Baboons: A Really Wild Family

Thursday 5 May, 8.10pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 228/999). Also available in Catch Up > Channels > Virgin TV Ultra HD

See the world through the eyes of young Mkuu, as he learns about what it means to be part of a troop of Anubis baboons in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley. In this insightful nature doc, we meet the whole baboon clan, from the judicious grandfather Babu and his son Mfalme – king of the swingers – to Mfalme’s fiercely protective partner, and mother to Mkuu, Jamala.

The Spying Game

Monday 9 May, 9pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 228/999). Also available in Catch Up > Channels > Virgin TV Ultra HD

During the Cold War, with the world constantly on the brink of global conflict, spies and spotters were crucial assets to both sides, tasked with collecting information and anticipating all possibilities. In this three-part series, we hear from some of the covert operatives who managed to narrowly evade capture. 

Age Of Humans

Wednesday 11 May, 8.10pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 228/999). Also available in Catch Up > Channels > Virgin TV Ultra HD

In 2016, scientists determined that humanity had entered a new geological age called the Anthropocene. This means that our impact on the planet’s earth, air and water has become so significant that it’s largely understood to be irreversible – without drastic change. This series looks at the projects that might help sustain life on Earth.

Planet Of Treasures

Thursday 12 May, 8.05pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 228/999). Also available in Catch Up > Channels > Virgin TV Ultra HD

Join renowned historian Sir Christopher Clark as he explores World Heritage Sites under threat from natural disaster, war and decay. From the towering Great Pyramids of Giza to the ancient Mexican city of Teotihuacán, it’s a whirlwind tour around the globe in this eye-opening six-part series.

Hamburg Unleashed: Wildlife In The City

Tuesday 17 May, 8.10pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 228/999). Also available in Catch Up > Channels > Virgin TV Ultra HD

The section of the Elbe that connects the North Sea to the port of Hamburg is one of the busiest waterways in the world. This traffic-heavy river also offers passage to a variety of animals that have travelled inland and now call Hamburg home. Meet the seals, eagles, lizards and snakes that have made a name for themselves in the German port town.

China’s Warrior Queen

Wednesday 18 May, 8.10pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 228/999). Also available in Catch Up > Channels > Virgin TV Ultra HD

Meet Princess Fu Hao, the leader of a fierce warrior clan of the Shang dynasty circa 1200 BC. One of the many wives of King Wu Ding, she became a general and a key advisor to the ruler as he defeated the Tu-Fang and the neighbouring Yi, Qiang and Ba provinces, solidifying her place in the history books.

Lost: Birds Of The Countryside

Friday 20 May, 8.10pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 228/999). Also available in Catch Up > Channels > Virgin TV Ultra HD

Since 1990, the number of birds living on farmlands across Europe has fallen by 17 per cent. Where there used to be cattle grazing in the fields, there are now tractors farming the grass to feed the cows confined to barns. This film by Heiko De Groot tells of how the changing face of agriculture is affecting birds that once called the farm home.

The Leopardess

Tuesday 24 May, 8.10pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 228/999). Also available in Catch Up > Channels > Virgin TV Ultra HD

Get closer than ever to the most tenacious apex predator of all – the leopardess. She can lay in wait for days, hidden in the long grasses of the Serengeti as she patiently calculates the opportune moment to strike, to provide for her cub.

Ice Airport Alaska: Heavy Lifting

Wednesday 25 May, 8.10pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 228/999). Also available in Catch Up > Channels > Virgin TV Ultra HD

In America’s largest and coldest state, the harsh winters bring not just freezing temperatures, but earthquakes to boot – making it a particularly challenging time for the crews at Ted Stevens and Fairbanks International airports. An Alaska Airlines 737 returns to the tarmac shortly after take-off, following reports of an unnerving bang on take-off…

Elephants Up Close

Friday 27 May, 8.10pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 228/999). Also available in Catch Up > Channels > Virgin TV Ultra HD

Award-winning film-makers Thoralf Grospitz and Jens Westphalen have been fascinated by elephants for years, and set out to document how the mysterious giants communicate, how they grieve, and how they organise themselves. In this fascinating doc, we’re transported to the plains of Botswana to get up close and personal with the planet’s largest land mammal.

How to access the Virgin TV Ultra HD channel

You’ll find all the details explaining what you need here. Then simply press the up button on the EPG to easily access Virgin TV Ultra HD. Don’t have a 4K TV? Never fear, because you can also watch the Virgin TV Ultra HD channel through your HD TV. Lucky you!