Read below to find TV highlights from October 2026, including a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, a new season of Prairie Pulse, regional political debates, a Sesame Street special on Nature, traveling across America with Pati Jinich, and new seasons of Sunday night dramas.
See the full television schedule >
Prairie Pulse | New Season
Prairie Public's public affairs program, Prairie Pulse, returns this month with new episodes. Each week, host John Harris explores current issues shaping North Dakota, Minnesota, and communities across the region through in-depth studio conversations.
The season's first episode features Randy Martinson, founder of Martinson Ag Risk Management.
TUNE IN
Watch new episodes on Thursdays, beginning October 1, at 8pm.
STREAM
Stream on the PBS app and online.
39th Hispanic Heritage Awards
Celebrate Latino cultural icons at the 39th Hispanic Heritage Awards, recorded in September at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. This year marks the first time in the event's history that the ceremony moved outside of Washington, D.C., in order to award The People of Minnesota with the Humanitarian Award.
Performers and honorees include Oscar D'Leon, Mon Laferte, Ximena Sarinana, and Congressman Joaquin Castro.
TUNE IN
Tune in on Friday, October 2, at 8pm.
Face to Face | Political Debates on Prairie Public
Prairie Public’s 2026 midterm election coverage will feature two live political debates moderated by News Director Dave Thompson.
The hour-long debates will also be streamed live and archived on our YouTube channel.
North Dakota U.S. House Debate — Thursday, October 8, at 7pm
Debate between North Dakota U.S. House candidates Trygve Hammer (D), Helene Neville (I), and Charles Tuttle (I). Incumbent Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R) declined to participate.
Minnesota 7th Congressional District Debate — Thursday, October 15, at 7pm
Debate between Minnesota 7th District candidates incumbent Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R) and challenger Erik Osberg (D).
NATURE | Sesame Street and the Great Elephant Adventure
Join Elmo and his Sesame Street friends on a once-in-a-lifetime African safari adventure in a special PBS Nature primetime crossover.
After adopting an orphaned elephant online, Elmo, Abby Cadabby, and Nina travel to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya to meet the young elephant and her keepers. In their first-ever safari, the Sesame Street friends embark on an unforgettable journey with some of nature's most iconic wildlife.
TUNE IN
Tune in Wednesday, October 14, at 7pm.
STREAM
Stream on the PBS app and online.
Professor T | Season 5
British drama Professor T returns with a new season!
Season 5 follows eccentric Cambridge criminologist Professor Jasper Tempest as he tackles six complex new cases while navigating personal turmoil, technology-managed OCD, and a fragile new romance with Dr. Helena Goldberg.
TUNE IN
Watch on Sundays, beginning October 18, at 7pm.
STREAM
Stream on the PBS app and online.
The full series is streaming now with Prairie Public Passport.
Maigret on MASTERPIECE | Season 2
An epic power struggle is happening in La Brigade Criminelle in Season 2 of Maigret.
Maigret's boss, Director of Police Xavier Guichard, has become suspicious of Maigret's methods and decides to 'take him down a peg.' One of Maigret's colleagues leaves, another is transferred by Guichard and replaced by George Bonfils, who is immediately unpopular with Les Maigrets.
TUNE IN
Watch on Sundays, beginning October 18, at 8pm.
STREAM
Stream on the PBS app and online.
The full series is streaming now with Prairie Public Passport.
The Gold on MASTERPIECE | Season 2
The stage is set for The Gold’s final season with answers as to where over three tons of stolen gold bullion went.
Season 1 addressed the jaw-dropping Brink’s-Mat robbery itself and how £26 million worth of bullion was smelted and sold back into the system. Season 2 picks up as police realize they were only ever chasing half of what was stolen.
TUNE IN
Watch on Sundays, beginning October 18, at 9pm.
STREAM
Stream on the PBS app and online.
The full series is streaming now with Prairie Public Passport.
Pati Jinich Explores PanAmericana | Season 2
In this series’ second season, chef Pati Jinich continues her journey through the American heartland, traveling from Montana through the Southwest to Texas.
Through shared meals, she discovers how immigrants, Indigenous peoples, ranchers, refugees, oil workers, artists, and innovators are redefining what it means to be American – a timely exploration as the nation commemorates its 250th birthday.
TUNE IN
Tune in on Sunday, October 18, at 9pm.
STREAM
Stream on the PBS app and online.
Theater of the Mind
This Halloween, tune in for two specials from Theater of the Mind. It's radio you can see!
Brain Raiders from Outer Space— Saturday, October 31, at 7pm
It's 1946, England is rebuilding and ace newspaper reporter Margo Mason is hot on the trail of the scoop of a lifetime. Jimmy Salton and his crew of archaeological adventurers are restoring the historical landmark Stonehenge when tentacled monsters invade and take over the bodies and brains of citizens and construction crew.
Frankenstein— Saturday, October 31, at 8pm
Victor Frankenstein set out to create life — using corpses stolen from graveyards. During a raging storm, he is successful but, too late, realizes he has created a misshapen, inarticulate horror.
TUNE IN
Tune in on Sundays, beginning September 20, at 9pm.
STREAM
Stream on the PBS app and online.