Smithsonian Channel

[redsky88]

It looks as though the Smithsonian Channel will close on 6th January. Programs probably shifting to P+. Bad news for non Cinema subscribers as it was a pretty good channel. 

[Daniel0210]

@redsky88 

I suppose it was inevitable as I think it's owned by Paramount Global. 

[Villaforever]

Look like sky go be do more changes to platform channels next year with more changes and closures 

[CardiffMan1992]

@Daniel0210 

Yeah like Disney did with Fox and the Disney Channels.

[Villaforever]

Also sky planning to remove all SD channels and turn them into hd 

[CardiffMan1992]

@Villaforever 

Honestly that makes a lot of sense really for cost reasons and because why watch SD channels anymore really if there is a HD version of it.

[TimmyBGood]

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@Villaforever wrote:

Also sky planning to remove all SD channels and turn them into hd 

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As a regulated EPG provider I don't think Sky is permitted to do that.  If a channel with a UK broadcast licence wishes to contine shipping SD resolution over a satellite link, Sky is obliged to provide them with an EPG slot.

[Grilly]

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@Villaforever wrote:

Also sky planning to remove all SD channels and turn them into hd 

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Very unlikely to happen, not even all ITV1 regions are in HD...

[CardiffMan1992]

@Grilly 

I thought they were now.

[TimmyBGood]

@CardiffMan1992 

ITV already started to reduce SD channels in 2021, when the number of ITV regions broadcast in standard definition on satellite were cut to four in England: Central West, Granada, London and Meridian SE. However, with most satellite viewers now using HD receivers with ITV1 HD on channel 103 instead of the SD version, the move was largely unnoticed by the public. ITV recently made HD versions of ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 available free-to-air in preparation for a further SD switch-off. 

https://rxtvinfo.com/2022/bbc-to-start-switching-off-sd-channels-in-2023-hd-switchover 

[Drea1345]

Does that mean those with a Cinema subscription will still have access? Or is the channel gone for good?

[caesarome]

@Drea1345 

If the programs are moving to Paramount plus then you can get access to this for free if you are a Sky Cinema customer.

[xenon81]

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@Drea1345 wrote:

Does that mean those with a Cinema subscription will still have access? Or is the channel gone for good?

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If you have Paramount+ you can still watch Smithsonian programmes and new ones will continue to be added, but the channel itself has closed. 

For those without Paramount+ a small number of programmes are available from Channel 5 at https://www.channel5.com/browse/Smithsonian  or the My5 app on TV.

[RobertS83]

Paramount have said that it will resume as a channel at some point in the future on Pluto TV. 

[ZeroOscar]

So sad - I really enjoyed some of the programming - I hope they can work something out?