In case your swath of 70+ cable channels isn’t doing the trick, and you happen to be looking for something District-grown with an international flavor, MHz Networks might satiate your appetite for non-stateside programming.

Launched in 1983 and based inside the Beltway, MHz tends to hang out around the other publicly-funded stations on the channel spectrum. Lost in that ad-free bundle, for months we erred in skipping over them on the channel guide. Though they do have polite PBS-style requests for money, MHz has no advertisements. Their overall mission is to broadcast international news and shows to our area (where embassies and global issues abound) as a way to increase cultural understanding and appreciation.

In a time where it seems international communication between cultures erodes more and more everyday, it’s great to see MHz Network’s effort going two decades strong. Put it on your “to do” list. Skip The Simpsons rerun for once and sit down and experience television news in Russian or Polish. All programs are subtitled in English. While their fascination with international murder mysteries isn’t really my thing, I have to say that their daily 7 p.m. EST airing of Telefrance 2 news is a welcome addition to my program roster.