Smithsonian Contract Creates “Tremendous Hullabalo” for Congress

Smithsonian officials were summoned before the House AdministrationCommittee to explain a 30-year television contract with ShowtimeNetworks. The 170-page deal created anon-demand cable station that will feature Smithsonian programs and collections.The deal gives the new network the right of first refusal on commercialdocumentaries that “rely significantly” on the museum’s archives, curators orscientists. The Smithsonian said, however, that researchers and scholars willcontinue to have access to the archives and other Smithsonian resources. Butcommercial filmmakers can make only “incidental” use of thematerials unless they are working with Showtime or get special approval.

The main objection to the deal is that the resources of the Smithsonian are being made exclusively available to Showtime. However, Smithsonian officials responded that onlya very small number of filmmakers would be affected, and that, of the 900 mediacontracts signed between 2000 and 2005, only 17 had more than an incidental useof Smithsonian resources.

Objections also aimed at the secrecy of the deal and the 30-year duration ofthe contract.  The contract was nevermade public and had been kept in secrecy due to a confidentiality agreement,but the Smithsonian handed it over to the Committee yesterday.

As a sign of Congress’ disapproval, the Committee reduced the proposed Smithsonian budget by $20 million. The secretary of the Smithsonian apologized “forthe tremendous hullabaloo” the deal had caused Congress. Headded: “If we have even an idea we will come to [the Committee].”

[Meredith R. Miller]