Best Docusoap
"The Last Alaskans" is an American documentary television series that originally premiered on Animal Planet in 2015 before moving to the Discovery Channel. The program chronicles the daily lives of a handful of isolated families and individuals who are legally permitted to live, hunt, and trap withi...
Life Below Zero is a National Geographic series (premiered 2013) documenting several individuals and families living in remote areas of Alaska and surviving extreme subarctic conditions throughout the year.
Flying Wild Alaska is a documentary-style reality television series that aired on the Discovery Channel from 2011 to 2012. The program chronicles the operations of Era Alaska, a regional bush airline based in Unalakleet, and its efforts to transport passengers and cargo to remote, roadless communiti...
Whale Wars is an Animal Planet docuseries (2008–2015) that embedded cameras with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society as its crew attempted to disrupt Japanese whaling operations in the Southern Ocean.
The Little Couple is a TLC docuseries (2009–2019) following married couple Bill Klein and Jen Arnold, both of whom have forms of dwarfism, through their careers, adoption of two children, and Jen's cancer diagnosis.
Wicked Tuna is a National Geographic series (premiered 2012) following commercial fishermen competing to catch Atlantic bluefin tuna off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts, one of the most storied fishing ports in the United States.
The Profit is an American reality television series broadcast on CNBC, premiering in 2013. The show features businessman Marcus Lemonis as he invests his own capital into struggling small businesses across the United States. In exchange for his investment, Lemonis takes an equity stake and assumes o...
Garage Squad is a Velocity channel reality series that premiered in 2014, in which a team of mechanics help car owners complete long-stalled automotive restoration projects in their home garages.
The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip is a Peacock spin-off series premiering in 2021, bringing together cast members from various Real Housewives franchises for group vacations and reunions.
History Channel series following commercial swordfish fishermen working the treacherous waters of the North Atlantic, documenting the physical dangers of deep-sea longlining.
7 Little Johnstons is a TLC docuseries (premiered 2015) following the Johnston family of Forsyth, Georgia, which holds the distinction of being the world's largest known family with all members having achondroplasia dwarfism.
A Baby Story is a TLC documentary series that premiered in 1998, one of the network's earliest long-running shows, following expectant couples through pregnancy and the birth of their child.
Teen Mom 2 is an MTV docuseries that premiered in 2011 as a spinoff of 16 and Pregnant, following four young mothers—including Jenelle Evans and Chelsea Houska—through the challenges of early parenthood.
National Geographic spin-off of Wicked Tuna pitting New England bluefin tuna fishing crews against Gulf of Mexico counterparts across a competitive fishing season.
Documentary series following off-grid families who build and inhabit homes on frozen lakes in Canada's Northwest Territories, living without conventional utilities year-round.
Southern Charm New Orleans is a Bravo spin-off of Southern Charm that aired in 2018, following the social lives of New Orleans socialites, distinguishing itself from the original's Charleston setting.
Auction Kings is a Discovery Channel reality series that aired from 2010 to 2013, following Gallery 63 auction house in Atlanta, Georgia as staff appraised and auctioned unusual consignment items.
Comic Book Men is an AMC reality series that premiered in 2012, created by filmmaker Kevin Smith and set in his New Jersey comic book store Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash.
Documentary series following competing lobster fishermen navigating territorial disputes, hazardous conditions, and economic pressures within the commercial lobster fishing industry.
My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding is a Channel 4 documentary series that premiered in the UK in 2011, depicting the weddings and traditions of Irish Traveller and Romani communities.
Moonshiners is a Discovery Channel docuseries (premiered 2011) that follows individuals in Appalachia who produce illegal or legal small-batch distilled spirits, blending documentary and dramatized elements.
Below Deck Adventure is a Bravo spinoff of the Below Deck franchise (premiered 2022) set aboard a charter vessel in Norway, focusing on adventure-based excursions rather than luxury yacht amenities.
National Geographic series (2012–2014) profiling Americans who stockpile food and construct shelters in preparation for catastrophic events such as economic collapse or natural disasters.
The Real Housewives of Sydney is a Foxtel reality series that aired in 2017, marking the first Australian installment of the Real Housewives franchise, though it was cancelled after one season.
Gene Simmons: Family Jewels is an A&E docuseries (2006–2012) that followed KISS bassist and co-founder Gene Simmons and his family, running for seven seasons and offering one of cable's longer-running rock-celebrity reality formats.
The Real Housewives of Dubai is a Bravo series that premiered in 2022 as the first international installment of the Real Housewives franchise, set in the United Arab Emirates.
Siesta Key is an MTV docuseries (premiered 2017) following young adults in Siesta Key, Florida, and is notable for launching the career of cast member Juliette Porter, who became one of the show's breakout personalities.
