Anyone else thinks that History channel's name should be changed?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the perceived decline in the quality of programming on the History Channel, which has shifted from credible historical content to reality television and pseudoscience. Users express dissatisfaction with shows like "Ancient Aliens" and "Pawn Stars," arguing that they misrepresent history and science. Many participants suggest that the channel's name is misleading and propose a rebranding to reflect its current entertainment-focused content. The consensus is that the History Channel no longer serves its original purpose of educating viewers about historical events.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of television programming genres, particularly documentary vs. reality TV.
  • Familiarity with the History Channel's programming history and evolution.
  • Knowledge of pseudoscience and its impact on public perception of history.
  • Awareness of alternative educational channels like the Military Channel and Science Channel.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the programming history of the History Channel and its transition since 2008.
  • Explore the impact of reality television on educational content in media.
  • Investigate the role of pseudoscience in popular media and its effects on public understanding of history.
  • Analyze viewer reception and criticism of specific shows like "Ancient Aliens" and "Pawn Stars."
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for media analysts, educators, historians, and anyone interested in the evolution of educational programming on television, particularly those concerned with the integrity of historical representation in media.

  • #31
I just flip by the History Channel 2 occasionally to see if they have anything interesting. Occasionally they do. This week they have been running "The Men Who Built America" series.

http://www.history.com/shows/men-who-built-america

The regular History Channel has been showing "The Bible" series on Sunday evenings. It is very popular with many Christians. Personally I think the book was better.:cool: Er well at least the part about Samson slaying the Philistines with the jawbone of an *** arse was.
 
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  • #32
The show the men who built America is not that bad. I saw part of their Edison and Tesla episode.
 
  • #33
Rono said:
At least History is sort of entertaining (I watch it for Pawn Stars, it's actually a funny program), but TLC is way too much.

Yeah, and that's the problem, I don't want my history funny, I want it dead serious. And I don't want any swamp people in it. Although pawn stars gets a pass because there is some history involved, relic history, but interesting enough to get a pass. Its a little bit history, a little bit hustle.:-p
 
  • #34
I believe the Discovery channel still has some credibility left. Especially its science sister network.

http://science.discovery.com

"How it's Made", although seemingly boring on the surface once you get into watching it, it is informative and entertaining. I think the last one I watched was how a trombone was made and a coffee machine.

I've been meaning to watch Survivorman as I felt it was interesting in the descriptions, but haven't had the time.

But other than that, whatever happened to, "The Colony"? That show got me into watching programs on the discovery channel... Anyway, other than that I don't watch much TV outside of, "How it's made" and "Survivor".
 
  • #35
encorp said:
I can't stand it, it used to be on of my favourite channels when it first came out.

Now I watch Military channel a lot, since it's basically the history channel.

I see what you mean. I got my hands on this excellent series called "The Nazi Collaborators". Concise, informative and entertaining without trivialising the subject matter. Turned out that it was aired on the Military Channel, not the "History" Channel.
 
  • #36
encorp said:
I can't stand it, it used to be on of my favourite channels when it first came out.

Now I watch Military channel a lot, since it's basically the history channel.

Me too! In fact, I'm so educated on world war 2 now, that the veterans visit me to hear MY war stories...

Please press red button:

http://instantrimshot.com/
 
  • #37
The History channel use to broadcast a lot of World War 2 documentary, but now they have a sister channel called Military History.
 
  • #38
lisab said:
25103267.jpg

I hate that guy.
 
  • #39
...Typical history channel show:

--Are there evil, nazi lizard-men dwelling in the mantle of the Earth?
--Cue everal minutes of questions and suggestions, each more speculative than the previous.
--Interview "Mantle-dwelling Lizard-person expert" number 1
--Interview geologist and take his reluctance to absolutely rule out the possibility of something living kilometers below the surface of the Earth as an admission that it is almost certainly lizard-people.
--Keep going on like this, asking ever-increasingly speculative questions for about 20 minutes until:
--"So do these Lizard-people actually exist? We'll let you decide [after having listened to our overly-speculative nonsense for 25 minutes]
-- Cue credits just as the one level-headed geologist comes back on and the History chanel tries to inject a little credibility by letting him say, "No, I'm pretty darn sure that this is nonsense" before cutting him off and swooping the screen into the corner to make room for the advertisement for "Angry moon monkeys!"
 
  • #40
I don't know what you people expect from these television channels. Everyone knows that these are businesses trying to get your attention, and if that means selling entertaining nonsense then that is what they'll do. People really need to roll with disillusionment better instead of getting irate.
 
  • #41
The problem is that they don't sell what they offer and it only contributes to the large number of misconceptions people have about history. This kind of programming is really harmful to the general public.
 
  • #42
You guys might get a kick out of this one with the Ancient Aliens guy:

The evolution of ridiculousness:
http://imgace.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/what-if-the-alien-guy-isnt-crazy.jpg
 
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  • #43
Julio R said:
The problem is that they don't sell what they offer and it only contributes to the large number of misconceptions people have about history. This kind of programming is really harmful to the general public.

Actually they do sell what they offer...remember the programs are not the products, we, as viewers, are the products they are selling to other companies with ads. I doubt that this kind of programming is harmful. It definitely isn't helping get rid of misconceptions but I don't think it is making things any worse than they already are. If you are going to change the name of the History channel because it sells nonsense then you should change the name of Forever 21 because it is not in fact the fountain of youth. I am not defending the History channel I just don't think that this is that big of an issue.
 
  • #44
Jow said:
Actually they do sell what they offer...remember the programs are not the products, we, as viewers, are the products they are selling to other companies with ads. I doubt that this kind of programming is harmful. It definitely isn't helping get rid of misconceptions but I don't think it is making things any worse than they already are. If you are going to change the name of the History channel because it sells nonsense then you should change the name of Forever 21 because it is not in fact the fountain of youth. I am not defending the History channel I just don't think that this is that big of an issue.

This type of thinking is, I think, grossly academic. I understand the idea of taking an objective view of things, and certainly your points are valid, but I think they miss the point.

Most of us aren't upset that channels can and do put up this drivel. I personally understand that they air this stuff because people watch it and that's how they stay on the air, but I also don't have a problem with that. What I do have an issue with is, as others have said, the fact that they call themselves the "History" channel, or "The Learning Channel". The other poster was obviously saying that the History channel (and the ilk) are not giving viewers that which it's name totes, history.

Whether or not that sells ads is irrelevant to the viewer.

Obviously the Science Channel couldn't survive airing live biopsies and titration experiments, but if it's calling itself the Science Channel, it should deliver some actual science content or else change it's name. I bet a big part of the reason why many people are so distrustful (and ignorant) of the scientific method is that channels like the ones we are discussing depict scientific inquiry as mere speculation.
 
  • #45
On top of that that they use pop scientist and historians to make themselves seem more credible when actually what these guys are saying is not accurate.
 
  • #46
Travis_King said:
You guys might get a kick out of this one with the Ancient Aliens guy:

The evolution of ridiculousness:
http://imgace.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/what-if-the-alien-guy-isnt-crazy.jpg

Why did they let him get on the air like that in that last frame? LOL.
 
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  • #47
DiracPool said:
Why did they let him get on the air like that in that last frame? LOL.

Correction:

Why did they let him get on the air ever?
 
  • #48
"The History Channel" is an anagram for "Nice, then holy trash".
 
  • #49
He's like a circus clown his strange ways causes people to make a deal out of it, he's by now the most popular speaker on the show and is subject of many internet memes. Frankly I an not amused, and can't take him seriously.
I hope no one can.
 
  • #50
Julio R said:
He's like a circus clown his strange ways causes people to make a deal out of it, he's by now the most popular speaker on the show and is subject of many internet memes. Frankly I an not amused, and can't take him seriously.
I hope no one can.

It would be nice if you let us know who you are talking about. Unfortunately, it isn't that obvious as this whole thread is about various buffoons on the History channel.
 
  • #51
DiracPool said:
It would be nice if you let us know who you are talking about. Unfortunately, it isn't that obvious as this whole thread is about various buffoons on the History channel.

He's talking about

tumblr_mavqx72Tew1rg0c3ao1_500.jpg
 
  • #52
DiracPool said:
It would be nice if you let us know who you are talking about. Unfortunately, it isn't that obvious as this whole thread is about various buffoons on the History channel.

My apologies. It was a reply to your comment and micromass' comment on why they let him go on air. Well people get a kick out of his weirdness.
 
  • #53
turbo said:
Possibly the BS channel. I have stopped watching anything from that venue.
Just now getting around to this one. I smiled seeing you being the first to respond. :)
 
  • #54
micromass said:
He's talking about

tumblr_mavqx72Tew1rg0c3ao1_500.jpg

:smile::smile::smile::smile:
 

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