Pasadena, CA – PBS announced today, at the Television Critic’s Association Press Tour, PBS Summer of Adventure, six new limited series that take viewers to some of the world’s most amazing places and cultures. This strong lineup of history, science and natural history programming kicks off the summer schedule with THE STORY OF CHINA, an exploration of China’s 4,000-year history, featuring Michael Wood and BIG PACIFIC (w.t.), which reveals the Pacific Ocean’s most guarded secrets with footage from some of the best cinematographers from around the globe.

PBS Summer of Adventure explores some of the world’s wildest and most threatened places with RARE, following National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore as he documents species at risk of extinction. WEEKEND IN HAVANA (w.t.) accompanies Geoffrey Baer on a walking tour through Cuba, meeting singers, dancers, chefs and more in Havana, with a focus on the people, architecture, culture and history of the country just opened to Americans. Filmed in real time, GREAT YELLOWSTONE THAW, a BBC co-production, showcases the stories of four different animal families as they attempt to survive the toughest spring on Earth.

“PBS brings your family on an around the world adventure this summer, letting them discover new topics in history, science and nature,” said Beth Hoppe, PBS Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming. “We’re excited to continue bringing compelling wildlife stories to our viewers.”

Adding to the rich pipeline of programs, the award-winning PBS Digital Studios network on YouTube will continue to showcase the weird and wonderful world of science with series such as “It’s Okay to Be Smart,” “Gross Science,” “BrainCraft,” “Space Time,” “Physics Girl,” “Deep Look,” “Global Weirding” and “Crash Course Physics.”

Below is a look at PBS’ summer primetime programming:
THE STORY OF CHINA
THE STORY OF CHINA explores the history of the world’s oldest continuous state, from the ancient past to the present day. Home to more than a billion people, China is the new superpower. To understand it is to know its history. Travelling across the vast country, Michael Wood explores the landscapes, peoples, stories and cultures that have helped create China’s distinctive character and genius for more than 4,000 years.

BIG PACIFIC (w.t.)
Plunge into the Pacific with researchers and cinematographers who display the ocean’s rare and dazzling creatures in a way never before seen on television. Filmed in cinematic 4K, the program breaks the boundaries between land and sea, examining an ocean that covers one-third of the Earth’s surface, holds half of the world’s water and hides the deepest place on the planet.

RARE (w.t.)
Renowned National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore is a natural-born storyteller. RARE (w.t.) tells his story: a quest to document Earth’s species at risk of extinction. His 20-year “Photo Ark” project is the focus of this three-part series, which follows Sartore into the field as he captures rare species on camera — some in the wild, some at zoos. Throughout RARE (w.t.), Sartore interacts with scientists and naturalists who reveal surprising and important information. He has seen first-hand that people will save the things they love. This captivating and visually stunning PBS special reveals why ensuring species’ future matters to us all.

NATURE’S GREAT RACE
Huge groups of animals make some of the most dangerous, demanding and incredible journeys on earth. Now, new tagging technology allows teams to capture these amazing big animal migrations while engaging the audience with individual caribou, zebra and elephant characters whose very lives are at stake.

WEEKEND IN HAVANA (w.t.)
Geoffrey Baer (“10 Places That Changed America”) is the viewer’s guide on a walking tour of Havana, meeting singers, dancers, chefs and more, and focusing on people, architecture, culture and history of the Cuba just opened to Americans.

GREAT YELLOWSTONE THAW
Filmed over the course of two intense months, from deep winter to summer, this series intercuts the stories of four different animal families as they emerge from the cold and take advantage of the great thaw in Yellowstone before escaping the park’s soaring temperatures.

NATURE’S GREAT RACE and GREAT YELLOWSTONE THAW are presented as part of a multi-title co-production deal among PBS, BBC and BBC Worldwide North America. The partnership provides a pipeline of the high-quality, entertaining factual programs that PBS and BBC audiences have come to expect.

About PBS

PBS, with nearly 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 100 million people through television and nearly 33 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12^th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.

For images and additional up-to-date information on the science programming featured in this release, and other PBS programs, visit PBS PressRoom at pbs.org/pressroom.

Press Contacts:

John Michael Kennedy
Goodman Media International for PBS
212-576-2700
PBSProgramming@goodmanmedia.com

Carrie Johnson / Colleen Flanagan
PBS
703-739-5129/703-739-8130
cjohnson@pbs.org; crflanagan@pbs.org