Sky Documentaries TV Guide — Today · Friday, 17 April 2026

Early Morning

00:30 1h 45m

A profile of the former world heavyweight boxing champion

A profile of the former world heavyweight boxing champion, a perfectionist who triumphantly emerged from Muhammad Ali's long shadow

02:15 1h 45m

Albert Brooks: Defending My Life

A profile of the actor and comedian

A profile of the actor, comedian and film-maker, including interviews with Sharon Stone, Larry David, James L Brooks, Conan O'Brien, Sarah Silverman and Jonah Hill

04:00 1h

The Directors

S3 · E4 · Stanley Donen

The life and work of film-maker and choreographer Stanley Donen

The life and work of American film-maker and choreographer director Stanley Donen, best known for co-directing On the Town and Singin' in the Rain with Gene Kelly

05:00 1h

Discovering: Alan Rickman

S11 · E13 · Alan Rickman

A look at the life and career of the English actor

A look at the life and career of the English actor, who starred in Die Hard, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Love Actually, as well as the Harry Potter franchise

Morning

06:00 1h 5m

Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose

S1 · E4 · One Last Record

The former player's bid for reinstatement

A look at how Rose, after admitting to betting on baseball, sought reinstatement two decades later, making a final bid for redemption in the sport he loves

07:05 55m

Discovering: Octavia Spencer

S16 · E9 · Octavia Spencer

The life and career of the Academy Award-winning actress

The life and career of the American actress, whose films include The Shape of Water, Fruitvale Station, Hidden Figures, and The Help, for which she won an Academy Award

08:00 1h

The Directors

S3 · E5 · George Stevens

The life and work of George Stevens

The life and work of George Stevens, who directed films including Shane, The Greatest Story Ever Told and The Diary of Anne Frank and won Oscars for A Place in the Sun and Giant

09:00 1h 45m

Kim's Video

Documentary about a video and music retail store in Manhattan

Documentary about a video and music retail store in Manhattan, New York City, that inspired a generation of cinephiles before it mysteriously closed its doors and sent its film archive to a small Sicilian village for safekeeping

10:45 15m

My Icon: Ebony Rainford-Brent

The former England cricket star discusses the individuals that have inspired her

The former England cricket star and World Cup winner discusses the individuals that have inspired her in her life and career

11:00 1h

The Eighties

S1 · E5 · The Reagan Revolution

A look at the events of Ronald Reagan's two terms in the White House

A look at the events of Ronald Reagan's two terms in the White House, examining landmark legislative achievements as well as political setbacks

Daytime

12:00 2h

Paul Simon: In Restless Dreams

S1 · E1

Documentary exploring the 60-year career of the singer-songwriter

First of a two-part documentary exploring the 60-year career of the singer-songwriter, from his partnership with Art Garfunkel to the global success of his 1986 LP Graceland, as he returns to the studio to record his 2023 album Seven Psalms

14:00 2h 10m

Paul Simon: In Restless Dreams

S1 · E2

Documentary exploring the 60-year career of the singer-songwriter

Conclusion of the documentary exploring the 60-year career of the singer-songwriter, looking at his return to the studio to record his 2023 album Seven Psalms

16:10 55m

The Directors

S3 · E5 · George Stevens

The life and work of George Stevens

The life and work of George Stevens, who directed films including Shane, The Greatest Story Ever Told and The Diary of Anne Frank and won Oscars for A Place in the Sun and Giant

17:05 55m

Discovering: Octavia Spencer

S16 · E9 · Octavia Spencer

The life and career of the Academy Award-winning actress

The life and career of the American actress, whose films include The Shape of Water, Fruitvale Station, Hidden Figures, and The Help, for which she won an Academy Award

Tonight's Highlights

18:00 1h 45m

After the Bite

The surge in great white sharks patrolling Cape Cod's shallow waters

Documentary investigating the surge in great white sharks patrolling Cape Cod's shallow waters and the fallout from one young man's death

19:45 15m

My Icon: Thierry Henry

The former Arsenal forward speaks about the individuals that have been an inspiration to him

The former Arsenal and France forward speaks about the individuals that have been an inspiration to him over the course of his career

20:00 2h

God Bless Ozzy Osbourne

A profile of the Black Sabbath frontman

A profile of Black Sabbath member Ozzy Osbourne, from the wild and hedonistic days that adversely affected his personal life, through the years of depression, alcoholism and drug dependency that followed. The programme also reveals how he overcame his demons, with the help of his second wife Sharon. Featuring interviews with Paul McCartney, Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee and others

22:00 1h

The Essex Murders

S1 · E1 · Ecstasy and Agony

Documentary about the killing of three notorious criminals

Documentary about the killing of three notorious criminals known as the Essex Boys, who were found shot to death in December 1995. Friends and fellow gangsters reveal how the gang and their leader Tony Tucker managed to build a drug empire as the rave scene took off

23:00 1h

The Essex Murders

S1 · E2 · Secrets and Lies

The questions remain about the convictions of Michael Steele and Jack Whomes

A look at whether Michael Steele and Jack Whomes were really guilty of the Essex Boys murders, re-examining the questions that remain about their convictions

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