Sky Documentaries

Portrayed by Matilda’s Rhea Perlman in the record-breaking Barbie movie last year, Ruth Handler was the creator and mind behind the Barbie brand. While many will know the story of Ruth’s creation of Barbie – she saw a German doll whilst on holiday and worked with designer Jack Ryan (also behind Hot Wheels) to create a version for American audiences – many will be unaware of the tales of betrayal and debauchery which lie behind the world’s most famous doll.

If, this summer, you peruse Sky TV and land on a mixed martial arts (MMA) fight, don’t assume you are watching Sky Sports. Hoping to take advantage of the increasing popularity of full-contact fighting, Sky Documentaries is airing several related programmes for which aficionados will want a ringside seat.

The film tells the story of Diana, Princess of Wales, and her relationship with Charles, Prince of Wales, from their seemingly fairy-tale marriage through to its fracturing and her tragic death.

It will air in August 2022, the month that marks the 25th anniversary of her death.

The story has been well documented, but by drawing solely from contemporaneous archive footage, the film takes viewers back in time to the era-defining events as they happened.

The four-part documentary will see the legendary pop icon Janet Jackson tell her life story in her own words, 40 years after the release of her very first album.

One of the best-selling and highest-earning artists in music history, Janet Jackson has endured a tumultuous private life under the glare of public scrutiny. Having enjoyed extraordinary success but also incredible tragedy, the documentary will see the singer lift the lid on her private life for the very first time, revealing some of the most intimate moments of the star ever recorded on camera.

In a wide-ranging discussion, hosted by True to Nature founder Wendy Darke, the duo talked about creating “content worth paying for”, with Reynolds commenting that the “fight for audiences has never been bigger”.

Dixon was delighted at the first 18 months of Sky Documentaries, particularly its Factual Channel win at the recent Broadcast Digital Awards.

The five-part documentary for Sky Documentaries and NOW will take an in-depth look at one of the largest and best known environmental protection organisations, with unprecedented access to Greenpeace's full archive. 

Activists and campaigners worldwide will be followed for over a year as they embark on their mission to save the planet. 

Fifty years ago, the NGO launched its mission to stop the destruction of the planet, leading to some of the most iconic and moving environmental campaigns ever created. 

Produced by Fulwell 73 (Sunderland ‘Til I Die), the feature-length documentary will chart the rapid rise and fall of the European Super League (ESL), one of the most extraordinary sagas in recent footballing history.  

The film will offer an exclusive inside look at the events and decisions that saw 12 founding member teams from the English Premier League, Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A propose a new annual international competition, and the 72-hour period between the announcement and its swift collapse.

Unforgotten

Monday 22nd February

ITV, 9pm

Unforgotten returns for a fourth series with Nicola Walker (The Split) reprising her role as the traumatised detective inspector Cassie Stewart.

“Bill came early one morning into the bedroom. He sat on the side of the bed and he said, I have to tell you something…” is how Hillary Clinton begins her excruciating personal recollection of one of the most scandalous episodes in American history, when her husband, the President, admitted to having an affair with a White House intern.

The new channels will show a mix of premium, original commissions and acquired content.

Sky’s Managing Director of Content, Zai Bennett, commented: “These new commissions showcase Sky’s investment in world-class original content and the breadth and range of factual shows our customers will be able to find on Sky Documentaries and Sky Nature.”

Here are some new shows to look out for: