PBS to Extend Free Streaming Window for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION through End of Year

Rebroadcast to Begin January 9th

Washington, DC, December 22, 2025 - PBS today announced that given the demand for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, the new six-part, 12-hour documentary series directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, the free streaming window will be extended until the end of the year, when the film will be available on PBS Passport and the "PBS Documentaries Prime Video Channel."

Last week, PBS entered the Nielsen Streaming Top 10 for the first time, based on the number of minutes logged by viewers watching THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, which premiered on November 16 and aired for six consecutive nights. The film has also been streaming on all PBS platforms since then.

In addition, PBS will rebroadcast the entire series over six consecutive Fridays from January 9 through February 13. As part of its schedule for the 250th, PBS will also rebroadcast the series over three consecutive Mondays and Tuesdays from April 20 - May 5; and a marathon from Saturday, June 27 - Sunday, June 28 leading up to July 4, 2026, America's Semiquincentennial.

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION is a production of Florentine Films and WETA Washington, D.C. Directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt. Written by Geoffrey C. Ward. Produced by Sarah Botstein, David Schmidt, Salimah El-Amin and Ken Burns. Edited by Tricia Reidy, Maya Mumma, Charles E. Horton, and Craig Mellish. Co-Produced by Megan Ruffe and Mike Welt. Cinematography by Buddy Squires. Narrated by Peter Coyote. The executive in charge for WETA was John F. Wilson (who passed away in November of 2024). Executive producer is Ken Burns.

Corporate funding for The American Revolution was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for The American Revolution was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. The American Revolution was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

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ABOUT WETA

WETA is the leading public broadcaster in the nation's capital, serving Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia with educational initiatives and with high-quality programming on television, radio and digital. WETA Washington, D.C., is the second-largest producing-station for public television in the United States, with news and public affairs programs including PBS NEWSHOUR, PBS NEWS WEEKEND and WASHINGTON WEEK WITH THE ATLANTIC; films by Ken Burns, such as MUHAMMAD ALI, CENTRAL PARK FIVE and THE U.S. AND THE HOLOCAUST; series and documentaries by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., including FINDING YOUR ROOTS WITH HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. and GOSPEL; health content from Well Beings, a multiplatform campaign of engagement events and digital and broadcast content; and performance specials including ELTON JOHN & BERNIE TAUPIN: THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS GERSHWIN PRIZE FOR POPULAR SONG, A CAPITOL FOURTH and NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT. More information on WETA and its programs and services is available at weta.org. Visit facebook.com/wetatvfm on Facebook and follow @WETAtvfm on X (formerly Twitter).

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