How Immersive Tech and Tom Hanks Are Launching PBS into a New Orbit

BOYNTON BEACH, FL – July 09, 2026 – This September, South Florida PBS is making a strategic leap from the broadcast screen to the vastness of space. The organization announced it will host The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks, an immersive cinematic experience that has already captivated international audiences. This move signals more than just a high-profile event; it represents a calculated step by a public media institution to redefine its value chain, embracing cutting-edge experiential technology to engage and educate its community in an entirely new dimension.

Bridging History and Horizon with Immersive Storytelling

At its core, The Moonwalkers is a masterclass in leveraging technology to bridge generational divides. Co-written and narrated by Tom Hanks, whose passion for space exploration is well-documented through projects like Apollo 13 and From the Earth to the Moon, the experience is designed to transport audiences directly into the story of the Apollo missions. Created by the London-based studio Lightroom, the show utilizes a massive, architecturally-designed space with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling projection and a state-of-the-art spatial audio system. The result is not a passive viewing but a sensory immersion, placing visitors in the heart of the lunar journey.

The content itself is a carefully curated blend of old and new. The experience draws heavily from Andy Saunders' celebrated project, Apollo Remastered, which used advanced enhancement techniques to produce the highest-quality photographs of the Apollo missions ever seen. This restored archival footage is woven together with a powerful original score by Anne Nikitin and, crucially, newly filmed interviews with astronauts from NASA's current Artemis program. This narrative choice is pivotal. By juxtaposing the triumphs of the past with the ambitions of the present, The Moonwalkers transforms a historical retrospective into a forward-looking catalyst for inspiration, perfectly timed as NASA prepares to return humans to the Moon. As Tom Hanks stated, "Through the extraordinary and unique production capabilities of Lightroom, audiences can experience these incredible moments from an entirely new perspective."

A Strategic Leap for Public Media

For South Florida PBS, Florida’s largest public media company, hosting The Moonwalkers is a significant strategic maneuver. It pushes the boundaries of what a public broadcaster can be, moving beyond traditional content delivery into the burgeoning market of location-based experiential learning. This aligns directly with the organization's mission to foster innovation and lifelong learning, a sentiment echoed by its leadership.

"South Florida PBS is proud to bring this extraordinary experience to our community," said Dolores Fernandez Alonso, President and CEO for South Florida PBS. "As an organization dedicated to education, innovation, and lifelong learning, we are excited to offer audiences an inspiring journey that celebrates one of humanity's greatest achievements while sparking curiosity about the future of space exploration."

This initiative allows the organization to activate its brand in the physical world, creating a destination that can attract a broad demographic—from families and educators to tech enthusiasts and cultural patrons. It's a model that other public institutions will be watching closely. In an era of fractured media consumption, creating must-see, in-person events provides a powerful way to build community, drive membership, and reaffirm relevance. By partnering with globally recognized creators like Lightroom and Paquin Entertainment Group, South Florida PBS is not just licensing a show; it is importing a world-class cultural asset and positioning itself as a key curator for the region.

Landing in a Competitive Cultural Landscape

The decision to launch The Moonwalkers is made even more compelling by the context of South Florida's dynamic immersive entertainment market. The region has become a hotbed for such attractions, from the high-art installations at Superblue Miami to the mind-bending exhibits at the Paradox Museum and the upcoming VR-based Space Explorers: The Infinite at the Kravis Center. This is a competitive space where success requires a unique value proposition.

The Moonwalkers distinguishes itself by blending several powerful elements. While many experiences lean heavily on either art, pure entertainment, or VR technology that can isolate users, this event combines a universally resonant, educational theme with a communal, projection-based format. The involvement of Tom Hanks provides unparalleled mainstream appeal and narrative credibility. Furthermore, its presentation by a trusted public media entity lends it an educational gravitas that commercial ventures often lack. This combination of star power, historical significance, and institutional trust creates a formidable market position, capable of drawing audiences from across South Florida’s tri-county area and beyond. The event is less a direct competitor to a VR experience and more a complementary cultural pillar, offering a different, yet equally immersive, way to engage with science and history.