Smithsonian Aligns with Blue Ant for International Expansion

Smithsonian Networks is aligning with Blue Ant Media to expand the distribution of the Smithsonian Channel in the Asia Pacific, Turkey, Israel, the Middle East and Africa.

Under the terms of the alliance, Blue Ant Media will operate Smithsonian’s HD and 4K SVOD platforms, free-to-air and pay-TV linear television services and branded programming blocks in those markets. The two companies previously collaborated to bring Smithsonian Channel to Canada and are partners in the Love Nature 4K service.

“Blue Ant Media is uniquely positioned to seamlessly facilitate Smithsonian Channel’s entry into new territories in Asia, Africa and the Middle East,” said Tom Hayden, the president of Smithsonian Networks. “We are very pleased to continue our successful relationship with Blue Ant Media in expanding the brand’s global presence.”

“The Smithsonian Channel is an iconic brand committed to extraordinary factual storytelling through documentaries and series covering science, nature, culture, history, air and spacecraft, stemming from the Smithsonian Institute’s impressive 130+ year history as a cultural hub,” said Ward Platt, the CEO of kids and global networks at Blue Ant Media. “Blue Ant Media has a suite of global brands, with great programming, that are rapidly growing in popularity all over the world, and a strong team on the ground in multiple territories internationally, which will see Smithsonian Channel grow its footprint even further in markets such as South East Asia, India, China, Japan, Australia, Middle East and Africa.”