discovery+ Review
discovery+ is a video streaming service that offers more than 70,000 episodes of 2,500+ current and classic shows from several popular TV brands including Discovery, Investigation Discovery, HGTV, TLC, Food Network, A&E, Lifetime, and History.
The service primarily focuses on non-fiction programming or “reality” TV shows.
discovery+ is available with limited ads for $4.99 / month or ad-free for $8.99 / month.
Review
We tested discovery+ and other subscription streaming services for more than 100 hours. discovery+ is compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, Xbox, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV.
The U.S. version of discovery+ will only be available to subscribers in the United States including American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Over time, it will roll out to more countries.
Content
discovery+ includes 70,000 episodes of TV shows from Discovery, Investigation Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, TLC, Travel Channel, and Animal Planet, along with licensed programming from A&E, Lifetime, and History.
It won't include access to live streams of Discovery-owned channels and won’t include current seasons of shows until after they first aired on television. To watch Discovery channels live you will need a Live TV Streaming Service like Philo, Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, or YouTube TV.
Originals
Discovery+ originals include “House of Hammer,” “Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed,” “Love Off the Grid,” “Naked and Afraid of Love,” “Queen of Meth,” “The Haunted Museum,” “Selling the Hamptons,” “Kendra Sells Hollywood,” and “Million Dollar Wheels.”
New series will focus on lifestyle, true crime, home improvement, food, adventure, and more. discovery+ shows highlight stars like the Irwins, Jonathan and Drew Scott, Chip and Joanna Gaines, Bobby Flay, Ree Drummond, Guy Fieri, Giada De Laurentiis, Lieutenant Joe Kenda and more.
TV Shows
Some popular shows included are “MythBusters,” “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations,” “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy,” “90 Day Fiancé,” and “Forensic Files.”
The service offers exclusive streaming access to the BBC’s natural history offering, featuring shows like “Planet Earth,” “Blue Planet,” and “Frozen Planet.”
Movies
discovery+ features a number of documentaries, including “Blackfish,” “Man on Wire,” “Jesus Camp,” “RBG,” “Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop,” and “Closed for Storm”
Kids
Many of the discovery+ nature programs are family-friendly, but children’s programming is mostly lacking.
Features
Up to 5 Profiles
discovery+ allows you to create up to 5 user profiles.
No Parental Controls
There are no parental controls for discovery+.
Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, Max, Hulu, Netflix, Paramount Plus, Peacock, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, and STARZ have parental control features.
Up to 4 Devices
discovery+ allows you to stream on up to 4 devices simultaneously.
No Ads
If you subscribe to their more expensive $6.99 a month plan, you can stream discovery+ without ads.
No Offline Mode
If you have the ad-free tier, you can download shows and films. downloaded content will be available to watch offline for 30 days, or for 48 hours after a user first presses play on the episode. Expired content can be renewed when users go online again. Not all content is available to download.
International Access
When you travel internationally, you will have access to content available only in markets that discovery plus is currently available.
Compatible Devices
discovery+ is compatible with these devices:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- Google Chromecast (Google Cast)
- Roku
- Android TV
- iPhone/iPad
- Android Phone/Tablet
- Mac
- Windows
- Xbox
- LG Smart TV (AirPlay)
- Samsung Smart TV (2017+)
- Sony Smart TV
- VIZIO Smart TV
discovery+ is not compatible with PlayStation or Nintendo devices.
TV App
discovery+ is available on most TV devices. The TV interface allows you to easily navigate throughout your favorite content.
Tech Specs
1080p HD
Most video streams are in 1080p HD.
Stereo Sound
Content has stereo audio.
User Experience
Home Screen
discovery+ opens to a “For You” screen, highlighting your favorite programs. Users can browse topics such as Relationships, True Crime, Food, and Lifestyle.