# Smithsonian Channel — Watch Original Documentaries > Watch original documentaries and series from the Smithsonian Channel. (iPhone/iPad app by SN Digital LLC.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smithsonian-channel/id1033037451 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [SN Digital LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1033037450) - Category: Entertainment, Education - Price: Free - Rating: 2.80/5 from 387 App Store ratings · 51 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 12+ - Requires: iOS 15.0 · 91 MB - Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish - Released: 2015-11-17 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smithsonian-channel/id1033037451/reviews.md ## What is Smithsonian Channel? This app will be discontinued, but you can continue to watch shows like Air Disasters, Aerial America and Inside the Factory through your TV provider. You can also find thought-provoking documentaries and many seasons of your favorite shows on Paramount+. Terms of Use: https://www.smithsonianchannel.com/legal/terms-of-use Privacy Policy: https://privacy.paramount.com/policy Your Privacy Choices: https://privacy.paramount.com/app-donotsell California Notice: https://privacy.paramount.com/en/policy#additional-information-us-states ©2024 SN Digital LLC All rights reserved. Smithsonian Channel is a trademark of Smithsonian Institution. SN Digital LLC is an authorized user. Smithsonian Channel Plus is accessible for viewing solely in the United States and its territories and possessions. Minimum high-speed broadband connection is required for viewing. ## Key features - Original documentaries - Popular series - Watch through TV provider - Content on Paramount+ ## What do users think of Smithsonian Channel? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 📚 High-quality educational content - 🎬 Excellent documentary selection - 🌍 Diverse nature and history programming - 📺 Beautiful cinematography and 4K content - 💰 Affordable subscription pricing ($4.99-$5/month) - 📱 Available across multiple platforms (iOS, Apple TV, Roku) **Cons** - 💳 Requires separate paid subscription despite cable provider access - 🔐 No cable provider login integration in app - 📉 Reduced content library after CBS acquisition - 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezes - 🎬 Limited full season availability - 📺 Poor video resolution quality despite 4K claims - 🔄 Broken remember-me and auto-login functions - 📱 Portrait-mode only orientation issues - 💰 Paywalls for individual episodes despite subscription - 🎯 Confusing multiple subscription service options - 📺 Inconsistent content between app and cable broadcast - ⚠️ Ads interrupting subscription viewing experience **Commonly reported bugs** - App randomly pauses during playback, especially with headphones - Login credentials not recognized in app despite working on website - App hangs when loading show pages - Splash screen logo freezes on startup - Landscape mode displays previous screen overlay - Video doesn't resume after commercial breaks - Ads repeat for extended periods despite countdown timer - Full-screen playback not functioning on phones - Subscription authentication errors after app updates - Poor performance and navigation responsiveness - Website login compatibility issues with certain browsers **Most requested features** - Cable provider login integration in mobile app - Favorites/watchlist feature - Full season availability for all shows - Landscape mode support on mobile devices - Integration with TV app and Up Next feature - Ad-free experience for paid subscribers - Improved video streaming quality - Better content discovery and navigation - More nature and history documentaries - Fewer sensationalized show formats ## Recent user reviews (10 of 51) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smithsonian-channel/id1033037451/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Pathetic! *2023-11-09* I was formerly a Verizon Fios customer up until a week ago, and that is how I used to authenticated the Smithsonian app so I could watch Smithsonian on demand via the app. I’ve since switched my provider from fios to YouTubeTV. However, when I try to sign in on either my iPad or AppleTV, the Smithsonian app still redirects me to Verizon to authenticate and does not give me ANY option to authenticate through another TV provider (eg YouTubeTV). This is insane! I’m already paying for this programming, and Smithsonian is failing me miserably. Not fair…not right! **Developer response:** Open Settings on your iOS device, scroll down to the menu option “TV Provider” and tap Sign Out. Go to the app to sign in again. If you see the prompt asking you whether you wish to allow the app to use your TV provider subscription, choose “Don’t Allow”. Allowing this will reactivate SSO and trigger the error. You should then be able to sign in to your TV provider as normal. ### 1/5 — Unable to use Directv stream to connect *2023-02-09, version 126.0* I have the Smithsonian channel included with my Directv Stream. But the only option to connect a tv provider is Directv Satellite. The two are different accounts. So when I try to connect my tv provider it doesn’t work. There is no option for Directv Stream. With more and more people cutting the cord and using steaming, this should already be corrected. ### 3/5 — Good content, but very glitchy *2022-04-09, version 104.0* Just like the title says- the content is still mostly educational. The Smithsonian channel hasn’t digressed to mindless content like some other networks, just to garner more views. The app is a pain to use though due to its poor programming, and/or server. I would love it if I wouldn’t have to sign in with my cable network every time I want to use the app! The “don’t ask again on this browser” and “remember me” functions do not work. This seems like it would be an easy fix, but I’m not a programmer. ### 1/5 — Still Terrible Since Last Years Rewrite *2022-02-17, version 101.0* If only I could give zero stars for an absolutely terrible app. The previous app apparently had too much content and was way to easy to navigate. We can fix that. It also had a tremendous amount of 4K shows. Gone. This is like going back to Windows 98 after using the latest version of iOS. Smart move. I used to view shows in this app on a daily basis. I haven’t watched anything in this app since the rewrite. Just checking when an update comes in to see if it’s fixed. Sadly it’s the same garbage app on the iPad and Apple TV. ### 5/5 — Aerial America rules! *2022-01-28, version 99.0* You guys need to make more shows like aerial America…take air disasters off the air, no pun intended…that show is scary and is always on, more nature and history documentaries less plane crash garbage ### 2/5 — Missing an important feature *2021-12-22, version 97.0* There’s no add to my favorites list anywhere within the app that I can see. So, what? We have to hunt down what we want to watch each time? No, thanks! Yes, I’ve signed in with my provider, it still didn’t show how to save programs! Bummed! ### 1/5 — They Don’t Care About Cable Customers *2021-12-08, version 96.0* The selection & quality of content was unrivaled til this company saw an opportunity to make more money with Paramount+. They reduced the library by more than half & made the other shows exclusive to Paramount+. Why are trying to force cable customers to pay for content they’ve already paid for on an additional platform? The customer is always right, bring the old app back and stop being greedy! This is an outrage. ### 1/5 — Latest Version *2021-11-04, version 94.0* Honestly my favorite streaming app to watch documentaries. Now not at all, since the new update, it only works in portrait mode, really annoying changing positions with the iPad. Even when it changes to landscape to play any show, the top part of the screen (where the time and battery are showing) stays showing the previous screen. Now we have to deal with commercials too. One of the main reasons why I like to use the app is to get away from commercials. ### 2/5 — fix this stupid app. *2021-10-30, version 93.0* this app used to be amazing. no ads, full videos with all seasons. now i can’t watch anything because when it goes into commercials, it doesn’t open the video back up. it just repeats ads for a good five minutes even though it says “content will resume in 1:30”. Take away the ads, or fix the bug. ### 4/5 — Greedy *2021-01-10, version 4.1.0* I logged in through my provider and they still don’t offer full seasons as other apps do. This is a cheesy way to get more money out of your audience by charging for episodes for a complete season. Smithsonian must be a CBS affiliates as there one of the worst for being greedy also like their programming is gold or something. Some Free advice for you, do like almost all others do and don’t limit your customers that already pay for your programming & you’ll increase the size of your programming audience. This isn’t rocket science!! **Developer response:** Thank you for taking the time to provide this feedback. If you would like to share specific details about your Smithsonian Channel experience, like what was missing with your TV login, we want to hear them. Please visit https://help.smithsonianchannel.com where you can submit a request. ## Frequently asked questions about Smithsonian Channel ### What kind of content is available? The app offers original documentaries and many seasons of favorite shows, including series like Air Disasters, Aerial America, and Inside the Factory. ### How can I watch the content now that the app is being discontinued? You can continue to watch shows through your TV provider. Additionally, a wide selection of thought-provoking documentaries and favorite shows are available on Paramount+. ### Is this app free to use? Based on the provided information, the app itself is free to download and use, with content accessible through existing TV provider subscriptions or a Paramount+ subscription. ### Where can I view this content? Smithsonian Channel Plus content is accessible for viewing solely in the United States and its territories and possessions. A minimum high-speed broadband connection is required for viewing. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 158.0 — 2024-04-24 This app will be discontinued, but you can continue to watch shows like Air Disasters, Aerial America and Inside the Factory through your TV provider. You can also find thought-provoking documentaries and many seasons of your favorite shows on Paramount+. ### 157.0 — 2024-04-10 Download the latest version of the Smithsonian Channel app to watch original documentaries and full episodes from your favorite shows, including Air Disasters, Aerial America and Inside the Factory. Plus, we've made some bug fixes and performance improvement, so you can enjoy a smoother viewing experience. ### 155.0 — 2024-03-14 Download the latest version of the Smithsonian Channel app to watch original documentaries and full episodes from your favorite shows, including Air Disasters, Aerial America and Inside the Factory. Plus, we've made some bug fixes and performance improvement, so you can enjoy a smoother viewing experience. ### 154.0 — 2024-02-29 Download the latest version of the Smithsonian Channel app to watch original documentaries and full episodes from your favorite shows, including Air Disasters, Aerial America and Inside the Factory. Plus, we've made some bug fixes and performance improvement, so you can enjoy a smoother viewing experience. ### 153.0 — 2024-02-15 Download the latest version of the Smithsonian Channel app to watch original documentaries and full episodes from your favorite shows, including Air Disasters, Aerial America and Inside the Factory. 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User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*