This past April the folks at PBS Distribution released a plethora of new
programs on DVD and digitally, including the critically acclaimed, “VICTORIA, SEASON 3,” the
highly-anticipated “MRS. WILSON,” the fascinating “RECONSTRUCTION: AMERICA AFTER THE CIVIL WAR,” and the eye-opening “CHARM CITY.” I had the opportunity to check out many of these new releases, and have to say, out of all the titles I have screened from PBS Distribution over the years, this new batch of releases really are stellar and must see, for fans of NOVA, BBC, NATURE, American Masters and American Experience series and specials. Here is more about the releases I have been enjoying -- many of which would make for great summer viewing as a family, or used in homeschool learning, or just to fill the void when you can't find something of quality and substance to watch on television or streaming. PBS Distribution titles are never a disappoint, and provide hours of enjoyment, while also educating both young and old about different topics in history, etc.
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"A groundbreaking exploration of a newspaper magnate whose work is largely unknown to wide audiences, though ironically, the prize he endowed in his will has become recognizable around the world. Pulitzer’s personal story is a riveting variation on the American Dream narrative. Joseph Pulitzer (1847-1911) arrived in the United States during the Civil War as a penniless immigrant who spoke no English and proceeded to create two best-selling newspapers -and a major fortune. This immigrant was famous in his own time for the outsized financial success of his newspapers and his outspoken, cantankerous editorial voice. From the start of his career as a journalist, Pulitzer championed what he regarded as the sacred role of the free press in a democracy."
- Street Date: April 16, 2019
- Run Time: 90 minutes on 1 disc
- SRP: DVD, $24.99
- Format: DVD, Digital
- Genre: History: Biography
"Narrated by Grammy-nominated country singer Tanya Tucker, this new documentary traces the improbable journey of Charley Pride, from his humble beginnings as a sharecropper’s son on a cotton farm in segregated Sledge, Mississippi, to his career as a Negro American League baseball player and his meteoric rise as a pioneering country music superstar. Along with exclusive new interviews with Pride himself, the film incorporates original interviews with country music royalty, including Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker and Marty Stuart, as well as on-camera conversations between Pride and special guests such as Rozene Pride (his wife of 61 years), Willie Nelson and fellow musicians."
- Street Date: April 30, 2019
- Run Time: 78 minutes on 1 disc
- SRP: DVD, $24.99
- Format: DVD, Digital
- Genre: History: Biography
- Street Date: April 23, 2019
- Run Time: 53 minutes on 1 disc
- SRP: DVD, $24.99
- Format: DVD, Digital
- Genre: Science & Nature: Animals
"Our planet is bursting at the seams. Around the world, up to 30 volcanoes erupt every day – and hundreds more could explode at any moment. Meet the people and wildlife that live alongside these volcanoes, from Kilauea to Mount Etna. Discover how volcanoes cause destruction but also create and nurture life. At the “burning heart” of this documentary is a daring expedition of scientists and adventurers to one of the world’s most dangerous volcanoes, located in the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. Viewers will take a terrifying descent into the Marum Crater with biologist Jeffrey Marlow, who risks a boiling lava lake to collect and analyze rock samples for signs of life. His discoveries could lead to a better understanding of the origins of life and a picture of what life might look like outside of Earth."
- Street Date: April 30, 2019
- Run Time: 53 minutes on 1 disc
- SRP: DVD, $24.99
- Format: DVD, Digital
- Genre: Science & Nature: Earth
"Over the past century, scientists have made huge strides in understanding the mind-bending rules that govern the microworld of atoms and subatomic particles. But these rules, called quantum mechanics, contain one particularly bizarre, unexplained phenomenon: quantum entanglement. Imagine two subatomic particles that mirror changes in each other instantaneously over any distance without communicating. Einstein called it "spooky action at a distance" and although no one can explain how it works, scientists have already begun to harness its power. So-called quantum computing could give rise to computers that can shatter existing data encryption in minutes and use the laws of physics to create a totally secure, unhackable network. But even as researchers are poised to transform the digital world with entanglement, a few doubts about it remain, and to rule them out will take a ground-breaking experiment. NOVA takes viewers to a frigid mountaintop in the Canary Islands where physicists will use massive telescopes to catch light from quasars at opposite ends of the universe to control detectors in a record-breaking experiment that might settle the remaining questions once and for all."
- Street Date: April 2, 2019
- Run Time: 60 minutes on 1 disc
- SRP: DVD, $24.99
- Format: DVD, Digital
"In May 2018 the Kilauea volcano erupted, obliterating neighborhoods with devastating force and uprooting thousands of local residents. It is Hawaii’s most destructive volcanic eruption in generations. How can one of the most beautiful places on Earth suddenly transform into a roaring inferno, sputtering molten lava and bombs of volcanic rock the size of refrigerators? On the ground in the early days of the eruption, NOVA joins scientists and residents alike on a breathtaking journey to investigate Kilauea’s recent spike in activity. Along the way, some of Hawaii’s biggest secrets are revealed: Why did these geologically distinctive volcanoes form in the middle of the Pacific? How did life establish itself on the remote islands? What does this tell us about the future of Hawaii? And what dangers lurk for the inhabitants of the island paradise?"
- Street Date: April 16, 2019
- Run Time: 60 minutes on 1 disc
- SRP: DVD, $24.99
- Format: DVD, Digital
- Genre: Science & Nature: Earth
- Genre: Science & Nature: Technology & Inventions
"The 6 million-ton Great Pyramid of Giza is the last surviving wonder of the ancient world. How did the Egyptians engineer the mighty pharaoh Khufu’s tomb so precisely, with none of today’s surveying and power tools? And who were the thousands of laborers who raised the stones? Were they slaves or volunteers, and how were they housed, fed, and organized? DECODING THE GREAT PYRAMID presents the latest evidence from groundbreaking archaeological research that has transformed our understanding of the ancient world’s most ambitious engineering project, revealing a "lost city" and intimate details of the lives of the laborers and officials who toiled on the vast construction. French archaeologists recently found the logbook of a labor team leader that delivered limestone blocks to build the Great Pyramid, yielding crucial insights into the planning and logistics behind the operation. The program also traces how mobilizing the colossal labor and resources invested in the monument transformed ancient Egypt, uniting a nation behind the common goal of ensuring eternity for the pharaoh and continuing prosperity for everyone in this life and the next."
- Street Date: April 30, 2019
- Run Time: 60 minutes on 1 disc
- SRP: DVD, $24.99
- Format: DVD, Digital
- Genre: History: Ancient
An audacious feat of engineering — a pressurized underwater habitat, complete with science labs and living quarters — Sealab aimed to prove that humans were capable of spending days or even months living and working on the ocean floor. Sealab would pioneer what is known as “saturation diving,” which would allow divers to remain undersea — and emerge unscathed — for more extended periods of time. After a tragic accident the Sealab program was subsequently suspended and completely shut down in 1970, however the lessons learned were used in numerous covert Naval operations for years to come."
- Street Date: April 16, 2019
- Run Time: 60 minutes on 1 disc
- SRP: DVD, $24.99
- Format: DVD, Digital
"MARGARET: THE REBEL PRINCESS focuses on Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth’s beautiful and rebellious younger sister. This program features rare footage and interviews with those who knew her best and offers unparalleled insight into Margaret’s turbulent life and times. Her unique position as the Queen’s younger sister in a changing Britain left her free to experiment and push boundaries, yet she was forever judged by the public and press beginning to question the very idea of a monarchy. While Margaret often followed the rigid rules under which she was raised, she also stepped outside those rules and into scandal."
- Street Date: April 23, 2019
- Run Time: 120 minutes on 1 disc
- SRP: DVD, $24.99
- Format: DVD, Digital
- Genre: History: Biography
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Don't worry, I am not going to take up all your time sharing personal reviews of each of the PBS Distribution titles mentioned, above, as I would just be repeating myself over and over again, as I praise the exceptional content of each title. I will say, however, that being a cord-cutting family, I have found that the PBS Masterpiece streaming service to be a must have for fans of PBS series, documentaries, etc. And, at only $5.99 a month, you can't go wrong with the price, for all the amazing shows and series you can enjoy with your family.
With summer fast approaching, I know many families will consider getting rid of cable, but are hesitant as they don't want to lose great quality programming, especially with the kids being home, and needing to be engaged and entertained. PBS Streaming service has you covered, and will not only entertain your family, but also educate them at the same time. With each and every NATURE, NOVA and American Masters titles I have viewed (with or without my girls), I have walked away with a better understanding about places, animals and important people in history. I have found that PBS dives deeper into a topic than most textbooks or news outlets, and this is what I love, as I always am eager to learn and love how they share content, in an easy to understand and follow along format, that is also enjoyable to watch.
The above mentioned titles are only some of the newest to the PBS Distribution library. Each and every month, they release more titles, all of which are worthy of picking up to enjoy. Many titles can be viewed through the streaming service, as well as rented from Amazon, so you don't have to worry about accumulating so many DVDs to store. However, you choose to enjoy these new releases from PBS Distribution, just know that you will be in for an enjoyable viewing experience, and walk away having been entertained and engaged from start to finish, as well as more knowledgeable as a result. It is hard to say that about many new DVD and digital releases.
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PBS Distribution is a leading distributor of public media content around the world, reaching audiences through multiple platforms and formats including direct-to-consumer subscription video-on-demand (DTC-SVOD), transactional video-on-demand (TVOD), subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) licensing, and physical products on DVD and Blu-ray. In addition, the company operates two Prime Video channels – PBS MASTERPIECE and PBS KIDS – as well as a theatrical releasing division, and educational, non-theatrical, in flight and international licensing businesses.
PBS Distribution offers consumers and educators over 4,000 programming hours of the highest quality factual, scripted and children’s programming, including films from producer Ken Burns, hit dramas from MASTERPIECE, entertaining and educational children’s series and award-winning documentaries from NOVA, FRONTLINE, AMERICAN MASTERS, NATURE, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE and many independent producers. For over 20 years, the company has extended the reach of programming beyond broadcast while generating revenue for the public television system, stations and producers.
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Disclosure: I was sent screeners from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.
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