I remember when TLC was new back in the '80's. They had a show called "The Mechanical Universe" where they would present such topics as Johannes Kepler's work to explain the motion of the planets....complete with animated algabraic formulas. It was great. The whole channel has been dumbed down quite a lot.
But then...what's wrong with looking at Paige Davis 24/7?
But you're right about TLC. Remember "Connections" and how cool that was?