or


[06/14/16 - 08:58 AM]
Smithsonian Channel(TM) Charts Undersea Warfare in New Series "Hell Below" Premiering Sunday, July 17 at 9 P.M. ET/PT
The series profiles the strategic masterminds behind the brutal tactics of Nazi U-boats and reveals the extraordinary feats of Allied subs in the Atlantic and Pacific.

[via press release from Smithsonian Channel]

SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL(TM) CHARTS UNDERSEA WARFARE IN NEW SERIES "HELL BELOW" PREMIERING SUNDAY, JULY 17 AT 9 P.M. ET/PT

Six Episode Series Takes In-Depth Look at Greatest Submarine Campaigns of World War II

NEW YORK, JUNE 14, 2016 - A new Smithsonian Channel series will chart the stealthy game of undersea warfare from the greatest submarine campaigns of World War II. The six-episode HELL BELOW premieres Sunday, July 17 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. It profiles the strategic masterminds behind the brutal tactics of Nazi U-boats and reveals the extraordinary feats of Allied subs in the Atlantic and Pacific.

Both the Axis and Allies employed unrestricted submarine warfare to bring their enemies to their knees in World War II. Submariners on both sides were a special breed of warrior, always volunteers, often fighting alone. Sub warfare evolved rapidly during the war, as German U-Boats and American submarines attacked military targets and commercial shipping. Submarine attacks created chaos and unnerved adversaries. And while the world's oceans provided concealment and protection, the environment was unforgiving. Each hour-long episode of HELL BELOW features expert analysis and stock footage along with dramatic re-enactments filmed aboard authentic World War II era submarines, placing viewers in the heart of the action.

HELL BELOW kicks off with THE WOLFPACK, as Hitler's U-Boats begin their deadly combined attacks on Atlantic convoys in 1940. One of Germany's top U-boat captains is pinned down in the North Atlantic, and realizes the vulnerability of attacking with a single submarine. His U-99 survives the onslaught, and its emboldened commander forges a reputation as a daring strategist who leads Germany's first successful multiple submarine attack. The Allies strike back with new anti-submarine technology that would change the face of naval warfare, pitting British engineering against Germany's U-boat aces.

Ensuing episodes of HELL BELOW:

HELL BELOW: HITLER'S REVENGE Premieres Sunday, July 24 at 9 p.m. ET/PT It's December 1941, and the German Commander of U-boats, Karl D�nitz, hopes to capitalize on America's chaos after Pearl Harbor. D�nitz orders five submarines to travel 3,000 miles to launch a surprise attack... right outside New York Harbor. The orders to U-boat commanders are simple: Sink as many American shipping vessels as possible, particularly those carrying vital cargo to the Allied forces in England. Five new Type IX U-boats are sent to accomplish the task, and they find the East Coast is completely unprepared for warfare. As the U-Boats begin to pick off targets silhouetted by the lights of Manhattan, America hears a wake-up call.

HELL BELOW: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK Premieres Sunday, July 31 at 9 p.m. ET/PT The attack on Pearl Harbor has crippled the U.S. surface fleet, leaving only its aircraft carriers and a small fleet of submarines as America's best hope against Japan. A new breed of skipper begins to transform U.S. submarines from their traditional job as a scout to a new role as a brutal predator. The mission: Sink the merchant ships that Japan depends upon to fuel its war machine. America's Gato class submarine packs 24 torpedoes and is larger and more technologically advanced than its contemporaries. But with Japanese warships controlling the Pacific, and America rebuilding its fleet, the U.S. subs must risk everything in an aggressive campaign to keep the war effort alive.

HELL BELOW: ATLANTIC SHOWDOWN Premieres Sunday, August 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT In March 1943, two Allied convoys leave North America bound for Britain. They total nearly 100 ships carrying vital food and raw materials to supply the Allied war effort. Halfway through their journey, they are assaulted on all sides by the largest U-Boat wolfpack of the war. Twenty German subs attack the thinly protected convoy, just as a brutal winter storm sweeps the North Atlantic. For three days the Allied convoy is mercilessly hammered by torpedoes, and the defending ships struggle to protect the perimeter while rescuing survivors of sinking ships. It's the largest convoy battle of the Second World War... and the winner will control the Atlantic.

HELL BELOW: DESTROYER KILLER Premieres Sunday, August 14 at 9 p.m. ET/PT In June 1944, Commander Sam Dealey and the crew of USS Harder sneak into the waters of the most heavily guarded Japanese Naval base in the Pacific. Their goal is to rescue Allied commandoes trapped on Japanese-held Borneo. But the lone sub discovers evidence of a massive Japanese troop buildup that could affect the outcome of the entire Pacific War. Outnumbered and out-gunned, the sub must try to inform the American command of its discovery and take out as many enemy ships as possible before being discovered.

HELL BELOW: FATAL VOYAGE Premieres Sunday, August 21 at 9 p.m. ET/PT In preparation for the invasion of the Philippines, USS Tang is sent into the Formosa Strait - the most dangerous area in the Pacific - to disrupt shipping. Commander Dick O'Kane leads Tang into the Strait, where they successfully sink four enemy ships. But when they meet an entire Japanese convoy, everything starts to go wrong. In a head-to-head fight with Imperial destroyers, the U.S. sub finds itself crippled and plummeting. This may be one battle Tang cannot survive.

HELL BELOW is a Pacific Fleet production in association with Smithsonian Channel, Blue Ant Television Limited, Historia, and National Geographic Channel International. Ian Herring is the executive producer. Maija Leivo is series producer. David Royle and Tim Evans serve as executive producers for Smithsonian Channel.

Smithsonian Channel(TM), owned by Smithsonian Networks(TM), a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution, is where curiosity lives, inspiration strikes and wonders never cease. This is the place for awe-inspiring stories, powerful documentaries and amazing entertainment across multiple platforms. Smithsonian Channel combines the storytelling prowess of SHOWTIME(R) with the unmatched resources and rich traditions of the Smithsonian, to create award-winning programming that shines new light on popular genres such as air and space, history, science, nature, and pop culture. Among the network's offerings are series including Aerial America, Million Dollar American Princesses, The Weapon Hunter, Mighty Ships, Mighty Planes and Air Disasters, as well as critically-acclaimed specials that include Civil War 360, 9/11: The Heartland Tapes; MLK: The Assassination Tapes and The Day Kennedy Died. Smithsonian Networks also operates Smithsonian Earth(TM), through SN Digital LLC., a new subscription video streaming service delivering spectacular original nature and wildlife content. To learn more, go to www.smithsonianchannel.com, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.





  [june 2016]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· HELL BELOW (SMITH)





[10/24/25 - 02:30 PM]
Video: First Look at Upcoming New Drama "Memory of a Killer" Starring Patrick Dempsey and Michael Imperioli - Premiering This January on FOX
Dempsey stars as a hitman, Angelo Doyle, leading a dangerous double life while hiding an even deadlier personal secret - he has developed early onset Alzheimer's.

[10/24/25 - 02:02 PM]
"20/20" Is Friday's Most-Watched Newsmagazine Across the Board
In addition, "20/20" posted its best Adults 25-54 in more than four months.

[10/24/25 - 02:01 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks No. 1 Across the Board, Leading NBC in All Key Demos for the 4th Straight Week
"Nightline" grew year to year across the board: Total Viewers, Adults 25-54, and Adults 18-49.

[10/24/25 - 01:05 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Makes Television History - Rising for Fifth Straight Week
The October 21 episode scored 6.63 million Total Viewers and a 1.38 rating among Adults 18-49, hitting new season highs in both demographics.

[10/24/25 - 08:01 AM]
Netflix Announces "Hollywood Arts," A Brand-New Spinoff of Hit Live-Action, "Victorious," with Daniella Monet Returning as Star and Executive Producer
The series is set to debut on Netflix in 2026, followed by releases on Nickelodeon and Paramount+.

[10/24/25 - 07:14 AM]
FOX Sports Readies for Major League Baseball's 121st World Series Presented by Capital One
Action leads off Friday, October 24, between the National League and current reigning World champion Los Angeles Dodgers and American League champion Toronto Blue Jays from Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada, on FOX, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports App and FOX One.

[10/24/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Love Is Blind" Season 9: The Reunion - Official Trailer - Netflix
Denver singles shake up their search for "the one" and step into the pods, braving twists, turns and love triangles to find their soulmate sight unseen.

[10/24/25 - 07:01 AM]
Experience the Family, the Fun, and the Fantastic! Marvel Studios' "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" Lands Exclusively on Disney+ November 5
Continuing the celebration of Marvel's First Family, the announcement was made live from SpaceCon 2025 in San Antonio, where The Fantastic Four: First Steps Immersive Pop-Up Experience invites attendees to step inside the iconic Baxter Building.

[10/24/25 - 06:00 AM]
The CW Network and Xfinity Celebrate 11 Years of the NASCAR Xfinity Series by Presenting the Third Stage of the Championship Race Commercial-Free
Taking place in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday, November 1, the commercial-free stage presented by Xfinity was created to thank the loyal race fans who have supported the NASCAR Xfinity Series for more than a decade - helping the series grow through their unwavering enthusiasm, increased viewership, and continued trackside attendance.

[10/23/25 - 05:01 PM]
Video: "As You Stood By" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When two women plot to end an abusive marriage through murder, an unexpected visitor arrives - threatening to shatter everything they've carefully planned.

[10/23/25 - 02:33 PM]
Largest Audience for "NBA Tip-Off" Doubleheader Since 2010 as NBA Returned to NBC and Debuted on Peacock
Tuesday night's audience across NBC and Peacock peaked at 7.1 million viewers from 10:45-11 p.m. ET as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder to a one-point win over the Houston Rockets in double overtime.

[10/23/25 - 02:28 PM]
The 305 Just Got Hotter: "Love & Hip Hop: Miami" Moves to BET Season 7 Premieres Tuesday, November 4 at 8 PM ET/PT
The upcoming seventh season dives deeper than ever into Miami's thriving entertainment scene, following a cast of stars who are rebuilding, rebranding, and redefining success in real time.

[10/23/25 - 01:30 PM]
Critically Acclaimed Noir Thriller, "Dark Winds," to Return to AMC and AMC+ Sunday, February 15
The series' gripping fourth season focuses on the search for a missing Navajo girl, which takes Leaphorn, Chee and Manuelito from the safety of Navajo Nation to the gritty terrain of 1970s Los Angeles in a race against the clock to save her from an obsessive killer with ties to organized crime.

[10/23/25 - 12:01 PM]
Video: BET+ Releases Trailer for Horror Film "A Demon's Revenge"
In the film, following the bloodshed in Belize, Peaches, played by Jhoné Lucas, delves deeper into Caribbean folklore and the terrifying truth that lurks beneath.

[10/23/25 - 12:00 PM]
FOX Entertainment Acquires Equity Stake in Chain, Forging Strategic Partnership with Experiential Food Phenomenon Co-Founded by B.J. Novak
Included in the investment is a first look development deal through Chain Media.