The rise of Discovery Plus in the streaming world
Streaming platforms have rapidly become the new normal in entertainment, and Discovery Plus has carved out a significant place for itself by offering something different from the typical movie and scripted-TV fare. Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery (formerly Discovery Inc.), Discovery Plus is the ultimate destination for non-fiction and real-life entertainment, making it a go-to for fans of documentaries, reality TV, lifestyle, and science programming.
Initially launched in India in March 2020, Discovery Plus quickly expanded into major markets including the United States and the United Kingdom. It brings together decades of content from a wide range of channels under one roof, allowing users to stream thousands of episodes and exclusive originals at their convenience.
What content can you watch on Discovery Plus?
Discovery Plus is home to over 55,000 episodes drawn from popular and beloved TV networks. These include:
- Discovery Channel
- Animal Planet
- TLC
- Science Channel
- Food Network
- HGTV
- ID (Investigation Discovery)
- OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network)
- Travel Channel
The platform also includes content from A&E, History Channel, Lifetime, and more thanks to strategic licensing agreements, expanding its library further than ever.
Discovery Plus Originals
In addition to legacy programming, Discovery Plus features a growing library of original content designed specifically for the platform. Examples include:
- American Detective with Lt. Joe Kenda
- Amy Schumer Learns to Cook: Uncensored
- BattleBots: Bounty Hunters
- Judi Dench’s Wild Borneo Adventure
- 90 Day Bares All (from the popular 90 Day Fiancé franchise)
- Ghost Adventures: Cecil Hotel
Discovery Plus continues to invest in new and exclusive original shows to distinguish itself from competitors and provide fresh content for subscribers.
How much does Discovery Plus cost?
Discovery Plus is competitively priced compared to other streaming services. It offers two primary subscription options in the U.S.:
- With ads: $4.99 per month
- Ad-free: $8.99 per month
Users can also access the service via annual subscriptions at a discounted rate:
- With ads: $49.99 per year
- Ad-free: $89.99 per year
In some regions and with select partners, Discovery Plus may be bundled into cable or mobile phone packages. For example, Verizon customers in the U.S. were eligible for a free trial as part of promotional offers.
Devices compatible with Discovery Plus
Discovery Plus supports a wide array of devices, including
- Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Vizio)
- Streaming devices (Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast)
- Game consoles (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)
- Mobile devices (iOS and Android)
- Web browsers (via discoveryplus.com)
This extensive compatibility ensures that you can enjoy Discovery Plus on virtually any screen in your household.
User experience and interface
The platform features an intuitive, user-friendly interface with categorized menus based on genre, networks, and trending shows. It also includes personalized recommendations and a watchlist feature, allowing users to save their favorite series or resume episodes across devices.
A key strength of Discovery Plus is the organization of its content. Since it’s drawn from a wide range of networks, viewers can easily find their preferred genres—whether that’s true crime, home renovation, food, wildlife, or paranormal investigations.
International availability and localization
Discovery Plus is available in over 25 countries and territories, including:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- India
- Canada
- Brazil
- Italy
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Nordic countries
The service is also localized in several of these regions, offering audio and subtitles in multiple languages to cater to local audiences. The content library may vary by country due to regional licensing restrictions.
Is Discovery Plus worth it?
Whether Discovery Plus is worth your time and money depends on your viewing preferences. It doesn’t offer scripted dramas or blockbuster films like Netflix or HBO Max, but it fills a unique niche for fans of reality-based and educational entertainment.
If you’re into cooking, home improvement, wildlife, or true crime, Discovery Plus delivers an unmatched volume of high-quality, binge-worthy content. Families can also benefit from a large catalog of safe, educational shows suitable for children.
Recent updates and future developments
Since its launch, Discovery Plus has undergone several updates, including app improvements, new originals, and global expansion. Following the merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery Inc., there has been increased integration between Discovery Plus and Max (formerly HBO Max).
In 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery announced that some content would be shared between the two platforms. While they remain separate services for now, the long-term strategy may involve unifying them under one subscription, or offering expanded bundling options.
This evolution will likely continue to reshape the content offerings and user experience for subscribers across both platforms.
How to subscribe and start streaming
Subscribing to Discovery Plus is simple
- Visit discoveryplus.com
- Choose a subscription plan
- Create an account with your email address
- Enter payment details
- Start watching instantly
The service also allows cancellation at any time with no long-term commitment, which makes it easy to test-drive without risk.
Tips for getting the most out of Discovery Plus
- Explore by genre: Don’t limit yourself to one channel. Try different genres like nature, crime, cooking, and lifestyle.
- Use the search function: With 55,000+ episodes, the search bar is your best friend.
- Create multiple profiles: Personalize viewing for different family members.
- Download for offline viewing: Available on mobile, perfect for flights and commutes.
- Set parental controls: Monitor what younger viewers can access.
Final thoughts
Discovery Plus might not have superheroes, dragons, or big-budget thrillers, but it shines where others don’t: real-life entertainment. From true crime and wildlife to cooking and home makeovers, it offers an expansive library of authentic, engaging content.
Whether you’re a long-time fan of TLC or just love to binge-watch nature documentaries, Discovery Plus is a streaming service that offers great value, especially for viewers who crave more than just fiction.
As the platform continues to evolve and integrate further with Warner Bros. Discovery’s broader ecosystem, it’s one to watch—literally and figuratively.
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