By Chip Chandler — Digital Content Producer
When the PBS pledge drive begins Saturday, you won't just see new specials. You'll also see big episodes of your beloved regular shows.
And we're giving you the chance to binge watch one of your absolute favorites: We’ll air a marathon of every episode of Downton Abbey from Sept. 2 to 5.
That's right: Every. Episode. Better clear some room on your DVR!
Here's how it breaks down: Season 1 will air from 8 p.m. Sept. 2 through 3:50 a.m. Sept. 3. Season 2 picks up at 3:50 a.m. and runs through 4:15 p.m., and then comes Season 3 from 4:15 p.m. Sept. 3 to 2:20 a.m. Sept. 4. At 2:24 and 3:24 a.m. Sept. 4, we'll air the specials The Manners of Downton Abbey and More Manners of Downton Abbey, then head right back into the marathon with the final episode of Season 3 at 4:24 a.m. Season 4 will air from 6:30 a.m. to 7:20 p.m. Sept. 4, Season 5 from 7:20 p.m. to 8:40 a.m. Sept. 5, and finally, Season 6 from 8:40 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 5.
That's on top of some cool specials (we'll get to them in a second) and some of the best of our core programming.
The highlight, we believe, will be a special episode of Live Here, our Thursday night newsmagazine. In the Sept. 1 episode, We Live Here ... Really! (an hour-long episode airing at 7 p.m.), we'll take you inside Panhandle PBS to introduce you to all of the staff members and local productions to show our viewers just how intimately our whole staff is tied to Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle.
Other core programs include a pair of episodes of Nature, "Animal Reunions" and "Saving Otter 501," at 7 and 8:30 p.m. Aug. 31, Great Performances featuring a celebration of Joan Baez's 75th birthday at 8 p.m. Sept. 1, and regular episodes of Charlie Rose, BBC World News and more.
Other special pledge programming includes an episode of The Roosevelts: An Intimate History on Aug. 30, Sewing with Nancy on Saturday, Inside Poldark on Sunday and more.
You’ll also see special musical performances, like Under the Street Lamp: Rockin’ Round the Clock and Art of the Love Song with the Annie Moses Band on Saturday, and California Dreamin’: The Story of the Mamas and Papas and Mannheim Steamroller 30/40 on Sunday. (And don't forget that Annie Moses Band and Mannheim Steamroller are both heading to Amarillo this year!)
While you’re watching these special programs, please consider making a renewal gift or an additional gift to the station that values educational and inspiring content.
Chip Chandler is a digital content producer for Panhandle PBS. He can be contacted at Chip.Chandler@actx.edu, at @chipchandler1 on Twitter and at www.facebook.com/chipchandlerwriter on Facebook.
