How to Install Smithsonian Channel Kodi Addon on Firestick/Fire TV

If you want to stream premium documentaries and educational series for free, the Smithsonian Channel Kodi addon is a must-have. With just a few simple steps, you can access the Smithsonian Channel‘s entire catalog of content directly on your Fire TV.

In this guide, I‘ll walk you through how to install the Smithsonian Channel addon on Kodi step-by-step. You‘ll learn how to enable unknown sources, install the right repository, add the addon, and start watching your favorite Smithsonian shows in minutes.

Plus, I‘ll provide some tips to enhance your streaming experience and get the most out of the Smithsonian Channel addon. Let‘s dive in!

Overview of the Smithsonian Channel

First, a quick introduction to the Smithsonian Channel. It is a documentary and educational entertainment TV network run by the Smithsonian Institution.

With a mission to ignite curiosity and expand knowledge through storytelling, the channel premiered in 2007 and now reaches over 100 million households and hotel rooms in the US.

The Smithsonian Channel airs hundreds of acclaimed series and specials exploring history, science, nature, aviation, space, culture, and more. It provides rare access to the 137 million artifacts, specimens, works of art, and landmarks maintained by the Smithsonian‘s museums, research centers, and zoos.

Some popular programs include:

• Air Disasters
• Apollo‘s Moon Shot
• The Day We Walked on the Moon
• The Green Book: Guide to Freedom
• Polar Bear Town
• The Lost Tomb of Alexander the Great

In total, the Smithsonian Channel offers over 1,500 hours of content with over 70 original series across genres like history, science, travel, air and space. It‘s the perfect complement to any cord-cutter‘s streaming library.

Benefits of the Smithsonian Channel Kodi Addon

Here are just some of the great benefits you‘ll enjoy by installing the Smithsonian Channel addon on your Firestick or Fire TV:

• Endless content – Get on-demand access to the network‘s full catalog of shows, specials, and documentaries covering diverse topics. Over 1,500 hours of content!

• Learn new things – From natural history to ancient cultures, expand your knowledge by streaming Smithsonian documentaries.

• Entertainment for everyone – With a range of shows from aviation to travel, there‘s something for all interests and age groups to enjoy.

• Educational value – The addon is a treasure trove of fascinating documentaries that both entertain and educate. Great for kids and adults!

• Completely free – Access 100% of the library without paying a dime. No subscriptions or fees required.

• Optimized for Fire TV – Get a smooth streaming experience right from your Firestick 4K or Fire TV Cube.

Compared to other documentary focused addons like PBS and Curiosity Stream, the Smithsonian Channel stands out for its diverse content spanning science, tech, nature, history, and more. The breadth and depth of its catalog is unrivaled.

How to Install the Smithsonian Channel Addon on Kodi

Ready to start watching? Here is a step-by-step guide to get the Smithsonian Channel addon installed correctly on your Fire TV device:

Step 1: Enable Unknown Sources on Kodi

Since the Smithsonian Channel addon isn‘t officially part of Kodi‘s repository, you first need to enable installation of third-party "unknown sources".

1. Open Kodi and click the gear icon ⚙️ in the top left corner.
2. Go to Settings > System > Add-ons.
3. Select Unknown Sources and click Yes when prompted.

This gives you permission to install Kodi addons from outside repositories.

Step 2: Install the Fusion Repository

The addon you need is contained within the Fusion Repo. So you have to install Fusion first:

1. Return to the Kodi home screen.
2. Hover over Add-ons and click the open box icon in the top left corner.
3. Choose Install from zip file > Fusion > kodi.tv repositories > english > repository.xbmchub-3.0.0.zip
4. Wait for the "Repository installed" notification.

Fusion contains many useful Kodi addons that are worth having.

Step 3: Install the Smithsonian Channel Addon

Now that Fusion is added as a source, you can install the Smithsonian Channel addon:

1. From the Kodi homepage, hover over Add-ons.
2. Click the open box icon again.
3. Select Install from repository > Fusion > Video add-ons.
4. Choose Smithsonian Channel.
5. Click Install in the bottom right.

Once installed, you‘ll see a "Addon enabled" message. You‘re all set!

Step 4: Browse the Addon and Start Streaming

To access and use the newly installed Smithsonian Channel addon:

1. Return to the Kodi home screen.
2. Hover over Add-ons in the sidebar and select Smithsonian Channel.
3. Browse content categories like Collections, Series, A-Z, or use Search.
4. Select a show or documentary and pick an episode to watch.
5. Click Play and enjoy!

Now you have unlimited on-demand access to the Smithsonian Channel‘s full library of content, completely free!

Tips for Getting the Best Streaming Experience

To ensure smooth playback and avoid buffering when streaming shows from the Smithsonian Channel addon, keep these tips in mind:

• For fastest speeds, use a wired Ethernet connection if possible instead of WiFi.

• Close any background apps and turn off Bluetooth to allocate more bandwidth to Kodi.

• Consider using a VPN like Surfshark or NordVPN to encrypt traffic and prevent ISP throttling.

• Adjust the cache size in Kodi to between 50-100 MB for smoother streaming.

• Clear addon cache periodically and delete old Kodi thumbnails/packages to free up space.

• Overclock your Fire TV Stick to boost performance – just be careful not to overheat.

• Use advancedsettings.xml optimizations like readbufferfactor.

• Upgrade to a powerful streaming device like the Fire TV Cube or Nvidia Shield.

By tweaking your setup like this, you can eliminate buffering and enjoy buttery smooth Smithsonian Channel streams through Kodi!

Final Thoughts

The Smithsonian Channel Kodi addon opens up an invaluable library of illuminating documentaries and shows on topics like science, nature, tech, and human ingenuity.

It‘s the perfect complement to any cord-cutter‘s streaming lineup. And with this guide, installing the addon on your Firestick or Fire TV is quick and easy.

So unlock unlimited access to over 1,500 hours of premium Smithsonian content. Turn your living room into a theater and classroom combined!

I hope you found this guide useful. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about setting up the Smithsonian Channel Kodi addon. Happy streaming!