History Shows
Air Combat
Air Combat covers the history of military aviation from World War I to the present day, focusing on famous aerial engagements, heroic pilots and a dramatic array of aircraft from Harrier Jump Jets to B-52 Bombers.
26 Episodes
The Road to World War II
This classic documentary series follows the events that inevitably sparked World War II, capturing the drama, the excitement and the juxtapositions of these crucial years between the end of World War I and Pearl Harbour.
16 Episodes
Combat at Sea
Combat at Sea combines exciting archival and modern footage with superior reporting to relive great sea battles, explore naval strategy and counter-strategy, and tell the stories of mighty warships and the men who commanded them.
13 Episodes
The Mafia's Greatest Hits
The Mafia's Greatest Hits uncovers the extraordinary truth behind some of the Mafia's most notorious killers and reveals how the FBI and the forces of law and order took on organised crime and ultimately brought it down.
13 Episodes
Nazi Collaborators
This series looks at the many people who chose to collaborate with the Nazis. It's a simple question: How could they have done it?
13 Episodes
Nazi Hunters
Nazi Hunters depicts the relentless hunt for war criminals who, after committing some of the most atrocious crimes in history, have avoided retribution... until now.
13 Episodes
Haunting: Australia
Hailing from all corners of the globe, six of the best ghost hunters in the business have joined forces to investigate paranormal activity in Australia's most haunted locations.
8 Episodes
Generals At War
As commanders from the great battles of WWII go head-to-head on the battlefield, they attempt to outwit and outfight each other with strategic moves in a game of skill, bluff and counterbluff. With the lives of thousands of men at risk, the generals' reputations hanging in the balance, the stakes are impossibly high and the pressure is on.
6 Episodes
Alexander's Lost World
Following the course of the River Oxus (Amu Darya) for the first time, David Adams takes viewers on an extraordinary 2,400km journey through war-torn Afghanistan and Central Asia.
6 Episodes
Ancient Discoveries
Tantalising clues are making historians rethink the sophistication of ancient cultures. Explore ancient cars, superships, Egyptian warfare, ancient robots and more.
6 Episodes
The Story of Australia
The Story of Australia focuses on the heritage, diverse culture, industry, enterprise and unique natural features of Australia. High Definition footage, including underwater, aerial and special effects photography, is used to capture the world of Australia.
6 Episodes
21st Century War Machines
The machines and weapons designed to fight the full-on heavy metal wars of the 20th Century now face a grim challenge: they must adapt or die.
5 Episodes
The Big House
In a radical social experiment, we take one big house in Ireland and staff it up with the direct descendants of the men and women who lived and worked there - upstairs and downstairs.
4 Episodes
Wings At War
Wings At War tells the compelling story of the air war during World War Two when air power was established as a decisive weapon.
4 Episodes
Devil’s Brigade
Modern-day Special Forces troops from the US and Canada are brought together to train using the same methods and equipment as the First Special Service Force in the 1940s. Upon completion of the training, only those who pass will be ordered to reenact one of the key European FSSF missions in the Second World War.
4 Episodes
Ultimate Battles
Experience three of the most defining battles in the history of the World in these explosive documentaries; the Battle of Waterloo, the Battle of the Bulge, and Alexander the Great's Battle of Guagamela.
3 Episodes
Ancient Megastructures
Certain landmarks have captured the imagination and awe of modern-day architects and engineers around the world as they work to solve the mystery of how their ancient forebears were able to construct such beautiful, timeless and revolutionary structures with none of the machines and materials available to modern engineers.
3 Episodes
War Surgeons
War surgeons have long faced the challenge of saving lives in the most difficult circumstances. This series follows the evolution of their work from ancient times to the present day battlefield.
3 Episodes
Woodstock Diary
The Woodstock Diary is an enthralling fly on the wall documentary about the creation of Woodstock and of the actual three-day event itself.
3 Episodes
Australia on Trial
Through the prism of three of the most sensational trials of the 19th Century, Australia on Trial examines pivotal social battles that changed the fabric of Australian society.
3 Episodes
Cyclone Tracy
On Christmas Day 1974, the eye of Cyclone Tracy ripped through Darwin, leaving the city in ruins. Over 100 people were killed, 20,000 were left homeless, and 80 percent of the city's buildings were destroyed. It was the worst natural disaster in Australian history. This highly acclaimed, three part mini-series depicts the events of that terrifying Christmas, celebrating the spirit and courage of the people who survived the devastation.
3 Episodes
Bill Bailey's Jungle Hero
Bill Bailey meets wildlife in Borneo and Indonesia to tell the story of Darwin's rival, Alfred Russel Wallace.
2 Episodes
Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen created a world that lived in the imagination. 'My Life as a Fairytale' is as humorous, emotional and entertaining as the master's immortal stories themselves.
2 Episodes
Imagineering
Redesigning the everyday - BBC Future works with top designers to rethink common objects and offer 21st Century solutions.
2 Episodes
All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace
A series of films about how humans have been colonised by the machines we have built. Although we don't realise it, the way we see everything in the world today is through the eyes of the computers.
1 Episode
Dream Wrecks
Shipwrecks have fascinated us for centuries, with their watery resting places enticing divers to explore our past. Dream Wrecks looks at some of those stories.
1 Episode
Future Thinking
Renowned inventors, scientists and futurologists describe the big idea that they want to solve and how it can transform the world.
1 Episode
Ben Cropp's Wild Australia
Ben Cropp swapped spear gun for camera in 1962, after winning six Australian spear fishing titles and representing Australia at the world titles.
1 Episode
History Episodes
The Top 5 Most Amazing Hertitage & Historic Sites In Africa!
Africa is absolutely brimming with incredible stories of history, traditions and culture. We've put together a perfect list of all the very best spots you can find that are filled with history!
The Top Five Best Art Galleries In Perth
There is no shortage of incredible artistic spirit around Perth, and we have made a list of the very top spots to discover, so you won't miss out on any must-see artworks!
800 y/o wooden sculptures uncovered in Peruvian mud city
Twenty wooden statues were discovered at the Peruvian archaeological complex of Chan Chan. The statues date back to around 800 years ago and were discovered during an archaeological dig.
The Top 5 Best Art & Cultural Museums in Africa
Africa has no shortage of heritage, history and culture. And where better soak in all this knowledge than of of Africa's many incredible art and cultural museums?
The Best Lesser Known Landmarks In Australia
If you're looking for some lesser known landmarks around Australia that you might not have heard of, this is the perfect list for you! From the serene and isolated Lord Howe Island, to the incredible Mon Remos Conservation Park to see the turtles!
Partition: Time to talk about the legacy of empire?
History isn't always an accurate record of what actually happened. It's said it's mostly written by the victors. So what are British children learning of The Partition of India in 1947 when more than a million died as Pakistan was created?
NHS 70th anniversary marked in London and Manchester
The National Health Service's 70th anniversary has been marked by services in London and Manchester.
NHS: Number of nurses working in the NHS has increased almost five-fold
The number of nurses working in the NHS has increased almost five-fold in over the last seven decades.
Red Arrows replica jet arrives in Downing Street
A life-sized replica of a Red Arrows jet has taken up position outside 10 Downing Street ahead of an event to celebrate the centenary of the Royal Air Force.
Suffragettes: 100 years of the vote for women - a brief history
In the early years of the 20th century, many women were questioning their role and place in society, and demanding the right to vote. The suffragettes were a group of women who began to demonstrate publicly to draw attention to their cause.
Jeremy Corbyn: Labour would pardon Suffragettes
Suffragettes who were given criminal records in their battle for equality would be pardoned under Labour, Jeremy Corbyn has pledged.
MP recalls horrific Holocaust memories "seared" into memory
An MP has spoken of the Holocaust memories "seared" into him after the Nazis experimented on a relative. Labour's Alex Sobel (Leeds North West) said the Holocaust casts a "dark spectre" over his family.
Pozieres
A captivating step back in time, Pozieres explores the small village in Northern France which, during the Great War in 1916, was the setting of one of the bloodiest battles in history, and a twentieth century tragedy for Australia.
Kangaroo
DH Lawrence wrote Kangaroo as a semi-autobiographical account of his 1922 visit to Australia. The Somers leave Europe in the early Twenties for a new life in Australia, but they are soon enveloped in a web of political intrigue, adultery and murder.
Peter Allen - A Celebration
The original Boy from Oz and international superstar Peter Allen captured the imagination of audiences from an early age. Singing alongside Chris Bell in the 1960s as half of The Allen Brothers, Peter was a born performer ready to take on the world.
Besieged - The Ned Kelly Story
The exploits of Ned Kelly, Australian icon and notorious outlaw, raise questions of injustice and oppression. This documentary examines infamous bushranger's life and asks was he an outlaw, a freedom fighter or simply a murderer with a message?
Cyclone Tracy - Part 2
On Christmas Day 1974, the eye of Cyclone Tracy ripped through Darwin. Over 100 people were killed, 20,000 were left homeless, and 80 percent of the city's buildings were destroyed. It was the worst natural disaster in Australian history.
Joan Sutherland in Performance
Considered by many as one of the most remarkable female opera singers of the 20th century, Dame Joan Sutherland's achievements in the performing arts are indubitable. Her reputation is richly celebrated in this rarely seen live performance.
Cyclone Tracy - Part 1
On Christmas Day 1974, the eye of Cyclone Tracy ripped through Darwin. Over 100 people were killed, 20,000 were left homeless, and 80 percent of the city's buildings were destroyed. It was the worst natural disaster in Australian history.
Cyclone Tracy - Part 3
On Christmas Day 1974, the eye of Cyclone Tracy ripped through Darwin. Over 100 people were killed, 20,000 were left homeless, and 80 percent of the city's buildings were destroyed. It was the worst natural disaster in Australian history.
Erskineville Kings
Haunting memories of youth converge as two brothers come to terms with their chequered past in Erskineville Kings, a powerful tale of sibling rivalry and hard-earned respect.
Silent Warriors
The beautiful and isolated Solomon Islands were the scene for a bloody battle between the Japanese and the allied forces during 1942. Many lives were lost and the islands and surrounding seas are still covered in the debris of war.
Living in Australia
Hear the story of Australia's dynamic cities and the pastimes and pleasures of those who live in them.
Chinese-Australians
From pioneers to today's high achievers, Chinese people have contributed in signifiant ways to Australia.
A Land Like No Other
An introduction to everything that is special about Australia - the familiar and the less familiar features of our land, our flora and fauna, historical context and an insight into Indigenous culture.
Grown in Australia
From the wool industry to wine making, from organic farming to abalone production - explore the industry that has always had a special place in Australia.
Mined in Australia
Since the gold rushes, Australian mining has always been strongly linked to China.
Educated in Australia
Students from more than 150 countries come to Australia to be educated, with students from China the largest single international group.
Devil's Brigade - Part 1
Modern-day Special Forces troops from the US and Canada are brought together to train using the same methods and equipment as the First Special Service Force in the 1940s.
Devil's Brigade - Part 2
Modern-day Special Forces troops from the US and Canada are brought together to train using the same methods and equipment as the First Special Service Force in the 1940s.
Devil's Brigade - Part 4
Modern-day Special Forces troops from the US and Canada are brought together to train using the same methods and equipment as the First Special Service Force in the 1940s.
Devil's Brigade - Part 3
Modern-day Special Forces troops from the US and Canada are brought together to train using the same methods and equipment as the First Special Service Force in the 1940s.
A Flickering Truth
The remarkable story of exiled filmmaker Ibrahim Arify as he returns to his native Afghanistan, tasked with restoring 8,000 hours of lost films against Taliban wishes. Films burned and destroyed and thought never to be seen again - until now.
Beyond Kokoda
One of the most brutal conflicts in Australian war history, the Kokoda Campaign was a powerful victory that directly saved Australia from the threat of Japanese occupation. These are the harrowing personal stories from the Kokoda Trail in New Guinea.
Princes of the Palace
Princes of the Palace is the first major documentary to chart the lives of the British royal family's princes... Philip, Charles, William, Harry and young Prince George, as they've supported history's longest serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.
Mabo: Life of an Island Man
A man ahead of his time, Eddie Koiki Mabo, left an indelible legacy to the people of Australia, reshaping the landscape and opening up possibilities that many never dreamed of.
When the Queen Came to Town
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's maiden visit to Australia in 1954 marked the end of one era and the dawn of another. This documentary reveals how it touched the very fabric of Australian society and influenced attitudes toward the monarchy.
Olivetti’s Typewriter - The iMac of Its Day
London’s Design Museum’s director Deyan Sudjic pays tribute to a 1960s machine which paved the way for beautiful, portable products.
Conran Imagines A Digital Camera with A Retro Spirit
A digital camera without a screen? In the second redesign of BBC Future’s Imagineering project, Conran senior designer Jared Mankelow imagines a snapper with old school features.
Is World Peace Possible?
We have witnessed fewer and fewer wars between countries since 1945, and so there is no reason to doubt that they could disappear like other horrifying acts.
Fight for Britain
Following the fall of France in June 1940, Britain was all but alone in Europe to carry on the fight against Nazi Germany.
Target Germany
In the spring of 1941 most of Europe was under German control. In the West only Britain remained in the fight. But it was largely a fight for survival.