The new streaming Documentary Channel® is a cutting-edge digital platform that curates and presents the finest documentaries from around the globe. It meticulously organizes these films, providing rich context, and ensures viewers can enjoy streaming them seamlessly on any device, at any time, for a low subscription fee of $4.99 per month (currently just $1.99 per month). This service is also accessible to audiences in Canada.
They Created the First Documentary Channel
The platform marks the revitalization of a previously successful venture by founders Tom Neff and John Forbess. Originally, they pioneered the first-ever 24/7 cable television network dedicated solely to documentaries, which aired nationwide from 2006 to 2012, reaching over 25 million households in the U.S. In 2012, the network was acquired by Participant Media, which discontinued the Documentary Channel’s name, brand, and programming. This decision ultimately allowed Neff and Forbess the chance to reintroduce the service as a streaming platform, reasserting its prominence in the documentary genre.
Neff is a big believer in his new channel, “Look we had 25 million viewers in 2012 and that was linear programming. It’s a whole new world with social media and the thousand channel universe, the internet…there are so many ways for people to see great documentaries and we want to be the best documentary provider out there. You know, it’s more than just showing curating current docs but we’re like a documentary library in a sense. We have docs from all over the spectrum which I think is a little different formula than many of the new streaming services who don’t delve into the history of films the way we do,” explains Neff.
The original Documentary Channel held the distinction of being the United States’ first channel exclusively broadcasting documentaries full-time. It was available to viewers via DISH Network on Channel 197 and DirecTV on Channel 263.
Tom Neff
Tom Neff is a distinguished documentary filmmaker and producer whose work has garnered numerous accolades, including an Academy Award nomination and an Emmy Award. In 1983, he founded Polaris Productions, Tennessee’s inaugural feature film production company, where he directed the globally distributed feature film Running Mates (1985), under New World Pictures.
In the early 1990s, Neff co-founded Wild Wolf Productions with partner Diandra Douglas. This California-based production house became known for films such as Beatrice Wood: Mama of Dada (1993) and America’s Music: The Roots of Country (1996). Neff further expanded his repertoire by producing, writing, and directing notable works such as Herb Alpert: Music for Your Eyes (2003), a short documentary exploring the artistic endeavors of musician Herb Alpert; Country Music: The Spirit of America (2003), an IMAX film chronicling 20th-century American history through the lens of country music; and Chances: The Women of Magdalene (2006), a feature-length documentary that spotlighted a Nashville-based organization dedicated to rehabilitating women from lives of prostitution.
Beyond his filmmaking career, Neff has made significant contributions to the documentary film community. He has served on the board of the International Documentary Association, the Tennessee Governor’s Film Advisory Board, and the Watkins College of Art & Design in Nashville. He has also held leadership roles, including Chairman of Finance for the Belcourt Theater and Co-Chairman of the Nashville Film Festival. Neff is a member of both the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, where he has served on the Nominating Committee for Best Documentary. His expertise is often sought on documentary panels at prestigious film festivals worldwide.
John Forbess
John Forbess, co-founder of Documentary Channel®, played a pivotal role alongside Tom Neff in launching the first 24/7 cable television network exclusively dedicated to documentaries. While much of the attention around the network’s inception focuses on Neff’s background as a filmmaker, Forbess was instrumental in the operational and strategic aspects of the channel’s success. His contributions were vital in establishing the network’s unique identity and positioning it as a leading platform for documentary content between 2006 and 2012.
Experience
Forbess brought significant experience in business and media to his role, ensuring that the Documentary Channel® operated smoothly, grew its viewership, and expanded its influence within the competitive television industry. His work extended beyond just administrative tasks; he was deeply involved in crafting the network’s vision, which helped it become a groundbreaking platform for filmmakers and documentary lovers across the U.S.
From Cable to Streaming
Recently his collaboration with Tom Neff was crucial in reviving the channel in its current digital streaming format. His keen business insight and media experience continue to be a major asset in navigating the transition from cable television to a more flexible, on-demand streaming service.
Forbess’ legacy within the Documentary Channel® is marked by his dedication to bringing thought-provoking, diverse, and high-quality documentaries to broader audiences.
What can I watch?
Documentary Channel® offers a rich and diverse library of films that span a wide range of subjects, allowing viewers to explore the world through captivating storytelling. While the current catalog may evolve, here are some types of documentaries you might expect to find on the platform:
- Biographical Documentaries: In-depth films that delve into the lives of notable figures. This could include documentaries on artists, musicians, political leaders, and historical personalities.
- Social Issues and Activism: Documentaries highlighting pressing social issues, including poverty, inequality, and human rights.
- Historical Documentaries: Films exploring significant events in global history, from ancient civilizations to modern political movements.
- Art and Culture: Documentaries that celebrate art, culture, and the creative process, offering insights into diverse forms of expression.
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- Nature and Environment: Insightful films that focus on the natural world, wildlife conservation, and environmental challenges, fostering a deeper understanding of our planet.
- Music and Performance: Documentaries centered around iconic musicians, bands, or performance art, shedding light on the creative process, history, and influence of music.
- Political and Historical Analysis: Documentaries that examine political landscapes, movements, and influential events that have shaped modern societies.
Curator’s Picks
ME TOO: Women Unite Worldwide – Breaking the Silence on Sexual Predation
Women around the world are breaking the silence, taking to the streets and social media in their millions. Demonstrating their anger at the deep-rooted culture of sexual predation that has reached epidemic proportions.
MANSON: MUSIC FROM AN UNSOUND MIND
The untold story of Charles Manson’s obsession to become a rock star, the celebrities who championed his music, and his descent into violence.
LAST MEN IN ALEPPO
Academy Award nominee: The White Helmets’ heroic mission to save lives in Syria
2018 Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary Feature, Syrian filmmaker Feras Fayyad’s breathtaking work – a searing example of boots-on-the-ground reportage – follows the efforts of the internationally recognized White Helmets; ordinary citizens who are the first to rush towards military strikes in the hope of saving lives
EATING OUR WAY TO EXTINCTION
A global journey exposing the truth of ecological collapse and our role in it
Narrated by Kate Winslet, this documentary challenges the way we look at the food industry. What is the true cost of food? Who pays the price?
BADASS BEAUTY QUEEN
The story behind Miss World contestant Anastasia Lin using her most powerful weapon, her beauty to stand up to an oppressive regime.
BATTLE OF DUNKIRK: FROM DISASTER TO TRIUMPH
Heroes of Dunkirk: Reliving the Rescue That Turned the Tide of WWII
Final Thoughts
With a subscription cost of only $4.99—and currently just $1.99 per month—Documentary Channel® offers incredible value for documentary enthusiasts. If you’re looking to access a vast collection of compelling films at an affordable price, many of which are unavailable anywhere else, this is your new go-to home library for documentaries. Dive in and explore thought-provoking stories from around the world, all at your fingertips.
by Myles Shane
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