The Jewish Broadcasting Service will land for Spectrum subscribers in Milwaukee, and several other Wisconsin cities, on Sept. 1, 2023. Here’s what you need to know about how to watch it.
How can I get JBS?
If you are a subscriber to Spectrum’s cable systems in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Sheboygan, Wausau, Fond du Lac or Oshkosh, JBS will land on the service on Sept. 1. Subscribers to the service are not required to specifically request JBS; it will land there automatically, according to JBS. Channel assignments, however, have not yet been announced.
What if I’m not a Spectrum subscriber?
If you live in Wisconsin and subscribe to Comcast’s Xfinity service, JBS is already available as a channel (Channel 1684), and the same is true for those who have DirecTV (channel 388). JBS can also be downloaded as a channel, with no subscription required, on the Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire streaming platforms, and can also be viewed live on JBS’ website. The streaming channels offer both a live feed and on-demand programming from JBS.
What is the main in-house programming on JBS?
There are two major shows that JBS produces themselves; “In the Spotlight” with Abigail Pogrebin, and “Eye on Israel,” hosted by Shahar Azani.
“In the Spotlight” features Pogebrin’s interviews with major Jewish figures from the worlds of politics, education, and popular culture; recent guests have included Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, educator and author Abi Dauber Sterner, the cast of the Unorthodox podcast, and civil rights attorney Amanda Berman.
“Eye on Israel” features Azani, the media consul at the Israeli Consulate in New York, engaging in one-on-one interviews with Israeli newsmakers. Recent interviews have included HeartPoint Global CEO Seth Bogner, Israel’s Arabic-language spokesman Ofir Gendelman, journalist Mohammad Majadleh, and the Jerusalem Press Club’s Talia Dekel Fleissig.
What other programming does JBS offer?
The Jewish Broadcasting Service also acquires programming from other entities, including the Anti-Defamation League and the 92nd Street Y. JBS is, in fact, “the television home of the 92nd Street Y,” featuring broadcasts of that New York institution’s events.
There’s also “Jewish 101,” a show hosted by the channel’s late founder Rabbi Mark S. Golub which explains Jewish concepts from an introductory level. And the channel regularly offers Jewish-themed movies and concerts. Following Rabbi Golub’s passing earlier this year, the show remains on the JBS schedule in reruns.
Also offered on JBS are such shows as “Being Jewish in Hollywood” and “Think Out Loud.” It offers programming like “ILTV News from Israel” and “Good Week Israel.”
Does JBS offer live worship services?
Yes. The channel offers Orthodox Friday night services, hosted by Rabbi Marc Schneier and Rabbi Avraham Bronstein, with Cantor Netanel Hershtik and Maestro Izhak Haimov, as well as Reform services, on Saturday mornings, live from New York’s Central Synagogue.
In addition, JBS will offer both Reform and Orthodox high holiday services, in September, after the launch of the channel in Wisconsin, for those not able to get out of the house for the high holidays.
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