The Smithsonian Channel is an international channel operated by Paramount Global which is home to factual shows such as Inside the Factory, How Did They Build That?, WWII Battles in Color, Air Warriors, Ocean Super Predators and many more.
The channel was available in Africa alongside Love Nature a while back on StarSat as a replacement to National Geographic and National Geographic Wild as the pay-tv platform got into a bit of a disagreement with their suppliers, The Walt Disney Company.
Prior to that, The Smithsonian Channel was also allocated on the East African platform Zuku TV but I prefer to credit StarSat since consumers are more familiar with the platform.
Anyways, The Smithsonian Channel what can I say I'm not too familiar with the brand and I only knew of existence when it was introduced by StarSat but what was more shocking was that it's owned by Paramount that are home to various popular brands most of which are on DStv.
But considering how they screwed over VH1 I'm the least bit shocked that they'd be another channel lurking around the same corner.
StarSat:
- Delayed SABC channel launch on StarSat explained
- Russia Today to launch South African hub
- StarSat trying to be DStv friendly
- BYUtv should be added onto StarSat
- StarSat to offer more African dubbed telenovelas
- Could StarSat be losing two more channels?
From what I can establish no actual reason was given for The Smithsonian Channel's exit in the African market my guess on StarSat has to do with costs as they've scrapped over 40 channels most of which weren't even replaced to date.
But considering the times both Love Nature and The Smithsonian Channel both left the platform it's possible that may not be the case as Zuku TV fell prey to similar circumstance.
During the week, officials announced the exit of The Smithsonian Channel in the UK with consumers having to rely on Paramount+ for more factual entertainment which has just got me thinking. Is it possible that the termination in Africa may have something to do with what's already seen in the UK?
I mean I kind of suggested that theory a while back that The Smithsonian Channel's demise had to do with streamlining efforts.
I've got nothing to say about The Smithsonian Channel except for the fact that a lot of viewers depend on the channel but I think part of the reason it got scrapped had to do with the rivalry with National Geographic and Discovery both of which offer similar entertainment.
The Walt Disney Company:
- The Good Doctor getting a female led spinoff
- King Kong Series in development
- The Walt Disney Company to extend the reach of Star Channel
- DStv Streama now offers Disney+
- List of scrapped spinoffs for The Simpsons
- Disney Television Animation unveils Kiff!
National Geographic is about to undergo a similar fate leaving Discovery and from what I've seen Curiosity and BBC Earth to cater for these audiences or at least in Africa.
Paramount+ besides carrying content from The Smithsonian Channel will also leverage from MTV, BET, Nickelodeon, CBS and many more. Although I have yet see them streamline their linear offering I had noticed that they've been closing irrelevant or non-performing channels.
The Smithsonian Channel was neither but I do feel it's presence on Paramount+ will help the brand gain more acknowledgement.
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