Great Performances

Great Performances (1972- )

RunningVariety show

Great Performances is a television series devoted to the performing arts, has been telecast on PBS since 1972. The show is produced by WNET in New York City. It is one of the longest running performing arts anthologies on television, second only to Hallmark Hall of Fame. Great Performances presents concerts, ballet, opera, an occasional documentary, and plays. The series has also won many television awards, including an Emmy Award, a Peabody Award, and an Image Award, with nods from the Directors Guild of America and the Cinema Audio Society.

Streaming

Watch Now

Network
Scheduleevery Friday at 21:00 (60 min)

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S52E20Now Hear This Everyone Loves JoplinApr 17, 2026
S52E19Samara Joy at Royal Albert HallFeb 27, 2026
S52E18From Vienna: The New Year's Celebration 2026Jan 1, 2026
S52E17Nutcracker from English National BalletDec 16, 2025
S52E16Twelfth NightNov 14, 2025
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did Great Performances premiere?

Great Performances premiered on November 4, 1972.

What kind of performances were featured on Great Performances?

Great Performances featured a range of performances, including opera, ballet, music, and drama.

Who were some famous performers featured on Great Performances in 1972?

In 1972, Great Performances featured performances by Leonard Bernstein, Luciano Pavarotti, and Rudolf Nureyev, among others.

Was Great Performances a weekly or monthly show in 1972?

Great Performances was a monthly show in 1972.

Did Great Performances feature any contemporary performances?

Yes, Great Performances featured contemporary performances in addition to classic ones.

Where were the performances featured on Great Performances filmed?

The performances featured on Great Performances were filmed in various locations around the world.

Was Great Performances only broadcast in the United States?

No, Great Performances was also broadcast internationally.

Did Great Performances feature any behind-the-scenes segments in 1972?

It is unclear if Great Performances featured behind-the-scenes segments in 1972.

Was Great Performances produced by a specific network in 1972?

Great Performances was produced by WNET, a public television station in New York City, in 1972.

How long were the episodes of Great Performances in 1972?

The length of the episodes of Great Performances in 1972 is not specified.

Did Great Performances feature any non-performing arts content in 1972?

It is unclear if Great Performances featured any non-performing arts content in 1972.

Was Great Performances produced live or pre-recorded in 1972?

It is unclear if Great Performances was produced live or pre-recorded in 1972.

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
The Floor
Running

The Floor

The Floor is a physical quiz show that sees 81 contestants face off in quiz duels on a giant LED floor divided into a 9×9 grid of squares, each representing its own field of knowledge.

The first challenger, selected at random, must choose one of his or her neighboring opponents to go head-to-head in an epic quiz duel in the opponent's category. The winner takes over the loser's square, gaining valuable ground as they expand their territory, while the loser exits the game. The winner must then choose – do they continue on and attempt to secure another square? Or do they let The Floor choose a new challenger? The last contestant standing who gains full control over The Floor takes home a life-changing $250,000 cash prize.

Star City
Running

Star City

Star City is a propulsive, paranoid thriller that takes us back to the key moment in the alt-history retelling of the space race — when the Soviet Union became the first nation to put a man on the moon. But this time, we explore the story from behind the Iron Curtain, showing the lives of the cosmonauts, the engineers and the intelligence officers embedded among them in the Soviet space program, and the risks they all took to propel humanity forward.

The 1% Club
Running

The 1% Club

The 1% Club is a unique, compelling and funny entertainment show that tests the nation's intelligence, based on a scientific survey. It's a chance to test how your brain works through a series of questions that all have a right answer but can also lead to a series of entertaining wrong answers along the way. Whether you're a contestant vying for the cash prize or a viewer playing with your friends and family on the app, answer enough questions correctly, and you could earn yourself a place in the 1% Club: an elite group of people who can honestly say they've outwitted 99% of the population.

Best Medicine
Running

Best Medicine

In Best Medicine a brilliant surgeon leaves Boston to become a small-town doctor where he spent childhood summers. Despite his medical skills, his rude manner alienates locals as he battles hidden phobias and struggles with personal connections.

Law & Order
Running

Law & Order

In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate, yet equally important, groups: the police, who investigate crime; and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories.