PBS News to Launch New Weekend Programming for Broadcast and Streaming Audiences

Arlington, VA (December 15, 2025) — PBS News senior executive producer Sara Just today announced the January 2026 debut of two new 30-minute weekend programs – “Horizons from PBS News,” which will focus on science, health, and technology and will be hosted by William Brangham, and “Compass Points from PBS News,” which will focus on foreign affairs and be hosted by Nick Schifrin. In addition to airing nationally on PBS stations, in the time slots previously held by PBS News Weekend, these programs will also be streamed online and distributed as video podcasts across PBS News’ digital, podcast and social platforms.

“As we lay out the next chapter of PBS News’ multi-platform programming, we are delighted to launch two new weekend broadcasts, both of which will build on existing editorial strengths of our newsroom and allow us to dive deeper into topics our audiences care about deeply,” said Just, who will serve as senior executive producer of these programs and is a WETA SVP. “As we have found with the success of Washington Week with The Atlantic, there is a growing and hungry audience for deep, nuanced conversations with knowledgeable guests that help shed light on critical issues and are a welcome break from some of the bite-sized, headline-grabbing news that proliferates so much these days.”

Horizons will feature experts and professionals in the world of science, health, technology, and the environment, and will dive into a single issue each week, such as the Artificial Intelligence race, advances in medicine, and the latest developments in climate science. Horizons will be hosted by Peabody and Emmy award-winning journalist and PBS News Hour correspondent William Brangham and will be executive produced by Talesha Reynolds, who also serves as senior producer of content and special projects for PBS News Hour. The program will premiere Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 6:00 pm E.T. and air weekly.

Compass Points will take an all-encompassing look at a prominent international topic each week and will provide timely analysis with a panel of experts, including former government officials and journalists, on issues such as America’s power and influence abroad, the shifting world order under the Trump Administration, and what global conflicts and rising tensions could mean for America’s interests. Compass Points will be hosted by Peabody and duPont-Columbia award-winning journalist and PBS News Hour foreign affairs and defense correspondent Nick Schifrin and will be executive produced by Stephanie Kotuby, who also serves as executive producer of Washington Week with The Atlantic and senior editorial producer for PBS News Hour. The program will premiere Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 6:00 pm E.T. and air weekly.

Horizons and Compass Points will air on PBS stations on Saturdays and Sundays, respectively (check local listings), and as programmed by local PBS stations and stream on PBS News’ digital, podcast, and social platforms. The programs will replace PBS News Weekend, which will air its final broadcast on Sunday, January 11, 2026.

Media Contact: Ella Richardson, erichardson@newshour.org

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