CHANNEL LAUNCH: Smithsonian

Today, the US channel Smithsonian, backed by the Smithsonian Institution, launches on Freesat 175, Sky 195 and Virgin 295, and will come to Freeview later. Here’s what to expect…

and nature, with a schedule similar What focused in channel launch feel will to week series PBS that be include America. of on about the it? Freeview history, the Largely Series colourised science US- in HD the history featuring Amelia America Earhart such figures (centre), In Colour as and aviator (8pm), The

Lost which Tapes reconstructs (Thursdays, past events 10pm), using only footage from the time. Also worth seeing is the scenic Aerial America (6pm), which goes state by state. Future highlights include The Green Book: Guide To Freedom

(February 25), which offers a chilling insight into racial segregation in the US in the 20th century.

Is it all US programmes? For now, mostly. Coming later in 2019 are Mystic Britain (with Clive Anderson),

Britain & Ireland In Colour,

Aerial Britain & Ireland In Colour and a Spitfire edition of Air Warriors. What is the Smithsonian?

It is the world’s largest museum and research complex, housing

154 million items over 4.5 acres of Washington DC. It was founded in 1846, using 104,960 gold sovereigns (then worth around $500,000) from the will of amateur scientist James Smithson, the illegitimate son of the Duke of Northumberland; he never set foot in the US, but wanted to fund the ‘increase and diffusion of knowledge among men’.