First episode of Ken Burns doc “Prohibition” to debut on PBS for iPad, PBS apps

PBS has announced that starting tomorrow (September 23), it will be offering the first episode of the fascinating new Ken Burns documentary Prohibition on the free PBS for iPad and PBS apps for the iPhone and iPod touch. The entire three-part series airs nationally October 2-4, with each episode also streamed live, timed to the national broadcast. Episodes 2 and 3 will be available on PBS for iPad and PBS apps for iPhone and iPod touch the day after each TV airdate, and will remain available through October 7.

PBS for iPad and PBS apps for iPhone and iPod touch are available for free from the App Store.

Fans of the HBO series Boardwalk Empire, which debuts its new season this Sunday and is set in the same Prohibition era, might want to give Burns’ doc a look, and apparently that’s what Burns himself is hoping for with this sneak preview of Episode 1.

“We are huge fans of Boardwalk Empire,” Burns says, “and are thrilled that we can share the story of what gave rise to Prohibition, the topic of our first episode, to viewers tuning in to the premiere of Boardwalk.”

In early September, HBO and PBS co-hosted a lunch with Burns and Boardwalk Empire executive producer Terence Winter. Video from that luncheon is below, and it offers a good rundown of how documentary and drama have combined to bring to life this explosive era in American history.

Watch the full episode. See more PBS Presents.

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Photo credit: New York Daily News