’ 1989 film The Congress. For 200 years, the United States Congress has been one of the country’s most important and least understood institutions. Using historical photographs and newsreels, evocative live footage and interviews, Burns chronicles the events that have shaped the first 200 years of congress and, in turn, our country.

Photo: The Statue of Liberty
Credit: Provided by PBS

Willie Nelson returns to the Austin City Limits stage alongside family and friends, for a Texas-sized concert to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his pilot taping.

ACL Presents: Willie Nelson & Family airs Saturday, July 19 at 4:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the WXXI app.

Iconic live music television series Austin City Limits (ACL) was born on October 17, 1974, when Willie Nelson taped the pilot episode. That now legendary debut became the cornerstone for 50 years of groundbreaking, award-winning music television. Now Willie returns on the 50th anniversary of that taping to commemorate Austin City Limits’ remarkable half-century milestone with a Texas-sized outdoor concert on October 17, 2024, at Austin’s Long Center for the Performing Arts.

Photo: Willie Nelson on ACL in 1974
Credit: Austin City Limits