Why is History channel embracing conspiracy theories?

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http://www.salon.com/2013/06/11/why_...racy_theories/

From JFK to Nostradamus to UFOs, the former "Hitler Channel" now cares about obsessing over conspiracies.
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#CwkXCxB89ux3kL6c.99

[robyrob]

ratings.

although i prefer some of their documentaries and "How the States Got Their Shapes"

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Who KILLED The History Channel?

This video explores the rise and collapse of the History Channel, the television network that went from respected historical documentaries to aliens, pawn shops, and reality TV chaos. Hosted by BuzzKill, it breaks down how a channel built on education and credibility slowly transformed into one of the most mocked networks on television.

When the History Channel launched in 1995, its mission was simple: make history accessible and educational. Early programming focused heavily on documentaries, World War II content, and series like Modern Marvels, earning the network a loyal audience and even the nickname “The Hitler Channel.”

But everything changed in 2007. Following the massive success of Ice Road Truckers, the network pivoted toward reality television. Soon came Pawn Stars, American Pickers, Ax Men, and eventually Ancient Aliens—a show that transformed the channel from educational television into an internet punchline.

At its peak, the strategy worked financially. Ratings exploded, Pawn Stars became the biggest hit in network history, and the channel reached millions of new viewers. But the shift came with growing criticism. Historians, journalists, and even politicians accused the network of abandoning factual programming in favor of sensationalism and pseudoscience.

This video examines the key turning points that reshaped the History Channel, including the rise of reality TV, the success of Ancient Aliens, the “History Channel Effect,” and the controversies that damaged the network’s credibility.

Over time, the History Channel didn’t disappear—it lost its identity. What was once trusted educational television became a brand associated with memes, conspiracy theories, and entertainment disguised as history.

This breakdown explains how the History Channel changed, why it worked, and why the network that once taught history slowly stopped caring about it.

This video is hosted by BuzzKill, a channel dedicated to analyzing the rise, fall, and controversy of television and media.