Smithsonian HD Network TV Guide and Schedule

united states

12:00 AM

How Did They Build That?

Witness amazing buildings, bridges, lifts, and other structures that pushed structural concrete engineering to the edge.

1h
1:00 AM

How Did They Build That?

Traveling from Canada to Belgium to the Southern U.S. to examine an eye-popping school, museum and railway station and reveal how they were built.

1h
2:00 AM

How Did They Build That?

Witness amazing buildings, bridges, lifts, and other structures that pushed structural concrete engineering to the edge.

1h
3:00 AM

How Did They Build That?

Uncovering the design and engineering secrets behind the Grand Canyon Skywalk, the Audain Museum and more.

1h
4:00 AM

Air Disasters

A C-130 firebomber crashes while battling an epic Australian wildfire; ATSB investigators must determine the cause within an active fire zone.

1h
5:00 AM

Air Disasters

Experts investigate an unfortunate string of events that caused the freshly serviced Air Astana Flight 1388 to become completely uncontrollable.

1h
6:00 AM

Air Disasters

Three last-resort water landings, all handled differently yet each one crucial to improving the outcomes of ditching on open water.

1h
7:00 AM

Air Disasters

A trio of crashes reveals that when the nuts and bolts of maintenance go unchecked, it can spell catastrophe.

1h
8:00 AM

Air Disasters

When a commercial airliner goes down in eastern Ukraine in 2014, examiners must conduct an investigation in the middle of a war zone.

1h
9:00 AM

Air Disasters

A miraculous rescue is launched after a 747 plummets toward the Pacific.

1h
10:00 AM

Mighty Cruise Ships

The new Viking Sea cruise ship whisks guests away on a journey across the Arctic Circle and into the heart of Norway.

1h
11:00 AM

Mighty Cruise Ships

The Carnival Vista is the new flagship for one of the world's largest cruise lines, carrying more than 4,600 passengers and boasting 10 restaurants, nearly 2,000 staterooms and a crew of 1,400.

1h
12:00 PM

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.

1h
1:00 PM

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.

1h
2:00 PM

Mighty Cruise Ships

Cruise among the icebergs of Greenland and the Canadian High Arctic aboard the expedition cruiser Ocean Endeavour.

1h
3:00 PM

Mighty Cruise Ships

Experience romance on a mega cruiser that pampers its guests with the best of Italian design and American convenience.

1h
4:00 PM

Mighty Trains

Passengers are treated like royalty on Indian Railways' Maharaja's Express.

1h
5:00 PM

Mighty Trains

Norway's Bergen Line stretches from Oslo to Bergen, passing through 182 tunnels; Nordland Line transports passengers and freight; Flam Railway boasts one of the steepest railway climbs on Earth.

1h
6:00 PM

Mighty Trains

Exploring Vietnam by rail aboard the Reunification Express; a three-day ride from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City rich in views of rivers, rice paddies and dragon fruit orchards; steeped in the nation's war-torn past.

1h
7:00 PM

Mighty Ships

Le Boreal is built to take on the demanding waters of the Southern Ocean.

1h
8:00 PM

Mighty Ships

MSC's biggest cruise ship navigates tight Mediterranean harbors, offering a brand-new water park, classic excursions and Cirque du Soleil at Sea.

1h
9:00 PM

Mighty Ships

Filled with big toys, guests fly the trapeze, surf and skydive without ever leaving the world's most innovative cruise ship.

1h
10:00 PM

Mighty Cruise Ships

Set a course for breathtaking sights on Koningsdam's 15-day voyage from Amsterdam to the northern tip of Norway.

1h
11:00 PM

Mighty Cruise Ships

Take a river tour through some of Europe's greatest cities--Budapest, Vienna, and Amsterdam--on Viking Longship Gefjon.

1h
12:00 AM

Mighty Planes

The Stargazer launches Pegasus rockets, delivering specialized weather satellites designed to detect the magnitude and intensity of hurricanes.

1h
1:00 AM

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.

1h
2:00 AM

Mighty Cruise Ships

Facing Australia's fierce heat, Celebrity Solstice provides guests with views of waterfalls, jumping crocodiles, koalas and the Great Barrier Reef.

1h
3:00 AM

Mighty Cruise Ships

The only cruise ship designed specifically to navigate the treasures and dangers at the southern tip of South America.

1h
4:00 AM

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.

1h
5:00 AM

Mighty Trains

The White Pass and Yukon route was built in 1869 to take miners and supplies to the Klondike gold fields.

1h
6:00 AM

Mighty Cruise Ships

Follow mega cruiser Regal Princess as she whisks guests to Germany, Russia, and Scandinavia in style.

1h
7:00 AM

Mighty Cruise Ships

We follow passengers and crew aboard Viking Star during its two-week tour from Barcelona to its home port in Bergen, Norway.

1h
8:00 AM

Mighty Cruise Ships

The world's latest, most-advanced expedition cruise ship Roald Amundsen whisks passengers on an adventurous voyage to Antarctica.

1h
9:00 AM

Mighty Cruise Ships

The Sky Princess carries passengers from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to three Central American stops.

1h
10:00 AM

How Did They Build That?

Challenges beset a sculptural new transportation hub for New York's World Trade Center; Amsterdam gains a building inspired by a mountain valley; a new launchpad for space travel prepares for liftoff in the New Mexico desert.

1h
11:00 AM

How Did They Build That?

Visiting the Hearst Tower in Manhattan and Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore to understand how they were built; covering how designers and engineers attempt to create a museum worthy of Salvador Dalí in Florida.

1h
12:00 PM

How Did They Build That?

The engineering secrets behind a massive sky garden in Singapore, the world's most slender tower in Brighton, and a railway station in the shadow of Vesuvius.

1h
1:00 PM

How Did They Build That?

An unstable high rise, an otherworldly museum, and a towering cliffside elevator.

1h
2:00 PM

How Did They Build That?

Visiting the Vancouver House, Norway's Under restaurant and the Seattle Central Library to discover how these visionary buildings were created.

1h
3:00 PM

How Did They Build That?

Traveling to New York, Denver and Nice, France to visit Little Island, the Denver Museum of Art and La Tête Carrée; the secrets to how they were built are revealed.

1h
4:00 PM

How Did They Fix That?

Mike Davidson heads to Brazil, where an offshore crew is racing the clock to set up giant power ships to deliver electricity to a country in desperate need.

1h
5:00 PM

How Did They Fix That?

Mike joins the U.S. Marines' Heavy Haulers helicopter squadron and gets inside their battle to keep a fleet of souped-up Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion choppers flying as they prepare for intense war games in the desert and mountains.

1h
6:00 PM

How Did They Fix That?

A ride on the Panama Canal Railway reveals the track repairs, engine overhauls and dangerous searches involved in keeping vital freight runs rolling.

1h
7:00 PM

How Did They Fix That?

A crew and its massive air crane helicopter haul millions of pounds of timber while battling the elements and handling emergency repairs.

1h
8:00 PM

How Did They Build That?

A Manhattan high-rise; an Athens cultural center; a Singapore university.

1h
9:00 PM

How Did They Build That?

A new Olympic and Paralympic museum tests engineers with its trailblazing accessible design. A dazzling curved glass skyscraper battles gravity in Milan. And a student center built under a noisy railroad.

1h
10:00 PM

How Did They Build That?

The engineering secrets behind the world's steepest mountain railway, a remodeled 145-year-old museum and a futuristic condo.

1h
11:00 PM

How Did They Build That?

In Oklahoma, a sacred spiral mound rises on a former oilfield, honouring 39 tribes; London's crumbling Battersea Power Station is reborn with two million new bricks. And in Spain, Frank Gehry crowns a historic winery.

1h
12:00 AM

How Did They Build That?

Witness amazing buildings, bridges, lifts, and other structures that pushed structural concrete engineering to the edge.

1h

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:

  1. Select the Date: Choose today's date or a future date to view the relevant daily schedule.
  2. Filter by Time of Day: Narrow your view to morning, afternoon, or primetime blocks depending on your availability.
  3. Read Episode Summaries: Click or expand episode details to learn more about specific historical events or scientific topics covered.
  4. 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.