Presidential Programming from American Masters, Ken Burns and more

As the November election approaches and our country prepares for its 47th presidency, take an in-depth look at the history of American administrations. Through interviews, articles and more, these documentaries explore the lives and presidential terms of some of America’s prominent leaders.

You can also now stream The Choice 2024: Harris vs. Trump, which premiered in September, or tune in on Monday, November 4, at 9pm on CET. This annual special from FRONTLINE returns to investigate the lives and characters of the current presidential candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Watch it now on the PBS App.  https://watch.cetconnect.org/video/the-choice-2024-harris-vs-trump-kn5v3p/.

American Masters: The Presidents – Reagan

In 1988, after two terms in office, Ronald Reagan left the White House one of the most popular presidents of the 20th century – and one of the most controversial. A failed actor, Reagan became a passionate ideologue who preached a simple gospel of lower taxes, less government and anti-communism. Watch the two-part documentary now on the PBS App:

Part 1: https://watch.cetconnect.org/video/american-experience-presidents-reagan/.
Part 2: https://watch.cetconnect.org/video/the-presidents-reagan-part-2-a5cbtb/.

American Masters: The Presidents – LBJ

Sworn in after the assassination of JFK, Lyndon Johnson pushed progressive programs like the Civil Rights Act through Congress and won a term as president before the Vietnam War eroded his support. In this two-part documentary, follow LBJ from his roots in rural Texas to his sudden ascendancy to the presidency following the assassination of JFK. Watch it now with CET Passport:

Part 1: https://watch.cetconnect.org/video/american-experience-the-presidents-lbj/.
Part 2: https://watch.cetconnect.org/video/the-presidents-lbj-part-2-q1wz1z/.

Ken Burns: Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson is a two-part portrait of our enigmatic and brilliant third president. Thomas Jefferson embodies within his own life the most profound contradictions of American history: as the author of the Declaration of Independence, he gave voice to our fervent desire for freedom, but he also owned more than 150 slaves and never saw fit to free them. Watch it now with CET Passport: https://watch.cetconnect.org/show/thomas-jefferson/.

Ken Burns: The Roosevelts – An Intimate History

The Roosevelts: An Intimate History chronicles the lives of Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, three members of the most prominent and influential family in American politics.

This seven-part documentary from Ken Burns marks the first time their individual stories have been woven into a single narrative. Stream the series now with CET Passport: https://watch.cetconnect.org/show/roosevelts/.

A President at the Crossroads

He was a man living in two worlds. He was a witness to both the extremes of wealth and poverty in the Gilded Age and the unbridled promise of the Modern Era. He dreamed of a world where men shared the same civil rights regardless of color, but was challenged at every pass. Above all else, Benjamin Harrison was America’s Hoosier President. Watch it now on the PBS App: https://watch.cetconnect.org/video/a-president-at-the-crossroads-wixwh4/.

Coolidge: Rediscovering an American President

The 30th president of the United States, serving from 1923 to 1929, Calvin Coolidge came to office upon the sudden death of President Harding. He led the nation through the Roaring 20s and managed to spend some time in the Rushmore State. A century after taking the oath of office, examine the presidency of Calvin Coolidge in this documentary from South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Watch it now on the PBS App: https://watch.cetconnect.org/video/coolidge-rediscovering-an-american-president-efteef/.

Secrets of the Dead: JFK & LBJ – A Time for Greatness

In many ways, President Lyndon B. Johnson was the most unlikely champion of Civil Rights. But his actions in the White House told a different story when he dared to champion two laws that changed America and the world — the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Watch it now with CET Passport: https://watch.cetconnect.org/video/secrets-dead-jfk-lbj-a-time-greatness/.