PBS SoCal announced today that Lost LA, its award-winning co-production with the USC Libraries, will return this coming January for a seventh season.
Four new episodes will air on PBS SoCal Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. Pacific, beginning January 7, 2025, with rebroadcasts on PBS SoCal Plus Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. Pacific, beginning January 8. After its initial telecast, each episode of Lost LA will be available to stream on YouTube and on the free PBS App.
Lost LA—part of the USC Libraries' longstanding commitment to building public engagement with regional history collections—explores Southern California's past through documents, photos, and other rare materials from local libraries and archives, many of them members of the LA as Subject research alliance. Hosted by the USC Libraries' Nathan Masters, the half-hour series has won multiple accolades since its premiere in January 2016, including six Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards, three Golden Mikes from the Radio and Television News Association of Southern California, a PRExcellence Best in Show Award from the California Library Association, and a Belva Davis American Scene Award from SAG-AFTRA.
USC Libraries collections featured prominently in this seventh season include the California Historical Society, Dick Whittington, and Los Angeles Examiner collections.
The new season will be telecast as follows (subject to change):
“Space Shuttle” – Tues., Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal / Wed., Jan. 8 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
The Space Shuttle Endeavour has its journey traced from the program’s very origins to the now iconic display open to the public at The California Science Center. Nathan highlights the significant achievements of local astronauts, test pilots, engineers and blue-collar workers, showcasing how Southern California became a vital stepping stone in humanity's journey into the cosmos. Featured interviews include astronaut John Daniel “Danny” Olivas, test pilot Maryann Karlen and curator Kenneth E. Phillips.
“Cold War Secrecy” – Tues., Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal / Wed., Jan. 15 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
The Cold War had a profound impact on Southern California's infrastructure, revealing a landscape rife with secrets underneath. Nathan explores artifacts from LA's military and aerospace industries throughout the city as he uncovers how federal investments transformed the region, simultaneously creating a wealth of opportunity while cloaking the area in a culture of secrecy. Featured interviews include: historian D. J. Waldie, combat photographer Ken Hackman and museum founder Justin Jampol.
“When the St. Francis Dam Collapsed” – Tues., Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal / Wed., Jan. 22 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
Author Geoff Manaugh joins Nathan to understand the 1928 St. Francis Dam collapse, which unleashed a deadly flood that devastated the Santa Clara River Valley. Visit the dam site, follow the 54-mile flood path to the Pacific and uncover stories of loss, resilience and heroism. Explore the disaster’s impact on Mexican American families and hear from experts on its lasting significance. Featured interviews include: professor Jose Alamillo, archaeologist Ann Stansell and seismologist Lucy Jones.
“Animation” – Tues., Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal / Wed., Jan. 29 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
Uncover Disney’s roots and Walt Disney’s first home as Nathan explores how Los Angeles became the birthplace of modern animation. Animators Jane Baer and Floyd Norman, producer Don Hahn, composer John Debney and voice actor Bill Farmer explain how the city transformed cartoons into the art form of animation. Take a one-of-a-kind tour of Disney’s Animation Research Library and learn what it takes to bring drawn characters to life.