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What to Watch in February

Lisa Tipton
Marian Anderson singing at her concert at the Lincoln Memorial, April 9, 1939. Photo: Everett Collection Historical / Alamy Stock Photo
Marian Anderson singing at her concert at the Lincoln Memorial, April 9, 1939. Photo: Everett Collection Historical / Alamy Stock Photo

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

American Experience: Voice of Freedom

Monday, February 15 at 9:00 pm and available to stream


Much of our February programming is devoted to celebrating Black History Month. This new American Experience looks back on an iconic moment: when the Black singer Marian Anderson sang from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, after being denied the ability to perform at Constitution Hall by the Daughters of the American Revolution. 

The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song

Tuesday, February 16 and Wednesday, February 17, at 9:00 pm and available to stream


Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is back again with another sweeping yet intimate documentary about African American history, this time focusing on the 400-year history of the Black church. Not only has the Black church served as a site for organizing, autonomy, freedom, and community, it has also had a disproportionate impact on culture, not least via gospel music.

400 Years: Taking The Knee

Thursday, February 18 at 9:00 pm

Take another journey through four centuries of history, this time joining writer and BBC radio presenter Dotun Adebayo as he narrates the stories of Black resistors from an early Jamaican national hero to Colin Kaepernick.

Independent Lens: Mr. SOUL!

Monday, February 22 at 10:00 pm 


Public television has been the home of many extraordinary shows over the years, including SOUL!, which highlighted Black literature, politics, music, and more beginning in 1968. Meet the man behind the show, Ellis Haizlip.