What to Watch in July

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.

A Capitol Fourth

Tuesday, July 4 at 7:00 and 8:32 pm

For more than 40 years, PBS has been helping celebrate the Fourth of July with a broadcast of a concert and fireworks in A Capitol Fourth from outside the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. This year, it's hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and features star performers from numerous genres. 

DI Ray

Sundays beginning July 9 at 9:00 pm

Rachita Ray is promoted but quickly realizes that she is just a token hire, as she investigates the suspected honor killing of a Muslim man over four episodes in this new mystery. 

The whole season is already available to stream by WTTW Passport members.

A Trio of Kennedy Profiles

Fridays beginning July 7 at 8:00 pm

Meet some of the most charismatic political figures of the postwar period in America: John F. Kennedy, his wife Jackie Kennedy Onassis, and his brother Robert F. Kennedy. Each is the subject of a new hour-long documentary airing Fridays in July, all of which are already available to stream by WTTW Passport members. 

Human Footprint

Wednesdays beginning July 5 at 8:00 pm

In this new six-part series, biologist Shane Campbell-Staton travels the world to understand how humans have shaped the planet more than any other species ever has, from our domestication of other species to our construction of cities and enabling of species to move across the globe. 

Puppy School

Mondays beginning July 17 at 9:00 pm

Dogs are a perfect example of humans' impact on the globe, becoming an important companion after their domestication. This series follows three puppies each episode as they are introduced to their owners in the UK and go through training to become well-behaved and an aid and comfort to their owners.