Paramount has confirmed that the UK version of the Smithsonian Channel will close down on January 5.
The station, which broadcasts history, science and culture documentaries, launched in February 2019 and is available across almost all platforms - including Sky, Virgin, Freeview and Freesat.
According to the latest BARB figures, Smithsonian has an audience share of just 0.16% in the UK, although it still ranks ahead of fellow Paramount channels such as MTV (0.08%), Nickelodeon (0.04%) and Comedy Central Extra (0.11%).
A Paramount spokesperson told the Cord Busters website: "From 5th January 2023, the Smithsonian Channel in the UK will move exclusively to Paramount's popular streaming services, to reflect the way viewers consume our specialist programming and ensure its content is available to the widest possible audience.
"Smithsonian Channel programming will continue to have a strong presence on Paramount+ and My5, and we plan to launch a new branded channel on the leading free streaming service, Pluto TV, in the near future."
Paramount has been steadily streamlining its channel portfolio in the last few years, axing channels including VH-1, 5Spike, MTV Base and MTV Classic.
Neil Wilkes
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