WNED PBS has been Western New York and Southern Ontario’s storyteller for over 60 years!

The station long ago established itself as an originator of television content for PBS; WNED PBS developed and produced the Emmy Award winning Reading Rainbow series and the popular Mark Russell Comedy Specials for PBS. Through the years, WNED PBS has become a significant producer of original television and online content for local and national distribution.

Produced in Buffalo, shared with the nation. Productions broadcast on PBS stations across America include: The Warrior Tradition, The War of 1812, Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing America, The Klondike Gold Rush, The Shaw Festival: Behind the Curtain, Underground Railroad: The William Still Story, Niagara Falls, Chautauqua: An American Narrative, Window to the Sea, The Adirondacks, Golf’s Grand Design, The Marines, America's Houses of Worship, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Buffalo, and Elbert Hubbard: An American Original.

Many WNED PBS productions highlight historic and cultural treasures of Southern Ontario and Western New York. These include: Kleinhans Gift to Buffalo, Reimagining a Buffalo Landmark, Remembering Western New York, Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing Western New York, TIFF: Behind the Festival, A New Season for the Bisons and Blue Jays, Hockey: More Than a Game, Toronto’s Houses of Worship, Polonia: Western New York’s Polish-American Legacy, Buffalo’s Houses of Worship, Buffalo’s Voices of Steel and The Great Erie County Fair.

“WNED has become our region’s most influential storyteller and in so doing served as a catalyst for the re-imagining and rebirth of Buffalo. WNED-TV’s productions are thoroughly researched, beautifully written and artfully shot. In documenting the breadth and depth of the cultural and historic richness of Western New York, WNED-TV has captured the imaginations of audiences both within and outside the region, boosting the community’s self-image and promoting it to potential visitors.”

—Edward J. Healy, Vice President for Marketing
Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitor’s Bureau

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More WNED PBS Productions

Making Buffalo HomeFlavors From Home | Preview

Making Buffalo HomeImmigration in a Welcoming City | Trailer

Making Buffalo Home: Immigration in a Welcoming City | Watch Online Now

Immigration in a Welcoming City

At a time when the country is wrestling with the issue of immigration, the city of Buffalo takes the stance that it is, and will remain, a welcoming place. What policies in government and housing, language access, and economic development are in place to address this issue? This WNED PBS original production hosted by Andrea Ó Súilleabháin, Executive Director at the Partnership for the Public Good, welcomes guests from city government, housing advocacy, academia, and members of the immigrant community for an engaging conversation on the topic. This WNED PBS original production premiered on April 24, 2020.

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Making Buffalo Home - A Refugee's First Year | Trailer

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Making Buffalo Home: A Refugee's First Year | Watch Online Now

A Refugee's First Year

In the last 20 years Buffalo has welcomed more than 16,000 refugees. They come from around the world, with large groups from Middle Eastern, Asian and African countries. Discover the challenges they face in the first year like learning English, finding a job, and feeling a sense of community as they work toward rebuilding their lives and making Buffalo their new home. This WNED PBS original production premiered on January 20, 2020.

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Trailer | The Warrior Tradition

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The Warrior Tradition | Watch Online Now

The Warrior Tradition

The astonishing, heartbreaking, inspiring, and largely-untold story of Native Americans in the United States military. This WNED PBS original production premiered on PBS November 11, 2019.

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Trailer | Cruising the Mighty Mississippi

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Cruising The Mighty Mississippi | Watch Online Now

Cruising The Mighty Mississippi

Cruising the Mighty Mississippi takes viewers along for an unforgettable trip aboard the largest paddle-wheeler ever built from Memphis to New Orleans, stopping at many charming and historic southern towns along the way. This WNED PBS original production premiered in October 2019.

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Digital-First Productions

Explore Programs in our Production Library

Behind the Scenes

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Behind the scenes of "Ain't it a Pretty Night." Susannah, the first full opera from WNED PBS, premiered Nov. 22, 2021.

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An aerial view of the Susannah set sits on the pulpit of the church while the rest of the set is seen in the background.

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The Susannah orchestra was separated from the actors to isolate the sound for post-production.

shooting and episode of Compact Science at Niagara Falls

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On location at Niagara Falls for the new WNED PBS digital series Compact Science

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Compact Science host Sarajane Gomlak-Green explores the "Fury of the Falls."

Bailey Critopn, Tami Coleman and Jim Zinkowski record an epsiode of Compact Science with host Sarajane Gomlak-Green at the base of Niagara Falls

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Compact Science, produced in partnership with the Buffalo Museum of Science will premiere in early 2021,.

cinematographer Jim Zinkowski shooting a historic marker

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Cinematographer Jim Zinkowski at historical marker for Mary Talbert for the WNED PBS documentary Discovering New York Suffrage Stories.

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Mary Craig is interviewed by Executive Producer Lynne Bader for the upcoming WNED PBS documentary Discovering New York Suffrage Stories.

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Cinematographer Jim Zinkowski and Sound Recordist Kristin Turo on location at the Matilda Joslyn Gage house for Discovering New York Suffrage Stories

Crew working inside the WNED PBS Control Room

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Inside the WNED PBS Control Room during the taping of No Child. . .

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The crew sets up for an interview for the WNED PBS documentary on the Richardson Olmsted Campus.

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Shooting a scene for Reimagining a Buffalo Landmark inside the Richardson Olmsted Complex.

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Producer Lynne Bader interviews Lynda Schneekloth for the WNED PBS documentary Reimagining A Buffalo Landmark.

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Videographer Jim Zinkowski, Producer John Grant and Sound Recordist Tami Coleman on location at the Athabasca Glacier for Canadian Rockies by Rail.

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Photographer Jim Zinkowski captures images of the midway at sunset for The Great Erie County Fair.

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Tami Coleman and Jim Zinkowski on the farm as a 4H'er readies a cow for competition during production of The Great Erie County Fair.

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Christopher Thomas captures a first-hand view of the 'fair train' rolling into town during production of the Great Erie County Fair.

Film crew hard at work inside the WNED-TV studio preparing for scenes for the upcoming film Marshall.

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Film crew hard at work inside the WNED PBS studio preparing for scenes for the film Marshall.

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Capturing some artistry and interviews for the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition.

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Cinematographer Jim Gribbins sets up for a shot for Chautauqua: An American Narrative.

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Crew captures a scene for Underground Railroad: The William Still Story.

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Lynne Bader with guest Judy Collins in studio.

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Cinematographer Stephen McCarthy sets up for a shot for The War of 1812.

Behind the scenes in the WNED-TV studio as the crew works on lighting.

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Behind the scenes in the WNED PBS studio as the crew works on lighting.

Jim Zinkowski at work along the Buffalo River

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Videographer Jim Zinkowski for WNED PBS's If Our Water Could Talk.

Director Larry Hott and cinematographer Jason Longo on location at Prospect Park

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Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing America director Larry Hott and cinematographer Jason Longo at Prospect Park.

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Former Buffalo Bills Coach Marv Levy is interviewed for RALPH.

Remembering Mark Russell

Mark Russell's America

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Re-discover highlights of Mark Russell’s more than 100 national PBS specials.

WATCH: Mark Russell

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WNED PBS Specials

Mark Russell's America

Buffalo Toronto Public Media

Mark Russell | Political Satarist

Buffalo Toronto Public Media

Mark Russell Comedy Specials

PBS NewsHour

Political satirist Mark Russell dies at 90

No one in power was immune from the one-liners and musical numbers of Mr. Mark Russell. For almost 30 years, starting in the Eisenhower administration, Buffalo's own Mr. Russell shared his insights on politics and society in more than 100 PBS specials produced by WNED PBS. Mr. Russell died in his Washington, D.C. home at 90. Thank you, Mark, for decades of laughs.

Read his obituary from the Washington Post - Mark Russell, political satirist with a star-spangled piano, dies at 90

Celebrating Mark Russell

Mark Russell with balloons in background holding a noisemaker

WNED PBS

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No one in power was immune from the one-liners and musical satire of Mark Russell. For over 50 years, he skewered Democrats, Republicans and Independents with stand-up monologues and song parodies.

A television camera pointed at Mark Russell performing on stage

WNED PBS

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Starting in the Eisenhower administration, Buffalo's own Russell shared his insights on politics and society in more than 100 PBS specials produced by WNED PBS between 1975 and 2004.

Mark Russell performing at piano with audience behind him

WNED PBS

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Most of The Mark Russell Comedy Specials were broadcast live from Buffalo, NY, Mark's hometown.

Mark Russell posing at piano with an American flag behind him

WNED PBS

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Russell was performing at the Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., in 1974 when WNED PBS approached him about creating PBS specials, live from Buffalo, for a nationwide audience.

WNED PBS

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Mark Russell talks with WBFO's Mark Scott

Mark Russell in fron t of sign designating Charles St. in Buffalo as "Mark Russell Alley"

WNED PBS

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Buffalo Toronto Public Media is located at the corner of Lower Terrace and Charles Street which is designated as Mark Russell Alley.

flowers left at street sign for "Mark Russell Alley" in front of Buffalo Toronto Public Media

WNED PBS

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As news of Mark Russell's passing spread, this tribute was left at Mark Russell Alley on March 30, 2023.

WNED PBS

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His comedy specials on PBS television, which aired between 1975 and 2004, made him a household name and contained a mix of political stand-up humor covering current events and musical parodies played on his trademark American flag-themed piano.

Mark Russell wearing a hat and holding a stick in front of the Centennial Exposition building in Philadelphia

WNED PBS

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No one in power was immune from the one-liners and musical satire of Mark Russell.

camera on the shoulder of a cameraman pointed at Mark Russell

WNED PBS

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Behind the scenes with Mark Russell on location. The Mark Russell Comedy Specials toured many countries, England, Ireland, France, Italy, and even Siberia, with the Buffalo crew.

Mark Russell performing on top of the Mendenhall glacier in Alaska with his piano wearing a parka

WNED PBS

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Mendenhall glacier was arguably Mark's most unique performance location. His piano was brought in by helicopter for "Mark Russell's Great Alaska Trek."

plaque dedicating the green room at Buffalo Toronto Public Media to Mark Russell

WNED PBS

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This plaque outside the Green Room at Buffalo Toronto Public Media recognizes it's most frequent occupant.

Mark and Ali Russell with Michael Collins

WNED PBS

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Mark and Ali Russell with Michael Collins

WNED PBS

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Mark's punchlines took aim at Democrats, Republicans, celebrities, and anyone else in power, but his humor was described as gentle. Each new administration provided him with a treasure trove of jokes.

WNED PBS

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He often joked when asked if he had any writers: “Oh, yes — 100 in the Senate and 435 in the House of Representatives.”

WNED PBS

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“Mark Russell was a DC institution who did the hardest thing a comic can do…relentlessly and righteously mock his neighbors.” – Jon Stewart, comedian, actor and director

Mark Russell holding a sign that says "I heart WNED"

WNED PBS

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WNED PBS loves you too!

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Foundation Support and Production Funding

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Showcase

Understanding the Opioid Epidemic | WNED PBS production for PBS
Understanding the Opioid Epidemic traces the causes behind the unprecedented growth in use of prescription opioids and the devastating impact these drugs are having on our country.
Canadian Rockies By Rail
The Canadian Rockies by Rail takes viewers on a journey through the Pacific Northwest and the Canadian Rockies.
Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing America | WNED PBS production for PBS
A biography of the man who made public parks an essential part of American life.
The War of 1812 | WNED PBS production for PBS
This documentary shows how the glories of war become enshrined in history.
Frank Lloyd Wright's Buffalo | WNED PBS production for PBS
This film tells a story of family, friendship, and the meaning of home in American life.
The Klondike Gold Rush | WNED PBS production for PBS
The Klondike Gold Rush tells the legendary story of the Alaska-Yukon Gold Rush. Over 100,000 people voyage to the far North intent on reaching the Canadian boom-town Dawson City and striking it rich.
Your Life, Your Money | WNED PBS production for PBS
Donald Faison introduces us to young people facing real issues with financial choices.