Dear Friends of American Experience,

I’m Raney Aronson‑Rath, and I’m honored to introduce myself as the new Editor-in-Chief of the GBH Documentary Unit, which includes AMERICAN EXPERIENCE.

I step into this role with deep respect for the series’ extraordinary legacy and great excitement about what comes next. 

Many of you know my work as Editor‑in‑Chief and Executive Producer of FRONTLINE, where for more than a decade I’ve led award-winning investigations and long‑form storytelling across broadcast, streaming, podcasts, and digital platforms. In every format, the goal has been the same: to meet audiences where they are, without compromising journalistic rigor. 

Now, I’m also overseeing AMERICAN EXPERIENCE to bring history to more people on more platforms. 

We will be premiering new multi-episode documentaries every season, providing a deep dive into a singular topic. The first of these, in 2027, will be on the life and complex legacy of aviator Charles Lindbergh.

In addition to the long-form series, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE will lean into digital-first documentaries and history shorts designed to give audiences greater understanding and context on the world we live in today. You may have already noticed this work across TikTok and YouTube.

The reality is that we are in a fight for facts. Broadening our audiences – from mobile to  TV – and providing context in a complex world has never been more urgent, especially for young people. 

Our goal is to make rigorous historical storytelling as accessible and engaging as the world around us.

As you may know, the closure of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), following the elimination of federal funding, has accelerated change across public media. For decades, CPB support was a critical source of funding for independent, educational work like AMERICAN EXPERIENCE. Its loss has created a profound gap — particularly for the deep research, reporting, and craftsmanship required to bring history fully to life.

To meet this challenge, we have reinvented how we work. Over the past six months, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE has joined FRONTLINE and NOVA — all produced by GBH in Boston — as a single documentary unit. This structure allows us to share production resources and streamline operations. 

While how we work behind the scenes has changed, what makes AMERICAN EXPERIENCE so distinctive has not. We remain deeply committed to our purpose: providing trusted, deeply reported history documentaries that help make sense of the world we live in today.

To maintain our editorial independence and our commitment to rigorous history, for the first time we are turning directly to you for support. When you donate to support AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, you aren’t just a viewer — you are a partner and a guardian of shared history.

I’m honored to lead this team as we bring the American story to life for a new generation and provide much‑needed context in an uncertain world. 

My commitment is simple: AMERICAN EXPERIENCE will continue to stand for intellectual rigor, independence, and relevance — while evolving to ensure history remains accessible, engaging, and essential for audiences today and tomorrow.

Thank you for standing with us. We are deeply grateful for your support.