Smithsonian Channel (UK)
 

The Smithsonian Channel started broadcasting in the UK at about midday today.
I've had a quick look and it seems to offer a promising line up for anyone who enjoys factual programming, modern history, science, wildlife documentaries, etc.
Ad breaks seem rather lengthy so record and fast forward is probably best.

Available as follows:

Freeview Ch 99 (SD)

Freesat Ch 175 (HD)

Virgin Media Ch 295

Sky Ch 195

What is this 'factual programming' you speak of?:eyebrow:

:cry:We don't have cable.

On the bright side, you got no cable bill, either.:jig:

That's why we have no cable. We were watching Fox News with the sound muted and WPR on the radio. And paying $120.00 a month, th have it go out 4 times a week.

They have a hell of a library of good material to keep you happy for awhile, they've been doing TV for a long time. :thumb:

Yes, I wasn't particularly happy with that sentence when I wrote it.

However, the usual domestic pressures were present and I just hit the post button.

Perhaps it would have been better phrased thus:

Neither do we. Cable and satellite TV in the UK always seems to be very expensive and there's plenty of free content anyway.

The terrestrial TV system (Freeview) provides about eighty public service and commercial channels and its satellite counterpart (Freesat) nearly two hundred the last time I looked.

The main BBC and commercial channels are obliged to be carried by terrestrial, satellite and cable systems.

You then have the odd situation that those free main channels are provided alongside the paid for content on Sky or Virgin Media.

Whether subscribers think that, by paying for this convenience, they are getting a good deal, I don't know.

Because we rely on the TV so much I bought a new one a couple of years ago with an integrated satellite system.

I watched Bloomberg the other evening. Didn't understand a word. :rolleyes:

Facts, actual factual info, presented on television???

Now there's a concept.

It'll never catch on.

National Geographic, Frontline, Walter Cronkite, Mr Rogers...