Smithsonian Networks Expands Distribution

WASHINGTON, February 12: Smithsonian Networks, a joint
venture between Showtime Networks and the Smithsonian Institution, has
concluded two new carriage agreements with Charter Communications and Verizon
FiOS TV for the Smithsonian
Channel, increasing the network’s distribution to 22 million households in
the U.S.

The carriage agreements also include Smithsonian Channel On
Demand, which allows viewers to watch select programs whenever they wish. The
Smithsonian Channel On Demand service will be available in both high definition
and standard definition.

One of the channel's early successes was the original
documentary Remembering Vietnam: The Wall at 25. New York Festivals awarded this film the Gold World Medal. The same
award was given to the channel's first original series and one of its signature
programs, Stories from the Vaults,
with actor Tom Cavanagh (Ed) as
host. Sound Revolution, a
six-part series hosted by award-winning actor Morgan Freeman, earned a third
Gold World Medal. Showcasing some of the most-popular musicians of our time, Sound
Revolution profiles such renowned musicians
as James Brown, B.B. King and Eric Clapton. Finally, a fourth Gold World Medal
was awarded to Day of the Kamikaze,
a docudrama recreating the Japanese suicide attacks against the Allied Fleet in
1945. Nature Tech, a
three-episode high-definition series that examines the new field of
bio-mimetics, was awarded Best Limited Series by the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film
Festival.

“We're very excited to be working with our new partners and
thrilled that they share our desire to provide their customers the best in high
definition programming from one of the best known brand names with Smithsonian
Channel,” said Tom Hayden, the executive VP and general manager for Smithsonian
Networks. “This is great progress for the channel and we look forward to
announcing other distribution agreements over the next few months.”

Smithsonian Networks (SN) was formed to create new channels
that will showcase scientific, cultural and historical programming largely
inspired by the assets of the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest
museum complex. The networks will feature original documentaries, short-subject
explorations and innovative programs highlighting America's historical,
cultural and scientific heritage.

—By Irene Lew