Topic: History Channel

Anyone still watches the History Channel? IF so who has watched the World Wars Documentary?

I stopped watching cable TV. I have an endless supply of TV via Hulu Plus, Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, and most channels dedicated channels.

I use to years ago when they had a ton of documentaries and stuff. Now it seems like everyone else they want to have more reality tv shows like Pawn Stars and Ice Road Truckers. Now when I am in the mood for a historical documentary I just find something on Netflix.

ALIENS

I don't watch it as much as I used to, but I'll occasionally watch it.

Like others have said, the influx of reality shows is terrible, and oftentimes they have absolutely nothing to do with history (Ice Road Truckers, Swamp People, Mountain Men).

That said, Pawn Stars & American Pickers are examples of good "history" reality shows, as they're more about the unique (often historical/antique) items they handle, than the people themselves.

I also love the occasional big "event" miniseries they have, like Hatfields & McCoys, The Bible, and The World Wars, which were all very good. I also wouldn't mind checking out Vikings.

I used to watch History Channel all the time when there were interesting documentaries and films on all the time... now it's just Pawn Stars and American Pickers and whatever other reality shows are on there. I'd probably watch it again if it went back to the way it used to be.... but they only ever seem to show anything strongly history related when important dates from World War II come around (ie. D-Day)

Now I just watch documentaries on youtube and Netflix.

Yep I noticed that too. Unless it's like Fourth of July or Memorial Day or like Pearl Habor day they dont really have the documentaries like they once did. I also use to like their international history documentaries they had too like ones about ancient Egypt or Medevil Europe or the Renaissance. If it did go back to the way it was I would watch it too. Heck back in the early 2000's I could easily watch The History Channel for hours on end. Now I am lucky if I find one good show to watch on it.

They should just call it The Reality Channel cause that is all it is anymore.

I don't know which is worse: Reality TV History Channel, or Conspirarcy History Channel. a few years back

I honestly would take conspiracy History Channel over Reality History Channel any day. At least with conspiracy theories there is still history involved Reality there isn't.

I would take the conspiracy theories over the reality tv garbage everyone is being fed nowadays. As @Tasuki said, at least with the theories there may be a little bit of history involved. What the devil does Swamp People have to do with history!?!?!

Obviously they need a rebranding, like SyFy and Esquire Network, because that actually solved something, right?

But seriously, when I'm in the mood for history, I have the internet for all my needs. No need to be stuck to cable TV's schedule.

Anyone else catch the big Houdini special?

I watched both parts tonight, and I thought it was very good. Not quite as good as Hatfields & McCoys, The Bible, or the World Wars, but still immensely interesting nonetheless.

Can't wait until December for Sons of Liberty. That one looks like it could make a run for the top.

Also, sorry for the old thread revival, lol.

Back when History and Discovery were actually good, I used to love having them on as ambiance. Something to listen to in the background while I was doing other things.

@RR529: I dont have cable or satellite anymore so I am hoping that Netflix will get it some time to stream. Looked very interesting though.

During commercial, they had an advertisement for the Houdini Blu-Ray/DVD, saying it was releasing in October, so hopefully Netflix will get it around the same time.

Also, if you haven't seen it, the World Wars is releasing this month, so hopefully Netflix will be getting that one too.

I watched the houdini special. It started strong but I lost interest twords the end. I think what made hatfields and mccoys such a success, was the strong supporting cast.They had very relatable characters.Man that was good..
I keep it on history channel Id say 90% of the time in our household.Love all the primetime shows
American pickers/restoration
Pawn stars although its lost its shine some
Kounts customs
What ever happened to Gods guns and automobiles?
Much respected to those hardened mountain men

Whats up with History showing A&E shows like whalburgers,?That show is garbage..

I watched the World Wars, that was damn fantastic also Hatfields and McCoys was insanely good too. I think Vikings at the very top of the tier. Also the America series from a few years ago was really solid too.

I like a lot of the programming there. Pawn Stars and American Pickers top it, but the spin offs of them are good enough too but lack the luster since it's compressed into 30min you see little of the 'work' and it becomes a before and after camera shot. Decoded, Ancient Aliens, Modern Marvels, their series stuff on Rome and Egypt empires/construction are great, the WW2 programming they do, Battle(whatever) 360 is great. If you want brainless non-history Ice Road Truckers is alright too as was that God Guns and Autos along with Swamp People.

Now that Sons of Liberty has aired, time to fire up this old thread again.

So, who else watched SoL, and how'd you like it?

Personally, I sat down and watched all three parts tonight, and thought it was really good. I kinda watched the first one on and off because I had some things to do, but I was able to watch parts two & three mostly uninterrupted.

I wish they'd have given it a fourth part that covers the war proper, to it's end, but it was still good (as it stands, it ended with the signing of the Declaration of Independence).

Also, since I never got the chance to watch them the first time around, I have America: the Story of us, Mankind: the Story of all of us, & The Men Who Built America queued up on my instant Netflix (as well as How the States Got Their Shapes), which I'll get to when I'm done with Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey.