View source for Smithsonian Channel (Canada)

{{Infobox television channel
| name            = Smithsonian Channel
| logo            = Smithsonian Channel.PNG
| logo_size = 240px
| logo_caption    = Smithsonian Channel Logo
| launch_date     = September 5, 2006, 18 years ago
| language        = English
| closed_date     =
| picture_format  = [[1080i]] ([[High-definition television|HDTV]])
| network         =
| owner           = [[Blue Ant Media]] (93.33%)<br>{{small|(2013–present)}}<br />[[Smithsonian Networks]]<br>{{small|([[Paramount Global]])}} (6.67%)
| sister_channels = [[BBC Earth (Canadian TV channel)|BBC Earth]]<br />[[BBC First (Canadian TV channel)|BBC First]]<br />[[Cottage Life (TV channel)|Cottage Life]]<br /> [[Love Nature]]<br />[[Makeful]]<br />[[T+E]]
| country         = Canada
| area            = Nationwide
| headquarters    = [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]]
| former_names    = Equator HD<br>(2006–2010) <br> eqhd (2010–2013)
| website         = {{URL|www.smithsonianchannel.ca|Smithsonian Channel}}
| online_serv_1   = [[RiverTV]]
| online_chan_1   = [[Over-the-top media service|Over-the-top TV]]
}}
'''Smithsonian Channel''' is a Canadian [[pay television]] channel, owned and operated by [[Blue Ant Media]]. [[Smithsonian Networks]], a subsidiary of [[Paramount Global]]’s [[MTV Entertainment Group]] division, owners of the American channel [[Smithsonian Channel|of the same name]] from which its brand and programming is licensed, serve as a minority partner. The channel broadcasts factual programming on categories such as air and space, science and nature, pop culture, and history.
==History==
In April 2006, John S. Panikkar (co-founder of the channel's original owner, [[High Fidelity HDTV]]), was granted a licence by the [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]] (CRTC) to launch ''MeridianHD'', described as ''"a national, English-language Category 2 high definition (HD) specialty programming undertaking... that would consist of programs dedicated exclusively to the exploration of geography, people, places and cultures. The programming would focus on the roots of human development as well as teachings from other cultures and traditions in Canada and around the world. It would also focus on what impact human behaviour has on the natural environment and how the natural world affects human ritual and culture. The proposed service would not offer celebrity biographies or staged events."''<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2006/db2006-176.htm Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-176] CRTC 2006-04-28</ref>
[[File:Equatorhd.svg|thumb|Equator HD logo (2006–2010)|left|125px]]
The channel launched on September 5, 2006<ref>[http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/news/high-fidelity-hdtv-launches-rush-hd-and-equator-hd/1000055983/?issue=09052006 High Fidelity HDTV Launches 'Rush HD' and 'Equator HD'] Broadcaster Magazine 2006-09-05</ref> as '''Equator HD'''. Its brand was licensed and much of its programming was purchased from [[AMC Networks|Rainbow Media]], original owners of the now defunct [[Voom HD Networks]], owners of Equator HD in the [[United States]].<ref>[http://www.satellite-tv-planet.com/High%20Definition/HighDefinition.htm Satellite TV Planet] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119121853/http://satellite-tv-planet.com/High%20Definition/HighDefinition.htm |date=2016-01-19 }}</ref> The channel broadcast factual programming relating to geography, people, and cultures such as The Bee Travelers,  Earth Diaries, The Last Chapter of the Vietnam War, and Eurasian Empires.
[[File:eqhd.svg|thumb|125px|left|eqhd logo (2010-2013)]]
Upon the closure of the American service of the same name in 2009, High Fidelity HDTV rebranded the channel as '''eqhd''' on August 23, 2010.,<ref>[http://www.tvb.ca/pages/high+fidelity+rebrands+rush+hd,+equator+hd_htm High Fidelity Rebrands Rush HD, Equator HD] TVB.ca 2010-08-20</ref> focusing largely on the same genre of programming.
On December 21, 2011, High Fidelity HDTV, announced that it had entered into an agreement to be purchased outright by Blue Ant Media, majority owners of [[Glassbox Television]] and minority owners of Quarto Communications. While initially purchasing 29.9% of the company, the remaining 70.1% will be purchased once it is approved by the CRTC.<ref>[http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/899171/blue-ant-media-enters-agreement-to-acquire-high-fidelity-hdtv Blue Ant Media Enters Agreement to Acquire High Fidelity HDTV] CNW press release 2011-12-21</ref>
On July 15, 2013, it was announced that Blue Ant Media had reached a deal to rebrand eqhd as a Canadian version of [[Smithsonian Networks|Smithsonian Channel]].<ref>[http://www.channelcanada.com/canadian-channels/specialty-channels/smithsonian-channel/smithsonian-channel-launching-this-fall-in-canada Smithsonian Channel Launching in Canada This Fall]</ref> Smithsonian Channel launched on November 13, 2013.<ref>[http://blueantmedia.ca/2013/10/smithsonian-channel-launches-in-canada-wednesday-november-13th/ SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL LAUNCHES IN CANADA WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13th] Blue Ant Media press release 10 28 13</ref> In 2016, Smithsonian Channel US bought a minority stake in the channel.<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/ownership/eng/cht228.pdf Blue Ant Media Ownership Chart] CRTC</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.smithsonianchannel.ca}}
{{Blue Ant Media}}
{{ViacomCBS}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Blue Ant Media channels]]
[[Category:Cable television channels in Canada]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2006]]
[[Category:English-language television stations in Canada]]
[[Category:2006 establishments in Canada]]
[[Category:Smithsonian Channel]]