Specials Mark Birthday of Martin Luther King

Television celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday with several specials pegged to Monday’s national holiday in his honor.

Shari Belafonte-Harper and Robert Guillaume host “Living the Dream: A Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.,” a gospel music celebration of the late civil rights leader’s life, at 8 p.m. Sunday on KTLA Channel 5. Oprah Winfrey, Aretha Franklin and Lou Rawls will also appear in this two-hour special from the Aquarius Theater.

At 10 p.m. Sunday, KCET Channel 28 will air a portrait of King and his legacy, “Martin Luther King: The Dream on Hold,” including recollections from friends and old interviews with King. The program repeats Monday at 1 p.m.

“Martin Luther King Jr.: A Tribute by William Warfield,” airing Sunday at 10 p.m. on Channel 50, features a performance of “New Morning for the World” sung by the noted baritone. This concert repeats Monday at 11 p.m. on Channel 28.

Monday at noon, Channel 9 will broadcast “The Boy King,” a re-creation of experiences from King’s boyhood in Atlanta. Howard E. Rollins Jr. stars.

“Searching for Freedom: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” Monday at 4 p.m. on KSCI Channel 18, features film clips, interviews and appearances by Chick Hearn, Eartha Kitt and Frank Zappa.

And KTTV Channel 11 will broadcast a documentary, “The Making of a Holiday: Martin Luther King Jr.,” Monday at 8 p.m.