How to Watch Crime and Punishment in America on PBS
Crime and Punishment in America airs over four straight nights on PBS, Monday through Thursday, November 16-19, 2026, at 8 PM ET. On DIRECTV you'll find it on your local PBS member station. The four-part, eight-hour series is directed by Lynn Novick, executive produced by Ken Burns and Sam Pollard, and narrated by Keith David.
The series traces American criminal justice from the colonial era to today, including the origins of prisons, policing and the courts and the rise of mass incarceration. It mixes history with the voices of people who have committed crimes, served time, enforced the law or lost loved ones to violence.
Crime and Punishment in America at a glance
| Air dates | Monday-Thursday, November 16-19, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Time | 8 PM ET (7 PM Central); local PBS stations may vary |
| Network | PBS |
| On DIRECTV | Your local PBS station in DIRECTV local channels |
| Length | Four episodes, about two hours each |
| Director | Lynn Novick |
| Executive producers | Ken Burns and Sam Pollard |
| Narrator | Keith David |
| Streaming | PBS app and PBS.org, on all PBS digital platforms for four weeks |
Crime and Punishment in America episode schedule
| Air date | Episode | Era |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, Nov. 16 | 1. "A House of Repentance" | Beginnings to 1880 |
| Tuesday, Nov. 17 | 2. "The Criminal Type" | 1880-1929 |
| Wednesday, Nov. 18 | 3. "Public Enemies" | 1929-1969 |
| Thursday, Nov. 19 | 4. "Tough on Crime" | 1970 onward |
Who is in the voice cast?
Keith David narrates. Samuel L. Jackson, Laura Linney, Bobby Cannavale, Matthew Rhys, Michael Stuhlbarg, David Hyde Pierce and BD Wong are among the actors who voice historical figures. Novick's earlier films include The Vietnam War, Hemingway, College Behind Bars and The U.S. and the Holocaust.
How to watch on DIRECTV
PBS programs air on your local PBS member station, which comes in your DIRECTV local channels where locals are offered at your address. Press GUIDE and search "Crime and Punishment" to find the right station and set a series recording so you get all four nights. Some accounts also show national PBS feeds, which our PBS on DIRECTV channel guide lists. If your locals are missing, see how to add or remove local channels on DIRECTV.
How to stream Crime and Punishment in America
PBS says the series will stream on all of its digital platforms, including the PBS app and PBS.org, for four weeks. PBS's fall schedule also lists a streaming premiere on November 16, so you may be able to watch all four episodes in the PBS app before they finish airing. Many local stations also stream their live channel in the PBS app. For more on PBS's streaming options, see everything to know about PBS Documentaries and PBS channels streaming free inside Prime Video.
Frequently asked questions
When does Crime and Punishment in America air?
It airs on PBS over four nights, Monday through Thursday, November 16-19, 2026, at 8 PM ET. Local stations may adjust times.
What channel is Crime and Punishment in America on DIRECTV?
It airs on PBS, so watch your local PBS member station in your DIRECTV local channels. Search the guide for the title to find it.
How many episodes are in Crime and Punishment in America?
There are four episodes, about two hours each, for eight hours in total.
Who directed Crime and Punishment in America?
Lynn Novick directed the series. Ken Burns and Sam Pollard are executive producers, and Keith David narrates.
Can I stream Crime and Punishment in America?
Yes. PBS says it will stream on all PBS digital platforms, including the PBS app and PBS.org, for four weeks.
Is Crime and Punishment in America a Ken Burns film?
Ken Burns is an executive producer, but Lynn Novick, his longtime collaborator on The Vietnam War and Hemingway, directed it.
Want your local PBS station and the rest of your locals on one plan? Check DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 21, 2026. Air dates and times are set by PBS and local member stations and may change. DIRECTV availability, local channels, packages and prices vary by address and are subject to change. Crime and Punishment in America, PBS, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.