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Top Picks: 'Spotlight' on DVD and Blu-ray, the PBS program 'Fats Domino and the Birth of Rock ’n’ Roll,' and more

The American Archive of Public Broadcasting has expanded its digital exhibit 'Voices of Democracy: Public Media and Presidential Elections' to include content from presidential candidates, the Smithsonian Channel's 'Major League Legends' will get you ready for this year's baseball season, and more top picks.

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American Masters/PBS
  • By Staff

Rock pioneer

Fats Domino was on the front lines of the creation of rock ’n’ roll alongside Little Richard and Elvis Presley. The PBS program Fats Domino and the Birth of Rock ’n’ Roll looks at the musician’s musical legacy as well as how this new music genre crossed divides to build a racially diverse fan base. It airs Feb. 26 at 10 p.m. Check local listings.

Shows on the go

Looking for a new way to catch up on your favorite TV program during your bus or train commute? New video content on Spotify lets you watch clips from programs on networks such as ABC, NBC, and the BBC on your smartphone. Categories such as “Storytellers” and “Learn Something” let you discover new content, too. It’s all available on the Spotify app. Check it out online at https://www.spotify.com/us/now/.

Kerry Hayes/Open Road Films/AP
Rachel McAdams as Sacha Pfeiffer (from l. to r.), Mark Ruffalo as Michael Rezendes and Brian d’Arcy James as Matt Carroll in a scene from the film 'Spotlight'

Investigative journalism

It’s almost Oscar time! Are you ready? One of the contenders for best picture is coming to DVD and Blu-ray. The hard-hitting film Spotlight tells the true story of the work by Boston Globe reporters to expose abuse by Roman Catholic priests. It will be available Feb. 23.

Campaign speeches

The American Archive of Public Broadcasting has expanded its digital exhibit Voices of Democracy: Public Media and Presidential Elections to include New Hampshire Public Radio’s interviews and speeches with presidential candidates from 1995 to 2007. The exhibit, a collaboration with the Library of Congress and WGBH Educational Foundation, documents the integral role of the press in the US democratic process as well as the evolution of campaign issues such as the economy, education, and civil rights in the past 60-plus years. Check it out at americanarchive.org/exhibits/presidential-elections.

Smithsonian Channel

Baseball legends

Can’t wait for spring training? Major League Legends, a new series on the Smithsonian Channel, will get you ready for the US national pastime. Each episode focuses on a different historic baseball player, with the first installment, in a nod to Black History Month, looking at the life of slugger Hank Aaron, who faced down racism on his way to breaking Babe Ruth’s home-run record. The series premières Feb. 29 at 8 p.m. Check local listings.

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