Smithsonian HD Network

United States United States

Smithsonian HD Network presents documentary and factual programming drawn from the institution’s archives and research. The channel focuses on American history, natural sciences, space exploration, and cultural heritage, often featuring archival footage and expert commentary. Programs cover topics such as military technology, paleontology, aviation, and the lives of U.S. presidents. The network’s content is produced in high definition and avoids commercial interruptions during many of its documentary blocks. It is available through cable and satellite providers across the United States.

Viewers can access the channel’s schedule through their local TV guide or the network’s website, which lists upcoming programs by date and time. Some episodes are also available for streaming on demand through participating cable platforms. The network does not air movies, music videos, or live sports. Its programming is designed for an audience interested in educational content and institutional storytelling, without reliance on reality series or shopping segments.

Schedule
How Did They Build That?
00:00 - 01:00
How Did They Build That?
Elevated & Elegant
Series, How-to
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.
How Did They Build That?
01:00 - 02:00
How Did They Build That?
Skywalks & Suspensions
Series, How-to
Uncovering the design and engineering secrets behind the Grand Canyon Skywalk, the Audain Museum and more.
How Did They Build That?
02:00 - 03:00
How Did They Build That?
Summits & Spires
Series, How-to
Zaha Hadid cuts the top off a mountain and builds a museum inside. A Vancouver tower rises clean over a 115-year-old church. And starchitect Santiago Calatrava spans 7 live railway tracks with a column-free glass and steel station.
How Did They Build That?
03:00 - 04:00
How Did They Build That?
Swamps & Swagger
Series, How-to
Exploring behind-the-scenes of design and construction of revolutionary buildings in Spain, New York and a university campus in Florida.
How Did They Build That?
04:00 - 05:00
How Did They Build That?
Summits & Spires
Series, How-to
Zaha Hadid cuts the top off a mountain and builds a museum inside. A Vancouver tower rises clean over a 115-year-old church. And starchitect Santiago Calatrava spans 7 live railway tracks with a column-free glass and steel station.
How Did They Build That?
05:00 - 06:00
How Did They Build That?
Radical & Resplendent
Series, How-to
Exploring the design and engineering stories behind D.C.'s Museum of African American History, the Montreal Tower and the Equinor building in Oslo.
Air Disasters
06:00 - 07:00
Air Disasters
No Exit
Series, Documentary, Aviation, History
Following a catastrophic runway collision at LAX, passengers on USAIR Flight 1493 struggle to escape the burning plane.