Military History was launched on January 5, 2005 and as the third spin-off channel of History. Viewers of History wanted more military history programs, but there was not time on the channel, thus the creation of Military History. Beginning on March 27, 2004, a military-history programming block started on History International as a prologue. The launch was an open preview, or soft launch, as no cable operators were signed up. Dan Davids, president of the History Channel USA, planned to push for digital basic level cable carriage. Its initial programming library drew from A&E and History's programs. The channel's initial prime time shows were under an umbrella banner of “Battle History”, which consisted of five documentary miniseries featuring each of the US military services. In the second quarter of 2005, the channel had its hard launch. Like its parent channel, the channel dropped the word "Channel" from its name on March 20, 2008.
Programming
Military History features programs that focus on historical battles and wars, as well as programs that profile key individuals such as generals, soldiers and spies. It also airs documentaries and series that provide insight into how these wars were fought and the lives of those who served in them. Its initial programming library drew from A&E and History's program libraries. Much of its programming focuses on World War II; this same type of programming had earned The History Channel the appellation "The Hitler Channel" up until the transfer of these programs to Military History.
Programming banners
“Battle History” which consisted of five documentary miniseries featuring the US military services and was the channel's soft launch prime time programming
“Salute to Armed Forces Week”, included the specials, “Hispanics & the Medal of Honor”, “America’s Black Warriors”, “Women Combat Pilots” and “Clash of Warriors: Saddam vs. Schwarzkopf”
In addition to its carriage in the United States, the channel had previously been launched in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland on July 28, 2008. On March 20, 2010, Military History was added to Virgin Media on channel 236. Military History was replaced by its sister network, H2, in those countries on May 4, 2013, on both Sky and Virgin Media in Military History's former channel slots on both platforms.
