YouTube's first all-archival documentary explores the solar system's moons

Getty Images and Little Dot Studios have teamed up to create two original science documentaries for YouTube. This marks the first time a YouTube Original programme has been made entirely from Getty Images’ licensed visual content. The first documentary, Moons of our Solar System, will debut on 12 December 2025.

The 90-minute documentary will explore the moons in our solar system, covering their origins, unique features, and potential signs of life. Viewers can watch it in English, German, or Spanish as part of Little Dot Studios’ YouTube science channels: Spark, Progress, and Cosmic.

All visuals in the films come from Getty Images’ vast archive, which includes over 34 million clips—nearly 20 million of them in 4K. Little Dot Studios is producing the series, using audience insights to shape the content. Alex Hryniewicz, Managing Director of Network Social Platforms at Little Dot Studios, highlighted the partnership’s focus on creating premium, data-driven programming. Paul Davis, Vice President of Media & Broadcast Sales at Getty Images, noted that the project showcases the depth of their content for digital storytelling. The collaboration aims to bring high-quality science documentaries to a global audience through YouTube’s platform.

The first documentary arrives on 12 December 2025, offering a deep dive into the solar system’s moons. With multilingual support and ultra-high-definition visuals, the series expands YouTube’s science content. The partnership also sets a precedent for using archival footage in original digital programming.