Editor’s Pick
Fubo is the easiest way to stream Smithsonian live with 185+ channels, locals, and sports. Try it free for 7 days, then from $79.99/mo.
Most Hotdog readers choose Fubo.
How to Stream Smithsonian Channel Live Without Cable
Disclosure: Hotdog.com is supported by readers. When you click on our links and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more
Written by Frank Moraes Senior Content Editor
As someone fascinated by nature, science, and history, I find the Smithsonian Channel to be an excellent viewing choice. And I don’t need a long-term subscription to enjoy all it has to offer.
Watch Smithsonian from Anywhere with ExpressVPN
Seeing “not available in your area” or a blackout? Connect to another US location to unlock regional sports, news, and shows you already pay for. A streaming subscription is still required.
- 3 Months Free: Hotdog users pay just $4.99/month
- 30-Day Guarantee: Try it risk free
- Switch locations instantly: Pick from 62 US cities in all 50 states
- Every Device: TV, phone, tablet, or router
VPNs are also handy when you travel abroad and want to watch your usual US streaming content. New to VPNs? Learn how they work….
In a hurry? These are our three favorite services for getting Smithsonian Channel without cable or satellite:
Our #1 Service to Watch Smithsonian
More options (DIRECTV, Philo)
DIRECTV is the full cable replacement. Try it free for 5 days, then from $59.99/mo for 90+ channels, sports, and news, including Smithsonian.
Philo gives you 70+ channels for a rock-bottom price, featuring unlimited DVR storage, streaming on multiple devices, and an easy-to-use interface. Try it free for 7 days.
PRO TIP: Traveling? Use ExpressVPN to keep watching Smithsonian anywhere in the world.
The Smithsonian Channel offers an intriguing selection of programming about various topics, ranging from animal-focused shows to historical episodes to the explaining of how things work, such as trains and factories.
Simply put, this is a great channel for those who want to learn about the world. And its shows tend to be a nice balance of being relaxing, engaging, interesting, and thought-provoking.
Fortunately, cord-cutters have several options available for streaming this channel.
Smithsonian Channel Basics
The Smithsonian Channel is an inspiration of the Smithsonian Institute, a Washington-based collection of museums and education and research facilities. The National Zoo is included in its facilities. It is the world’s largest complex of this type.
The Institute got its start in 1846 and was previously known as the United States National Museum. But that moniker was put to rest in 1967.
The channel by that name was launched in 2007. It is owned by Paramount Global and, unsurprisingly, much of its content is also available online at Paramount+ ($4.99/mo).
Note that despite the channel being named for a United States-based institution, its programming includes a significant amount of content that is unrelated to the US.
Programming
The types of programming available on the Smithsonian Channel consist of an interesting mix. Here is a selection of some of the shows that are broadcast on it.
- Aerial America: This series provides a beautiful from-above look at a location in the US, generally a state but sometimes a different specific destination instead. The views are generally from helicopters.
- Air Disasters: The show investigates various in-air tragedies and near-tragedies.
- Big Cat Country: One of the Smithsonian Channel’s favorite animal-focused shows. It features storytelling about lions as they go through their lives’ trials and tribulations.
- Mighty Planes: Aviation lovers regularly tune into this program, which features detailed insights into a specific aircraft or a collection of them.
- Mighty Ships: The Smithsonian Channel also looks at some of the greatest ships of the past and brings their details to your screen. Each episode follows a ship on a journey while doing so.
- Mystic Britain: Those wanting to learn as much as they can about Great Britain’s mystic past and mysterious sites should check out this show. For example, its first episode was named “Witches and Demons.”
- Secrets Unlocked: The world’s past is full of secrets, and this show helps unlock those.
- Wild Castles: If castles interest you, this is a show that is well worth checking out. Unsurprisingly, the series’ focus is outside of the US. Its premiere episode featured Germany’s famous and beautiful Heidelberg Castle.
Stream Smithsonian Channel
Smithsonian Channel is not available over-the-air (OTA) so the only way to get it is through a streaming service. Thankfully, there are a number of great options.
FuboTV
The Smithsonian Channel is included with the base plan of FuboTV ($79.99/month) as well. Also in that package are channels such as National Geographic, Travel Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, Investigation Discovery, and USA. It also has a great collection of sports channels including almost two dozen that are focused on international soccer.
All Fubo plans come with unlimited cloud DVR and simultaneous streaming on 10 devices. For details, see our FuboTV review.
Philo
Philo is your go-to service for saving money. For $28.00/month, you get over 60 channels, a few of them being Smithsonian Channel, AMC, BBC America, BBC World News, IFC, and WE tv. You also get unlimited cloud DVR and you can stream on up to 3 devices.
For everything you need to know, see our Philo review.
DIRECTV
With the DIRECTV (formerly AT&T TV) Ultimate plan ($89.99/month), you get access to the Smithsonian Channel as well as 130+ other channels such as The Weather Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, USA, TNT, TBS, and History.
Alternatively, you can add the Movies Extra Pack ($5/mo) to a lesser plan, such as Entertainment ($59.99/month). That add-on also includes 8 other channels including Crime & Investigation and Hallmark Drama.
All plans come with unlimited cloud DVR as long as you sign-up online and streaming on unlimited devices at once. Get more information in our DIRECTV review.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV ($82.99/month) includes the Smithsonian Channel in its base plan. Also included are channels such as History, Travel Channel, TBS, TNT, and ESPN. In addition, note that this subscription includes access to Disney+ and ESPN+.
Start Hulu + Live TV Free Trial ↗︎
This plan comes with unlimited cloud DVR, 9 months of storage and allows you to stream on two devices at the same time. See our Hulu + Live TV review for more information.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV ($82.99/month) is another streaming service that provides access to the Smithsonian Channel. Other networks that you can watch through it include Investigation Discovery, National Geographic, Animal Planet, Nickelodeon, and Bravo.
Other Ways to Watch Smithsonian Channel
The live TV streaming services offer the only ways to live stream Smithsonian Channel. But there are other ways to what Smithsonian Channel content:
- Paramount+: A significant amount of Smithsonian Channel programming may be streamed through this for $4.99/mo. This also includes content from other CBS channels as well as the full Star Trek catalog and UEFA Champions League matches. See our Paramount+ review.
- Smithsonian Channel App: Provides numerous videos related to this network, shorter ones generally being available to all and longer ones usually necessitating logging in with your TV provider. However, do note that a relatively small selection of full episodes is available for viewing here as well. You can do the same at SmithsonianChannel.com.
- YouTube: One option for viewing Smithsonian Channel content for free is by visiting the network’s official YouTube channel. Many videos, usually shorter ones, are available there.
- Purchase: Another alternative, which works best if you are simply looking for a specific show or a small selection of shows, is to buy access to episodes, which can be done through online platforms such as iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Prime Video.
Watching Smithsonian Channel on TVs and Other Devices
All major live TV streaming services support most of the popular devices today.
Other than DIRECTV, all the services we’ve discussed work on smart TVs based on Android TV as well as LG, Samsung, and VIZIO models. They all support Chromecast devices. They allow you to cast video from your phone or browser to your TV. This is an easy and popular way to watch.
All the services support the popular “stick” devices Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Roku. The same goes for mobile devices based on iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android.
As for gaming consoles, All but DIRECTV support the Xbox One. Hulu and YouTube support the PlayStation. And Hulu also supports Nintendo Switch.
Check our streaming reviews for complete lists of supported devices because we’ve only listed the most popular.
Our Choice
Those looking to watch shows such as Big Cat Country, Mighty Ships, and Wild Castles are going to enjoy settling in for an evening of Smithsonian Channel viewing. If you just want to watch the shows, check out Paramount+ ($4.99/mo). If you also want the live channel, we recommend Hulu + Live TV ($82.99/month).
FAQs
Is the Smithsonian Channel free?
To receive access to most Smithsonian Channel episodes and its live broadcast, a charge is required. You could just pay $4.99/mo for access to Smithsonian Channel programming through Paramount+. Meanwhile, if you are set on free content, your best option is most likely its official YouTube channel. If you want the live channel, your cheapest option is FuboTV for $69.99/mo.
What happened to Smithsonian Channel Plus?
Smithsonian Channel Plus had been a streaming service that had offered Smithsonian Channel content directly to its subscribers. However, it was brought under the Paramount+ umbrella, and that content can now be watched there as well as shows from channels such as CBS, BET, MTV, and Comedy Central for $4.99/mo.
Update history
This page was revised 8 times between April 2022 and April 2023.
Updated some sub-sections. Updated some section headings. Image changes.
Image changes. Pricing updates. Misc changes.
Added VPN info. Added buttons for streaming services. Image changes. Misc content updates.
Added buttons for streaming services. Pricing updates.
Added sub-section. Misc content updates.
Added sub-section. Image changes. Added some more links. Pricing updates.
Added some links. Pricing updates. Various changes.
Mentioned channel info. Put related links. Pricing updates. Various changes to content.
Frank was the Senior Content Editor at Hotdog.com and an expert in sports streaming, specializing in out-of-market games and regional sports networks.
A passionate cord-cutter and longtime subscriber to numerous streaming services, Frank has first-hand experience navigating the complexities of sports streaming.
With a PhD in Atmospheric Physics from the Oregon Graduate Institute and a professional background in early streaming technology, Frank combines deep technical insight with practical, real-world knowledge.
His mission at Hotdog.com was straightforward: help sports fans get hassle-free access to the games they love, at the best price, without frustration.
A passionate cord-cutter and longtime subscriber to numerous streaming services, Frank has first-hand experience navigating the complexities of sports streaming.
With a PhD in Atmospheric Physics from the Oregon Graduate Institute and a professional background in early streaming technology, Frank combines deep technical insight with practical, real-world knowledge.
His mission at Hotdog.com was straightforward: help sports fans get hassle-free access to the games they love, at the best price, without frustration.
Latest posts by Frank Moraes (see all)
- How to Watch Pac-12 College Teams This Year - 08/06/2024
- States That Have Produced Leading Actors and Actresses - 09/06/2022
- US States With the Fastest Internet - 06/21/2022