# List of documentary television channels

This is a list of documentary channels, including channels that have been affected by "channel drift". It also contains channels accused of a biased point of view.

## List

| Name | Launch | Country | Language | Content focus | Change of content/bias | Examples of content in original focus (past and present) | Owner/parent company |
| PBS America | 2011 | United Kingdom | English | History, Science, Current Affairs and Arts & Culture | Available on Sky, Virgin Media, Freeview and Freesat | | PBS |
| A&E | 1984 | United States | English | Documentaries, biographies and crime dramas (originally) | Reality shows, stereotypes (Southerners) | The First 48, Criminal Minds, CSI:Miami | A+E Networks |
| ABC | 1956 | Australia | English | Mass media, United States cable | Live broadcasts (sports), tv shows (television programs), reality shows | | |
| Al Jazeera Documentary Channel | 2007 | Qatar | Arabic | Documentary films | Al Jazeera has been criticized for being state media owned by Qatar and assailed as anti-Semitic, anti-American bias. | | Al Jazeera Media Network |
| American Heroes Channel | 1999 | USA | English | World War II, U.S. war documentaries | | | |
| Animal Planet | 1996 | USA | English | Wildlife, animals, relation between humans and animals | Speculative fiction and pseudo-documentaries (mermaids, dragons), non-animal shows | Cats 101, Dogs 101 | Warner Bros. Discovery |
| APTN | 1992 | Canada | English | Programs and news about Aboriginal peoples in Canada | Some non-Aboriginal programming | APTN National News, Blackstone, Cooking With the Wolfman | |
| Arte | 1992 | France, Germany | French, German | Arts, culture | | | |
| BBC | 1922 | UK | English | Mass media, public broadcasting | | | |
| BBC Four | 1999 | UK | English | Culture, current affairs | | | British Broadcasting Corporation |
| BBC Earth | 2015 | UK | English | Nature and wildlife documentaries | | | BBC Studios |
| BBC Parliament | 1992 | UK | English | Parliamentary and legislative programs | | | British Broadcasting Corporation |
| beIN İZ | 2006 | Turkey | Turkish | History and society documentary | | | beIN Media Group |
| Bravo | 1995 | Canada | English | Television dramas, films, art-related programming | Film-dramas, non-art TV shows | Inside the Actors Studio, Blue Bloods, 19-2, Dallas, Criminal Minds | |
| C-SPAN | 1979 | USA | English | Government proceedings and public affairs | | | |
| C-SPAN 2 | 1986 | USA | English | Government proceedings and public affairs | | | |
| C-SPAN 3 | 2001 | USA | English | Government proceedings and public affairs | | | |
| Canal D | 1995 | Canada | French | Crime, biographies, nature, and science | | | Bell Media |
| Canal+ Docs | 2021 | France | French | History and society documentary | | | Canal+ S.A. |
| Canal+ Dokument | 2019 | Poland | Polish | History and society documentary | | | Canal+ S.A. |
| Canal+ Discover | 2021 | Ethiopia | Oromo | History and society documentary | | | Canal+ S.A. |
| Canal+ Discover | 2021 | Ethiopia | Amharic | History and society documentary | | | Canal+ S.A. |
| Canal+ Su Sann | 2018 | Myanmar | Burmese | History and society documentary | | | Canal+ S.A. |
| CCTV-9 | 2011 | China | It has one editions: one in Chinese for mainland China. | Documentary shows | | | CCTV |
| CGTN Documentary | 2016 | China | It has one editions: one in English for international broadcasting. | Documentary shows | | | CGTN |
| CMT (Canada) | 1995 | Canada | English | Country music, country music videos | | Blue Collar Comedy Tour, Canadian Country Music Awards, CMT Music Awards | |
| CNBC | 1989 | USA | English | Business news, stocks | | | NBCUniversal |
| CNN | 1980 | USA | English | United States cable news, documentaries | Accused of both conservative and liberal bias in news | News covering both conservative and liberal topics | Warner Bros. Discovery |
| Cosmote History | 2016 | Greece | Greek | Documentary and historical fiction series | | | OTE |
| Crime and Investigation Network | 2004 | USA | English | Crime-related | | | A+E Networks |
| ČT art | 2013 | Czech Republic | Czech | Documentary, Culture, Arts, Music | | | Czech Television |
| CTV Nature Channel | 2001 | Canada | English | Science, nature, and history documentary programs | | | Bell Media |
| CTV Speed Channel | 2005 | Canada | English | Automotive industry and transportation documentary programs | | | Bell Media |
| CTV Wild Channel | 2001 | Canada | English | Wildlife, animals, relation between humans and animals documentary programs | | | Bell Media |
| Da Vinci Learning | 2007 | Germany | English | History, sociology, biology, physics documentary | | | |
| Digi Animal World | 2012 | Romania | Romanian | Nature and wildlife documentary | | | Digi Communications |
| Digi World | 2012 | Romania | Romanian | History and society documentary | | | Digi Communications |
| Culturebox | 2021 | France | French | Documentary, Culture, Arts, Music | | | France Télévisions |
| DD National | 1957 | India | Hindi | | | | Prasar Bharati |
| DD Bharati | 1985 | India | Hindi | History | | | Prasar Bharati |
| Destination America | 1996 | USA | English | Traveling, how-to travel, hotel and cities touring, lifestyle, history | Speculative fiction | Hidden in America | Warner Bros. Discovery |
| Discovery Channel | 1985 | USA | English | Popular science, technology and history | Reality shows, speculative fiction (time-travel, alternate universes, the paranormal, etc.), speculative fiction | MythBusters, Daily Planet, Curiosity, The Big Brain Theory: Pure Genius, Frozen Planet, Life | Warner Bros. Discovery |
| Discovery Historia | 2006 | Poland | Polish | History | | | TVN Warner Bros. Discovery |
| Discovery History | 1999 | UK | English | History | | | Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA |
| Discovery Life | 2011 | USA | English | Fitness and health | | | Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA |
| Discovery World | 1998 | USA | English | Travel, culture and history | Replaced by DTX in Europe | | Warner Bros. Discovery |
| Documentales por Movistar Plus+ | 2023 | Spain | Spanish | History and society documentary | | | Telefónica |
| Documentary Channel | 2001 | Canada | English | Documentary films | | | CBC |
| DTour | 1997 | Canada | English | Travel, lifestyle | | | Corus Entertainment |
| Encore | 1991 | USA | English | Theatrically released feature films (older to more recent), TV shows (on some channels) | | | |
| Encuentro | 2007 | Argentina | Spanish | History, science and general culture | | | |
| Epic | 2014 | India | Hindi, English | Infotainment, Travel | | | |
| Food Food | 2006 | India | Hindi | Food, Cooking | | | |
| Food Network | 1993 | USA | English | Food, cooking, cuisine, the food industry | | | Warner Bros. Discovery |
| Food Network (Canada) | 2000 | Canada | English | Food, cooking, cuisine, the food industry | | | Corus Entertainment |
| Fox News Channel | 1996 | USA | English | United States cable news | Accused of conservative bias in news although this has been stated as unsubstantiated by members of Fox News | | Fox Corporation |
| France 5 | 1994 | France | French | Documentaries, educational programming | | | France Télévisions |
| France.tv Docs | 2024 | France | French | Documentary | | | France Télévisions |
| Focus | 2012 | Italy | Italian | Documentaries, programming | | | Mediaset |
| FYI | 1999 | USA | English | Biographical shows | Reality shows, speculative fiction (curses, alien and ghost encounters) | Biography | A+E Networks |
| HGTV | 1994 | USA | English | How-to shows with a focus on home improvement, gardening, remodeling and crafts | | | Warner Bros. Discovery |
| Historia | 2000 | Canada | French | Historic dramas, documentaries, movies, human interests programs | | | A+E Networks |
| History | 1995 | USA | English | Documentary and historical fiction series | Reality shows, speculative documentaries (Ancient Aliens), apocalypse shows, US history, non-historic reality shows, fairly homogeneous viewpoint, concentrated program topics (World War II, | Museum Secrets, Ancients Behaving Badly | A+E Networks |
| History (Canada) | 1997 | Canada | English | Documentary and historical fiction series | Reality shows, apocalypse shows, speculative fiction | | A+E Networks |
| HLN | 1984 | USA | English | 30-minute newscast | Tabloid, Crime, opinion, and entertainment news-related programming | Morning Express with Robin Meade | Warner Bros. Discovery |
| ICI ARTV | 2001 | Canada | French | Documentary, culture, arts and music | | | CBC |
| ICI Explora | 2012 | Canada | French | Science, environment, nature and health | | | CBC |
| Investigation | 2013 | Canada | French | Investigation and justice documentary | | | Bell Media |
| Investigation Discovery | 1996 | USA | English | Crime-related | | | Warner Bros. Discovery |
| JOJ Svet | 2023 | Slovakia | Slovak | Documentary, science, history, nature | | | J&T Enterprise |
| Kabel Eins Doku | 2016 | Germany | German | Documentary, science, history, nature | | | ProSiebenSat.1 Media |
| Knowledge Network | 1981 | Canada | English | Politics, culture, history, arts, music, health, parenting, and science | | | |
| Kunskapskanalen | 2004 | Sweden | Swedish | Government proceedings, Educational | | | SVT |
| M5 | 2016 | Hungary | Hungarian | Documentary, Culture, Arts, Music | | | MTVA |
| MCM | 1989 | France | French | Music videos (popular music, French music) | Reality shows, horror series, anime shows | Top 50 hebdo, MCM sur le dancefloor, Top 50 quotidien | |
| Military History | 1999 | USA | English | World War II, wars, generals | | | A+E Networks |
| IRIB Mostanad | 2011 | Iran | Persian | Culture, arts, society, politics, history, wilderness, nature and the Iran–Iraq War | | | IRIB |
| MSNBC | 1996 | USA | English | Documentary in current affairs | | | NBCUniversal |
| MTV India (previously MTV3 Fakta) | 2006 | India | Hindi | Documentaries, Music | | | Paramount Networks EMEAA |
| N24 Doku | 2016 | Germany | German | Documentary, science, history, nature | | | WeltN24 |
| Nat Geo | 1997 | USA | English | Nature, culture, science, engineering & technology, history & society | Reality shows/stereotypes (Navajo, Southerners shows, the Amish and other minority groups) and apocalypse shows | Explorer, Taboo | The Walt Disney Company |
| Nat Geo Music | 2007 | Italy, India | English | Documentaries about cultures and music around the world | | | The Walt Disney Company |
| Nat Geo Wild | 2010 | Hong Kong, India | English | Wildlife, natural history | | | The Walt Disney Company |
| National Geographic Adventure | 1994 | Singapore | English | Outdoor, travel and exploration | | | The Walt Disney Company |
| OLN | 1997 | Canada | English | Fact-based outdoor adventure shows | Speculative fiction (aliens, ghosts, monsters, paranormal), reality shows, conspiracy theories | Departures, Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan, Descending, Duck Commander, Python Hunters, Survivorman, Mantracker | |
| Paramount Network | 1983 | USA | English | A movie channel focusing primarily on theatrical and original made-for-TV films. | Originally founded as TNN, rebranded as Spike TV, now Paramount | | Paramount Global |
| PBS | 1970 | USA | English | Non-profit television, fine arts, drama, science, history, music, public affairs, independent films, home improvement, interviews | Accused of anti-Communist and liberal point-of-view | | |
| Phoenix | 1997 | Germany | German | Documentaries, news broadcasts, special events, discussion programmes | | | ARD, ZDF |
| Planète+ | 1988 | France | French | Documentaries | | | Groupe Canal+ |
| Planète+ | 2021 | Poland | Polish | Documentaries | | | Groupe Canal+ |
| Polsat Doku | 2017 | Poland | Polish | Documentaries | | | Telewizja Polsat |
| Prima History | 2023 | Romania | Romanian | Documentary focuses in History | | | Clever Group |
| Prima Zoom | 2013 | Czech Republic | Czech | Documentary, science, history, nature | | | FTV Prima |
| Rai 5 | 2010 | Italy | Italian | Documentary, Culture, Arts, Music | | | RAI |
| Rai Scuola | 2009 | Italy | Italian | Educational | | | RAI |
| Rai Storia | 2009 | Italy | Italian | Historical events, occasionally with current relevance | | | RAI |
| RMC Découverte | 2012 | France | French | Documentary, men's interest | | | RMC BFM |
| RMC Story | 2012 | France | French | Documentary, science, history, nature | | | RMC BFM |
| RT Documentary | 2011 | Russia | English, Russian | Russia | | | ANO TV-Novosti |
| RTS Nauka | 2020 | Serbia | Serbian | Documentary, Nature, Science | | | RTS |
| RTS Trezor | 2016 | Serbia | Serbian | Documentary, History | | | RTS |
| Russian Travel Guide | 2009 | Russia | English, Russian, Turkish | Nature, science, culture, and history of the Russian Federation | | | |
| Science | 1996 | USA | English | Space, technology and science | Speculative fiction, non- science shows | The Challenger Disaster, How Do They Do It?, How It's Made, Futurescape, What Is That?, How The Universe Works, Wonders of Life | Warner Bros. Discovery |
| Showcase | 1995 | Canada | English | Canadian and worldwide independent films, drama, comedy, mini-series | American shows and movies | | |
| Sky Arts | 2007 | UK | English | Arts including, theatrical performances, movies, documentaries and music | | | Sky Group |
| Sky Arte | 2012 | Italy | Italian | Arts including, theatrical performances, movies, documentaries and music | | | Sky Group |
| Sky Documentaries | 2020 | UK | English | History and society documentary | | | Sky Group |
| Sky Documentaries | 2021 | Germany | German | History and society documentary | | | Sky Group |
| Sky Documentaries | 2021 | Italy | Italian | History and society documentary | | | Sky Group |
| Sky Crime | 2019 | UK | English | Investigation and justice documentary | | | Sky Group |
| Sky Crime | 2021 | Germany | German | Investigation and justice documentary | | | Sky Group |
| Sky Crime | 2023 | Italy | Italian | Investigation and justice documentary | | | Sky Group |
| Sky History | 2020 | UK | English | Documentary and historical fiction series | | Museum Secrets, Ancients Behaving Badly | Sky Group |
| Sky Nature | 2020 | UK | English | Nature and wildlife documentary | | | Sky Group |
| Sky Nature | 2021 | Germany | German | Nature and wildlife documentary | | | Sky Group |
| Sky Nature | 2021 | Italy | Italian | Nature and wildlife documentary | | | Sky Group |
| Space | 1997 | Canada | English | Science fiction, space-related programming | Reality shows, fantasy, horror, paranormal | InnerSPACE, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager, Stargate Universe, Stargate Atlantis, Stargate SG-1, Doctor Who | |
| TGRT Belgesel | 2010 | Turkey | Turkish | Documentary | | | İhlas Yayın Holding |
| Travel Channel | 1987 | USA | English | Traveling, how-to travel, hotel and cities touring | Paranormal (haunted places, ghosts) | Marianela's Best Beaches, Edge of America, No Reservations, Samantha Brown, Best of the Road, Off Limits, Top 5 | Warner Bros. Discovery |
| TruTV | 1991 | USA | English | Legal programming | Reality shows | | Sony Pictures Entertainment |
| TRT Belgesel | 2009 | Turkey | Turkish | Documentary | | | Türkiye Radyo ve Televizyon Kurumu |
| TV4 Fakta | 2005 | Sweden | Swedish | Science | | | TV4 AB |
| TVP Historia | 2005 | Poland | Polish | Documentary, History | | | Telewizja Polska |
| TVP Kultura | 2007 | Poland | Polish | Documentary, Culture, Arts, Music | | | Telewizja Polska |
| TVP Dokument | 2020 | Poland | Polish | Documentary | | | Telewizja Polska |
| TVP Nauka | 2022 | Poland | Polish | Documentary, Nature, Science | | | Telewizja Polska |
| U&Eden | 2004 | UK | English | Documentary, Nature | | | UKTV (BBC Studios) |
| U&Yesterday | 2004 | UK | English | Documentary, History | | | UKTV (BBC Studios) |
| Viasat Explorer | 2002 | Sweden | English | Wild animals, extreme sports, adventure, travel and technology | | | Viasat World LTD |
| Viasat History | 2004 | Sweden | English | History, culture and society | | | Viasat World LTD |
| Viasat Nature | 1994 | Sweden | Swedish, Danish, Norwegian | Nature and wildlife | | | Viasat World LTD |
| ViJu Explorer | 2023 | Russia | Russian | Wild animals, extreme sports, adventure, travel and technology | | | Viasat Russia |
| ViJu History | 2023 | Russia | Russian | History, culture and society | | | Viasat Russia |
| ViJu Nature | 2023 | Russia | Russian | Nature and wildlife | | | Viasat Russia |
| W Network | 1995 | Canada | English | Women-oriented feminist programming | Primetime movies | | |
| The Weather Channel | 1982 | USA | English | Weather news and information | Documentary programs | | |
| The Weather Network | 1988 | Canada | English | Weather news and information | | | |
| TVR Cultural | 2002 (original) 2022 (relaunch) | Romania | Romanian | Documentary, Culture, Arts, Music | | | Televiziunea Română |
| YLE Teema Fem | 2017 | Finland | Finnish | Documentary, Culture, Arts, Music | | | YLE |
| ZDFinfo | 1997 | Germany | German | | | | ZDF |
| Zee Documentary | 2001 | India | English, Hindi | Learning, culture and sciences | | | Zee Entertainment |
| National Documentary Channel | 2019 | Somalia | Somali | Culture and Sciences | | | National Documentary Channel |
| Zing | 2006 | India | Hindi | Indian Music | | | Zee Entertainment |