WASHINGTON — The Smithsonian’s controversial cable television programming will debut today, but right now only those with a specific satellite dish will be able to see it.
Subscribers to DirecTV, one of two main satellite TV carriers, will have access to the 75 hours of programming from the Smithsonian Channel, produced in cooperation with Showtime Networks.
Several groups objected to the contract because the Smithsonian signed over to Showtime semi-exclusive rights to produce films built around the national institution’s resources.
Since the deal was made public 20 months ago, Smithsonian officials have defended it as a way to make the museums accessible to more people and as a new source of needed money for the museums.
Members of Congress, who control the 70 percent of the budget the Smithsonian receives from the federal government and who also oversee its operations, expressed doubt about the arrangement from the beginning. Both Republicans and Democrats voiced concern about independent filmmakers’ access and that the shows would be available only to select viewers who could pay more.
Lawrence M. Small, then secretary of the Smithsonian, described the deal to Congress in May 2006. He promised: “It will come automatically with a cable package. It’s not something where people are going to pay for it specifically, and you don’t have to sign up for Showtime to get it.”
However, in the interim, the business model changed from cable on-demand to satellite high-definition, said Tom Hayden, general manager for Smithsonian Networks and a Showtime executive vice president.
Now the only people who will be able to get the programs are those among DirecTV’s 16.3 million subscribers who have a high-definition hookup. The Smithsonian Channel will be part of a high-definition extra tier at $4.99 a month, added to the high-definition activation charge of $9.99 a month and the programming package that costs from $29.99 a month.
Showtime is the producer; the shows, which explore the history, natural world, cultural, and air and space subjects found at the Smithsonian, will not be seen on its network.
The slate includes “Stories From the Vaults” with actor Tom Cavanagh; a history of the blues, narrated by actor Morgan Freeman; a look at wacky festivals around the country; a tribute to the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; and a documentary about the golden tamarinds at the National Zoo.
Hayden said as much as 75 percent of the programming was made for the Smithsonian Networks, while the remaining 25 to 35 percent was acquired from other sources.
Since the television venture was announced, there has been considerable turmoil at the Smithsonian. Three of the top officials have resigned, including Small and Gary Beer, chief executive of Smithsonian Business Ventures, the institution’s money-making unit and the conduit for the TV deal. Small and Beer were criticized for their expense accounts and management practices.
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