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Smithsonian Channel
Launched	2007
Owned by	Smithsonian Institution Showtime Networks
Picture format	1080i (HDTV)
Country	United States
Broadcast area	Nationwide
Headquarters	Washington, DC
Sister channel(s)	Showtime The Movie Channel Flix
Website	http://www.smithsonianchannel.com
Availability
Satellite
DirecTV	267 1267 (VOD)
Cable
Available on some cable systems	Check local listings for channels
IPTV
AT&T U-verse	1118

Smithsonian Networks (SNI/SI) is a joint venture between Showtime Networks and the Smithsonian Institution. The service consists of Smithsonian Channel HD, Smithsonian On Demand, and smithsoniannetworks.com.

The network’s content is inspired by the Smithsonian Institution’s museums, research facilities and magazines – and features original non-fiction programming that covers a wide range of historical, scientific and cultural subjects, all presented commercial-free. On September 26, 2007, the Smithsonian Channel HD began airing on DirecTV's new HD lineup. Dish Network added the HD channel on May 12, 2008. Dish Network has since dropped the Smithsonian Channel HD from their programming line up effective February 1, 2009. Dish Network provided no warning to subscribers.

Smithsonian Networks is also available on Time Warner Cable, Verizon FIOS and Charter Communications in high definition and standard definition. It is also available from On Demand in both high definition and standard definition.

[edit] Programming

• Smithsonian Channel's Soul Revolution hosted by Morgan Freeman premiered November 16, 2008.
• Season two of Stories from the Vaults starring Tom Cavanagh premiered July 12, 2009. ^[1]
• Mystery of the Hope Diamond - On August 19th 2009, the Smithsonian Institution announced that the Hope Diamond is to get a temporary new setting to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Harry Winston's donation of the gem stone to the National Museum of Natural History. Starting in September, the 45.52 carat diamond will be exhibited as a stand-alone gem with no setting. From August 19 2009 through September 7, 2009, the public is being invited to vote online for their favorite Harry Winston designed setting, at SmithsonianChannel.com/hope. The winning setting will be announced this fall and the gem will be shown in the setting starting in May, along with a Smithsonian Networks documentary. ^[2]
• Soul of a People: Writing America's Story - A National Endowment for the Humanities-funded documentary about the Federal Writers' Project featuring interviews with notable project alumni Studs Terkel, Stetson Kennedy, and American historian Douglas Brinkley. Premiered September 6, 2009.

[edit] External links

• Smithsonian Networks
• Smithsonian Institution
• Showtime Networks

[edit] References