Top Rated Documentary TV Shows on Free Services - Page 69

Quest for the Bay

2002

Quest for the Bay

2002
6
Quest for the Bay was a Canadian documentary television series which aired on History Television and the Public Broadcasting Service in 2002. It is the second entry of producer Jamie Brown's "Quest series", which includes Pioneer Quest: A Year in the Real West, Klondike: The Quest for Gold, and Quest for the Sea. Frank and Alana Logie, a couple who had previously participated in Pioneer Quest, made a cameo appearance during the first episode. It was the highest-rated program on History Television in 2002 and received favourable reviews from newspapers -- most notably, the Edmonton Journal. RoseAnna Schick, the sole female crew member, wrote a personal account of the journey for Manitoba History later that year. The five-part series was produced by Winnipeg-based Frantic Films and was filmed during the summer of 2001. It followed an eight-person volunteer team as they attempted to recreate the journey made by fur traders of the Hudson's Bay Company during the 1840s by travelling from Winnipeg to Hudson Bay. The tri
Masterminds

2003

Masterminds

2003
10
Masterminds was a true crime documentary television series produced in Canada with truTV. As of February 2011, the program is broadcast on History Television and Global TV in Canada and truTV in the United States. Each 30 minute episode features one true crime story. The profiled crimes generally involve large sums of cash or merchandise and, more important, extremely unique and/or elaborate methods of criminal operation which were never before seen by law enforcement agencies. With a few notable exceptions, most criminals profiled in this series were caught within a couple of years of committing their crime.
America's Dumbest Criminals

1996

America's Dumbest Criminals

1996
10
America's Dumbest Criminals is an American reality series that aired in syndication from January 1996 to January 2000 for a total of 96 episodes, hosted by Daniel Butler and Debbie Alan. The series features surveillance footage, news reports and dramatic reenactments of particularly foolish criminal behavior. Also highlighted are "dumb laws", featuring various trivialities passed into law. Francopolitan Mercury Anastassacos was voted the "World's Dumbest Criminal" for the world tour phase. The show's disclaimer partially parodies the radio and TV series Dragnet by stating that each segment was a real-life occurrence, but that "only the names have been changed...to protect the ignorant".
One Punk Under God

2006

One Punk Under God

2006
9
One Punk Under God is a 2006 original observational documentary that airs on the Sundance Channel, directed and produced by Jeremy Simmons. It focused on the life of Jay Bakker, only son of Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Messner, formerly evangelical ministers and hosts of The PTL Club. The documentary is a six-part series of half-hour episodes.
Wild America

1982

Wild America

1982
5
Wild America is a documentary television series that focuses on the wild animals and wild lands of North America. By the mid-1970s, Marty Stouffer had put together several full length documentaries. At this time, he approached the programming managers at Public Broadcasting Service about a half-hour-long wildlife show, the first to focus exclusively upon the flora and fauna of North America. PBS signed for the rights to broadcast Marty Stouffer's show Wild America in 1982. The show went on to become one of the most popular aired by PBS, renowned for its unflinching portrayal of nature, as well as its extensive use of film techniques such as slow motion and close-ups. Stouffer earned $135,000 per show from PBS. The show's production ran from 1982 to 1994. The series is no longer on PBS; reruns still air in syndication on commercial television through much of the United States. In 1997, Warner Brothers released a full-length feature film entitled Wild America, which was based loosely on the biographical story of Mar
Northern Mysteries

2006

Northern Mysteries

2006
9
Northern Mysteries is a docudrama-style television program that retells some of the stranger events in Canadian history, dealing with ghosts, paranormal events, lost treasures and bizarre murders. Hosted by Kenneth Welsh each episode usually tackles two events or subjects, by discussing with Journalists, the police and eye witnesses a complete account of what happened, as well as re-enacting the events for entertainment purposes. Original versions of each episode were released in both English and French.
Weaponology

2007

Weaponology

2007
8
Weaponology is a documentary television series that premiered on November 6, 2007 on the Discovery Channel. The program also airs on the Military Channel.
The Naked Archaeologist

0000

The Naked Archaeologist

0000
10
The Naked Archaeologist is a television show produced for VisionTV in Canada and History International in the US that is hosted and prepared by the Emmy Award–winning journalist Simcha Jacobovici together with Avri Gilad. The show ultimately reviews Biblical stories, then tries to find proof for them by exploring the Holy Land looking for archaeological evidence, personal inferences, deductions, and interviews with scholars and experts. Subsequent to its original run on VisionTV, it was picked up in the U.S. by The History Channel and its sister network, History International. The third season began airing on Vision TV on March 22, 2010 and on History International on November 8, 2010.
Road Wars

2003

Road Wars

2003
10
Follows the extraordinary work of some of Britain's most elite units and police officers, documenting the changing tactics of criminals and the response of the UK police forces.
Roadtrip Nation

0000

Roadtrip Nation

0000
7
Roadtrip Nation began in 2001 as an idea Mike, Nathan, Brian and Amanda, four friends fresh out of college, formed when they were not sure what to do with their lives. Initially, the scope of the plan was relatively small – climb aboard an old RV, paint it green, and traverse the country with the purpose of interviewing people who inspired them by living lives that centered around what was meaningful to them. Along the way, the four realized that the conversations they were having on the road could not remain within the confines of their own RV, but held relevancy that could be shared with a world that was losing the know-how of living lives that pulse on personal passion rather than someone else’s expectations. The original Roadtrip was a learning process for the whole team. With no experience driving an RV or handling a video camera and no contacts for setting up interviews, the friends relied on perseverance, dedication to making the road-trip work, and their genuine belief in wanting to find their
Ghost Towns: America’s Lost World

2014

Ghost Towns: America’s Lost World

2014
This 5-part series ventures into the roots of our nation’s high hopes and hard labors to discover the towns that boomed fast and went bust even faster. Through original footage, interviews with experts, and archival materials, this fascinating documentary takes viewers on an amazing journey through our abandoned history. From the deserts of California, Arizona, and New Mexico to the forts, trails, and battle sites of war, witness the precious remains of the past that exist today only as shadows of former glories and empty promises.
For Love of Liberty: The Story of America's Black Patriots

2010

For Love of Liberty: The Story of America's Black Patriots

2010
A two-part, four-hour documentary series honoring African-American servicemen and women.
America's Hidden History

2018

America's Hidden History

2018
A series of short documentaries in talk show format loosely related to US holidays. In which they imply a cover-up of historical figures who prayed. No actual plot.
Toronto Airport Uncovered

2025

Toronto Airport Uncovered

2025
Behind-the-scenes look at Toronto Pearson Airport shows how Canada's busiest hub manages millions of passengers and aircraft through snowstorms, tech problems, emergencies, and security issues.
Bigfoot Took Her

2025

Bigfoot Took Her

2025
Investigator of the unexplained Jessica Chobot, along with law enforcement official Robert Collier, take a fresh look at one of the most bizarre unsolved missing persons cases in modern history, the disappearance of teenager Theresa Bier.
Gladiators: Warriors of the Ancient World

2025

Gladiators: Warriors of the Ancient World

2025
Six legendary gladiators. One epic tale of blood and glory in ancient Rome.
Vacation House for Free

0000

Vacation House for Free

0000
The Infographics Show: Mind & Body

2025

The Infographics Show: Mind & Body

2025
In this series of "The Infographics Show," delve into animated videos on psychology and biology as we examine one of the most complex species on earth: humans.
How the Medici Shaped the Renaissance

2022

How the Medici Shaped the Renaissance

2022
The extraordinary Medici family, through a singular exercise of wealth, political ingenuity, and dynastic power, ruled the city-state of Florence for 300 years. How a single family could have achieved such remarkable and enduring feats and influence is one of the fascinating stories of European civilization. This course offers you a panoramic look at the colossal achievements, colorful and dramatic history, and significant legacy of the Medici family, set within the context of the groundbreaking political and cultural currents of the Florentine Renaissance. Through the brilliant teaching of Professor William Landon of Northern Kentucky University, a widely published Renaissance scholar, this course presents a far-reaching exploration of one of the most seminal eras in European history.
TV We Love

2025

TV We Love

2025
Celebrating America’s most iconic television shows and the mark they left on popular culture.