How to Watch NOVA Evolution on PBS and DIRECTV
NOVA's Evolution airs Wednesdays at 9 PM ET (8 PM Central) on PBS, from October 14 through November 11, 2026. The five-part science series traces life from a single ancient cell to the animals alive today, with one species at the center of each hour.
Find what channel PBS is on DIRECTV, explore PBS Documentaries, and see which PBS channels are free in Prime Video.
Episode 2, "Need to Feed," airs tonight, Wednesday, October 21. Times can differ by station, so check your local PBS listings. Each episode also streams at pbs.org/nova, on NOVA's YouTube channel and in the PBS App.
NOVA Evolution episode schedule
| Episode | Air date (9 PM ET) | Animal it follows |
|---|---|---|
| Brain Power | Wednesday, October 14, 2026 | Dolphin |
| Need to Feed | Wednesday, October 21, 2026 | Bat |
| Body Builders | Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | Elephant and hummingbird |
| The Mating Game | Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | Ostrich |
| On the Run | Wednesday, November 11, 2026 | Horse |
What is NOVA Evolution about?
The series uses genetic analysis, fossil records, nature photography and animations of long-extinct ancestors to show how small mutations, passed down over countless generations, reshaped life. Each hour picks a familiar animal and rewinds the clock to explain how one of its key features came to be.
"Brain Power" follows the dolphin from the first light-sensing cells to the neocortex. "Need to Feed" uses the bat to tell the story of jaws, and of how bones from our ancestors' jaws moved into the ear to give us hearing. "Body Builders" goes back to LUCA, the last universal common ancestor, to explain body plans, from gills and lungs to the elephant's trunk. "The Mating Game" follows the ostrich to show how the egg let life conquer land and how feathers were used for courtship before flight. "On the Run" follows the horse, from the first muscle and heartbeat to legs built for speed.
Who made NOVA Evolution?
Evolution is a BBC Studios Science Unit production with NOVA and GBH for PBS and the BBC, where it was commissioned for BBC Two. Milla Harrison-Hansley is series producer. Julia Cort and Chris Schmidt are NOVA's executive producers, and Caitlin Saks is senior producer for NOVA.
How to watch NOVA Evolution on DIRECTV
NOVA airs on your local PBS member station, which DIRECTV carries with local channels in most markets. Our guide to what channel PBS is on DIRECTV shows how to find it, and this page on DIRECTV local channels explains how locals work on your account.
If you'd rather stream, the episodes are on pbs.org/nova, NOVA on YouTube and the PBS App. PBS also lists the series on the PBS Documentaries channel inside Prime Video, and our guide to PBS channels in the Prime Video app covers how that works. For more on that add-on, see everything to know about PBS Documentaries.
Frequently asked questions
When does NOVA Evolution air?
It airs Wednesdays at 9 PM ET (8 PM Central) on PBS from October 14 through November 11, 2026. Check local listings, since times can vary by station.
How many episodes are in NOVA Evolution?
There are five one-hour episodes: Brain Power, Need to Feed, Body Builders, The Mating Game and On the Run.
What channel is NOVA Evolution on DIRECTV?
It airs on your local PBS station. DIRECTV carries local channels, including PBS, in most markets, and the channel number depends on where you live.
Can I stream NOVA Evolution?
Yes. It streams at pbs.org/nova, on NOVA's YouTube channel and in the PBS App, and PBS also lists it on the PBS Documentaries channel in Prime Video.
Who produced NOVA Evolution?
It is a BBC Studios Science Unit production with NOVA and GBH for PBS and the BBC.
What is the last episode of NOVA Evolution?
On the Run, which follows the evolution of movement through the horse, airs Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
Want a TV setup that works with the PBS App and your other apps? Check DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 21, 2026. Air and release dates are set by PBS and your local station and may change; check local listings. Streaming prices and DIRECTV availability, channels, packages and prices vary and are subject to change. NOVA, Evolution, PBS and your local station, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.