NEW YORK, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- History channel President Nancy Dubuc says she is trying to modernize the U.S. cable network via reality series and shows about more recent events.
Dubuc said her alterations to the network's programming are an attempt to draw new viewers to a cable channel referred to as "the Hitler channel" for its routine showings of World War II documentaries, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.
Among the network's new offerings are the reality series "Ax Men" and Ice Road Truckers" and the channel is set to debut "Top Shots" about marksmen attempting to replicate famous shooting feats.
Dubuc, 41, compared the changes at the network to adapting to the changes in the music industry as consumers embrace digital iTunes tracks instead of vinyl albums.
"Viewers aren't buying LPs anymore; they're going to iTunes," she said.
"You have to recognize what audiences are consuming. At its heart, we're still telling historical stories," she added.
The Times said the network, which changed from the History Channel to History in 2008, enjoyed a 3 percent increase in prime time viewership in 2009 compared the previous year.
