discovery+ Review
discovery+ is a video streaming service that offers more than 55,000 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 $6.99 / month. It will launch on January 4th, 2021.
Review
We tested discovery+ and other subscription streaming services for more than 100 hours. discovery+ is compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Android Phone/Tablet, Apple TV, Android TV, Web Browsers, Google Chromecast, iPhone/iPad, Samsung Smart TV, VIZIO Smart TV, LG Smart TV, and Xbox.
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+ will include on-demand 2,500 series and 55,000 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+ will offer more than 1,000 hours of original programming in 2021. At launch there will be 50 original series available.
Over the course of the first year, subscribers will have access to 90 Day Diaries, Magnolia Table, Bobby and Giada in Italy, Long Island Medium: There in Spirit, Luda Can’t Cook, and Queen of Meth, among other originals.
It will also be the first place where you can get a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Magnolia Network
Click here for the full list of original series coming to discovery+.
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
The streaming service will have access to 55,000 episodes across 2,500 series.
Some popular shows included are The First 48, Fixer Upper, 90 Day Fiancé, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Chopped, Property Brothers, Dance Moms, Ice Road Truckers, Pawn Stars, and 60 Days In.
The service will feature exclusive streaming access to the BBC’s natural history offering, featuring shows like Planet Earth, Blue Planet, and Frozen Planet.
Movies
discovery+ will feature a number of documentaries, including P.S., Burn This Letter Please, Restaurant Hustle 2020: All on the Line, My Beautiful Stutter, The Impossible Row, and Beyond Borders.
Kids
Much of the discovery+ nature programs are family friendly, but children’s programming appears thin at the start. One possible kid favorite might be Duff’s Happy Fun Bake Time. In this new series, Duff Goldman joins puppets from The Jim Henson Company to the basics of cooking and how ingredients work together to create our favorite foods.
Features
Up to 5 Profiles
discovery+ allows you to create up to 5 user profiles.
No Parental Controls
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.
International Access
discovery+ allows you to watch certain content when traveling internationally.
Compatible Devices
discovery+ is compatible with these devices:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Roku
- Android Phone/Tablet
- Apple TV
- Android TV
- Web Browsers
- Google Chromecast
- iPhone/iPad
- Samsung Smart TV (2017+)
- VIZIO Smart TV (via AirPlay & Cast)
- LG Smart TV (via AirPlay 2)
- Xbox
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
(Up to 4K UHD)
Although it has not been announced formally, we expect that at least some content like the Planet Earth series will be be available in 4K.
Some Surround
Stereo/Surround Sound
Although it has not been announced formally, we expect that at least some content to support Dolby Digital.
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.