The Military Channel to be Renamed American Heroes Channel
We received the following media release from Discovery Communications.
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DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS TO RENAME MILITARY CHANNEL:
AMERICAN HEROES CHANNEL TO DEBUT ON MARCH 3, 2014
(Pasadena, CA)—Discovery Communications, Inc. announced today it will change the name of the Military Channel to American Heroes Channel (AHC). Debuting on Monday, March 3, in 62 million homes, American Heroes Channel expands on the Military Channel’s promise to honor the great defenders of our freedom, while providing a rare glimpse into major events that shaped our world and the trailblazers and unexpected advocates who made a difference.
The only network dedicated to the timeless stories in which a challenge appears – be it a situation or a villain – and a hero arises, American Heroes Channel explores compelling and uplifting true stories of the bold men and women who have distinguished themselves by their actions. These are the stories of people and events that transcend time and place: from the heroes of Omaha Beach, to the scientists who worked tirelessly during the Space Race, to the SEAL Team Six takedown of Osama Bin Laden, to a young Marine who saved lives during Hurricane Katrina. These stories bridge the connection between lessons of past and legends of today, and demonstrate – for all generations –how courage and conviction shape the future.
{default}“We see a tremendous opportunity to provide more history-based, narrative-style documentary programming that viewers have come to know and love from Discovery Communications. The American Heroes Channel will be the next great platform for Discovery to engage and entertain an information-hungry audience with a network that provides an exciting intersection of military and history programming,†said David Zaslav, President and Chief Executive Officer, Discovery Communications.
“Although America is a country born from acts of heroism on the battlefield, true heroism isn’t reserved solely for military,†said Kevin Bennett, General Manager, American Heroes Channel. “We know our viewers love the stories of real-world valor presented by our signature military series, and American Heroes Channel will remain the destination for military fans. However, we’re excited to offer viewers a more diverse voice and storytelling style with American Heroes Channel that captures the best of the Military Channel’s niche appeal while providing viewers with additional insight into contemporary world events and biographical stories.â€
American Heroes Channel’s first year will include 17 new series and specials, with four original series and specials launching in the first week. Premiere week programming highlights include:
RAW WAR: THE LOST FILM OF DAK TO
World Premiere Special: Monday, March 3 at 9/8c
RAW WAR presents gripping personal stories through film and photographs from combat cameramen who filmed some of the most significant military engagements in Vietnam. These cameramen risked – and sometimes lost – their lives to capture some of the bloodiest battles of our time. This special reveals an unknown chapter of the Vietnam War through the gripping personal stories behind this newly discovered footage.
AGAINST THE ODDS
World Premiere Series: Monday, March 3 at 10/9c
New Episode Premieres Every Monday at 10/9c
AGAINST THE ODDS showcases awe-inspiring stories of bravery, solidarity and strength on the battlefield. An outnumbered group of soldiers finds themselves in a life-or-death situation. Their enemy is larger, stronger, and determined to win. It’s the real-life “Band of Brothers†as they come together to prove they can’t be beat, doing whatever it takes to overcome the cards stacked against them.
CIA: DECLASSIFIED
World Premiere Series: Tuesday, March 4 at 10/9c
New Episode Premieres Every Tuesday at 10/9c
CIA: DECLASSIFIED travels back to the Cold War to reveal inside stories of America’s most top-secret missions, drawing from recently declassified documents and insider accounts from the agents tasked with defending American freedoms.
CODES & CONSPIRACIES
World Premiere Series: Sunday, March 9 at 10/9c
New Episode Premieres Every Sunday at 10/9c
This all-new American Heroes Channel series unveils the startling truth and hidden history behind the world’s most iconic, clandestine institutions, top-secret locations, and mysterious symbols.
About American Heroes Channel
American Heroes Channel (AHC) is a network from Discovery Communications that tells timeless stories in which a challenge appears – be it a situation or a villain – and a hero arises. Currently in 62 million homes, AHC provides a rare glimpse into major events that shaped our world, visionary leaders and unexpected heroes who made a difference, and the great defenders of our freedom. American Heroes Channel is part of Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the world’s #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 2 billion cumulative subscribers in 220 countries and territories.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 2 billion cumulative subscribers in over 220 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity through more than 190 worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science and Investigation Discovery, as well as U.S. joint venture networks OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and The Hub. Across the Nordic region, Discovery owns and operates SBS Discovery Media, a top-three portfolio of television brands that feature leading nonfiction content, as well as locally produced entertainment programs, sports and the best scripted series and movies from major studios. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, and a digital leader with a diversified online portfolio, including Discovery Digital Networks.
Sounds to me like this will narrow the focus of the channel. Does this mean less coverage of WW2? Used to be able to access this content on th History Channel, but that channel no longer covers much history, just a lot of reality BS. The Military Channel provided this kind of historical content that I am very interested in. From this press release, I’m getting the feeling they will no longer be providing as much of this kind of content.
Only time will tell, Tony. This media release does make it appear that all future programs will only focus on American military history, but we have no idea what lays in store.
I agree with tony, Military channel was going that way, so this was inevitable, and in my opinion will lower the quality of the show. I am a proud American, but I hate how more of the US media is focusing on American military exploits and largely ignoring the stories of other nations, even those of our allies. I have to rely on re-runs of old programs now to see non-American military based shows.
I just hope this new channel will continue with the reruns of shows like “20th Century Battlefields” as that is the only way other than youtube I can watch it, as no one ever made a dvd release of it.
Sounds to me like more emasculation of the military tradition. As soon as I see shows on heroic community organizing and politically correct historic revision, I will drop my provider and switch to Youtube.
Already did that. Just dropped a bunch of channels and I have become more dependent on streaming for my content. TV is in the pits, then again, I’m not surprised.