Bettany Hughes' Lost Worlds: The Nabataeans

For decades, historian Bettany Hughes has been fascinated by the enigmatic kingdom of Nabataea. Petra, their iconic capital, was part of a vast empire that is only now revealing its secrets. Seemingly lost to history, it's time to tell their story and show they were as important as Ancient Greece, Rome, or Egypt. Bettany traces their incense trade routes from the Arabian Peninsula to the Mediterranean, accessing newly revealed research across Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Greece, Italy and Oman. From towering tombs to underwater temples, Bettany unveils the Nabataeans' spectacular story from the periphery of their world to its very centre.

Iconic Biographies

This collection, including a six-part series and three two-hour specials, offers a deep look at renowned historical figures who were not only significant figures in Britain, but whose leadership and legacies also had a huge impact worldwide. All the biographies will explore both sides of their personalities and characters, to present rounded portraits of them all. Historical figures included are Winston Churchill, Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson, Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Thomas Edward Lawrence. Brunel: Building A Great Britain | 1x120' HD Nelson: Britain's Greatest Naval Hero | 1x120' HD The Real Lawrence of Arabia | 1x120' HD Winston Churchill | 6x60' HD

The Lost Colony Of Roanoke: New Evidence

A definitive investigation into one of the biggest mysteries of all time - what happened to the English colonists of Roanoke Island who seemingly disappeared without a trace. This two part special follows the work of British archaeologists who try to weed through the conspiracy theories and speculation, and find the truth.

The Real Spies Among Friends

The real story behind hit drama series A Spy Among Friends. This documentary on Kim Philby, and his fellow Cambridge traitors, reveals the worst spy ring in history. From Cold War Washington to contemporary Moscow, Beirut backstreets to Buckingham Palace, the story is as gripping as any espionage thriller. The treachery of the privileged Philby, Burgess, Maclean, and Blunt shows how old school ties blinded the British establishment. Contributors include ex-officers from MI5, CIA and KGB who lift the lid on their secret tradecraft, and shed light on the ongoing threat from espionage. Ben Macintyre, author of the book behind the drama, is lead contributor.

The Real Hunt For Red October

This two part docu-drama reveals, for the first time, the astonishing secret story behind the Russian submarine, Red October. The blockbuster movie The Hunt for Red October tells the story of a rogue Soviet nuclear submarine attempting to defect to the US while being hunted by both the American and Soviet Navies. Based on the best-selling novel by Tom Clancy, it reveals the technology, drama and character of an underwater battle. What few realise is that the book and film were inspired by a classified nuclear confrontation that some believe changed the course of world history.

Battle of the Atlantic

The BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC is the forgotten front line of the Second World War. In this series engineer Rob Bell and ex-marine Arthur Williams uncover the incredible events behind this bloody and brutal conflict that claimed over 100,000 lives. They explore Nazi U-boats and British warships that battled it out above and below the waves, as well as discovering the personal stories of the brave men and women who risked everything to control the Atlantic.

Disaster Autopsy

DISASTER AUTOPSY offers an innovative and exciting way to investigate the hidden causes behind some of the world’s most catastrophic events. Disasters strike without warning, anywhere, anytime. In a high rise building, at sea, even in space. Why does an aircraft carrier explode? How does one of Italy’s most famous bridges collapse? What causes a catastrophic meltdown in a nuclear power plant? DISASTER AUTOPSY reveals how any of them can begin with the smallest details – a paperwork error, a bad glue job, even something as simple as changing a restaurant’s opening hours. Using expert analysis and cutting-edge 3D graphics, the series re-creates these real-world disasters, peeling back the layers to uncover their surprising causes. Whatever it is, this series will uncover it by conducting a complete… DISASTER AUTOPSY.

Mysteries of China

Archaeologist Agnes Hsu, a director of New York-based China Institute goes on a quest to answer some of ancient China’s most beguiling mysteries.

Tombs Of Egyptian Priestesses

A team of Egyptian archaeologists has discovered a previously unknown cemetery that opens a window onto a unique period in the history of ancient Egypt - a time when the country was ruled by rich and powerful princesses, "The God’s Wives of Amun." We follow the excavation of the tombs in real time and witness the discovery of amazing artifacts belonging to these elite women. It was a time when Egypt was ruled by the Kushites from Nubia. To cement their rule, the Nubian kings sent their wives and daughters to rule over their new Egyptian conquests. These women embraced the local culture and religion and became known by the name of the all-powerful Egyptian god Amun. They ruled like kings, but having female rulers empowered women throughout Egyptian society. Through the discoveries in the cemetery, we explore one of the most mysterious periods of Egyptian history, when power was in the hands of women.

The First World War: The People's Story

THE FIRST WORLD WAR: THE PEOPLE’S STORY draws on an extraordinary and little known archive of two hundred interviews with the last survivors from the battlefields and the home front, filmed over the past twenty-five years. Vivid and heart breaking accounts are told from the main theatres of war - such as Passchendaele and the Somme - as well as on the home front where families were devastated by the loss of loved ones. One of the most catastrophic wars in human history is seen and heard as never before, as emotional testimonies are combined with digitally restored WWI footage to tell THE PEOPLE'S STORY.