Ken Burns, Botstein & Schmidt explore America's birth in "The American Revolution." 6-part series premieres Nov 16, 8 PM PT/ET on PBS.
- November 16, 2025
AceShowbiz - Renowned documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, celebrated for his immersive historical narratives, now turns his lens to the pivotal genesis of the United States. Co-directed by Sarah Botstein and David P. Schmidt, the monumental six-part, 12-hour miniseries, The American Revolution, offers an unparalleled, in-depth exploration of the tumultuous events that ignited the American Revolutionary War, its profound aftermath, and the arduous birth of a new nation. This comprehensive historical narrative promises to captivate and enlighten viewers on the foundational moments that shaped America.
The highly anticipated documentary miniseries makes its grand premiere on Sunday, November 16, airing on PBS. Viewers nationwide can tune in for the initial broadcast at 8 p.m. PT/ET, marking the beginning of a week-long journey through one of history’s most transformative periods.
For those eager to delve into this epic saga, several convenient options are available to watch The American Revolution online. Whether you prefer to stream directly through the network's platform or utilize a live TV streaming service, accessing this historical masterpiece without cable is readily achievable. Please note that purchases made through links on this page may result in an affiliate commission for our platform.
Following its Sunday premiere, The American Revolution will broadcast a new part each evening on PBS, running consecutively until Friday, November 23. Each installment begins at 8 p.m. PT/ET, allowing viewers to follow the narrative arc seamlessly over six consecutive nights. This structured release ensures a complete and immersive viewing experience.
The most accessible ways to watch The American Revolution online for free include streaming directly from PBS.org, often accessible with your local affiliate station, or by taking advantage of DirecTV Stream's generous five-day free trial. These options provide excellent flexibility for catching every moment of this significant historical account.
For those looking to watch The American Revolution without a traditional cable subscription, web-based streaming services offer robust alternatives. Both DirecTV Stream and Hulu + Live TV are excellent choices, and importantly, some even feature free trial periods that can cover the entire miniseries broadcast.
DirecTV Stream, an editor's choice for live TV streaming, provides an optimal way to watch The American Revolution. All of DirecTV Stream's packages include access to PBS, alongside more than 90 other popular channels such as CBS, ABC, AMC, Bravo, and ESPN. Their five-day free trial is perfectly timed to allow viewers to watch the entire six-part series as it airs. After the trial, you have the flexibility to cancel or continue the service, with introductory prices starting as low as $49.99 for the first month.
Another strong contender for cord-cutters is Hulu + Live TV, which also carries PBS and offers a comprehensive suite of live television channels and on-demand content. This service provides another reliable avenue to ensure you don't miss a single episode of The American Revolution.
Before you dive into the full miniseries, be sure to watch the official trailer for The American Revolution to get a compelling glimpse into the historical depth and narrative power that awaits. Prepare to witness the defining moments of America's birth, brought to life by one of the most respected names in documentary filmmaking.