Smithsonian Channel Programming Chief to Depart Mary Kouw/CBS Long-time Smithsonian Channel programming chief David Royle is leaving the ViacomCBS network. Royle, executive vp programming and production, is stepping down to pursue other ventures. His departure comes on the heels of ViacomCBS naming PBS NewsHour veteran James F. Blue III as head of the nonfiction network, a joint venture between Showtime and the Smithsonian Institute. Royle has been with Smithsonian Networks since its launch in 2007. He's in charge of commissioning and acquiring series, specials and feature films for the network; some of Smithsonian Channel's recent offerings include Aerial America, The Pacific War in Color, America's Hidden Stories and the upcoming