American Public Television to Bring BBC Studios Content to Syndication for Public Television
Titles available in Fall 2024 include factual programming such as “Schama on Rembrandt: Masterpieces of the Late Years’ and drama series “Ghost Stories”BOSTON, MA (July 9, 2024) – American Public Television (APT) today announced new programming content from BBC Studios that will be offered to the U.S. public television system. Four titles are expected to be offered this summer for broadcast availability in Fall 2024, which will be distributed by APT, the leading syndicator of content to U.S. public TV stations nationwide. The titles will include the six-part drama anthology Ghost Stories, written and directed by Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, Doctor Who); and the documentary series Schama on Rembrandt: Masterpieces of the Late Years hosted by renowned historian Simon Schama.
“APT is committed to sourcing quality series and specials of every genre and interest to offer to public television stations and their audiences,” said Jim Dunford, President and CEO of American Public Television, “We’re proud to work with BBC Studios on these offerings and look forward to our continued partnership.”
Ghost Stories comprises six 30-minute episodes — five direct adaptations and one original inspired by the short stories of British authors M.R. James and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. These adaptations are part of the A Ghost Story for Christmas anthology series that originally aired in the 1970’s and were revived by Emmy® and Peabody Award-winning producer and writer Mark Gatiss, who wrote and directed each installment. Cast members appearing in the episodes include Simon Callow (Outlander), Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who), Sacha Dhawan (The Great), Rory Kinnear (The Diplomat), Jason Watkins (The Crown), and Kit Harington (Game of Thrones).
In Schama on Rembrandt: Masterpieces of the Late Years, historian Simon Schama explores the final works of Rembrandt van Rijn in the years leading up to the Dutch master’s death in 1669. Schama, one of the world’s leading experts on Rembrandt, details the creativity in these works as the artist found a whole new visual language to express the pleasures and pains of growing old. Filmed in Amsterdam, the series captures the atmosphere where Rembrandt lived and worked, offering an intriguing insight into a particularly vivid period in the artist’s oeuvre.
Ghost Stories and Schama on Rembrandt: Masterpieces of the Late Years will air on select public television stations and will be available to stream with the Passport local station member benefit via pbs.org and the PBS App in Fall 2024.
Additional titles being offered are the documentary film Chopin Saved My Life and the sitcom series Up The Women.
About APT:
American Public Television (APT) is the leading syndicator of high-quality, top-rated programming to the nation’s public television stations. Founded in 1961, APT distributes 250 new program titles per year and more than one-third of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles in the U.S. APT’s diverse catalog includes prominent documentaries, performance, dramas, how-to programs, classic movies, children’s series and news and current affairs programs. Doc Martin, Midsomer Murders, America’s Test Kitchen, Rick Steves’ Europe, The Best of the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross, My Life is Murder, Pati’s Mexican Table, Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Television, Legacy List with Matt Paxton, Table for All with Buki Elegbede, Lidia’s Kitchen, Kevin Belton’s New Orleans Kitchen, Lucky Chow, NHK Newsline, BBC News and Biz Kid$ are a sampling of APT’s programs, considered some of the most popular on public television. APT also licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service and distributes Create®TV — featuring the best of public television's lifestyle programming — and WORLD™, public television’s premier news, science and documentary channel. More information at APTonline.org.
Press Contact:
Olivia Wong
APT Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Olivia_Wong(AT)APTonline.org