Honestly, trying to pin down a universal pbs schedule for today is a bit of a trap. Most people don't realize that PBS isn't like a standard cable network where the same show airs at the exact same minute from Maine to California. It's a massive cooperative of over 330 member stations. This means while the "National" feed exists, your local station—whether it’s WETA in D.C., KCET in L.A., or Iowa PBS—has the final say. They tweak, shuffle, and sometimes completely swap programs to fit their local audience.
But don't worry. We can look at the "National" Tuesday lineup for January 13, 2026, which most major stations follow for their primetime block.
What’s On Tonight: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Tonight is a big night for fans of history and genealogy. If you’re looking for the heavy hitters, Tuesday nights on PBS are historically anchored by two things: Finding Your Roots and a rotating slot of high-end documentaries or investigative series.
Primetime Highlights
The national schedule for this Tuesday evening is actually pretty stellar if you're into deep-dive storytelling. Here is what is hitting the airwaves across most of the country:
- 8:00 PM ET – Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: This is Season 12, Episode 2, titled "Great Migrations." It’s a fascinating one. Dr. Gates sits down with rapper Wiz Khalifa and actress Sanaa Lathan. They’re tracing ancestors who moved North during the Great Migration, looking for better lives. It’s gritty, emotional, and very personal.
- 9:00 PM ET – Lucy Worsley Investigates: This slot is currently featuring the "William the Conqueror" episode. If you’ve seen Lucy Worsley before, you know she doesn't just talk at the camera; she practically lives in the era. She's digging into how the brutal 1066 invasion fundamentally broke and then rebuilt England.
- 10:00 PM ET – Secrets of the Dead: Many stations are airing "World War Speed" in this late-night slot. It looks at how amphetamines were used by both the Allied and Axis powers to keep soldiers moving. It's one of those "wait, they really did that?" kind of history lessons.
The PBS Kids Morning Block
For the parents and early risers, the pbs schedule for today during the daylight hours is basically a well-oiled machine of educational staples. While evening times vary wildly, the morning "Kids Block" is usually pretty consistent.
Most stations start the "curriculum-based" stuff around 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM. Today's lineup includes Wild Kratts (the "Elephant Brains!" episode is a common Tuesday morning run), followed by the newer hit Lyla in the Loop. One thing to keep an eye out for is Sesame Street at 9:00 AM—today’s episode is "Tamir’s Art Show," which is great for teaching kids about patience and process.
Typical Daytime Order (Check Local for Exact Minutes)
- Wild Kratts – 6:00 AM or 7:30 AM
- Lyla in the Loop – 8:00 AM
- Carl the Collector – 8:30 AM (This is the first PBS show with an autistic lead character, and it's fantastic).
- Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood – 9:30 AM
- Rosie’s Rules – 10:00 AM
Why Your ZIP Code Changes Everything
You've probably noticed that if you live in New York, your PBS News Hour might air at 6:00 PM, but if you’re in a rural part of the Midwest, it might be at 7:00 PM or even delayed for local farm reports.
Basically, PBS is the only "network" that lets its local owners be the boss. Your local station might decide to air a 2-hour pledge drive featuring a Yanni concert right in the middle of Finding Your Roots. It’s frustrating, sure, but it’s how they keep the lights on.
🔗 Read more: Are Matt and Chelsi Still Together? What Really Happened After the Cameras Stopped Rolling
If you are watching via an antenna, you might also have "sub-channels." These are the extra numbers like 13.2 or 21.3. Usually, these carry PBS Kids 24/7, CREATE TV (the cooking and crafting channel), or WORLD Channel (news and documentaries). If today's main schedule doesn't have what you want, those sub-channels almost always do.
How to Stream if You Miss the Broadcast
If the pbs schedule for today doesn't align with your dinner plans, you aren't stuck. The PBS App is actually one of the better-designed free streaming apps out there. Most of the shows airing tonight—especially Finding Your Roots—become available to stream for free on the app almost as soon as they start airing on the East Coast.
🔗 Read more: House of the Dead 2003 Movie Explained: Why It’s Actually a Masterpiece of Chaos
There is a catch: The free window usually only lasts for a few weeks. After that, they move the episodes behind the "Passport" wall. If you’re a member (usually by donating about $5 a month), you get the whole archive. Honestly, it’s a steal compared to what Netflix or Max costs these days.
Pro-Tips for Finding Today's Times:
- The "My Station" Tool: Go to PBS.org and it will usually geolocate you. If it doesn't, type in your ZIP code at the top right. It will immediately give you a grid that is 100% accurate for your specific tower.
- YouTube TV: If you use YouTube TV, the "Live" tab has the PBS local feed synced perfectly.
- The "Red" Button: If you have a smart TV, sometimes the PBS app has a "Live TV" button that mimics the broadcast schedule.
To get the most out of tonight, jump on the PBS website right now and enter your ZIP code to confirm if Finding Your Roots starts at 8:00 PM or if your local station is doing a special "Local Legends" feature instead. If you missed the morning kids' shows, most of those episodes are already uploaded to the PBS Kids Video app for on-demand viewing.
✨ Don't miss: Why Monarch of the Glen Episodes Still Feel Like a Warm Hug 20 Years Later
Next Steps: Open your browser and head to the PBS Station Finder to lock in your local station. If you're planning to watch the Henry Louis Gates episode, make sure to check if your station is running the new Season 12 or an older repeat, as some smaller markets delay the premiere episodes.