WORLD Channel

United States United States

WORLD Channel is a public television service available across the United States, focusing on documentary, news, and nonfiction programming. Its schedule draws from a range of independent producers and international broadcasters, covering topics like current affairs, science, history, and cultural exploration. The channel often airs long-form journalism, investigative reports, and films that examine social issues from multiple perspectives. Viewers might encounter content originally produced for PBS, the BBC, or other public media outlets, with an emphasis on in-depth storytelling rather than commercial entertainment. The programming tends to avoid reality shows or scripted drama, instead offering a steady rotation of factual series and specials that highlight global and domestic stories.

In addition to its linear broadcast, the channel provides on-demand access through its website and partner streaming platforms, where full episodes and clips are available for viewing. Some cable and satellite providers carry it as part of their basic or digital tiers, while over-the-air viewers can find it on local public television stations in many markets. The schedule is generally consistent from week to week, with themed blocks for science, history, and world news. Online TV guide listings show the current day’s lineup, which typically includes several hours of documentary content repeated at different times to accommodate various time

Schedule
Power of Chairs
00:30 - 01:00
Power of Chairs
Special, Documentary, Community, Self improvement
The organization Transitions employs wheelchair users to build customized wheelchairs, changing how those who use wheelchairs see themselves and how the larger society views their capabilities.
A French Village
01:00 - 02:00
A French Village
Marcel Larcher Street
Series, Drama, Historical drama
Bériot has been defeated by his own party; the communists want to win the next elections and set up Marcel as a hero.
Nature
02:00 - 03:00
Nature
Big Little Journeys: Home
Series, Anthology, Nature
In Canada, a baby turtle ventures through a forest in search of the lake where she will spend the next 50 years; a young bush baby in South Africa searches for a new home.
Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
03:00 - 04:00
Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Caribbean Roots
Series, Documentary, History
Exploring the Caribbean heritage of actors Liza Colón-Zayas and Delroy Lindo.
American Experience
04:00 - 06:00
American Experience
Chasing the Moon: A Place Beyond the Sky
Series, Anthology, Documentary
Tracking the early years of the space race, beginning in 1957, as the U.S. struggles to catch up with the Soviet Union.
Nature
06:00 - 07:00
Nature
Big Little Journeys: Home
Series, Anthology, Nature
In Canada, a baby turtle ventures through a forest in search of the lake where she will spend the next 50 years; a young bush baby in South Africa searches for a new home.
Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
07:00 - 08:00
Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Caribbean Roots
Series, Documentary, History
Exploring the Caribbean heritage of actors Liza Colón-Zayas and Delroy Lindo.
American Experience
08:00 - 10:00
American Experience
Chasing the Moon: A Place Beyond the Sky
Series, Anthology, Documentary
Tracking the early years of the space race, beginning in 1957, as the U.S. struggles to catch up with the Soviet Union.
POV
10:00 - 11:00
POV
unseen
Series, Documentary, Biography
A blind, undocumented immigrant faces uncertainty to obtain his college degree, become a social worker and support his family.
Power of Chairs
11:00 - 12:00
Power of Chairs
Special, Documentary, Community, Self improvement
The organization Transitions employs wheelchair users to build customized wheelchairs, changing how those who use wheelchairs see themselves and how the larger society views their capabilities.
BBC News
12:00 - 12:30
BBC News
News
News. Reporting on the day's international news from London and from BBC correspondents around the world.
The Whitney Reynolds Show
12:30 - 13:00
The Whitney Reynolds Show
Full Circle Narratives
Series, Talk
Alligator Robb talks about how Chicago rallied to support him after a health crisis; Trish Lindstrom and Matt Mueller discuss "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.".
Newsroom Tokyo
13:00 - 13:28
Newsroom Tokyo
News
We introduce the renewed NEWSROOM TOKYO featuring its team of new anchors and highlighting its appeal through a special Expo-focused episode.
Direct Talk
13:28 - 13:43
Direct Talk
News, Documentary
Direct and in-depth interviews exploring the minds and motivations of the leaders, visionaries, artists and entrepreneurs who are changing our world.
Short Program
13:43 - 14:00
Short Program
Entertainment
A selection of acclaimed programs from NHK's domestic channels, dubbed into English.
Nature
14:00 - 15:00
Nature
Big Little Journeys: Home
Series, Anthology, Nature
In Canada, a baby turtle ventures through a forest in search of the lake where she will spend the next 50 years; a young bush baby in South Africa searches for a new home.
Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
15:00 - 16:00
Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Caribbean Roots
Series, Documentary, History
Exploring the Caribbean heritage of actors Liza Colón-Zayas and Delroy Lindo.
American Experience
16:00 - 18:00
American Experience
Chasing the Moon: A Place Beyond the Sky
Series, Anthology, Documentary
Tracking the early years of the space race, beginning in 1957, as the U.S. struggles to catch up with the Soviet Union.
Amanpour and Company
18:00 - 19:00
Amanpour and Company
Series, Public affairs
Christiane Amanpour leads discussions about world issues and interviews with global leaders.
The Whitney Reynolds Show
19:00 - 19:30
The Whitney Reynolds Show
Full Circle Narratives
Series, Talk
Alligator Robb talks about how Chicago rallied to support him after a health crisis; Trish Lindstrom and Matt Mueller discuss "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.".
The Open Mind
19:30 - 20:00
The Open Mind
Mayors of the World: Dusseldorf
Series, Talk, Public affairs
Mayor Stephan Keller in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Safe Harbors: Lighthouses of Maine
20:00 - 21:00
Safe Harbors: Lighthouses of Maine
Special, Documentary
An aerial tour of Maine's 65 coastal lighthouses along 3,500 miles of rocky coastline from Calais to Kittery and everywhere in between.
American Experience
21:00 - 23:00
American Experience
Reagan: Lifeguard
Series, Anthology, Documentary
How Ronald Reagan's opponents underestimated him as he made the transition from acting to public office.
DW News
23:00 - 23:30
DW News
News
Presenting a round-up of the most recent news and developments from across the world.
BBC World News America
23:30 - 00:00
BBC World News America
News
A detailed look into news stories from around the world from the BBC news desk in Washington, D.C.