H2 (TV network)
| H2 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | 1996 (original launch; as History International) September 26, 2011 (relaunch; as H2) |
| Closed | February 29, 2016 (United States) |
| Owned by | A&E Networks |
| Picture format |
1080i (HDTV) Downgraded to letterboxed 480i for SDTVs |
| Slogan | More 2 History |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Broadcast area | Nationwide |
| Headquarters | New York City, New York |
| Formerly called | History International (1996–2011) |
| Replaced by | Viceland (United States) |
H2 was an American digital cable and satellite television network that was owned by A+E Networks, which is operated as a joint venture between the Hearst Corporation and the Disney–ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company.
Launching in 1996 as History International, a spin-off of History Channel focused on international history, it re-launched as H2 in September 2011, primarily carrying reruns of documentary programming previously seen on its parent network from the mid-2000s onward, original historical and popular science documentaries, and pseudo-scientific entertainment programs. H2 was discontinued in the United States on February 29, 2016 in favor of the new Viceland channel. The H2 brand is still used for sister channels to History in other markets.
The network launched in 1996 as History International (abbreviated as "HI" or variations on "H-INT"). It originally focused mainly on programs and specials focusing on world history. History International occasionally featured shows in languages other than English, such as French or Spanish for use with the National Cable & Telecommunications Association's Cable in the Classroom initiative. By 2010, this was reduced to an hour-long Spanish language program on weekday mornings titled El Canal de Historia (the English translation of The History Channel).
On September 26, 2011, the network was rebranded as H2, with its programming being refocused to feature documentary content from sister network History prior to that network's shift towards more reality programming, along with original programs (such as the special The Universe: Beyond the Big Bang and the first-run series America's Book of Secrets), as well as exclusive new episodes of the former History series The Universe, Ancient Aliens and Modern Marvels, in addition to international-focused programming. H2 does not have plans to add reality series as its sister channel has done. Newer documentaries more recently seen on History migrated to the network as part of the rebrand, which will rotate with the documentaries from History International that primarily span from the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s.
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