This Veterans Day closes out a year of programming tied to America’s 250th anniversary. Networks across news, entertainment and sports are using documentaries, live coverage and personal storytelling to recognize those who have served.
Here’s a look at how networks and streamers are marking the occasion.
On Veterans Day
HISTORY’s Veterans Day Lineup: HISTORY is dedicating Nov. 11 to military storytelling, building to the primetime premiere of Mission to Honor: A 250th Salute to American Veterans. Created in partnership with the White House and Freedom 250, the hour-long documentary caps the network’s yearlong initiative sharing first-person stories from veterans who served from World War II through Iraq and Afghanistan.
The day’s lineup includes:
- World War II with Tom Hanks: A daytime marathon of the documentary series, narrated and executive produced by Hanks, beginning at 8 a.m. ET
- Forged by War: The Navy SEALs: A two-hour special at 8 p.m. ET tracing the SEALs from their World War II origins to the modern force, featuring firsthand accounts and archival footage
- Mission to Honor: A 250th Salute to American Veterans: The documentary premiere at 10 p.m. ET/PT, built around veterans’ personal accounts, archival footage and family photographs
HISTORY is also publishing additional veterans’ stories on History.com alongside the special.
AMC’s Band of Brothers Marathon: AMC is continuing its Veterans Day tradition of airing the full Band of Brothers miniseries, which follows the paratroopers of Easy Company from training through the end of World War II in Europe. The marathon begins at 11:30 a.m. ET.
C-SPAN’s Live Coverage: C-SPAN will carry live coverage of Veterans Day commemorations from across the country on Nov. 11, including military concerts, ceremonies and parades. The coverage continues the network’s practice of bringing viewers directly to the nation’s civic and ceremonial moments.
Throughout the Week
ESPN’s America’s Heroes Veterans Week: ESPN’s annual Veterans Week tribute runs through Nov. 14, with military-themed storytelling across its television, radio, digital and social platforms. Highlights still to come include:
- SportsCenter on Veterans Day: Every edition of SportsCenter on Nov. 11 will include special features and guests
- SportsCenter Veterans Day Special: A 30-minute special airing Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
- SC Featured: “The Return”: A film following Pittsburgh Steelers great and Vietnam veteran Rocky Bleier as he returns to the valley in Vietnam where he was wounded in 1969
- College GameDay: The Saturday, Nov. 14, show will share stories of military service in the families of athletes and coaches
- The Secretaries’ Cup: The annual football game between the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy streams Saturday, Nov. 14, at 1 p.m. ET on the ESPN App
Throughout the week, athletes and coaches, including Nick Saban, Dawn Staley, Dak Prescott and Aaron Judge, are also delivering shoutouts to service members during ESPN programming.
American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroes: Now in its 14th year, this Veterans Day special airs Saturday, Nov. 14, on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox stations. Hosted by actor and Marine Corps veteran Rob Riggle, the special shares true stories of service members’ courage and sacrifice, with narration from Oprah Winfrey, Kristen Bell, Bill Hader, William H. Macy and Chris Pine.
C-SPAN’s Veterans Day Parade Coverage: C-SPAN carried the Washington, D.C., Veterans Day Parade live from the National Mall on Sunday, Nov. 8. Viewers who missed it can watch the full coverage on c-span.org.
Stories of Service
From primetime documentaries to sports broadcasts and live coverage of commemorations, television continues to give veterans a platform to share their experiences in their own words. These programs also preserve firsthand accounts of service that span generations, from World War II to today.
Check local listings and your favorite streaming services for full schedules.
