Tiger Woods doc leads new commissions for Sky Documentaries and Nature
David Farnor | On 27, May 2020
A new Tiger Woods documentary is leading a wave of new commissions for Sky Documentaries and Nature. The two new factual channels launched today on Sky and NOW, and the broadcasting giant is wasting no time in lining up originals and exclusives for the coming weeks and months.
New feature-length documentaries and series airing at the end of 2020 and into 2021 include definitive biographies of Stephen Hawking with unrivalled access to his friends and family and Tina Turner with exclusive access to the star herself, alongside a look at Hollywood legend Steve McQueen. Two powerful sports documentaries include The United Way about Manchester United, led by legend Eric Cantona, and Tyson Bruno, a feature-length film charting the sensational highs and lows of two of boxing’s biggest icons.
Lancaster will see the story of the legendary Lancaster Bomber, synonymous with the Dambusters, and the brave servicemen that flew them. And from the world of music there is The Go-Go’s which looks at the pioneering female punk band and Look Away, a bold documentary which looks at the darker side of rock and a subject that has been glossed over for decades: statutory rape.
In a landmark natural history series, Sky Nature will introduce Shark with Steve Backshall, a series committed to dispelling the myth of sharks as cold-blooded killers, showing the misunderstood predator in a brand-new light.
Coming next month, meanwhile, is Tiger Woods: Back. The film offers exclusive interviews and never-seen-before footage of one of sports’ greatest ever comebacks, taking an in-depth look into the golfer’s 2019 Masters victory. Alongside Sky Sports archive footage will be exclusive interviews with golfing legend Butch Harmon, Sir Nick Faldo, Jaime Diaz, Notah Begay III, Ewen Murray and Consultant Neurological Spinal Surgeon Mr Peter Hamlyn. It will air at 9pm on 5th June on Sky Documentaries.
Other sporting documentaries available on the new Sky Documentaries service include:
The Armstrong Lie – Available now
Lance Armstrong was considered one of the greatest sports figures of all time after beating cancer and winning the Tour de France seven times. When Armstrong admitted to doping in 2012, USADA’s CEO, Travis Tygart, concluded that Armstrong’s team had run ‘the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen’.
Women of Troy – Available now
Women of Troy is a documentary film highlighting the historic and ground-breaking USC women’s basketball team of the 1980s, whose talent and charisma created new possibilities for women in basketball and helped paved the way for the WNBA.
Kevin Pietersen: Story of a Genius – Available now
This documentary underlines the story of one of England’s most controversial and successful cricket players of all time. In this five-part documentary series, a group of cricketing experts, ex-players and ex-coaches all along with Kevin himself, explain the fascinating and eventful life that the cricketer experienced.
Ferrari Race to Immortality – Available now
Ferrari: Race to Immortality tells the story of the loves and losses, triumphs and tragedy of Ferrari’s most celebrated drivers in an era where they lived la dolce vita during the week, and it was win or die on any given Sunday.
Kenny – Available now
The day after the Heysel disaster, Kenny Dalglish became manager of Liverpool Football Club. Six years later he resigned from the club, shell-shocked in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster. In between he created one of the most exciting football teams of all times. ‘Kenny’ explores more than just the roller-coaster career of an iconic footballer and manager.
Busby – 28th May
The truly remarkable story of a Manchester United icon and one of the greatest football managers of all time. During 25 years in charge of Manchester United his charisma, vision and steel revolutionised the beautiful game, turning Manchester United from the second-best team in their home city into one of the most iconic names in sport.
Ali & Cavett: The Tale of the Tapes – 29th May
A vibrant portrait of boxing legend Muhammad Ali told through the lens of his frequent appearances on the Emmy® Award-winning Dick Cavett Show. With natural charisma, quick wit and playful pugnacity, Ali was a perfect foil for the sophisticated broadcast host, and together they struck television gold.
Tiger Woods: Back – 5th June
A Sky original documentary telling the incredible story of one of sports’ greatest ever comebacks. After undergoing four potentially career ending back surgeries and having confessed that he may never play competitive golf again, Tiger Woods returned to Augusta, where it all began 22 years previously, to confound his critics by dramatically winning his fifth Masters, his 15th Major and his own personal battle with his mind, his body and with the sport itself.
