'Backroads of Montana' premieres 50th show

by Clark Fork Valley Press
| November 24, 2021 12:00 AM

The awarding-winning Montana PBS series “Backroads of Montana,” which features unique people and places in Montana, premiered its 50th episode Monday, Nov. 15.

The episode, “The Great Outdoors,” takes viewers to Seeley Lake, Lolo, Great Falls and the National Bison Range near Moiese. It will have repeat airings at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18; at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20; and at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 21.

Backroads of Montana host William Marcus said the episode will feature a group of volunteers who come to Montana every summer to serve as hosts for campgrounds near Seeley Lake; the Dunrovin Ranch in Lolo, which has cameras that allow people around the world to participate in the daily ranch happenings; the process and science of ice forming on a western Montana river; Giant Springs State Park near Great Falls; and the story of the National Bison Range near Moiese.

“I think we’re all a little surprised, and grateful, that we’ve been able to maintain the ‘Backroads’ show this long,” Marcus said. “It proves that there is no end to the hopeful stories and soul-touching beauty that we live with every day in Montana.”

Along with Marcus, Gus Chambers, John Twiggs, Anna Rau, Breanna McCabe and Ray Ekness produce “Backroads of Montana” for Montana PBS through the University of Montana Broadcast Media Center.

Now in its 30th year of production, “Backroads of Montana” is made possible with support from the Greater Montana Foundation, a Big Sky Film Grant and UM.

The program has received multiple awards, including being named the Montana Broadcasters Association non-commercial television program of the year numerous times.

For more information about “Backroads of Montana,” or to watch upcoming and previous episodes, visit montanapbs.org/backroads.

Montana PBS (KUSM-TV in Bozeman, KUFM-TV in Missoula, KUKL-TV in Kalispell, KBGS- TV in Billings, KUGF-TV in Great Falls and KUHM-TV in Helena) is a service of Montana State University and the University of Montana.

For more information, visit montanapbs.org.