Viasat History is an entertaining documentary channel featuring a blend of ancient and modern history, biography and popular culture brought to screen through a variety of TV formats – from award-winning documentaries to captivating historical dramas. Viasat History is bringing history to life!
The launch of Viasat History in May 2004 was unique for Viasat Broadcasting. For the first time MTG created a new pay-TV channel brand outside the Nordic countries. It happened simultaneously in eight Central & Eastern European countries; Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Poland.
In November 2004 Viasat History was also launched in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
In June 2005 distribution was extended further, to the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and Serbia.
The number of countries has continued to grow – from 19 in 2005 to 28 in 2009, including a number of additional CIS countries as well as Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Macedonia and Montenegro.
Viasat History was rebranded in December 2009.
Initially Viasat History was broadcast as an 18 hours a day service. Since 1 November 2007 it has been on air 24 hours a day.
Viasat History is available through Viasat’s digital satellite TV platform where it is available; in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine, through Raduga TV in Russia and is also distributed via third party networks in those and in all other countries.
In February 2011 distribution of the channel was for the first time extended outside Europe, to Africa, through two satellite TV networks in Nigeria and a cable TV network in Kenya, where it is broadcast for 12 hours per day. Eight months later, in October 2011, Viasat History was also made available on Chinese operator StarTimes’ DTT networks in Nigeria, Uganda and Tanzania, as well as on Zuku's DTH platform in Uganda.