RETURN TO DOWNTON ABBEY

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31 @ 12:30AM Return to Downton Abbey savors fond memories from the past three seasons and offers a taste of season four of Downton Abbey. Hosted by actress Susan Sarandon — a devoted fan of the series who especially admires the writing of Julian Fellowes — the program includes a mix of behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with creators and cast members, and video clips of...

LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER

NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC GALA WITH YO-YO MA TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31 @ 6:00PM & 11:00PM Join us for a New Year’s Eve tradition on PBS, as this year cellist Yo-Yo Ma joins maestro Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic in an evening of Latin dance-inspired orchestral music. Highlights include a ravishing performance of the cello concerto Azul, written by Osvaldo Golijov, one of the...

INDEPENDENT LENS

HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30 @ 7:30PM In the dark days of 1987, America was six years into the AIDS epidemic, a crisis that was still largely being ignored both by government officials and health organizations — until the sudden emergence of the activist group ACT UP in Greenwich Village, New York, largely made up of HIV-positive participants who refused to die without a fight....

CALL THE MIDWIFE

HOLIDAY SPECIAL SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25 @ 6:00PM & 11:00PM In Poplar, Christmas 1958 is not just about the opening of presents, but also about the closing of deep wounds. Wartime trials are relived – and a new enemy confronted – before peace and love are restored to center stage. Fairy lights festoon the streets as Jenny’s relationship with Alec continues to blossom and Shelagh...

MASTERPIECE CLASSIC

DOWNTON ABBEY SEASON 3 FINALE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29 @ 7:00PM @ 11:20PM Episode 7 The Crawleys head to a Scottish hunting lodge, while the downstairs staff stays behind at Downton Abbey. New romances flare up, and a fresh crisis unfolds. The much-loved cast of Downton Abbey Season 3 includes Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, Hugh Bonneville, Dan Stevens, Michelle Dockery, Jim Carter, Penelope...