The Smithsonian Channel

Today's a proud day for DirecTV subscribers because, as The Washington Post reports here, we're getting The Smithsonian Channel. But the channel is not without its detractors:

Several groups objected to the contract because the Smithsonian signed over to Showtime semi-exclusive rights to produce films built around the national institution's resources.

Since the deal was made public 20 months ago, Smithsonian officials have defended it as a way to make the museums accessible to more people and as a new source of needed money for the museums.

The first half of the article is more relevant than the rest, which focuses on cable minutiae.

Congress, apparently, has expressed its concern. I'm not sure what I think because I don't know what the objection is. Yes, resources shared among fewer rather than all. But the idea that anyone really owns them is problematic--because who owns history?