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H2 (American TV channel)

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For the Canadian cable/satellite channel, see H2 (Canada).
H2
CountryUnited States
HeadquartersNew York City, New York
Programming
Language(s)English
Ownership
OwnerA&E Networks

H2 was an American digital cable and satellite television network that was owned by A+E Networks, which is operated as a joint venture between the Hearst Corporation and the Disney–ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company.

Launching in 1996 as History International, a spin-off of History Channel focused on international history, it re-launched as H2 in September 2011, primarily carrying reruns of documentary programming previously seen on its parent network from the mid-2000s onward, original historical and popular science documentaries, and pseudo-scientific entertainment programs. H2 was discontinued in the United States on February 29, 2016 in favor of the new Viceland channel. The H2 brand is still used for sister channels to History in other markets.

History

The network launched in 1996 as History International (abbreviated as "HI" or variations on "H-INT"). It originally focused mainly on programs and specials focusing on world history. History International occasionally featured shows in languages other than English, such as French or Spanish for use with the National Cable & Telecommunications Association's Cable in the Classroom initiative. By 2010, this was reduced to an hour-long Spanish language program on weekday mornings titled El Canal de Historia (the English translation of The History Channel).

On September 26, 2011, the network was rebranded as H2, with its programming being refocused to feature documentary content from sister network History prior to that network's shift towards more reality programming, along with original programs (such as the special The Universe: Beyond the Big Bang and the first-run series America's Book of Secrets[1]), as well as exclusive new episodes of the former History series The Universe, Ancient Aliens and Modern Marvels, in addition to international-focused programming. H2 does not have plans to add reality series as its sister channel has done.[2] Newer documentaries more recently seen on History migrated to the network as part of the rebrand, which will rotate with the documentaries from History International that primarily span from the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s.

In August 2014, A&E Networks acquired a 10% stake in Vice Media, and on November 3, 2015, A&E announced that H2 would be replaced by Viceland, a new lifestyle-focused network programmed by Vice Media.[3][4][5] H2 signed off on February 29, 2016 at 6:00 a.m. ET, being replaced by pre-launch programming for Viceland.[6][7] The H2 brand will continue to be used on international networks.[3]

International

On August 27, 2012, Shaw Media, a subsidiary of Calgary-based Shaw Communications, launched a domestic Canadian version of H2;[8] the network replaced the male-focused Category A digital channel The Cave.

In 2014, a Latin American version of H2 was launched under the ownership of A+E Networks Latin America (a joint venture between A+E Networks and Ole Communications) and distributed by HBO Latin America Group.[9] H2 launched in the United Kingdom and Ireland on May 4, 2013, replacing Military History.[10] On June 14, 2013, A+E Networks launched a version of H2 in Southeast Asia.[11]

It launched on TalkTalk on 28 August 2014. It is on the Entertainment Boost along with Lifetime.

On October 28, 2014, H2 launched in Poland.

On April 12, 2015, H2 launched in Serbia, first on Orion TV and in May on MTS TV.

In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, H2 airs on My-HD,[12] and has also started airing on 1 February 2016 on OSN.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ America's Book of Secrets
  2. ^ EXCLUSIVE: New Network Name Becomes History - Additional programming planned as H2 replaces HI Broadcasting & Cable, September 2, 2011
  3. ^ a b "It's Official: Vice Channel to Take Over A+E Networks' History Spinoff H2". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  4. ^ "Viceland, a New Cable Channel, Aims to Stand Out". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  5. ^ "A+E Networks' H2 To Be Rebranded As Vice". Deadline. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  6. ^ "To Get People To Watch Viceland (an LBGT channel) On TV, Vice Uses A Newspaper". Variety. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  7. ^ "Viceland Makes Its Cable Debut". Multichannel News. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  8. ^ Shaw Media and A&E to Launch Two New Specialty Channels, Broadcaster Magazine, May 30, 2012.
  9. ^ A&E Ole Networks realiza su Upfront 2013, TodoTVNews, September 25, 2012.
  10. ^ "H2 launching Saturday, May 4th". imediamonkey. April 19, 2013.
  11. ^ "A+E Networks' venture brings Lifetime and H2 to Southeast Asia". Campaign Asia. May 20, 2013.
  12. ^ http://my-hd.tv/en/channels#?documentary
  13. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehFcY5PtC9M
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