NOVA (1974)
PBS' premier science series helps viewers of all ages explore the science behind the headlines. Along the way, NOVA demystifies science and technology, and highlights the people involved in scientific pursuits.
| Type | TV series |
|---|---|
| First aired | 3 March 1974 |
| Status | Returning Series |
| Genre | Documentary |
| Seasons | 53 seasons, 1029 episodes |
| Episode length | about 55 min |
| Time to watch it all | about 943 hours |
| Rated | TV-PG |
| Scores | TMDB users 7.1/10 |
Where to watch NOVA
NOVA is streaming on Prime Video ($8.99 a month) in the US. At ten hours a week, all of the series takes about 22 months of Prime Video, or $197.78 at list price.
We check availability daily. Page last updated 27 October 2026. Prices are standard monthly plans and change often, so check with the service before you sign up.
What kind of watch this is
NOVA is a 1974 documentary series that treats science like a conversation you can actually follow. Each episode runs 55 minutes, giving you time to unpack one idea without feeling rushed. Over 53 seasons and 1,029 episodes, it has built a library that spans everything from quantum mechanics to the history of space travel. The total watch time hits 943 hours. That is not a weekend commitment. It is a background radio for your entire adult life, waiting for the moment you need to explain how a black hole works to a friend who is still on the couch.
What the critics said
Rob Owen of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote, "Fascinating and gripping." Alex Strachan of the Calgary Herald wrote, "TV for people who don't normally watch TV." The Futon Critic wrote of the episode "Looking for Life on Mars", "Astounding [and] exhilarating." These are not mixed signals. They are a map. If you usually ignore science fiction, this is the entry point. That is a rare thing.
How it did with audiences
NOVA opened its books with an empty ledger. No budget figure exists in the record, and the box office line remains blank. It leaves the financial verdict to imagination. The only hard number left is the 7.1 TMDB user score.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched NOVA.
Read more: Planet Earth
Sources
- NOVA on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q3071768 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “Nova (American TV program)” on Wikipedia, by its contributors (history) — reception, audience figures and legacy, summarised and adapted here under CC BY-SA 4.0
- Where to watch and prices: Binge Boss, from TMDB watch-provider data (powered by JustWatch) and our own provider list
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