Ready to take a break from all that endless scrolling? Us too. Now is the perfect time to kick back, click once, and get lost in a fascinating show that just works for you.
The Cottage Life TV channel is now in free preview. But that’s not even the best news. If you have cable, you have free access to four incredible channels—Cottage Life television, BBC Earth, Makeful, and the Smithsonian Channel—right now!
From February 23 to April 26, 2026, all four channels are in free preview. We call it 4FREE Cable TV, but you can just call it excellent entertainment. And you don’t have to call your cable provider or sign up for anything. Just watch what you want, when you want, without paying a cent.
Here’s a look at these four channels and some of the premium programming you’ll experience when you tune in.
Delivers fascinating investigations and the best adventure and outdoor living programs. tv.cottagelife.com
Hidden Beneath the Cities [NEW]
See why every city conceals a secret world just waiting to be discovered. Peel back layers of soil, stone, and concrete and discover prehistoric sanctuaries, hidden crypts, and marvels of engineering that are a world away from the streets above.
Mysteries of the Abandoned
Explore the fascinating world of abandoned locations and find historic clues left behind. Poke through collapsing buildings, partially buried ruins, and decaying structures, and witness triumphs of human endeavour that could soon be lost forever.
Secrets in the Sand
Unearth lost ancient cities, mystical geological wonders, and cryptic clues once buried under shifting sands. Journey through vast desert landscapes and unlock the mysteries of these hidden marvels with the help of experts, archival footage, and CGI.
Takes viewers on a journey of discovery and connects them with the wonders of our world. bbcearth.ca
Kingdom [NEW]
Journey to Zambia, where four rival animal families battle for control over a paradise known as Nsefu. Witness a five-year struggle for power and survival, where lions, leopards, hyenas, and wild dogs compete to rule a single, precious kingdom.
Life Below Zero
Witness the day-to-day trials, tribulations, and dangers of living off-grid in Alaska’s wildest areas. Follow a cast of real-life characters as they cope with extreme isolation and work tirelessly to ensure their survival in this merciless climate.
Blue Planet 2
Experience a magical adventure within the largest, least-explored parts of our planet, from the icy polar seas to the vibrant blues of the coral atolls, to learn how our understanding of life beneath the waves has evolved in the past decade.
Fuels viewers’ curiosity with riveting explorations of science, history, and culture. smithsonianchannel.ca
The Pharaohs: Greater than The Pyramids [NEW]
Lift the veil on the lives and legacies of six of Egypt’s most iconic ancient rulers. Explore new research and expert insights that shed light on the fascinating reigns of Alexander the Great, Djoser, Ramses II, Khufu, Cleopatra, and Ramses III.
How Did They Fix That?
Enter the danger zone with host Mike Davidson and see what it takes to build, repair, and maintain the world’s biggest, most complex machines. Globe-trot to Chile, Utah, the seabed, and beyond to learn how engineers and mechanics keep them humming.
Ice Airport Alaska
Peek behind the scenes of the only U.S. airport that never closes, despite frigid temperatures, extreme winds, and unpredictable weather. Find out how the Anchorage, Alaska, hub manages to transport everything from tourists to race cars to sharks.
Inspires viewers and celebrates the creative spark that lives within them. be.makeful.com
Game of Wool [NEW]
Join knitting-obsessed Olympic diver Tom Daley as he puts 10 talented stitchers through their paces to see who is Britain’s Best Knitter. Watch them tackle solo and group challenges as they try to outperform the competition and not get cast off.
The Great British Baking Show
Duck into the white tent with hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond for a fresh batch of competition. See judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith lead 12 hungry hopefuls through 30 new challenges for a chance to be crowned the U.K.’s Best Amateur Baker.
Repair Shop on the Road
Buckle up as the Repair Shop experts go on a fix-it road trip across the U.K. Travel to far-flung towns and villages with the team, who partner with local workshops and skilled artisans to bring beloved but broken treasures back to life.
Like what you see? Subscribing to one (or all) of these channels after the free preview is easy. Simply contact your cable provider and add it to your package.
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