Taking Venice

It’s 1964, the Cold War is raging, and the US sets its sights on a new front: the art world. At the prestigious Venice Biennale, a covert cultural campaign unfolds. A savvy Washington insider enlists a rising curator to organize America’s entry. Teaming up with a legendary dealer, they launch an audacious plan to make Robert Rauschenberg—an unorthodox artist using pop culture imagery and street junk—the grand prize winner. As the competition heats up, the team’s behind-the-scenes tactics echo a Hollywood thriller. When Rauschenberg wins, the art world erupts—and the artist is left questioning the political agenda behind his triumph.

Lost Worlds: Deeper Into The Black Sea

A journey to the depths of the Black Sea yields the greatest series of ancient shipwrecks ever discovered. In 2015, an international team of scientists began a three year exploration of the Black Sea in search of evidence of the ancient empires that sailed their ships into unknown waters in pursuit of trade, treasure and conquest. This documentary captures a series of astonishing discoveries; a treasure trove of shipwrecks uniquely preserved that date back 2500 years to the Greek and Roman empires, culminating in maritime archaeology’s greatest ever wreck. A fully intact Roman wreck, perfectly preserved in the anoxic waters of the Black Sea.

History By The Numbers

HISTORY BY THE NUMBERS is an energetic, fast-paced documentary series taking a global dive into the extraordinary and often overlooked numbers that have created our world’s history. In each episode of HISTORY BY THE NUMBERS we examine a story that you thought you knew, but re-organized and decoded through the numbers and over-the-top stats to give viewers a new perspective on the people, events and themes that shaped the world we live in today. The series is loaded with mind-blowing factoids and stats, entertaining top five lists, comparisons and trivia, and uses numbers to reveal connections you never knew existed. Each episode delves into a different subject – from the massive growth of the global fast-food empire to the wealth and bloodshed of the world’s top crime bosses, the herculean numbers behind Mount Everest, the lives of the richest people on earth and so much more. *Curiosity launched the first 5 episodes in a prime slot for US thanksgiving and it was #4 of the top 8 rated shows.

Disasters Of The Century

Sometimes all it takes is a poorly-handled match to burn down the legacy of a cultural icon and reduce untold lives to ash. In heartbreaking detail, tragic disasters of our time are told through survivor stories, re-enactments, and accurate 3D renderings explaining exactly how these tragedies began, escalated, and destroyed the lives of thousands, and left an indelible mark on history.

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.

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

Born By Fire: The Mysteries Of Glassmaking

A cinematic journey through the world of glass blowing, tracing its origins from ancient Mesopotamia to the present day where avant-garde artisans turn molten liquid into stunning works of art. From the old-world beauty of Lebanon to the kaleidoscopic wonder of Venice, BORN BY FIRE is an unforgettable journey into one of nature's most remarkable creations and its sacred link to humankind.

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.

Bettany Hughes' Grand Tour: From Paris To Rome

Prof. Bettany Hughes is on the journey of a lifetime through France and Italy to understand how travel, art, and culture can enrich our lives. Inspired by the 18th Century’s Grand Tourists, Bettany is making her own modern, pleasure-filled pilgrimages to some of Europe’s most beautiful cities including Paris, Nice, Florence, Lake Como, Venice, and Rome. Over four stunning episodes, Bettany reveals the honeypot of art and culture that make these the world’s most desired and popular destinations. This landmark series is a sumptuous treat filled with staggering access, good food, fine wines, and the most inspiring art and history. Think charisma, culture, and Camparis - the ultimate chance for the armchair traveller to relax, learn, discover, delight, and enjoy.

China's Ghost Army

Uncovering the secret of how Emperor Qin Shihuangdi’s army of terracotta warriors was made reveals the true extent of the First Emperor’s power.