Smithsonian Channel

I don't know why some people have given this app such poor ratings. I've found it to be really good. I'd give it 5 stars if it didn't have some loading issues. Other than it crashing on occasion, it's excellent. Awesome shows and best of all, no ADS!!!!!

It should show the last thing you were watching on the home screen with a link to watch it instead of having to search for the series every time. I'd like an option to lower the quality for when my connection is poor. PIP would be nice. I really want a way to fast forward or rewind by a set amount of time, like 10 s at a time, especially since the progress bar is so difficult to control precisely. Background play would be a good option so it can continue the audio if you look at something else.

So, i got auto-updated to this new version, and I've lost the ability to Chromecast. I have to cast my entire phone screen, which as a previous review mentioned, leaves the navigation bar visible, and requires my phone screen to stay on. The old Smithsonian "earth" app was great, but this upgrade has mafe it all but useless. I've rebooted my phone, uninstalled and reinstalled, and fully rebooted my Chromecast, all to no avail. Add Chromecast support, and my rating will rise.

The older version Smithsonian Channel Lite, offered fascinating 4-minute video clips of longer documents. Full length documentaries were also available. Now for everyone there is a required monthly subscription fee to access any content. There is also not an option to login with an existing cable provider credentials like similar apps provide. There is a one week free trial, but there should be an option to validate; some apps automatically log me in based on my WiFi router linked to cable.

Buggy application with no chromecast support. Video playback crashes for virtually any reason, can't seek forward or backwards without ending playback and then reloading the program and there is no ability to play content on a television from my phone. If you try to switch between seasons of a program, the previous seasons content stays in the list and there doesn't appear to be a way to force refresh the content. I like Smithsonian's content but the application was not quality controlled.

Will Not Play Video on Chromebook, when you click on the program you want to watch the audio begins to play and the video never comes on. I never had this problem with my phones but it just won't work with the Chromebook. Also, new content is PAINFULLY slow to arrive. I had access to far more programs On Demand when I had Hulu w/ Live TV- as a standalone streaming service it has about half of these shows, and that's just not enough to justify subscribing for another month..

It does not support Chromecast. i am guessing this will come in a future update. However, i was disappointed that it does not feature the full catalogue, for instance, mighty trains entirely missing. Again, i am hoping that it is a new service and will ramp up with time.

I play videos on chromecast and audio and video stops matching after few minutes. Halfway through lips doesn't much with audio at all. I watch air disasters, not sure if the issue with this specific show. You will have to test it. Also app is really bad with playing from where I left of. Every time I select continue watching it starts from the beginning. Also I wish I could easily stop videos I already watched. If you strwat to chromecast app doesn't track what Episod you stoped.

Great content but very disappointed that there is no chromecast support. Otherwise I would have given it 5 stars. I don't understand this design choice since it is rather common on streaming apps like Netflix and HBO Now. No doubt they are going to lose paid subscribers, like me, due to this shortcoming.

I had this app in the past when you could subscribe to get access to everything and recently thought I'd do that. Now you're asked to sign in with a TV provider or subscribe to Paramount+. I don't have a TV service; never have and never will. I tried Paramount+ (which, btw, doesn't mean you can watch Smithsonian Channel on THIS app- you have to go get their OTHER app) for their free trial period but I don't want to pay for ANOTHER streaming service.

Streaming quality is GREAT. However, CURRENT CONTENT IS LIMITED & MISSING LATEST PROGRAMMING. I had switched from cable provider to the app because this is the channel I watched most and had to pay extra for. Having the back catalog (Aerial America, Air Disasters, etc) was enticing enough. However, I was looking forward to checking out some missed episodes of Mighty Planes (latest season) or the new shows "Eight Days that Made Rome" and "Sea Disasters" and, lo-and-behold, are not in the app. Latest Mighty Planes episodes aired in September! Looks like a hold-out for the Cable providers. Considering the cost for the sub is almost the same as through cable, I might just go back. Really quite disappointing. The application does not call out that there is a potential delay in NEW programming - this should be expressed UP-FRONT before people subscribe. Took me a few days to discover this and got charged. As a side note, the Smithsonian Channel website even calls out "How To Watch" the episodes of Sea Disasters with an option to view IN THE APP. Clicking the link takes you to a "Not Found" page.Bait and switch?

Quality programming, but the app could use some finessing. When pausing a program and then returning, it restarts the program. I got used to looking at the time passed in the program and then forwarding to the spot when I returned. I could not use Google Chromecast (not Comcast cable, unavailable to me) to stream the program to my television. Also, it seemed easier to search for programs on my computer than on my phone.

I only have one problem there is no continue watching section and so annoying

This app is the worst. The search function doesn't work at all.

Shows documentaries on their website but won't allow you to watch them and tells you to download the app and when you try searching for that same documentary the app says it can't find it all of the sudden? Great UX (user experience) Not! Stay away it has poor reviews for a reason. App developers can do better than this dumpster fire.

Don't bother with this app; they are the 24-hour fitness of streaming services. I have repeatedly cancelled and then been charged for a subscription. I thought this was resolved but just got an email that my subscription has been upgraded. And I'll be danged if the customer service page didn't tell me page not found:/ . To clarify due to response intended to make me look like i just cant find the help page, i did cancel, three or four times, got refunded/charged/cancelled/ spoke to rep yet again.

I have a Paramount+ account, and had seen many comments stating that was a way you could sign in through this app. It isn't, not anymore, or not as far as I can tell anyways. I cannot find any way to login with my Paramount+ ID. It simply asks for a cable/ISP provider and while I do get my home network through Xfinity, and that is one of the options, I don't have cable service, so I can't sign in that way. How many services do they expect us to keep buying? Would give zero stars if I could.

Never used it during free trial. Looked at how to cancel, couldn't find in app or Google subscriptions. Got charged, emailed support that day, have yet to receive an answer!! Found out you have to cancel on website. Horrible experience. I'm sure it has great stuff, not for me!

UPDATED- I subscribe to the Smithsonian Channel through my Cable provider WOW! The Smithsonian app does not allow me to sign in with my provider. Not good. CBS, HBO, A&E, TLC and other apps allow me to sign in with my provider but it seems strange that the Smithsonian Channel can't do the same. Odd. This app fixes some issues and other emerge. I wish they would get it together. Once upon a time it was a 5 star app.

Android navigation bar is not hidden when playing videos in full screen. I opened a ticket and was told that I have to hide the nav bar in Android settings. Ummm... what? No other video app requires that. It's not even possible without ADB or root. Clearly the developers don't understand the Android API.

It needs a ton of work in order to keep up with the other streaming apps. There's no way to know which episodes you've watched, so you have to scan through episodes and try to remember the last one you watched, and there is no way to add your shows to a favorite list. Needs more work than just those two things, but those are the major ones.

Went 2 click "uninstall"& saw this app is not by Smithsonian, made me less disppointed by it's mediocrity. I was excited about the variety of available content; enjoying the content didn't happen. Unable to Cast to tv, "free trial" button took me to a sign on page- not a sign up page...? No patience for the media player\streaming service(idk the right terms) & ad v. content ratio is maddening. I think there's a bug in the ad notifications.? What's the "ad 1 of 4 {30 s.)" bit at the bottom?

All of sudden I nothing opens when I sign it with tv provider

I mean its an ok app. The biggest thing that bugs me is that it doesnt keep your place if you stop watching a show. When you resume it, it typically takes you back to the beginning. I wish you could download stuff too for offline viewing. Big way to go till its five stars.

I am so in love with this platform, there is no doubt it's because I love history but I beleive in the mission and the vision of this channel. The truth will always be found in History and it's not up for option to be tweaked or altered and kept a secret. The flexibility to carry this channel on a every day used device such as your cell phone for my pleasure is pure brilliance.....I get to experience just that anytime I want!

No casting to Google Chrome from phone. The old app had that ability. Users note: You can use your Chrome browser to cast Smithsonian Channel content to your Chromecast until they put that ability back into the app. Pain... but better than watching it on your phone.

I love the diverse content but not being able to cast to my chromecast makes me rethink if it's worth it. I don't want to have to crank my head to watch on my phone all the time. EDIT 5/10/19 Much better now that it has the cast capability!! Love finding new documentaries to watch!

CHROMECAST SUPPORT YEEEES! This is the best streaming service for documentary nuts. They don't put out sensationalist garbage with goofy rock music and sound effects for funny animals, they present information in a well-researched and easy to digest manner. Smithsonian is now what we used to get out of History, NatGeo, and Discovery. The last bastion of educational video for adults. The BBC is also superb, btw. edit: I had to knock down this review one star. At the time of writing I was unaware there was still no search function in this app, which was beyond my imagination. PLEASE add a search. I usually know what I want to watch when I pull up smithsonian.

Love this app just like many of their books, Informative and entertaining. I was particularly attracted to this app by Aerial America. There is something about that helicopter aerial view that has always fascinated me and even more now. With the advancement of technology I'm really excited about the future of something similar to this using drones. Can't wait!

You have to pay for the subscription before you can do anything. I don't pay your feedback was ridiculous. You first said there's many programs that are Free. Then you suggested I try a free trial period. I have to supply my credit card before ANYTHING happens. What's Free about that statement ???????