H2 (A&E Networks)

H2 (or History2) is a brand name owned by A&E Networks (a joint venture between the Hearst Communications and the Walt Disney Television division of The Walt Disney Company), used for a sister television channel of History. The brand was debuted in September 2011 when History International in the United States was relaunched as H2. The brand was expanded outside the U.S. since then. H2 in the United States was relaunched on February 29, 2016 as Viceland, but the H2 brand is still used for sister channels to History in other markets.[1]

H2
Logo used since 2021
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaWorldwide
HeadquartersBrooklyn, New York City
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format1080i HDTV
Ownership
OwnerA&E Networks
Sister channelsList of Sky UK channels
History
LaunchedSeptember 2011 (2011-09)
ClosedOctober 1, 2022 (2022-10-01) (Southeast Asia)

A&E Networks began rebranding the remaining versions of H2 as History2, starting with Latin American version on January 1, 2019.

On November 6, 2018, concerning Disney's proposed acquisition of 21st Century Fox, the European Commission required Disney to sell A&E's television operations in Europe, which include the versions of H2 in the area.[2]

Versions

North America
Main article: H2 (American TV channel)

The H2 brand was introduced in the United States, when History International was re-branded as such on September 26, 2011, with its programming being refocused to feature documentary content from its sister network History prior to that network's shift towards more reality programming.[3] The American channel was later replaced by Viceland on February 29, 2016.[1]

Main article: History2 (Canadian TV channel)

On August 27, 2012, Shaw Media, relaunched the male-focused Category A digital channel The Cave as a domestic Canadian version of H2.[4]

Latin America

In 2014, a Latin American version of H2 was launched under the ownership of A+E Networks Latin America (a joint venture between A+E Networks and Ole Communications) and distributed by Ole Distribution.[5] On January 1, 2019, H2 was re-branded as History2.[6]

Europe
  • Croatia: The Croatian version of H2 was launched on 1 February 2018 on Hrvatski Telekom's MaxTV.
  • Poland: The Polish version of H2 was launched on 28 October 2014. On 6 February 2019, the channel was rebranded as History2.
  • Serbia: On 12 April 2015, the Serbian version of H2 was launched to Orion TV customers. It was also made available to MTS TV customers in May of that year.
  • United Kingdom and Ireland: On 4 May 2013, the local version of Military History was re-branded as H2.[7] It launched on TalkTalk on August 28, 2014, and a few months later on BT TV. An HD version launched on Virgin Media on 1 December 2015, and later on BT TV in October 2016. On February 6, 2019, this version was re-branded again as History2. On May 27, 2020, to coincide with the launches of Sky Documentaries and Sky Nature, History and History2 rebranded to Sky History and Sky History2, respectively, in the UK and Ireland.[8]
Logo used since 2020 in the United Kingdom

MENA

In the Middle East and North Africa, the regional version of H2 is available on OSN since 1 February 2016.[9][10]

Asia

In Southeast Asia, A+E Networks launched a regional version of H2 on 14 June 2013.[11] After 9 years of broadcasting, H2 Asia ceased broadcasting on 1 October 2022.

See also

References
  1. "It's Official: Vice Channel to Take Over A+E Networks' History Spinoff H2". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  2. Roxborough, Scott (November 6, 2018). "Disney's Fox Deal Gets European Union Clearance Subject to Divestments". The Hollywood Reporter.
  3. EXCLUSIVE: New Network Name Becomes History - Additional programming planned as H2 replaces HI Broadcasting & Cable, September 2, 2011
  4. Shaw Media and A&E to Launch Two New Specialty Channels Archived 2012-12-10 at the Wayback Machine, Broadcaster Magazine, May 30, 2012.
  5. A&E Ole Networks realiza su Upfront 2013, TodoTVNews, September 25, 2012.
  6. Horbuz, Anabelia (October 4, 2018). "A+E Networks Latin America unveils new programming strategy". NexTV News. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  7. "H2 launching Saturday, May 4th". imediamonkey. April 19, 2013. Archived from the original on May 11, 2013.
  8. "Sky and A+E Networks® UK strengthen joint venture with launch of Sky HISTORY". Sky Group Newsroom. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  9. "OSN تكشف عن 6 قنوات جديدة وتسلط الضوء على موقعها الاستثنائي كمزود لأفضل محتوى حصري في 2016". البوابة (in Arabic). Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  10. "A+E continues MENA expansion with launch of premium H2 HD on OSN | Pay-TV | News | Rapid TV News". www.rapidtvnews.com. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  11. "A+E Networks' venture brings Lifetime and H2 to Southeast Asia". Campaign Asia. May 20, 2013. Archived from the original on March 23, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
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