Television moves fast. It’s all streaming apps and ten-episode seasons now. But if you’ve ever scrolled through the "hidden" channels on your TV—the ones you get with a simple metal antenna—you’ve likely hit a goldmine of leather jackets, space travel, and desert shootouts. That’s the heroes and icons network, better known to fans simply as H&I.
It doesn’t try to be Netflix. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel. Honestly, it’s just doing one thing really well: airing the stuff we actually want to rewatch at 1:00 AM.
While big networks chase the next viral hit, H&I has built a fortress out of nostalgia and "comfort food" television. It’s the home of the tough guys, the space explorers, and the classic detectives who actually solve the case in 42 minutes.
What Exactly is the Heroes and Icons Network?
Basically, H&I is a digital "multicast" network. It’s owned by Weigel Broadcasting, the same folks behind MeTV. If MeTV is the cozy living room of the 1960s, then H&I is the rugged garage or the sci-fi basement. It launched back in 2014 and has quietly expanded into a powerhouse for people who miss the era of episodic dramas.
You won't find reality dating shows here.
The network targets a specific vibe: action, adventure, and heroism. It’s why you see so many Westerns in the morning and police procedurals in the afternoon. They know their audience. They know you want to see MacGyver build a plane out of a lawnmower and some duct tape.
The All Star Trek Factor
If there is one thing that put the heroes and icons network on the map, it’s the "All Star Trek" block. It’s a massive commitment. Most networks might air one or two Trek series, but H&I went all in. Every Sunday through Friday night, they run a six-hour marathon.
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We are talking about:
- The Original Series (the Kirk and Spock era)
- The Next Generation (Picard’s crew)
- Deep Space Nine (the gritty station life)
- Voyager (lost in the Delta Quadrant)
- Enterprise (the early days of Warp 5)
It’s a nightly ritual for many. There’s something deeply satisfying about knowing that as the sun goes down, Captain Picard will be there to tell you everything is going to be okay—or at least that the Romulans haven't won yet.
The Schedule Shift of 2026
Networks change. It happens. As of early 2026, H&I has refreshed its lineup to keep things from getting stale. If you’ve been looking for Hawaii Five-O or CSI: Cyber, you might have noticed they’ve moved on. Hawaii Five-O actually headed back to its sister station, MeTV.
The big news for the 2026 "Day Shift" is the arrival of Without A Trace. Starting in January, the FBI's Missing Persons Unit takes over the Thursday block. It fits perfectly with the network’s DNA—high stakes, procedural, and focused on people doing the right thing.
They also reorganized the binge blocks. Monday is for The A-Team. Tuesday belongs to JAG. Wednesday is NCIS. Friday features the original CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. It’s a predictable, comforting loop.
How to Find H&I Without Paying a Fortune
One of the best things about the heroes and icons network is that it’s often free. Like, actually free. Because it’s a digital subchannel, most people can pick it up with a cheap over-the-air (OTA) antenna. You just have to rescan your TV occasionally.
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Sometimes people get frustrated because the channel disappears. This usually happens because of "repacking," where the FCC moves station frequencies around. If you lose H&I, don't panic. Just go into your TV settings and run a "channel scan." Most of the time, it’ll pop right back up on a different subchannel number, like 23.2 or 10.3.
If you’ve ditched the antenna life, you can still get your fix.
- Frndly TV: This is arguably the cheapest way to stream it legally.
- Philo: Great for the "skinny bundle" crowd.
- DirectV Stream: A bit pricier, but it carries the national feed.
- Sling TV: Available as part of certain packages.
The "War Heroes" Saturday Night
Saturday nights on H&I feel like a time capsule. While the rest of the world is watching variety shows or sporting events, this network leans into the military history buffs. They call it the "War Heroes" block.
It’s a marathon of Black Sheep Squadron, Combat!, and 12 O’Clock High.
These shows aren't just about explosions. They are character studies. They represent a style of filmmaking where the moral compass was a bit more fixed. For a lot of viewers, especially veterans, these shows provide a connection to the past that modern television often ignores.
Why It Matters Today
You might ask why anyone cares about 40-year-old shows. Honestly? It’s the pacing. Modern shows are "serialized," meaning if you miss one episode, you’re lost forever. You have to commit to 50 hours of story just to know why the main character is crying.
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H&I is different. You can drop in on an episode of The High Chaparral or Walker, Texas Ranger and know exactly what’s happening. The good guys win. The bad guys go to jail. There’s a sense of closure that’s rare in 2026.
It’s also about the icons themselves. We are talking about James Arness, Chuck Norris, and William Shatner. These aren't just actors; they are the pillars of what we consider "heroic" TV.
Actionable Tips for H&I Viewers
If you want to make the most of the network, stop treating it like a background noise machine.
First, check your local listings carefully. Because H&I is a subchannel, its "real" channel number (like channel 2) might be different from its "virtual" number (like 2.2). Websites like RabbitEars.info are life-savers for finding out where the signal is actually coming from in your city.
Second, if you’re streaming via Frndly or Philo, use the DVR. These services allow you to "save" shows. Since H&I runs marathons, you can easily bank an entire season of MacGyver or Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in just a few days.
Finally, keep an eye on the "Day Shift." The network changes the featured show every few months. If you’re not a fan of JAG, just wait a quarter. Something else will likely rotate into that Tuesday slot.
The heroes and icons network remains a lighthouse for those of us who still believe in the power of a standalone story. It’s simple. It’s reliable. And as long as there’s an antenna on your roof or a streaming app on your phone, the heroes aren't going anywhere.
Check your local station's signal strength and perform a digital rescan to ensure you are receiving the latest 2026 frequency updates for H&I.