Discovery Plus Review 2023: Is it Worth It? (Price, Plans, Shows & More)
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital entertainment, choosing the right streaming service can be a daunting task.
With many options available, how do you decide which one is worth your time and money?
In this review, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Discovery Plus. We’ll cover how to install the app, pricing plans, the variety of content it offers, device compatibility, and overall user experience to help you decide if it’s the right streaming service for you.
Is Discovery Plus Worth It? (Our Upfront Recommendation)
If you regularly watch multiple Discovery shows and want to cancel cable, Discovery Plus is easily worth the price. You gain on-demand access to new and old episodes of shows like Fixer Upper, Chopped, 90 Day Fiancé, Naked and Afraid, and Deadliest Catch.
The service functions well across devices and allows downloading for offline viewing.
Overall, Discovery Plus is a must-have for die-hard fans of popular Discovery shows, but more casual viewers may want to wait on subscribing until the content library expands further.
However, if you’re not a huge reality TV watcher, Discovery Plus may not offer enough value yet. The service doesn’t have a deep library of Discovery documentaries or other network content to browse.
Many major HGTV/Food Network shows are not included, likely due to streaming rights. And the original programming is still quite limited compared to Netflix or Hulu.
At the inexpensive price point, it can still be worth trying for a month or two to see if you get hooked.
Discovery Plus Review: Everything You Need to Know
What is Discovery Plus?
Discovery Plus has its roots in Discovery Inc., the media company behind popular cable TV channels like Discovery Channel, TLC, Food Network, and HGTV.
The service gives subscribers on-demand access to shows from Discovery’s portfolio of networks. This includes popular franchises like 90 Day Fiance, Property Brothers, Chopped, House Hunters, and Deadliest Catch. Discovery Plus also offers original programming made exclusively for the streaming service.
In addition, Discovery Plus serves as the new streaming home for BBC natural history shows like Planet Earth and Blue Planet which were previously available on Netflix.
History of Discovery Plus
Discovery first made a move into streaming in 2017 with the launch of Discovery GO, an online streaming platform for live and on-demand content from Discovery’s lineup of networks. This offered a taste of what a full-fledged streaming service could look like.
Plans for Discovery Plus were first announced in 2019, promoted as a new comprehensive streaming home for all things Discovery. The global roll-out began in January 2021, first launching in the United States, Canada, and parts of Latin America.
Within its first month, Discovery Plus gained over 11 million paid subscribers, making it one of the most successful streaming launches. Verizon offered a free year of Discovery Plus to new and existing wireless customers in a promotion that helped drive early subscriptions.
Over the course of 2021, Discovery Plus expanded across additional European and Asian markets. It merged with HBO Max in Latin America to create a combined streaming platform. The service continued gaining subscribers, touting over 20 million by the end of 2021.
On May 23, 2023 Warner Bros. Discovery combined the content of HBO Max and Discovery Plus into a single streaming service called Max. Even though the new platform is a combination of the two, Discovery Plus is still available as a separate streaming service.
Discovery Plus vs Other Streaming Services
How does Discovery Plus stack up against the top players?
This section provides a detailed comparison of Peacock to other major streaming services. The table below breaks down key factors like price, video quality, number of simultaneous streams allowed, and overall editorial rating.
Service | Price | Video | Streams | Editorial Rating | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Discovery+ | $4.99–$6.99/mo | 1080p, 4K | 4 | 4.0/5 | View Plans |
Paramount+ | $5.99–$11.99/mo | 1080p | 3 | 4.3/5 | View Plans |
Netflix | $6.99–$19.99/mo | 1080p, 4K | 1–4 | 4.3/5 | View Plans |
Hulu | $7.99–$14.99/mo | 1080p, 4K | 2 | 4.5/5 | View Plans |
Prime Video | $8.99–$14.99/mo | 1080p, 4K | 3 | 4.1/5 | View Plans |
Disney+ | $7.99–$10.99/mo | 1080p, 4K | 4 | 4.4/5 | View Plans |
Max | $9.99–$19.99/mo | 1080p, 4K | 3 | 4.5/5 | View Plans |
Apple TV+ | $6.99/mo | 1080p, 4K | 6 | 4.4/5 | View Plans |
Peacock | $4.99–$9.99/mo | 1080p, 4K | 3 | 4.6/5 | View Plans |
How to Get Discovery Plus on ANY Smart TV or Streaming Device
For those in search of an exceptional online video streaming experience, Discovery Plus is a top choice worldwide, offering not only on-demand content but also live TV channels. Users can enjoy their favorite shows, movies, and live TV programming whenever they want, regardless of their location.
If you have a Smart TV or Streaming Device continue reading to learn how to install Discovery Plus with just a few simple steps.
Once the setup is complete, you will be ready to stream any series, movie, or live TV channel available on Discovery Plus, providing a memorable viewing experience.
Read and follow these installation guides to get Discovery Plus on all of your smart home devices:
How Much Does Discovery Plus Cost?
When it comes to streaming services, the cost is often a significant factor in the decision-making process.
In comparison to other streaming services, Discovery Plus offers competitive pricing.
The cost of Discovery Plus is lower than many other popular streaming services, making it an attractive option for those seeking a wide variety of content at a lower price point.
Discovery Plus offers two subscription plans to cater to different user preferences, providing flexibility and choice.
Ad Supported Plan
Priced at $4.99 per month, this plan is an affordable option for those who don’t mind occasional advertisements.
Subscribers get access to the entire Discovery Plus content library, including thousands of episodes from popular networks and exclusive Discovery Plus Originals.
The inclusion of ads helps keep the cost down, making this plan a budget-friendly choice for those seeking a wealth of content without breaking the bank.
Ad Free Plan
For those who prefer an uninterrupted viewing experience, the Ad-Free plan, costing $6.99 per month, eliminates commercials entirely.
This plan is ideal for binge-watchers and those who value seamless streaming. The slightly higher cost reflects the ad-free convenience, providing a premium viewing experience.
Does Discovery Plus Offer a Free Trial?
Yes, Discovery Plus provides a 7-day free trial for new subscribers.
This trial period allows potential users to navigate through the service and explore its offerings before committing to a subscription.
In Which Countries Is Discovery Plus Available?
Discovery Plus has a broad international reach. However, the content may vary depending on the region due to licensing agreements.
Here are some of the countries where Discovery Plus is available:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- India
- Italy
- Spain
- Germany
Discovery Plus Channel Lineup
Discovery Plus offers a comprehensive lineup of channels, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Here’s the complete list of channels available on Discovery Plus:
- A&E
- American Heroes Channel
- Animal Planet
- Cooking Channel
- Destination America
- Discovery
- Discovery Life
- Food Network
- HGTV
- History Channel
- ID (Investigation Discovery)
- Lifetime
- Magnolia Network (includes DIY Channel)
- OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network)
- Planet Earth (through the BBC)
- Science Channel
- TLC
- Travel Channel
From lifestyle and home improvement to true crime and history, these channels cover a wide range of genres, catering to diverse viewer interests. Whether you’re looking for culinary inspiration, home renovation ideas, or intriguing mysteries, Discovery Plus has got you covered.
Shows on Discovery Plus
Discovery Plus offers a vast library of shows across various genres. Here’s a snapshot of what you can expect:
Genre | Shows |
---|---|
Lifestyle | “Home Town”, “Rock the Block”, “Fixer Upper”, “Property Brothers” |
True Crime | “Murdaugh Murders”, “Two Shallow Graves”, “Deadly Women”, “Your Worst Nightmare” |
Home Improvement | “House of Hammer”, “Love It or List It”, “Flip or Flop” |
Food | “Chopped”, “The Pioneer Woman”, “Cake Wars”, “Good Eats: Reloaded” |
Adventure | “Gold Rush”, “Expedition Unknown”, “Survivorman” |
These shows represent just a fraction of the content available on Discovery Plus. The platform also offers content in other genres like science, history, nature, and more.
Plus, Discovery Plus regularly adds new shows and episodes, ensuring there’s always something fresh to discover.
What Devices Are Compatible with Discovery Plus?
The beauty of Discovery Plus lies in its broad compatibility with various devices. This allows Discovery Plus customers to enjoy their favorite cable TV shows, movies, and live sporting events across a wide range of platforms.
So, if you’re wondering what devices are compatible with Discovery Plus, you’ve come to the right place!
According to the Discovery Plus support page, the following devices are fully compatible with the newest version of Discovery Plus:
- iPads
- iPhones
- Android devices
- Chromecast
- Amazon Kindle Fire tablets
- Xbox One
- All Roku devices
- Most newer streaming sticks and tablets
This extensive device compatibility makes the Discovery Plus app a go-to choice for those seeking versatile and flexible streaming solutions.
What Smart TV Brands are Compatible with Discovery Plus?
For those who prefer to watch on larger screens, compatible Discovery Plus devices also include popular Smart TVs.
This means that all major smart TV brands like Vizio, LG, Samsung, Hisense and TCL are fully compatible with the Discovery Plus app.
Discovery Plus is compatible with smart TVs running on Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Roku, and the Tizen system, so you have a variety of options from which to choose.
In addition, any smart TV with built-in Chromecast functionality will run Discovery Plus by default.
How Many Devices Can Stream Discovery Plus at Once?
With a Discovery Plus subscription, you can stream content on up to four devices at the same time.
This makes it a great choice for families or shared households, as multiple people can watch different shows concurrently without any interruptions.
If you attempt to exceed this limit, you may receive an error code.
Learn more: Discovery Plus Account Sharing Rules
How to Cancel Discovery Plus
The cancellation process for Discovery Plus is straightforward. Users can easily cancel their subscription by following these detailed instructions on how to cancel a Discovery Plus subscription.
It’s important to note that subscriptions must be canceled at least 24 hours before the next billing date to avoid charges for the next cycle.
Read More About Discovery Plus…
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