Five Award-Winning Documentaries Inspire Environmental Action In New "Earth Focus Presents" Spring Programming Lineup On Link TV and KCET
New Slate of Films Includes U.S. Broadcast Premiere of 'Zero Gravity' featuring the Next Generation of Innovators Coding Satellites Performed by Astronauts in Orbit
LOS ANGELES, April 11, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- KCET, Southern California's flagship PBS station showcasing the best of PBS while creating award-winning local programming, and Link TV, the national independent non-commercial satellite television network, have announced a new lineup of five environmental documentaries under the EARTH FOCUS PRESENTS banner for spring 2023. With new titles debuting in late April (Earth Month) through the month of May, the environmental documentary series is part of PBS's unprecedented environmental and climate programming initiative that builds on more than 200 hours of climate and environmental content currently available across various platforms. With the EARTH FOCUS PRESENTS documentary slate, KCET and Link TV focus on the challenges of a changing climate while highlighting examples of positive impact.
The 2023 slate includes the U.S. broadcast premiere of "Zero Gravity," the story of a diverse group of middle-school students from San Jose, California including young innovators and future scientists as they compete in a nationwide tournament to code satellites aboard the International Space Station. Directed by Thomas Verrette, the film kicked off last spring's KCET and PBS SoCal's 2022 EARTH FOCUS Environmental Film Festival. "Zero Gravity" premieres Wed., May 3 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Link TV (Dish Network 9410) and Sun., May 7 at 8 p.m. on KCET with 14-day catch up streaming at linktv.org.
Seen primarily through the wondrous eyes of three young innovators and their first-time coach, "Zero Gravity" takes an intimate and personal journey to space as the team grows from amateur coders to representing the state of California in the ISS Finals Tournament -- the culmination of a summer-long adventure that sees their accomplishments performed by astronauts in orbit.
The other titles included as part of the EARTH FOCUS PRESENTS lineup for 2023 are dedicated to exploring the impacts of the climate crisis including "Day Zero" narrated by actor Chiwetel Ejiofor ("12 Years A Slave," "Love Actually") which captures stories about communities hit by water shortages, as humanity is rapidly consuming Earth's fresh water supplies while removing nature's ability to replenish them. While the documentary "Dead Sea Guardians" tells the story of three historic enemies - Israelis, Jordanians and Palestinians - working together to save the historic salt lake that is tragically drying up due to over consumption and poor water management.
All five EARTH FOCUS PRESENTS titles slated to air are listed as follows (*schedule subject to change):
EARTH FOCUS PRESENTS: "Magnitude of All Things" – Wed., April 12 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Link TV and Sun., April 30 at 6:30 p.m. on KCET
Filmmaker Jennifer Abbott explores the emotional and psychological dimensions of the climate crisis and the relationship between grief and hope in times of personal and planetary change.
EARTH FOCUS PRESENTS: "2040: The Regeneration" – Wed., April 26 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Link TV and Sun., April 30 at 8 p.m. on KCET
Award-winning director Damon Gameau ("That Sugar Film") embarks on a journey to explore what the future could look like by the year 2040 if the world embraces solutions already available to improve the planet and shift them into the mainstream.
EARTH FOCUS PRESENTS: "Zero Gravity" – Wed., May 3 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Link TV and Sun., May 7 at 8 p.m. on KCET
A diverse group of middle-school students from San Jose, California including young innovators and a first-time coach, compete in a nationwide tournament to code satellites aboard the International Space Station.
EARTH FOCUS PRESENTS: "Dead Sea Guardians" – Wed., May 10 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Link TV and Sun., May 14 at 8 p.m. on KCET
The Dead Sea, a salt lake known for its biological and historical value, is threatened by overconsumption and poor water management. Shared by Israelis, Jordanians and Palestinians, the three historic enemies come together to protect it.
EARTH FOCUS PRESENTS: "Day Zero" – Wed., May 17 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Link TV and Sun., May 21 at 8 p.m. on KCET
The documentary journeys across the planet seeking those on the front line fighting to protect the world's most precious resource – water – from running out. It seeks to awaken and inspire audiences to change how they think about the planet's most vital resource and act, by revealing the rapidly building water crisis at both a global and human scale. Narrated by actor Chiwetel Ejiofor ("12 Years A Slave," "Love Actually").
Join the conversation on social media using #EarthFocusPresents using @KCET and @LinkTV
About KCET
As one of Southern California's two flagship PBS stations, KCET is on-air, online as well as in the community, and plays a vital role in the cultural enrichment of Southern California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning local programming as well as the finest public television programs from around the world. Throughout its history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional programming, its national productions and its website, kcet.org. For additional information about KCET's original productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org. KCET Originals and PBS programming are available to stream on the FREE PBS App on iOS and Android devices, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, Chromecast and VIZIO SmartCast TV.. KCET is also available to watch live on YouTube TV.
ABOUT LINK TV
Founded in 1999, Link TV is an independent viewer-supported media organization dedicated to providing programs that engage and educate its audiences with unique perspectives and activate them to become involved in the world. Reaching more than 7.6 million U.S. satellite households nationally, Link TV (Dish Network channel 9410) connects American viewers with people at the heart of breaking events, organizations at the forefront of social change and the vibrant cultures of an increasingly global community. Link TV's free 24/7 live stream and many of its programs are available to watch anytime at linktv.org. Select programming is also available for streaming on YouTube and the PBS App. For more information about Link TV productions, web-exclusive content, and program schedules, please visit linktv.org.
Media Contact
Allison Gray, KCET, 747-201-5298, [email protected]
SOURCE KCET
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