Special Programming

The staff at WNIT is dedicated to exploring issues important to our families, our community, and Michiana as a whole.

Documentaries and other productions

Echoes of the Great Migration: Family Stories of Resilience
Echoes of the Great Migration: Family Stories of Resilience explores the enduring impact of the Great Migration through the voices of descendants and those who journeyed from the rural South to urban centers in the North.
- Tuesday, February 18 at 10:00 PM on 34.1
- Thursday, February 20 at 8:00 PM on 34.1
From Signal to Story: 50 Years of WNIT Public Television
In 2024, PBS Michiana WNIT commemorates five decades as a broadcast station. The documentary will revisit pivotal moments in the station's public television legacy.
- May 30th, 2024 @ 7pm (34.1)
- June 2nd, 2024 @ 7pm (34.2)
- June 10th, 2024 @ 10pm (34.2)
- August 4th, 2024 @ 8pm (34.2)
"Better Homes: The Play
Experience the stirring tale of resilience and community, based on real-life courage.
- Friday, February 24th, 2024 - 9 PM (34.1)
- Sunday, February 25th, 2024 - 8 PM (34.2)
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi: A Song for Everything
The documentary explores how culture and language have survived through the pressures of colonialism, government oppression and modern-day life.
- Thursday, September 28th, 2023 @ 8pm (34.1)
- Sunday, October 1st, 2023 @ 7pm (34.2)
- Monday, November 13th, 2023 at 9pm on 34.1.
- Monday, November 27th, 2023 @ 7pm (34.2)
Remember When: Playland Park
"Remember When" features places from our past that are fondly remembered and have created lasting memories. This episode showcases Playland Park, located in South Bend, IN, and focuses on its diverse history dating back to the 1880's.
A Century at the Morris
WNIT will showcase the 100th anniversary of this artistic gem highlighting how the theater has served its community, and how the community has embraced the Morris.
A Legacy Of Memories: Silver Beach Amusement Park
Growing up in the Silver Beach Amusement Park era meant something special. Whether it was a day of fun on the carnival rides, a family picnic, or a swim in the big lake, Silver Beach Amusement Park left lasting impressions on those lucky enough to patronize it.
Vibrant Light: Stained Glass of the Basilica at the University of Notre Dame
The story explores the significance of stained glass through religion, cultural impact, art, design, history and craftsmanship. We'll see the birth of Notre Dame and the art of illuminating stories through powerful images.
Then, Now, and Always... The St. Joseph River Story
WNIT tells the story of the St. Joseph River, including the people, history, and life along this storied river from Hillsdale to Lake Michigan.
South Bend Parks: Reconnecting a Community
Airdates: July 1st, 2021 at 7:00 pm, July 3rd, 2021 at 4:00 pm

Parks and community spaces are an important part of the health and wellbeing of the places we live. Recently the South Bend Venues Parks and Arts started an initiative to reinvest in those areas in ways that better served the needs of those that lived around them.
South Bend Symphony Orchestra Presents: A Juneteenth Celebration
This hour-long celebration was filmed at Debartolo Performing Arts Center, featuring music from four composers of African descent, interviews with Gladys Muhammad and Latorya Greene, performances by Emorja Roberson and Pam Blair, and scenes from South Bend. Originally aired on WNIT Public Television on June 19, 2021.
Mental Health And Wellness: Kids and Youth during Covid 19
This program will focus on the mental health aspect of youth and what they have gone through, are going through and how they move forward with school and socialization.

Airdates
- April 29th, 2021 at 7:30pm (34.1)
Covid 19 - Where do we go from here?
Host Jeff Rea, along with a panel of health, community and medical professionals, will take a look back to when the pandemic began, what the current state of Covid is, including vaccinations and variants, where do we go from here and what the future looks like in 2021 and beyond with the virus.
Lift Every Voice...Celebrating the African American Spirit
The annual event hosted by Dr. Marvin V. Curtis, retired dean of the Ernestine M. Raclin School of the Arts at Indiana University Bend., will feature organist Dr. Collin Richardson of Columbus Ohio and pianist/composer Thomas W. Jefferson from Chicago, Illinois.
The Black Church: A WNIT Conversation
Hosted by Kelly Morgan, The Black Church: A WNIT Conversation, dives deep into the role of the black church in our community, through worship, music, families, current events, and explores the past, present and future moving forward.
Airdates
Part 1
- 34.1: February 16th at 7:30pm (Part 1)
- 34.2: February 20th at 7pm (Part 1)
Part 2
- 34.1: February 17th at 7:30pm (Part 2)
- 34.2: February 20th at 7:30pm (Part 2)
5th Annual Business Legacy Hall of Fame Induction Gala
Since its inception, Elkhart County has been known for its entrepreneurs, innovation and business leadership and building on this, Junior Achievement & Lemonade Day serving Elkhart County is excited to announce the 5th Annual Business Legacy Hall of Fame Induction Gala.
Black Lives Matter: How Did We Get Here?
In this conversation we strive to focus less on the current protests taking place and rather try to make sense of the things that led the black lives matter movement to this tipping point. Through this program special we hope our viewers will gain a bigger-picture view of this particular movement.

Airdates
- June 5th @ 7:00pm (34.1)
- June 5th @ 11:00pm (34.2)
- June 6th @ 7:00pm (34.2)
- June 7th @ 1:00pm (34.1)
- June 7th @ 3:00pm (34.2)
Black Lives Matter: Mental Health

On this program-special we strive to have an open conversation about Black trauma (and mental health in general) in hopes of our viewers will feel equipped to take steps towards bettering their health.

Airdates
- June 26th @ 7:00pm (34.1)
- June 28th @ 2:00pm (34.1)
- June 29th @ 5:00pm (34.2)
Mental Health And Wellness (All Parts)
Host Gary Sieber, along with a panel of medical professionals and therapists, will discuss the here, now and future of Mental Health and Wellness with the COVID-19 outbreak.

Airdates
- April 24th @ 7:30pm and April 27th @ 5:00pm (Part 1)
- May 1st @ 7:30pm, May 4th 5:00pm (Part 2)
- May 8th @ 7:30pm, May 11th 5:00pm (Part 3)
- May 15th @ 7:30pm, May 18th 5:00pm (Part 4)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) What You Need To Know
Join us as we talk with a panel of health experts on a special local production, Coronavirus: What You Need to Know, Friday night at 7, only on WNIT
Airdates: March 13th @ 7pm
Studebaker Fountain: A Gift Of Water And Light
In 1906, J.M. Studebaker gifted the city of South Bend a fountain which stood for 40 years before it was scrapped in the 1940s. The fountain resurfaced when a family donated a portion of it to the local history museum. This program explores the history of the fountain, its curious journey, and the remaking of the gift that symbolizes innovation and potential.
Airdates: Thursday, December 26th, 8pm, Monday, December 30th, 10pm, January 13th, 12am (midnight of the 12th)
Elkhart Health & Aquatics
Seen as the replacement for the old YMCA, the new center in the heart of Elkhart’s River District is not only a place to swim, but a fitness, rehabilitation, and community center as well as northern Indiana’s newest destination for competitions and community venues.
Airdates: Thursday, July 18th @ 8:00 PM, Monday, July 22nd @ 7:30pm
Notre Dame: Campus Crossroads
Take an inside tour of the University of Notre Dame's biggest campus undertaking in history.
Airdates: September 8th, 2017 @ 8pm, September 14th 2017 @ 8pm, September 23 , 2017 @ 4pm
backstory / Defying The Nazis
A group of community members get together to talk about how the show "Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War" spoke to them through the example of a couple that went to Europe leading into World War II to help any way they could.
Airdate: September 20th, 2016
As the Waters Flow
As the Waters Flow is a one hour documentary that explores the rivers, lakes and streams that make up the Tippecanoe Watershed.
Airdate: September 8th, 2016
10 Parks That Changed America
A lively exploration of architecture, design and urban planning, the series reveals how our homes, towns and parks reflect our history, values, ingenuity and hopes.
Airdate: April 12th, 2016
1916: The Irish Rebellion
Narrated by Liam Neeson, this landmark three-part series tells the dramatic story of the events that took place in Dublin during Easter Week 1916, when a small group of Irish rebels took on the might of the British Empire.
Airdate: April 7th - April 21, 2016
FCC Spectrum Auction: What it Means to Michiana
What is the upcoming FCC spectrum auction and what impact will it have on television broadcasters?
Airdate: January 7th, 2016
Notre Dame Glee Club Centennial Concert
Performanced at the Morris Performing Arts Center
Airdate: October 2nd, 2015
SB150 Festivities/Bridge Lighting
The South Bend 150 festivities kick off with an opening ceremony, WNIT covers the event and river lights.
Airdate: May 22nd, 2015