Smithsonian Networks’ first international expansion is Canadian
Toronto’s Blue Ant Media is rebranding its EQHD specialty channel as Smithsonian Channel as part of a new joint venture with the U.S.-based Smithsonian Networks.
Debuting this fall, the HD Smithsonian Channel will feature what Blue Ant Media called an “extensive assortment” of exclusive content for broadcast, digital and mobile platforms. In a release, Blue Ant Media said that channel would complement its premium, commercial-free brands Oasis HD, HIFI and radX.
The agreement represents the Smithsonian Channel’s first international expansion. Program genres offered by the channel include air and space, science and nature, pop culture and history.
Blue Ant Media also plans to make the Smithsonian Channel’s mobile apps available to Canadian users. The apps have been downloaded more than 1 million times, said Blue Ant in a release.
Smithsonian Channel is a joint venture of the Smithsonian Institution and the CBS subsidiary Showtime Networks, with a programming mandate to explore the “history of our planet, life and culture, with 100% original, family-friendly programming.”
In a release, Blue Ant Media’s executive vice-president of programming Vanessa Case said the company planned to make Smithsonian Channel “a uniquely Canadian offering” by building on the channel’s existing program roster.
According to CRTC documents, EQHD had total revenues of $3.34 million and invested $525,700 in programming in 2012.
