What to Watch in September

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.

You can also now watch all of WTTW's programming via live stream 24/7 at wttw.com/live.

Chicago Tonight: Voices

Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices airs and is available to stream Saturdays at 6:00 pm beginning September 12

Chicago Tonight: Black Voices airs and is available to stream Sundays at 6:00 pm beginning September 13

These two new programs will feature Chicago Tonight's signature blend of analysis and features, on topics important to Chicago's Black and Latino communities—but the shows are still of interest to all Chicagoans. Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices is hosted by WTTW News Director Hugo Balta, while Chicago Tonight: Black Voices is headed by Chicago Tonight's Brandis Friedman. Plus, every month WTTW will host Community Conversations (currently occuring virtually) to hear from the public about issues raised in Chicago Tonight: Voices.

Hear Friedman and Balta discuss the new programs. 

Van der Valk

Sundays at 8:00 pm beginning September 13, and available to stream

Our viewers love mysteries, so we're excited to have a new one from Masterpiece! Van der Valk is a three-part series following detective Piet van der Valk as he investigates complex cases in Amsterdam. If you already miss Endeavour or Grantchester, here's another drama to scratch that itch.

Voces: Building the American Dream 

Tuesday, September 15 at 10:00 pm and available to stream

As a building boom sweeps Texas, the construction industry is expanding—but much of its success is built on the backs of immigrant workers who have little or no rights. This documentary explores the efforts of Latino laborers to fight for equality and justice. 

Islands of Wonder

Wednesdays beginning September 16 at 8:00 pm and available to stream

Madagascar, Borneo, Hawaii: it may not be feasible for you to travel right now, but then you would almost certainly never get the tour of these islands that you can get through Islands of Wonder. Extraordinary wildlife, unique communities, and more can be found in these isolated places. 

Frontline: The Choice 2020: Trump vs. Biden

Tuesday, September 22 at 9:00 pm and available to stream

This is an election-year tradition for Frontline: narrating the biographies of the two major party candidates for president in the hope that viewers can get a sense of the character and approach of each before choosing who to vote for. In this unprecedented year, it's an especially important election. 

Michael Kirk, the producer of The Choice 2020 and numerous other Frontline political documentaries, spoke to WTTW about the significance of this version of The Choice.