Emma’s Must-Sees for July 2026

The Artemis II launch in April has got me all excited about space. That’s why I tore through the new series Once Upon a Time In Space that really dives deep into the history of space travel and the cultural forces that drive exploration. If you want to travel a little closer to home, consider the South of France! Passport members get early access to the new season of The Madame Blanc Mysteries this month. And if you want to stay local, there are also new episodes of Check, Please! Bay Area to look forward to.

Stream available programs, and additional PBS shows, from your computer or your Smart TV. And when you become a member, you’ll get access to KQED Passport for extended access to your favorite PBS shows & films, while sustaining public media and the television programming you love.

My friends and coworkers know me as a bit of a Passport fanatic — even in my personal life I’m always enthusiastically trying to get people to sign up for the fantastic membership benefit. And this month Passport members get a truly special perk: early access to the new season of The Madame Blanc Mysteries, ahead of the broadcast premiere in late August. Following ex-pat antiques dealer Jean White as she solves crimes in the South of France, this show is the perfect companion to afternoon chores or a cozy night in. Season three brings plenty of fun new mysteries, charming characters and playful banter. Catching the new episodes early is a great excuse to activate Passport and try out the PBS App.

Binge the whole season early with KQED Passport on the PBS App on July 1. Premieres on PLUS Monday August 31 at 7pm.

I was really struck by the sound design of this beautiful nature documentary about the wildlife around the Colorado river. The cinematography was certainly breathtaking, but it was just as captivating to listen to the crack of an egg hatching, the haunting cry of an elk, or the alien sounds of a salmonfly shedding its exoskeleton. It was these moments, alongside the powerful narration by Quannah Chasinghorse, that made it so easy to get personally invested in the creatures showcased in the program. I was on the edge of my seat cheering for an adolescent condor learning to fly like I was watching a World Cup match. The American Southwest is an intimate portrait of one of America’s largest rivers — it’s sure to suck you in right away.

Airs on KQED 9 Wednesday July 8 at 10pm. Stream for free on the PBS App the same day.

In a film course in college my professor asked us at the end of the semester what our favorite movie had been from the class, and almost all of us said Singin’ in the Rain. I think that speaks to the universal appeal of this musical — even for people who don’t like musicals! The story feels fresh and timeless and I find it endlessly charming. Sometimes I’ll watch the “Make ’Em Laugh” sequence when I need a pick me up. The physical comedy in it always puts a smile on my face. I think this is the perfect pick for a family movie night: it’s sure to appeal to almost everyone, young and old, and it’s always great to revisit a true Hollywood classic.

Airs on KQED 9 on Saturday July 11 at 8pm.

My wonderful high school astronomy teacher really instilled in me a sense of wonder about the cosmic universe that I’ve carried with me since then. PBS’s “Summer of Space” lineup has really resparked my passion and curiosity about outer space and beyond. In particular, I’ve really enjoyed Once Upon a Time in Space, a new documentary series about the history and future of space travel. It provides fascinating social and political context behind the space race. It serves as a clear reminder that science and discovery have always been entangled with messy human biases and prejudices. But at the same time, it never loses its sense of wonder about space travel — something that brought me right back to my high school astronomy classroom.

Airs on KQED 9 starting Tuesday July 14 at 9pm. Will also encore on KQED 9 starting Wednesday July 15 at 10pm. Stream for free on the PBS App the same day.

If you enjoyed the KQED Presents program Wired for Connection last month, I highly recommend this new documentary from POV about a dating coach in China. They make wonderful companion pieces, with Wired for Connection taking a more sociological approach to examining loneliness and “The Dating Game” going deep into the psychology of lonely men looking to find love in China. The program follows a group of three men taking a week-long intensive camp from a sought after dating coach. It was especially fascinating to see how the coach evolved over the course of the film, especially as a result of conversations with his wife who is a dating coach herself. Director Violet Du Feng really puts you into these men’s heads, unafraid to show their tender and vulnerable sides. 

Airs on KQED 9 on Monday July 20 at 10pm and on PLUS on Thursday July 23 at 11pm. Stream for free on the PBS App the same day.

Even as someone who grew up with Napa just north of me, I’m still woefully ignorant about wine or where to take guests when they visit. Luckily, Check Please! returns this month with a special episode focused on wine country, visiting delicious looking eateries in Sebastopol, Sonoma County and Napa. I love trying out new places but often get overwhelmed by the options — and sometimes it’s hard to tell what is artificial hype and what’s a genuine recommendation. That’s why I appreciate the thorough evaluations Check, Please! guests provide and I constantly use it as a reference when picking a spot. Now I have a handy list of wine country restaurants to go to next time I’m hosting someone from out of town.

Airs on KQED 9 starting Thursday July 23 at 7:30pm. Stream for free on the PBS App the same day.

Spurred by the spectacle of a circus tent outside his Oakland apartment, a disabled filmmaker launches into a meditative journey exploring the history of freakdom, vision, and (in)visibility.

Airs on PLUS Monday July 2 at 10:30pm.

Kick off the historic 250th Anniversary weekend celebration the night of July 3rd from the U.S. Capitol with a front-row seat to the nation’s biggest birthday party!

Airs on KQED 9 Friday July 3 at 8pm and 9:30pm. Stream for free on the PBS App.

A recorded live performance of Snap Judgment Unplugged during KQED Fest 2026, featuring acclaimed storyteller Glynn Washington. Enjoy a show rooted in personal narrative and Bay Area culture.

Airs on KQED 9 Tuesday July 7 at 7pm and on PLUS Sunday July 12 at 7pm. Stream for free on the PBS App the same day.

Martin Shaw stars as Inspector George Gently, an incorruptible cop transplanted from London to the North East of England in the mid-1960s. Based on the novels written by Alan Hunter.

Airs on PLUS starting Tuesday July 21 at 9:45pm. Stream the whole series with KQED Passport on the PBS App now.

Explore the early days of the space race, the struggle to catch up with the Soviet Union and the enormous stakes in the quest to reach the moon.

Airs on KQED 9 Friday July 24 at 8pm.

Narrated and hosted by the late actor Graham Greene, this series brings to life the events that would culminate in the American Revolution.

The whole series airs on PLUS Sunday July 26 at 8pm. Stream it early with KQED Passport on the PBS App starting July 1.

Looking for more programs to watch? Find our past recommendations:

June 2026
May 2026
April 2026
March 2026
February 2026
January 2026
December 2025
November 2025
October 2025
September 2025
August 2025
July 2025
June 2025
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