After less than four years on air, the Smithsonian Channel will cease broadcasting in the UK and Ireland. Its programmes will continue to be available online.
Launched in 2019 by ViacomCBS, the channel aggressively expanded its reach across the UK and Ireland, securing slots on Sky, Freesat, Virgin Media and Freeview.
At 5am on Friday 6th January 2023, Smithsonian Channel is scheduled to broadcast its final programme, Earth Under Water, before closing. But some TV platforms are expected to cut distribution before the final programme airs, due to the way different platforms implement changes.
Its departure doesn’t come as a big surprise: the channel had given up promotional and social media activity in 2020.
Before its final closure, viewers can continue watching its programmes over Christmas and the New Year on Sky satellite channel 171, Sky Stream/Glass channel 167, Virgin Media UK channel 276 plus Freeview and YouView channel 57.
Paramount will make Smithsonian Channel’s programmes available on its streaming platforms. You’ll be able to find selected content through Paramount+. And a selection of its documentaries, including Epic Yellowstone are also found in My5’s programme library.
A version of the channel Pluto TV UK is in planning. Smithsonian Channel Selects* on Pluto TV will operate in a similar way to BET Pluto TV, which launched after its BET UK’s axe on regular linear TV platforms in 2021.
But Sky satellite viewers can look forward to a different factual channel launching next year. Wild Earth HD, which offers a live safari every day from South Africa, is currently testing ahead of its launch.
▶ Why the beginning of January is a good time for channel closures
Digital TV platforms operate ‘platform freezes’ during the Christmas and New Year period. That means broadcasters don’t usually have the option to close at 23:59 on 31st December.
Boxnation, for example, opted to close this week to beat the freeze. But often broadcasters will keep channels running over Christmas and New Year to benefit one final time from peak viewing periods.
Paramount, formerly ViacomCBS, have form in closing down or changing channels in January. VH1 and Paramount Network UK both fell victim to the January axe.
by Iain Hatton
*working title