“The World According to Polka Winter Sports Spectacular” premieres exclusively on PBS Western Reserve on Monday, Feb. 2, at 9 p.m.
Kent, Ohio — Jan. 26, 2026 — Just in time for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, the Chardon Polka Band delves into the wonderful world of cold-weather sports in a new PBS Western Reserve special, “The World According to Polka Winter Sports Spectacular.”
With their signature sense of humor, two-time Emmy-winning host Jake Kouwe and friends explore winter activities such as curling, skiing, ice fishing, hockey and even dog sledding! The band will have help from the Mayfield Curling Club and the Cleveland Monsters hockey team as they navigate the ice.
“I think my favorite part of this special was getting to try curling and dog sledding. Those are two things I never imagined would be part of my job as a polka musician,” said Kouwe, acknowledging the unconventional connection between polka and the ice, and describing the special’s theme as “an off-the-wall thing for us to take on.”
Celebratory musical accompaniments from the Chardon Polka Band will feature an impressive array of musical guests, including Esther Fitz from PBS Western Reserve’s “In Tune: Everyday Music,” Denver’s Okee Dokee Brothers, the UK’s London Essentials, and touring guitarist Cory Wong of Michigan.
“The World According to Polka Winter Sports Spectacular” premieres exclusively on PBS Western Reserve on Monday, Feb. 2, at 9 p.m. Following its linear premiere, “The World According to Polka Winter Sports Spectacular” will be available on demand via the PBS Western Reserve website, PBS App and YouTube.
All PBS Western Reserve productions, including “The World According to Polka,” are made possible by the generous support of PBS Western Reserve members, donors and underwriters. To support the continued production and acquisition of quality local storytelling, donations can be made to the public media organization at PBSWesternReserve.org.
by Madeline Myers, Public Relations and Communications Specialist
About PBS Western Reserve
PBS Western Reserve is a community organization that empowers Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania through the impact of accessible public media and educational services to foster connection and lifelong learning. We present to our region cultural, scientific and artistic programming for awareness and enjoyment; local storytelling and access to trusted regional, state and national public affairs; experiential opportunities and community outreach for people of all ages; and educational initiatives that support the healthy development of our youth.
PBS Western Reserve operates two separately licensed public television stations (WNEO and WEAO) and an Educational Services division operating under one 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, Northeastern Educational Television of Ohio Inc. (NETO). WNEO was established in 1971, is licensed to the city of Alliance and serves the Youngstown designated television market. WEAO went on the air in 1975, is licensed to the city of Akron and serves the Cleveland-Akron-Canton designated television market. All programming is simulcast on the two stations.