What to Watch in December

There's a huge amount of worthwhile TV out there nowadays, so it can be hard to choose what to watch. But who better to recommend shows than the person who programs them? Lisa Tipton, WTTW’s Head of Programming and Pledge, constructs the WTTW schedule by searching through offerings from many different sources which include the national PBS network, the BBC, and independent filmmakers to put together a varied and engaging broadcast schedule. Each month, she recommends a few shows that she thinks you should watch.

Find all the ways to watch WTTW here. Many of the below shows are available to stream via the PBS app or will be once they premiere, especially by WTTW Passport members. 

Chicago Works

Tuesday, December 9 at 7:00 pm

Geoffrey Baer explores the "city that works" in his latest special, discovering some of Chicago's unique jobs, from bridge operators to the scoreboard operators at Wrigley Field, the Shedd Aquarium to the Lyric Opera.

Don't miss even more fascinating jobs at wttw.com/works. 

Holiday Programming

It's that time of year, and we have plenty of holiday programming to celebrate, from concerts to cooking to cultural explorations. Particularly exciting this year are a new filmed performance of The Nutcracker from English National Ballet, courtesy of Great Performances, Tuesday, December 16 at 7:00 pm; and Hope of the Season: Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir, the latest in an annual holiday concert by the Tabernacle Choir, this year starring Ruthie Ann Miles and Dennis Haysbert, Monday, December 15 at 7:00 pm.

Find the full list of our holiday programming here. 

American Masters: Starring Dick Van Dyke

Friday, December 12 at 8:00 pm

The day before his 100th birthday, celebrate the life and career of Illinois native Dick Van Dyke, known to generations of audiences for his roles in Bye Bye Birdie, Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, his sitcom, and more. 

Drama and Mystery Holiday Specials

In addition to our other holiday programming, we have several festive holiday specials from some of your favorite shows to help you into the spirit. The two-part Sister Boniface Mysteries: Once Upon a Time airs Saturdays, December 13 and 20, at 7:00 pm. Death in Paradise immediately follows with another two-parter, on Saturdays, December 20 and 27, at 8:00 pm. And an annual tradition continues with the Call the Midwife holiday special on Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25 at 7:00 pm. Check back for a recap of the latter.

Happiness

Sundays beginning December 14 at 7:00 and 7:30 pm

After a failure on Broadway, a director returns to his home town and helps out his mother at the local theater, in this six-part series.

Father Brown Season 12

Saturdays beginning December 27 at 7:00 pm

The twelfth season of the quintessentially English Father Brown finally comes to WTTW at the end of the month, bringing more mysteries for the compassionate cleric to solve.