PBS will air the two-part “Masterpiece Theatre”...

PBS will air the two-part “Masterpiece Theatre” production of “Precious Bane,” based on Mary Webb’s novel, in October. Set in a Shropshire Village in 1815, the story stars Janet McTeer as a young, passionate and intelligent girl who carries the curse--or “bane”--of a harelip.

“Adventures in Space,” a four-hour NBC News special hosted by Leonard Nimoy, will look at America’s reach for the stars through NBC television and radio coverage, Soviet news clips, newsreel footage and interviews with space pioneers.

Anne Murray and Kenny Rogers will host CBS’ coverage of “The 23rd Annual Country Music Assn. Awards” from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 9. Award presenters and performers include Glen Campbell, Roy Clark, K.T. Oslin, Buck Owens, Dolly Parton, Ricky Scaggs and Hank Williams Jr.

Barbara Babcock will play an angry author accused of murdering her scheming ex-husband at a mystery writers convention in the tentatively titled NBC movie “Perry Mason: The Case of the Murder Mystery Murder.” Raymond Burr, reprising his role as the famous lawyer, will be joined by Cindy Williams, Tony Lo Bianco and Kiel Martin.

Production is progressing at KCET’s studios on “Zora Is My Name,” about black American writer and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston. The “American Playhouse” tribute, which will air during Black History Month in February, stars Oscar Brown Jr., Paula Kelly, Louis Gossett Jr., Roger Mosley, Beah Richards, Count Stovall, Lynn Whitfield and Flip Wilson.

Leeza Gibbons of “Entertainment Tonight” will join Bob Eubanks to host the “Hollywood Christmas Parade.” The two-hour telecast will air Nov. 26 on KTLA Channel 5.