Smithsonian HD Network TV Guide and Schedule
united states
Mighty Planes
The Martin Mars water bomber is the world's largest seaplane and has flown more than 8,000 firefighting missions.
Mighty Trains
The Indian Pacific is a four-day, 4,352-kilometer transcontinental journey across Australia, a trip which features the world's longest straight stretch of railway and steepest incline.
Mighty Cruise Ships
Royal Clipper is the largest sailing cruise ship in the world, celebrating tall ships of the 19th century while offering modern-day service for its guests.
Mighty Cruise Ships
Sailing from Chile and Peru to Ecuador and Costa Rica, the luxurious Seven Seas Explorer cruise ship is full of marble, granite and almost 500 chandeliers.
Mighty Trains
Go behind the scenes with NTV's two Italo trains - the AGV and the EVO - as they expand to cover more of the Italian railway network, connecting passengers from Turin to Venice, and Naples to Milan, on two of the world's fastest trains.
Mighty Trains
The White Pass and Yukon route was built in 1869 to take miners and supplies to the Klondike gold fields.
Mighty Cruise Ships
We hop aboard a seven-day cruise to the Canary Islands and Madeira aboard the first large liner to run purely on cleaner-burning liquefied natural gas.
Mighty Cruise Ships
The only cruise ship designed specifically to navigate the treasures and dangers at the southern tip of South America.
Mighty Cruise Ships
Follow mega cruiser Regal Princess as she whisks guests to Germany, Russia, and Scandinavia in style.
Mighty Cruise Ships
Azamara Journey travels the rivers of Southeast Asia, delivering passengers to exotic cities and hidden treasures that larger cruise ships cannot reach.
How Did They Build That?
Alien port authority in Belgium; ultrathin skyscraper in Manhattan; hanging museum in Scotland.
How Did They Build That?
Architects and engineers build an eco-friendly convention center on Vancouver's waterfront, a lift bridge in Bordeaux and a cocoon-shaped skyscraper in Tokyo each with unique challenges like marine habitats and massive spans.
How Did They Build That?
Witness amazing buildings, bridges, lifts, and other structures that pushed structural concrete engineering to the edge.
How Did They Build That?
Paying tribute to the brave, gravity-defying design of the U.S. National Medal of Honor Museum; traveling to Singapore for a look at a leaning tower of gambling, then exploring a New York City office building that lets the sun shine through.
How Did They Build That?
A 284ft wooden skyscraper built from 1,200 bespoke pieces tests fire safety limits in Milwaukee; a decaying Amsterdam crane track transforms into glass offices; a needle-thin tower stacks 28 apartments onto a 21ft-wide plot in Melbourne, Australia.
How Did They Build That?
The engineering secrets behind a mobile research station in Antarctica, a gravity-defying concert hall on the Canary Islands, and a rotating boat lift in Scotland.
How Did They Build That?
The American Museum of Natural History in NYC gets a cave-like extension; an arts center inspired by migrating birds is built on a lake in China; Boston University gains a fossil-free, Jenga-like tower.
How Did They Build That?
Witnessing amazing buildings, bridges, lifts and other structures that pushed structural concrete engineering to the edge.
How Did They Fix That?
Following a million-dollar freight run across four European countries and meeting the drivers, engineers and maintenance teams who keep the train running.
How Did They Fix That?
Mike works with repair and construction teams at Dreamworld, Australia's largest theme park, after a cyclone caused $4M in damage; they fix scream machines and finish a $50M expansion featuring the world's first triple switch rollercoaster.
How Did They Fix That?
Host Mike Davidson assists on a multi-million-dollar tunnel-boring project underground in Toronto.
How Did They Fix That?
Mike Davidson goes on a cross-country road trip to help the Well Done Foundation; they work to find and cap some of the estimated 2 million leaking, toxic abandoned oil and gas wells scattered throughout the U.S.
How Did They Fix That?
Mike helps fix the machines that keep one of the United States' biggest ports moving; he assists a team in moving a 3-million pound crane.
How Did They Fix That?
Host Mike Davidson helps make high-stakes repairs for one of the world's largest open-ocean fish farm operations in Panama.
How Did They Fix That?
In Grindavik, Iceland, crews repair earthquake fissures, build lava barriers and track magma, gases and ground movement while divers inspect a damaged harbor pier in a town shaped by ongoing eruptions.
Ice Airport Alaska
Pilots fly over the dangerous Brooks mountains, so engineers can fix a remote weather station, a veteran pilot tests a rookie on their bush plane landings, crews fight ice and wind to save a winter festival, and engineers race.
Air Disasters
A look at the fate of United Airlines Flight 232 which crashed into Sioux City's runway in 1989; it caused a subsequent explosion that left 111 people dead.
Air Disasters
Three planes fall prey to deadly winds, and it is up to investigators to find out why.
Air Disasters
A British Airways Flight's engines failure to respond cause the plane to crash-land just short of the runway.
Air Disasters
Pilots leaving Cameroon steer their plane clear of a storm, but the aircraft begins rolling to the right, and they are unable to regain control.
Air Disasters
In São Paulo, the Himalayas, and on the Norwegian coast, the toughest landings on earth pushed three flight crews.
Air Disasters
Pilots of TACA Flight 110 make a remarkable landing on a narrow levee, but investigators must find out why the engines in a brand-new plane failed.
Air Disasters
The business jet carrying PGA golfer Payne Stewart and former Alabama football quarterback crashes; how loss of pressurization and structural failure led to this crash and the deadliest aviation accidents in both Greek and Taiwanese history.
Air Disasters
On July 17, 2007, TAM Airlines Flight 3054 slides off runway 35L at Congonhas Airport in São Paulo, Brazil, and crashes at high speed into a warehouse adjacent to a petrol station killing nearly 200 people.
Combat Ships
The ships that made mighty empires, from the lone wolves that patrolled the high seas for imperial Britain to the USS Laffey's heroic WWII battle against kamikazes at Okinawa.
Combat Ships
A look at some of the rescue ships of the past 200 years of wartime and the brave men and women who risked their lives to save others.
Combat Ships
A look at experimental ships and revolutionary designers that have changed the tide of war through the centuries.
Combat Ships
A chronological look at the events of the 1944 D-Day landings, and the vessels that made the invasion possible, with an insight into personal stories and engineering wonders.
Combat Ships
A look at how technological advances over the centuries have transformed maritime warfare.
Combat Ships
Vessels that operate in secret, unseen by their enemies, from secret missions that helped win World War II to modern stealth ships using strange shapes and technology to avoid spying ears and eyes.
Combat Ships
A look at how maritime task forces and the Coast Guard are keeping commercial vessels and US shores safe from pirates and drug smugglers.
Combat Ships
A comprehensive look at the naval battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942 and the heroic efforts of U.S. sailors who held off powerful Imperial Navy.
Combat Ships
The evolution of amphibious assault vehicles, including the restoration of Britain's last surviving LCT 7074 landing craft, designed to carry six Churchill tanks.
Combat Ships
A look at how the role of battleships changed over the course of the First and Second World Wars.
Air Warriors
The history of the B-1 Lancer reveals how the Cold War bomber evolved to become one of America's most effective military aircraft.
Air Warriors
A countdown of the most influential and impactful military planes of the Cold War, from America's B-2 to the Soviet's MiG-15.
Air Warriors
The inside story of the F-86 Sabre, one of America's first fighter jets, and its epic battles against the Soviet MiG jet during the Korean War and beyond.
Air Warriors
A look at the top U.S. military aircraft in America's modern arsenal, including the F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter, the hybrid V-22 Osprey, and more.
Air Warriors
The rapid evolution of drones and how they're changing the future of aviation.
Smithsonian HD Network offers high-definition programming dedicated to history, science, nature, aviation, space exploration, and pop culture. Check this TV guide to explore daily broadcast schedules, learn how program listings are structured, and find out what is airing on the channel today and tonight.
About Smithsonian HD Network
Smithsonian HD Network brings non-fiction storytelling, historical documentaries, and scientific exploration into the living room in crisp high definition. Drawing inspiration and factual grounding from the vast collections and research of the Smithsonian Institution, the network delivers educational and entertaining non-fiction television.
The channel features a broad spectrum of factual genres, ranging from aerial exploration and military history to natural history, forensic science, and cultural documentary series. Viewers tuning in can expect deep dives into historic events, natural phenomena, engineering marvels, and scientific achievements.
Navigating the Smithsonian HD Network TV Guide
Using a dedicated TV guide allows viewers to plan their viewing around specific documentary series, special broadcasts, and themed programming blocks. The television schedule organizes daily airings chronologically to help you find start times, episode titles, and show descriptions.
Key elements found in the daily schedule include:
- Broadcast Time: Local start times for each scheduled program.
- Program Title and Episode Name: Identifies the specific series and episode slated for broadcast.
- Genre and Topic: Categorizes shows by subject matter, such as history, nature, technology, or culture.
- Episode Summaries: Brief synopsis details outlining the core story or scientific focus of the episode.
Because television listings can shift due to special events, holiday marathons, or updated broadcast slates, checking the guide regularly ensures you do not miss upcoming episodes.
Using TV Guide Listings for Tonight on Smithsonian HD Network
Primetime is often when featured documentaries, flagship series premieres, and multi-part mini-series air. Checking the TV guide listings for tonight gives viewers an immediate snapshot of evening programming, making it easy to decide what to watch or record.
When reviewing evening listings, keep the following tips in mind:
- Confirm Your Time Zone: Air times are frequently listed according to Eastern or Pacific time zones. Always verify how national schedule times correspond to your local area.
- Identify Primetime Blocks: The network frequently groups related programs together—such as back-to-back aviation documentaries or themed historical blocks—during evening hours.
- Check for Encores: If you miss an early evening broadcast, primetime programs are often repeated later in the overnight schedule.
Programming Categories on Smithsonian HD Network
The channel's programming library spans several core factual genres designed to inform and engage inquisitive audiences:
- History and Culture: In-depth examinations of pivotal historical moments, ancient civilizations, world wars, and cultural history.
- Science and Technology: Explorations of modern engineering, space exploration, physics, and technological breakthroughs shaping the future.
- Nature and Wildlife: Documentaries focusing on natural habitats, animal behavior, and wildlife conservation across the globe.
- Aviation and Military: Specialized series covering military tactics, historical aircraft, naval history, and aerial combat technologies.
- Pop Culture and Mystery: Investigating historical mysteries, iconic cultural symbols, and popular phenomena through a critical, factual lens.
How to Use the Schedule Effectively
To get the most out of the TV listings, follow these practical steps when planning your viewing:
- Select the Date: Choose today's date or a future date to view the relevant daily schedule.
- Filter by Time of Day: Narrow your view to morning, afternoon, or primetime blocks depending on your availability.
- Read Episode Summaries: Click or expand episode details to learn more about specific historical events or scientific topics covered.
- Account for Provider Variations: Check channel numbers and local listings via your television provider, as channel placement varies by cable, satellite, or digital platform.
Regional Schedules and Time Zone Differences
Television broadcast schedules are subject to regional variations. Networks usually feed schedules based on major time zone blocks (such as Eastern and Pacific feeds). Depending on your location and service provider, a show advertised for 8:00 PM Eastern may air at a different local time in Central, Mountain, or Pacific regions.
Additionally, broadcast lineups can occasionally be modified for local network updates or technical adjustments. Consult your local television provider's electronic program guide (EPG) for the most accurate local air times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Smithsonian HD Network TV Guide?
The Smithsonian HD Network TV guide is a comprehensive schedule listing show times, program titles, episode details, and broadcast dates for the channel's history, science, and nature programming.
What is on Smithsonian HD Network tonight?
Tonight's lineup typically features primetime documentary series, history investigations, and natural science programming. Specific show titles and times vary by date; check the daily evening listings for up-to-date schedule details.
Where can I find the Smithsonian HD Network TV schedule?
You can view the schedule on online TV guide platforms, through your cable or satellite provider's electronic program guide, or on the network's official digital platforms.
Do Smithsonian HD Network broadcast times vary by region?
Yes. Broadcast times depend on your local time zone and whether your television provider delivers an Eastern or Pacific network feed. Always verify local broadcast schedules for exact times.
What types of shows are broadcast on Smithsonian HD Network?
The channel features non-fiction television, including historical documentaries, nature and wildlife series, aviation and military specials, scientific explorations, and pop culture investigations.