ResearchChannel was established in 1996 under the name Research TV by a group of American universities. Its studios were physically located at the
University of Washington's
Kane Hall throughout its existence. Participating institutions produced and provided original programming highlighting their research and innovations to air on the station and also provided funding. During its early existence, a period which predated
YouTube, ResearchChannel partnered with
Google to make its programs available for free download. It also collaborated with companies such as
Microsoft to help advance what were then new video technologies, such as high definition web streaming. In March 2010 the University of Washington – which had heavily subsidized the network by providing its physical space, satellite uplink, website maintenance, and studio staff – announced it would end its support of ResearchChannel. The network went off-air at the end of August 2010. ==Availability==