Watch WNED PBS Specials for the very best short series and specials made here at WNED PBS. Building on our mission to “Engage our communities through exploration and entertainment--everywhere.” These highlight unique aspects of life in this region and reflect the spirit of our community.

Shaw Festival 2019 Season Preview

In the spirit of George Bernard Shaw, the Shaw Festival entertains audiences from near and far in picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Their diverse acting ensemble and production company presents a season from April – October, offering up 14 different plays on 3 stages.

This WNED PBS production premiered in April 2019.

 

Visit the 2019 Shaw Festival Season Preview page

TIFF Behind the Festival

TIFF Behind the Festival highlights its CEO Piers Handlings major achievements, explores the growth of TIFF as a film culture organization and the development of this event from its first years to becoming a premier launchpad for Oscar nominated films. TIFF Behind the Festival also examines TIFF's role in supporting Canadian filmmakers and promoting diverse voices through the language of international film. Additionally, the program attempts to answer big questions about the future of cinema in the digital age and the function of TIFF in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

This WNED PBS production premiered November 23, 2018.

Visit the TIFF Behind the Festival page and Watch Online Now

Buffalo's New Education Bargain

The Buffalo Public Schools, the second-largest district in New York, is looking towards the future with a new education reform plan. Spearheaded by Buffalo Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash, this initiative is known as the New Education Bargain, and it aims to deliver an equal and high-quality education, to accelerate academic performance, to strengthen families and communities and to prepare students for the future. The promise is this: if students work hard and parents commit to their child’s education, the Buffalo Schools will guarantee them a path to opportunity, achievement and success.

This WNED PBS production premiered in January 2018.

 

Visit the Buffalo's New Education Bargain page

Chautauqua Spotlight

WBFO’s Brian Meyer sits down with Michael Hill as he begins his inaugural year as the 18th President of Chautauqua Institution. They’ll discuss Hill’s wealth of experience, his vision for the institution, and shine a spotlight on some of the activities and speakers scheduled for the upcoming season.

This WNED PBS production premiered in May 2017.

Visit the Chautauqua Spotlight page

Garden Wisdom For Western New York and Southern Ontario

Hosted by Susan Hunt and geared toward the specific needs of gardeners in Western New York and Southern Ontario, this program offers secrets to planning, cultivating and nurturing your own great gardens and landscapes using time-proven solutions and sustainable practices as well as tips and shortcuts for gardeners of all levels of experience that will save time, money and resources. The production approach of the program focuses on practical, useful information that viewers can easily put to use. It is about getting our hands into the dirt and demonstrating time-tested gardening techniques. Gardening experts from Western New York and Southern Ontario will have you cultivating your own great garden in no time.

This WNED PBS production premiered in March 2016.

 

Making A Difference

The 2016 edition of Making a Difference featuring those who give back in Western New York. Making a Difference was created to capture the stories of true champions who dedicate their time to worthy causes, emphasize the importance of volunteerism and encourage others to step in and lend a helping hand. The program highlights eight individuals in a half-hour television documentary on WNED PBS and with radio reports on WBFO.

This WNED PBS production premiered in February 2016.

 

Visit the Making A Difference Website

The Great Erie County Fair

As the summer peaks in Western New York, the Erie County Fair becomes the talk of the town. For 12 days every August, the fairgrounds in Hamburg draw more than a million visitors to the exhibition halls, animal barns, commercial displays, midway and entertainment arenas. From austere beginnings to its current incarnation as a sometimes colorful, often overwhelming and always fascinating event, the Erie County Fair has become an institution.

The Great Erie County Fair, a WNED PBS original production, celebrates 175 years of tradition and documents all the charm, excitement, stories and competitive spirit that animate the fair.

This WNED PBS production premiered in June 2014.

 

VIDEO EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE TO Buffalo Toronto Public Media PASSPORT MEMBERS

Remembering Crystal Beach Park

For anyone growing up in Western New York and Southern Ontario, Crystal Beach was a staple of summer life. Remembering Crystal Beach Park takes you back through its 101 year history with archive photos and film from private collections. Relive memories of the Canadiana, the Grand Ballroom, the Cyclone, the Comet, the Laff in the Dark, the Magic Carpet, Hall's Suckers, Sugar Puff Waffles and more.

This WNED PBS premiered in September 2008.

 

VIDEO EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE TO Buffalo Toronto Public Media PASSPORT MEMBERS

Your Life, Your Money

Your Life, Your Money empowers young people to get their financial life on track. This upbeat, fast-paced program features real-life stories of young adults navigating a variety of economic challenges. Hosted by charismatic actor Donald Faison (Scrubs, Clueless), the documentary encourages viewers to “give purpose to every penny.” In no-nonsense terms, it delivers basic financial advice on credit, savings, insurance and other important topics. Major national personal finance experts; hip-hop icon Russell Simmons; and R&B/pop singer D.Woods (Danity Kane) add their insight to the issues.

This WNED PBS production premiered on PBS in September 2009.

 

Visit the Your Life, Your Money website
Your Life, Your Money educator resources

Chefs of Toronto

Chefs of Toronto celebrates the cuisine of Canada’s largest city.The program features ten of Toronto’s finest chefs and restaurants through cooking demonstrations right in their own kitchens. Ranging from salads to main courses to desserts, the program captures the talents and diversity of each of the chefs featured.

This WNED PBS production premiered in September 2011.

 

Focus on Education: Student Voices

In education reform, we consistently hear from state and local leaders, school boards and district superintendents on change and student performance. Many times students are not directly asked what their concerns are or the challenges they face in meeting these expectations.

Buffalo Toronto Public Media hosted 42 students from 13 area high schools to discuss their concerns. From these discussions, it was determined that the three most prevalent concerns of the students were personal matters and peer relationships, family and home environment, and existing school support systems. Seven of these students were invited back to the WNED-TV studio to share their stories and insights with classmates, staff and the viewing audience. Program hosts, WBFO News Director, Brian Meyer, and Senior Reporter, Eileen Buckley explore what students are saying about their daily struggles in and out of school.

This WNED PBS production premiered in May 2015.