Happy Holidays — Special Programming Dec. 15 - Dec. 21

Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024

Noon Fusion (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2)
Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2022
With Christmas approaching, the midwives move to their maternity clinic and are delighted when their first patient is a familiar face. Poplar returns to normal after a tragic train crash and everyone unites for a holiday talent show.

1:30 PM Fusion (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2)
Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2023
Two weeks before Christmas, delicate situations cause uncertainty for the midwives. With the upcoming Apollo 8 launch and the celebration preparations starting, a treacherous heavy snowfall may complicate the holiday celebrations for everyone.

5 PM Fusion (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2)
Classic Christmas with the Bach Festival Society: Joyful Sounds
"A Classic Christmas" is a beloved Central Florida tradition. From the beautiful Knowles Memorial Chapel on the campus of Rollins College, the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra, along with guest soloists Mary Wilson and Stephen Mumbert, as well as the Bach Festival Children’s Choir, perform custom arrangements of treasured holiday classics created specifically for this joyous celebration.

6 PM Fusion (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2)
20 Years of Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir
Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell joins The Tabernacle Choir for this two-hour 20th anniversary retrospective with performances from Audra McDonald, Kristin Chenoweth, Gladys Knight, Angela Lansbury, Hugh Bonneville, Renée Fleming and more.

7 PM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
Death in Paradise, Christmas 2022, Part 1
There’s just one case that Selwyn has never solved – and this Christmas it will return to haunt him. As the inhabitants of Saint Marie prepare for the festive season, true-crime podcaster Jennifer Langan is found shot dead. Langan had been investigating the strange disappearance of a nine-year-old boy on Christmas Eve in 1977. When recordings from the night of the murder are uncovered, the team are left with a chilling question. Are supernatural forces at work? And, in the biggest shock of them all, will Neville find love just in time for Christmas?
Monday, Dec. 16, 2024

6 AM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas!
This adventure finds the Cat in the Hat, Nick and Sally on a journey around the world to help a lost reindeer find his way home to Freezeyourknees Snowland in time for Christmas. On the way, the Thingamajigger breaks down and they depend on a variety of animals to help them make an amazing journey home.
Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024

10:30 AM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
Wild Kratts: A Creature Christmas
It is Christmas time and the Wild Kratts are taking a break from creature adventuring to celebrate. However, when they receive an alert that their favorite creatures are suddenly disappearing around the globe, their holiday party quickly turns into a rescue mission. Our heroes must race against time to thwart their greedy archrivals' most miserly scheme yet! Will they be able to travel to the ends of the earth and return their baby animal friends to their homes in time for the holidays?

8 PM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
Joy — Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir
The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square join Broadway’s Michael Maliakel and Lesley Nicol of DOWNTON ABBEY for this spirited, heartwarming Christmas special. Filmed before a live audience in Salt Lake City, JOY will lift your spirits with stirring renditions of classic and popular Christmas music and a true story about French novelist, poet and dramatist, Victor Hugo at Christmastime.

9 PM Fusion (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2)
A Classic Christmas with the Bach Festival Society: Joyful Sounds
"A Classic Christmas" is a beloved Central Florida tradition. From the beautiful Knowles Memorial Chapel on the campus of Rollins College, the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra, along with guest soloists Mary Wilson and Stephen Mumbert, as well as the Bach Festival Children’s Choir, perform custom arrangements of treasured holiday classics created specifically for this joyous celebration.

9:30 PM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
Too Hot to Handel — The Gospel Messiah
Handel’s 18th-century masterpiece, “The Messiah,” has been reimagined and infused with Gospel, Jazz, and R&B. The result is an uplifting reinterpretation of this seasonal favorite, captured at its European premiere at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

10 PM Fusion (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2)
Celebrate & Sing! Glory to the Newborn King!
This spectacular Christmas concert of secular and sacred music is under the direction of Steven R. Jobman and performed by the church’s renowned 150-voice Sanctuary Choir, orchestra and organist/artist-in-residence Bradley Hunter Welch. The program also features hand bells, bagpipes, jazz ensemble and soloists.
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024

1 AM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
Joy — Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir
The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square join Broadway’s Michael Maliakel and Lesley Nicol of DOWNTON ABBEY for this spirited, heartwarming Christmas special. Filmed before a live audience in Salt Lake City, JOY will lift your spirits with stirring renditions of classic and popular Christmas music and a true story about French novelist, poet and dramatist, Victor Hugo at Christmastime.

2:30 AM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
Too Hot to Handel — The Gospel Messiah
Handel’s 18th-century masterpiece, “The Messiah,” has been reimagined and infused with Gospel, Jazz, and R&B. The result is an uplifting reinterpretation of this seasonal favorite, captured at its European premiere at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

7:30 AM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
Peg + Cat + Holidays
This is a special holiday episode of PEG + CAT featuring "The Christmas Problem," "The Hanukkah Problem" and "The Penguin Problem." This series is designed to engage preschool children and teach them how to solve math-based problems with Peg, a chatty and tenacious five-year-old; her feline pal, Cat; and her smart, handsome, cool friend Ramone.

7 PM Fusion (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2)
The Chardon Polka Band’s Holiday Extravaganza
This hour-long, toe-tapping special highlights the band’s own polka arrangements of holiday favorites and features musicians from across the globe to deliver a musical variety of hometown holiday charm and humor that’s perfect for the season. Guests include Brave Combo, a Grammy-winning polka band from Texas; Delfeayo Marsalis, the jazz icon from New Orleans, Louisiana; and Pomplamoose, a viral independent duo, among others.

9 PM Fusion (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2)
Death in Paradise, Christmas 2022, Part 1
There’s just one case that Selwyn has never solved – and this Christmas it will return to haunt him. As the inhabitants of Saint Marie prepare for the festive season, true-crime podcaster Jennifer Langan is found shot dead. Langan had been investigating the strange disappearance of a nine-year-old boy on Christmas Eve in 1977. When recordings from the night of the murder are uncovered, the team are left with a chilling question. Are supernatural forces at work? And, in the biggest shock of them all, will Neville find love just in time for Christmas?
Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024

12:30 PM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
Nature Cat: A Nature Carol
In the tradition of the Dickens holiday classic, Nature Cat is visited by the spirits of Nature Past (Daisy), Present (Squeeks) and Future (Hal) on Christmas Eve.

5 PM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas
This irreverent documentary tells the story of the unlikely Jewish immigrants who, enamored with Broadway and Hollywood, wrote some of the most popular songs in America: Christmas music. The doc features rarely-seen archival footage, musical performances and interviews.

7 PM Fusion (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2)
Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas
This irreverent documentary tells the story of the unlikely Jewish immigrants who, enamored with Broadway and Hollywood, wrote some of the most popular songs in America: Christmas music. The doc features rarely-seen archival footage, musical performances and interviews.

8 PM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
Death in Paradise, Christmas 2022, Part 2
There’s just one case that Selwyn has never solved – and this Christmas it will return to haunt him. As the inhabitants of Saint Marie prepare for the festive season, true-crime podcaster Jennifer Langan is found shot dead. Langan had been investigating the strange disappearance of a nine-year-old boy on Christmas Eve in 1977. When recordings from the night of the murder are uncovered, the team are left with a chilling question. Are supernatural forces at work? And, in the biggest shock of them all, will Neville find love just in time for Christmas?

10 PM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
The American St. Nick
Occupied by German forces for four years, the town of Wiltz, Luxembourg, was subject to the whims of Nazi leadership: streets were renamed, the native language was banned, religious freedoms were curtailed and Saint Nicolas Day was outlawed. This documentary chronicles a day at the height of the war when the battle-weary 28th Infantry Division of the American Army returned hope and joy to the children and people of this war-torn town. An emotional and heartfelt story, this WWII documentary illustrates how the American soldiers and townspeople were able to bond over a moment in time, creating a tradition that continues to this day.
Friday, Dec. 20, 2024

1 AM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
Death in Paradise, Christmas 2022, Part 2
There’s just one case that Selwyn has never solved – and this Christmas it will return to haunt him. As the inhabitants of Saint Marie prepare for the festive season, true-crime podcaster Jennifer Langan is found shot dead. Langan had been investigating the strange disappearance of a nine-year-old boy on Christmas Eve in 1977. When recordings from the night of the murder are uncovered, the team are left with a chilling question. Are supernatural forces at work? And, in the biggest shock of them all, will Neville find love just in time for Christmas?

3 AM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
The American St. Nick
Occupied by German forces for four years, the town of Wiltz, Luxembourg, was subject to the whims of Nazi leadership: streets were renamed, the native language was banned, religious freedoms were curtailed and Saint Nicolas Day was outlawed. This documentary chronicles a day at the height of the war when the battle-weary 28th Infantry Division of the American Army returned hope and joy to the children and people of this war-torn town. An emotional and heartfelt story, this WWII documentary illustrates how the American soldiers and townspeople were able to bond over a moment in time, creating a tradition that continues to this day.

9 AM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
Arthur’s Perfect Christmas
Plans are underway in Elwood City for the best holidays ever as Arthur, D.W., their family and friends make preparations for perfect gifts, perfect parties and perfect family traditions for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and even "Baxter Day" (Buster and his mom's special celebration). The only problem is, just like in real life, perfection is hard to attain, and things start to fall apart.

8 PM Fusion (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2)
Anthony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker
This celebration of multi-cultural communities puts a modern spin on the 19th-century fairy tale and transports viewers to an enchanted world not unlike their own. Drawing upon classical ballet, urban tap, hip-hop, swing, flamenco, step and jazz, the performance uniquely retells a Christmas classic.

8:30 PM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
Season of Light: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir
The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square join award-winning artists Lea Salonga and Sir David Suchet for a festive and uplifting Christmas performance. Filmed with a live audience, this concert will illuminate your holiday experience with timeless carols, treasured Christmas songs and a story of heroic service.

9:30 PM Fusion (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2)
Beyond the Stage: The Urban Nutcracker, Community & the Arts*
BEYOND THE STAGE: THE URBAN NUTCRACKER, COMMUNITY & THE ARTS is a half-hour companion piece to the performance program “Anthony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker.” The special features behind-the-scenes footage of the production and commentary on how accessibility and representation in the arts creates community and empowers youth.

10 PM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
The Chardon Polka Band’s Holiday Extravaganza
This hour-long, toe-tapping special highlights the band’s own polka arrangements of holiday favorites and features musicians from across the globe to deliver a musical variety of hometown holiday charm and humor that’s perfect for the season. Guests include Brave Combo, a Grammy-winning polka band from Texas; Delfeayo Marsalis, the jazz icon from New Orleans, Louisiana; and Pomplamoose, a viral independent duo, among others.
Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024

1:30 AM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
Season of Light: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir
The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square join award-winning artists Lea Salonga and Sir David Suchet for a festive and uplifting Christmas performance. Filmed with a live audience, this concert will illuminate your holiday experience with timeless carols, treasured Christmas songs and a story of heroic service.

3 AM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
The Chardon Polka Band’s Holiday Extravaganza
This hour-long, toe-tapping special highlights the band’s own polka arrangements of holiday favorites and features musicians from across the globe to deliver a musical variety of hometown holiday charm and humor that’s perfect for the season. Guests include Brave Combo, a Grammy-winning polka band from Texas; Delfeayo Marsalis, the jazz icon from New Orleans, Louisiana; and Pomplamoose, a viral independent duo, among others.

1:30 PM Fusion (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2)
Spirit of the Season 2024
Celebrate the joy and excitement of the holiday season with musical selections ranging from jazz to classical and pop performed by the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America.

5 PM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
Cultural Expressions: Kwanzaa
This one-hour documentary explores the seven principles that are the foundation of Kwanzaa by sharing seven real-life stories of impact. These stories reveal how each principle plays a role in the Black community, enhanced by cultural elements of dance, storytelling, music, and spoken word.

7 PM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
The Lawrence Welk Show, Christmas (Sandi Griffiths)
Sandi Griffiths hosts this Christmas favorite that opens with the classic "Jingle Bells". Bobby and Elaine dance to "The Carol of the Bells", Joe Feeney's family celebrated "Christmas in Killarney", and Myron Floren, Bobby Burgess and his daughter, Becki dance to "Here Comes Santa Claus". "The Hallelujah Chorus" is the perfect highlight of the show right before the arrival of Santa Claus.

8 PM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914
The Western Front, Christmas, 1914. Out of the violence a silence, then a song. A German soldier steps into No Man’s Land singing “Stille Nacht.” Thus begins an extraordinary night of camaraderie, music, peace. A remarkable true story, told in the words and songs of the men who lived it.

8 PM Fusion (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2)
A Polka Christmas with The Chardon Polka Band
The Chardon Polka Band has a holiday surprise just for you! Enjoy the band’s special, A POLKA CHRISTMAS WITH THE CHARDON POLKA BAND, plus bonus clips featuring performing artists from around the globe. It’s a Chardon Polka Band holiday extravaganza!

8:30 PM Fusion (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2)
The Real Bedford Falls: It’s a Wonderful Life
Explore the connections between Seneca Falls, NY, and Bedford Falls, the fictional setting of the beloved movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

9:30 PM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
Spirit of the Season 2024
Celebrate the joy and excitement of the holiday season with musical selections ranging from jazz to classical and pop performed by the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America.

10 PM PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)
A Polka Christmas with The Chardon Polka Band
The Chardon Polka Band has a holiday surprise just for you! Enjoy the band’s special, A POLKA CHRISTMAS WITH THE CHARDON POLKA BAND, plus bonus clips featuring performing artists from around the globe. It’s a Chardon Polka Band holiday extravaganza!