What to Watch in February

There's a huge amount of worthwhile TV out there nowadays, so it can be hard to choose what to watch. But who better to recommend shows than the person who programs them? Lisa Tipton, WTTW’s Head of Programming and Pledge, constructs the WTTW schedule by searching through offerings from many different sources which include the national PBS network, the BBC, and independent filmmakers to put together a varied and engaging broadcast schedule. Each month, she’ll recommend a few shows that she thinks you should watch.

Find all the ways to watch WTTW here. Many of the below shows are available to stream or will be once they premiere.

New Shows for Kids

Seven-year-old Lyla stars alongside her fantastic sidekick Stu in the new kids' show Lyla in the Loop, which joins our kids' lineup weekday mornings beginning February 5 at 8:00 am. Pinkalicious & Peterrific isn't a new show, but it does have a new one-hour special called Cupid Calls It Quits for Valentine's Day that's airing throughout the month.

Viewer’s Choice

Sunday, February 11 beginning at 2:00 pm

For the past month, we've been asking you to vote on your favorite WTTW show, and you still can until February 4. The winner and runner-up of that Viewer's Choice Bowl will air on Sunday, February 11 beginning at 2:00 pm, the same day that our Sunday night shows Miss Scarlet and the Duke and Funny Woman air their finales, at 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm, respectively. The season finale of All Creatures Great and Small comes a week later, on Sunday, February 18 at 8:00 pm.

Gospel 

Monday, February 12 and Tuesday, February 13 at 8:00 pm

The great Henry Louis Gates, Jr. has already examined the Black church in America; now he turns his attention to gospel. Chicago is the birthplace of gospel music, as a Chicago Stories documentary has shown, and we're bringing back that documentary on Monday, February 5 at 9:00 pm. (It's also available to stream.) Dr. Gates further celebrates his new program with the concert Gospel Live! on Friday, February 9 at 8:00 pm. 

Nova: Building the Eiffel Tower

Wednesday, February 14 at 8:00 pm 

Although it has been far surpassed as the tallest structure in the world, the Eiffel Tower is still one of the most recognizable of icons. NOVA takes a look at its remarkable engineering and construction.

FIRSTHAND: Homeless

Monday, February 19

In WTTW's sixth year of the digital series FIRSTHAND, we turn to the challenges facing unhoused people, examining the issue through the firsthand perspective of five subjects, as well as expert talks, journalism, and more. The new initiative launches on February 19 at wttw.com/firsthand, where you can also explore the previous topics.

American Experience: Fly with Me

Tuesday, February 20 at 8:00 pm 

Airline stewardesses faced a lot in the first decades of being allowed to work on planes. This American Experience documentary shows how they helped fight for equal opportunity for women in the workplace.