Apple TV+ is free this weekend. Here's what we'd watch The streaming platform is free this weekend for anybody who has an Apple ID. I'm not here to tell you to pick this service over any other — but I can offer a little advice on how to maximize the next few days. Linda Holmes
Britt Allcroft, who brought Thomas the Tank Engine to television, dies at 81 The beloved blue locomotive was first imagined in the 1940s — he starred in stories Rev. Wilbert Awdry told his son. Allcroft adapted Awdry's The Railway Series into Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends. Chloe Veltman
How 'Squid Game' sucked in audiences and impacted media for Korea NPR's Juana Summers talks with Suk-Young Kim, professor at UCLA's school of Theater, Film and Television and author of the book Surviving Squid Game talks about the show's second season. Sarah Handel
Could 'Parks and Recreation' still work 10 years later? Jerry actor isn't sure Actor Jim O'Heir shares stories from seven years on NBC's Parks & Recreation with NPR's Juana Summers. Sarah Handel
The 'Beyoncé Bowl' halftime show was a massive hit for Netflix. The football was too Netflix says more than 200 countries tuned into the "Beyoncé Bowl" and its two NFL games. We may just be starting to learn what that ultimately means for the future of television and sports media. Eric Deggans
We needed comic relief in 2024. Here are 5 stand-up specials where we found it Hasan Minhaj, Ronny Chieng, Mike Birbiglia, Hannah Einbinder and Michelle Buteau all delivered specials that cracked us up this year. Elizabeth Blair
Netflix is dreaming of a glitch-free Christmas with 2 major NFL games set It comes weeks after Netflix's attempt to broadcast live boxing between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson was rife with technical glitches. Juliana Kim
D'oh! 'The Simpsons' turns 35 Thirty-five years ago this week, the hit animated series The Simpsons made its television debut. The animated universe has expanded to movie theaters and collaborations with the NFL. Tinbete Ermyas
In 2024, our TV critic was grateful for fantastic shows and familiar faces Fresh Air critic David Bianculli watches more TV than anyone he knows. He found it impossible to come up with a top 10 list this year — and is reveling in the abundance of exceptional shows. David Bianculli
Study finds more TV depictions of abortion this year — but they're still mostly getting it wrong The findings of an annual report on how abortion is depicted on TV are released today. Elizabeth Blair