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Two New Environmental Programs 'Planet California' and 'Off the Beaten Path' Debut on PBS SoCal and KCET in June

KCET's Val Zavala returns to narrate documentary on her home state.
May 24, 2022
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Press Contact

Allison Gray
agray@pmgsocal.org
747.201.5298

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Rock Creek, located in the Eastern Sierras, as featured in PLANET CALIFORNIA’s “Rivers of Gold” (Photo Courtesy of PBS). The Trona Pinnacles as featured in OFF THE BEATEN PATH (Photo Courtesy of PBS SoCal). Download.

pbssocal.org/planetcalifornia + kcet.org/planetcalifornia

pbssocal.org/offthebeatenpath + kcet.org/offthebeatenpath

Select programming will also be available to stream on PBS.org and the free PBS App. Members of PBS SoCal | KCET get extended access through PBS Passport.

Los Angeles, Calif. – May 24, 2022 – PBS SoCal and KCET, Southern California’s flagship PBS organizations for new PBS program premieres as well as award-winning, original content, announced the June debut of two new environmental shows PLANET CALIFORNIA and OFF THE BEATEN PATH, highlighting the stations’ commitment to providing a robust library of content on multiple platforms intended to honor the planet and inspire positive change.

PBS SoCal’s nature-themed Wednesday night lineup will debut the first of two parts of the documentary PLANET CALIFORNIA, celebrating California’s wildlife and wild place, and their coexistence with the 40 million people who call it home. The documentary will air nationwide on PBS stations across the country and is narrated by Val Zavala, multi-Emmy® award-winning journalist and former host of KCET’s SOCAL CONNECTED. Bounded by mountains, deserts and the Pacific Ocean, the documentary showcases iconic wild places like Yosemite National Park and Death Valley, as well as Baja California’s lesser-known wild beauty. PLANET CALIFORNIA premieres Wed., June 22 at 10 p.m. PT on PBS SoCal and Sun., June 26 on KCET at 8 p.m. on KCET.

Then on Sun., June 26 at 7 p.m. PT on KCET, viewers can catch the premiere of OFF THE BEATEN PATH. The original series features the beauty, danger and endless wonder of Southern California’s environments, and how unseen forces shape the lives of its residents now and in the future.

Episodes will telecast as follows (*subject to change):

PLANET CALIFORNIA “Rivers of Gold” - Wed., June 22 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal + Sun., June 26 at 8 p.m. on KCET

From whales to cougars, California’s wildlife adjusts to a changing world connected by rivers on land, sea and sky.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH “Salton Secrets” – Sun., June 26 at 7 p.m. on KCET + Wed., June 29 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal

The mysteries of the Salton Sea include shipwrecks, gold and a link to earthquakes.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH “Sharks, Sea Lions and Sightseers” - Sun., June 26 at 7:30 p.m. on KCET + Wed., June 29 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal

Two decades of successful conservation efforts have made the pristine shores of La Jolla an ideal home for sea lions and seals, attracting sharks and sightseers.

PLANET CALIFORNIA “Close Encounters” - Wed., June 29 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal + Sun., July 3 at 8 p.m. on KCET

Hollywood may captivate, but California’s real stars - its wild creatures — are ready for their close-up.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH “The California Super Flood” – Sun., July 3 at 7 p.m. on KCET + Wed., July 6 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal

In 1862 it started to rain and did not stop for 43 days. Southern California’s history and environment were forever changed. Even with the drought, experts say it can happen again.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH “Hidden Hot Springs” - Sun., July 3 at 7:30 p.m. on KCET + Wed., July 6 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal

Unbeknownst to many, the Los Angeles Basin was once filled with thermal springs. Explore the scientific, botanical, and cultural history of these geological marvels.

Join the conversation on social media: #PlanetCalifornia and #OffTheBeatenPath @PBSSoCal @KCET

About PBS SoCal and KCET

PBS SoCal and KCET are both part of the donor-supported community institution, the Public Media Group of Southern California. PBS SoCal is the flagship PBS station for diverse people across California and delivers content and experiences that inspire, inform and educate. PBS SoCal offers the full slate of beloved PBS programs including MASTERPIECE, NOVA, PBS NewsHour, FRONTLINE, and a broad library of documentary films with works from Ken Burns; as well as educational content including PBS KIDS programs like DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD and CURIOUS GEORGE. KCET showcases the best of PBS and is a leading source for arts, culture, and news in Southern California. Through innovative storytelling, KCET explores and expresses our dynamic local communities helping residents understand and connect with the region's diverse communities and ideas. For additional information about both KCET and PBS SoCal productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org and pbssocal.org KCET Originals and PBS programming are available to stream on the FREE PBS App on iOS and Android devices, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, and Chromecast. KCET is also available to watch live on YouTube TV.

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