Smithsonian Channel is a partner of the Smithsonian Institution, and is recognized for its carefully curated factual schedule:
- What is Smithsonian’s documentary and unscripted strategy?
- What do they want?
- What are examples of recent trend-setters?
For a Sunny Side Meet the Executive session, SVP Programming & Development Chris Hoelzl shared Smithsonian’s vision and programming priorities.
Watch my informative and exclusive Sunny Side conversation with Chris Hoelzl:
SMITHSONIAN NETWORK: CHRIS HOELZL
Recorded June 17, 2020
Overview
- Smithsonian Channel is a ViacomCBS unit. (It used to be a part of Showtime)
- We work very closely with the Smithsonian Institution
Pipeline
- 250-300 hours in production
Genres
- American History, Ancient History, World History, Natural History, Air & Space, Nature/Wildlife, Pop Culture
- Air & Space is the most popular genre
- There is a a lot of interest in World History
- There has been a spike in Natural History
- Wild Wednesdays: Early focus on African wildlife… have now expanded to other regions (Latin America, Asia)
- Stories follow the networks’ expanding distribution
- The archive is important- but the archive must be built around the story NOT story built around the archive
- We use both black & white and colorized archives
Recent Hits & Notables
Chris selected three documentaries to highlight his team’s strategy. Clips are included in the above Sunny Side video.
- Black in Space: Breaking the Color Barrier
- Taking a topic that most Americans don’t know about
- Intersection of the Cold War, the Space Race and the Civil Rights Movement
- Race between the US and Soviet Union to put the first black astronaut in space
- Story of heroism, competition, and propaganda
- Used the archive extensively
- An American Aristocrat’s Guide to Great Estates
- Attempt to try to understand and experience some of Britain’s best known estates and country houses
- Julie Montague as the compelling storyteller
- Pivot for Smithsonian- find presenters that can be the face for the network
- “History in present tense”
- For anyone who’s interested in history, not just aristocracy
- The Hunt for Escobar’s Hippos
- About Escobar’s passion for menagerie
- His pet hippos escaped their pen in Colombia: now an environmental threat and very dangerous for people
- Veterinarian is trying to capture, dart, and neuter them
- Dramatic interpretation of the Wildlife genre
- Natural History blended with True Crime and Travel
Sources of Programs / Coproductions
- We are stronger together – can afford bigger budgets, make a bigger global impact
- We will forge alliances whenever and wherever we can
- The channel’s expanding global footprint does limit some opportunities
- Smithsonian is a trusted editorial partner for industry leaders
How to Pitch Smithsonian Channel
- Producers should inform themselves about Smithsonian’s programming announcements and schedules
- Happy to receive reels and pitches at ideas.smithsonianchannel.com
(Notes by Becca Wallance)
Coming Soon: My Sunny Side interviews with:
My Sunny Side interviews with:
- Jorge Franzini – CuriosityStream
- Catherine Alvaresse – France Télévisions
Don’t miss:
