Everyone knows about Kodi’s shadier side. There are loads of questionable add-ons out there for streaming TV and/or movies, with some even infringing on copyright and encouraging piracy. Looking beyond that, there are also plenty of great add-ons in the default repository that are totally above board.
Instead of trying to replace cable TV, these add-ons rely on popular online content and streaming services. You can use Kodi for direct access to your favorite streaming content, or you can use it to stream to your TV via a device like a Raspberry Pi.
This list is about quality, but it’s also about personal preference. Sure, there will be some services that you don’t like and others that you wish were here. The purpose is to provide a sampling of some of the best in popular genres.
Twitch
If you’re a gamer or a fan of Esports, you know about Twitch. It’s easily the most popular game streaming platform. Whether you want to watch a pro gamer’s stream or a live Esports tournament, Twitch provides a smooth and easy experience.
Crunchyroll
Are you an Anime fan? Crunchyroll has one of the largest streaming Anime libraries. Most of the content is free and doesn’t require an account. Crunchyroll even offers new shows straight from Japan.
South Park
For a while now, a large portion of South Park’s twenty seasons have been freely available online. The South Park add-on takes advantage of that fact to give you convenient access to one of the longest-running comedies on TV.
Livestream
Livestream is a streaming platform that broadcasters can use to create their own live broadcasts. The Livestream app gives you access to live events and past recordings.
NFL Highlights
No, you’re not going to get full NFL games, but you can watch clips and highlights. With all of the time that football fans spend scrutinizing crucial moments in games, streaming NFL highlights is definitely useful. It’s also great for fantasy football fans.
Geek & Sundry
Geek & Sundry is home to a number of excellently nerdy web series like “The Guild.” There’s a strong focus on tabletop gaming and the celebration of fandoms and all things geeky.
NBC Sports
NBC Sports is one app that does require a sign-in for a lot of its content. If you have a cable subscription, you should have no problem signing in and viewing live and recorded sports, including events that might not make it into the regular broadcast. If you miss an event when it airs, there are usually substantial archives.
TED Talks
TED talks might not be the flashiest form of entertainment, but they can be very interesting and engaging. Since TED talks do run long, watching them on a larger screen can make for a more enjoyable experience.
YouTube
Yeah, it’s YouTube, but plenty of people spend a lot of time watching videos on YouTube. There’s a reason why most smart TVs come with a YouTube app. If you’d rather watch YouTube content on your TV, Kodi and the YouTube add-on make for a great way to do that.
There’s plenty more out there, and it’s fairly easy for developers to write Kodi add-ons in Python, so there’s definitely room for more add-ons to make their way into Kodi’s repositories. You clearly don’t need some sketchy add-on to have a great streaming experience with Kodi.
Nick is a freelance tech. journalist, Linux enthusiast, and a long time PC gamer.
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