WQED is proud to present “The American Revolution,” a film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein & David Schmidt.

For more information, we encourage educators and librarians to explore OurAmericanStory.org, featuring free resources designed to encourage discussion and community engagement.

Here’s how and when you can watch the new PBS docuseries in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Prime Time Television

The six-part, 12-hour series premieres on broadcast television channel 13.1 at 8:00 p.m. Sunday, November 16th. That’s channel 513 on Verizon FiOS, 813 on Xfinity, with other cable systems listed here. Each episode will air twice each evening:

  • In Order to be Free (part 1/6) — Sun 11/16 @ 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.
  • An Asylum for Mankind (part 2/6) — Mon 11/17 @ 8:00 and 10:10 p.m.
  • The Times that Try Men’s Souls (part 3/6) — Tue 11/18 @ 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.
  • Conquer by a Drawn Game (part 4/6) — Wed 11/19 @ 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.
  • The Soul of all America (part 5/6) — Thu 11/20 @ 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.
  • The Most Sacred Thing (part 6/6) — Fri 11/21 @ 8:00 and 10:15 p.m.
Streaming On Demand

In a first for a Ken Burns series, all six episodes will be immediately available to stream on demand from pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on Roku, Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV (fourth generation and higher), Samsung Smart TV, Android TV, and iOS and Android devices. (After four weeks, on-demand streaming will require a PBS Passport membership, available with any donation of at least $60 or $5/month.)

Afternoon Encores

A version with fundraising breaks will air on television during afternoons:

  • In Order to be Free (part 1/6) — Mon 11/17 @ 3:30 p.m.
  • An Asylum for Mankind (part 2/6) — Tue 11/18 @ 3:30 p.m.
  • The Times that Try Men’s Souls (part 3/6) — Wed 11/19 @ 3:30 p.m.
  • Conquer by a Drawn Game (part 4/6) — Thu 11/20 @ 3:30 p.m.
  • The Soul of all America (part 5/6) — Fri 11/21 @ 3:30 p.m.
  • The Most Sacred Thing (part 6/6) — Sun 11/23 @ 3:00 p.m.
Live Streams

Free live streams are available with an internet connection at each of the broadcast times noted above and below. Visit wqed.org/livestream, pbs.org and the free PBS App, Amazon Prime Video and the Prime Video App (under Live TV > Entertainment), or the paid Hulu+Live TV and YouTubeTV platforms.

Marathon Weekend

WQED will also offer a weekend marathon, with back-to-back episodes:

  • In Order to be Free (part 1/6) — Sat 11/22 @ 10:30 a.m.
  • An Asylum for Mankind (part 2/6) — Sat 11/22 @ 1:00 p.m.
  • The Times that Try Men’s Souls (part 3/6) — Sat 11/22 @ 3:30 p.m.
  • Conquer by a Drawn Game (part 4/6) — Sun 11/23 @ 10:00 a.m.
  • The Soul of all America (part 5/6) — Sun 11/23 @ 12:30 p.m.
  • The Most Sacred Thing (part 6/6) — Sun 11/23 @ 3:00 p.m.
For Night Owls

Finally, for shift workers and those seeking overnight programming:

  • In Order to be Free (part 1/6) — Tue 11/18 @ 1:00 and 3:30 a.m.
  • An Asylum for Mankind (part 2/6) — Wed 11/19 @ 1:00 and 3:30 a.m.
  • The Times that Try Men’s Souls (part 3/6) — Thu 11/20 @ 1:00 and 3:30 a.m.
  • Conquer by a Drawn Game (part 4/6) — Fri 11/21 @ 1:00 and 3:30 a.m.
  • The Soul of all America (part 5/6) — Sat 11/22 @ 1:18 and 3:47 a.m.
  • The Most Sacred Thing (part 6/6) — Mon 11/24 @ 3:00 a.m.
About the Film

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION examines how America’s founding turned the world upside-down. Thirteen British colonies on the Atlantic Coast rose in rebellion, won their independence, and established a new form of government that radically reshaped the continent and inspired centuries of democratic movements around the globe. What begins as a political clash between colonists and the British government grows into a bloody struggle that will engage more than two dozen nations and forever change the world.

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.