Documentary AreaSimply the best Documentaries

A chillingly realistic scenario unfolds: what would happen if a massive asteroid were hurtling toward Earth—and we only had months to prepare? This gripping special plunges viewers into the very real threat of cosmic collisions, combining cutting-edge science, expert analysis, and stunning visualizations. Follow the urgent efforts of scientists racing to detect and deflect potential impacts, with exclusive access to astronomers monitoring the skies. More than just a documentary, it's a wake-up call from the cosmos—a thrilling journey into one of the most dramatic `what if’ scenarios humanity could face.

Dive into a high-voltage odyssey through rhythm, rebellion, and raw groove — tracing the electrifying pulse that shaped decades of music. From deep African roots and the soul-drenched sounds of gospel and jazz, this vibrant exploration reveals how a powerful beat gave rise to a cultural revolution. Witness how icons like James Brown ignited the flame, how Parliament Funkadelic took it to the cosmos, how Labelle broke barriers, and how Fela Kuti turned rhythm into resistance. As the funk surged forward, it didn’t fade — it transformed, reshaping new wave and breathing life into hip-hop. Uncover the untold stories, the infectious energy, and the enduring legacy of a genre that refuses to sit still.

In Episode 3, embark on a breathtaking journey with Professor Brian Cox as he ventures into the storm worlds of our solar system. This chapter uncovers colossal tempests that have raged for centuries, metallic frost blanketing alien mountains, and monsoon rains falling a billion kilometers from Earth. A visually stunning exploration of the most extreme weather in the cosmos — a chapter that will forever change how we view planetary atmospheres.

In July 2022, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) unveiled its first breathtaking images, offering an unprecedented level of detail of stars, galaxies, and planets. But for scientists, these images were just the start of an exciting journey to uncover the universe's secrets. This documentary follows Chris Lintott as he embarks on a road trip to meet the researchers who have been eagerly analyzing JWST's data, revealing groundbreaking discoveries about exoplanet atmospheres, the outer planets of our solar system, and the earliest galaxies in the cosmos.
To mark the second anniversary of JWST's first images, Chris, along with presenters Maggie Aderin-Pocock and George Dransfield, revisits these scientists to explore the telescope's successes and challenges. From new jet streams on Jupiter to quirks on Uranus and Neptune, and insights into the ancient universe, the documentary showcases the remarkable findings made possible by JWST. Additionally, resident astronomer Pete Lawrence guides viewers on how to observe the night sky's wonders, aligning their stargazing with the telescope's targets. This captivating journey into space science promises to inspire and intrigue.

The collision of two supermassive black holes is the most violent event that can occur in the universe; experts explore where a black hole's energy originates and what really happens when the two most powerful objects in the cosmos clash. It is a soul-chilling, mind-crushing amount of energy. Take your ringside seat to the ultimate fight of the universe. Get ready for the final of the cosmos heavyweight championship.

In the concluding episode of the series, Jim encounters ever larger cosmic structures to reveal the latest breakthroughs in our understanding of the universe. For example, Jim comes face to face with our galactic home, the Milky Way, a monstrous structure sculpted by the gravitational forces of dark matter. Jim finds out from pioneering researcher Adrian Fabian about the black hole at its centre, whose strange behaviour includes emitting the lowest note that can be heard in the cosmos.
At an even greater scale, Jim encounters huge structures such as the Laniakea Supercluster, of which the Milky Way is only a tiny part. Then there’s the 'Giant Arc', a collection of galaxies that account for more than three per cent of the observable universe. Jim learns from its discoverer, British PhD student Alexia Lopez, that this gargantuan structure is forcing scientists to reassess their theory of how the universe evolves and may overturn some of the most fundamental principles in physics.