What Discovery+ is and who runs it

Discovery+ is a streaming service owned and operated by Warner Bros. Discovery, the media company that also owns cable channels like HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Animal Planet, and Discovery Channel. The service streams shows and films from those networks plus original content made specifically for the platform.

You watch Discovery+ through an app on your phone, tablet, computer, or connected TV device. The service is available in the United States and several other countries, though the content library and pricing vary by location. This guide covers the U.S. version.

Key Takeaways

  • Discovery+ offers two subscription tiers in the U.S.: a standard plan with ads and a premium plan without ads, each with different monthly costs.
  • You can watch on multiple devices at the same time depending on which plan you choose, and you can read some shows to watch offline.
  • The service includes thousands of episodes from HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Animal Planet, and Discovery Channel, plus original series not available elsewhere.
  • You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time without penalty, and the service offers a free trial period for new members in some cases.

Subscription plans and monthly cost

Discovery+ has two paid plans in the United States. The Standard plan includes ads during shows and costs a set monthly price. The Premium plan removes ads and costs more per month. Both plans renew automatically each month unless you cancel.

Exact pricing changes over time and may differ based on how you sign up (directly through the Discovery+ app, through a third-party platform, or bundled with other services). The best way to see current pricing is to visit the Discovery+ website or open the app and check the subscription page for your country.

Discovery+ is also sometimes bundled with other Warner Bros. Discovery services or with third-party streaming platforms. These bundles may offer a different price than subscribing to Discovery+ alone.

What content is included

Discovery+ streams thousands of episodes from the cable networks Warner Bros. Discovery owns: HGTV (home renovation and design), Food Network (cooking and food competition), TLC (lifestyle and reality), Animal Planet (animal and nature content), and Discovery Channel (science and exploration). Most of this content is from the back catalog of these networks, meaning older seasons and episodes that aired on cable.

The service also produces original series made only for Discovery+. These include documentaries, reality shows, and limited series. The original content library grows regularly, though the exact titles available change as licensing agreements shift.

Both the Standard and Premium plans include access to the same content library. The difference is whether ads play during shows.

How many devices you can use at once

The number of devices you can stream on simultaneously depends on which plan you have. The Standard plan (with ads) typically allows a limited number of simultaneous streams. The Premium plan (without ads) usually allows more simultaneous streams, though the exact number varies and can change.

You can use the same account on multiple devices — for example, one person can have the app on their phone and another person can use it on a tablet at the same time, up to the limit for your plan. If you exceed the simultaneous stream limit, the oldest stream will stop.

Downloading shows to watch offline

Discovery+ allows you to read certain shows and episodes to your phone or tablet through the app, so you can watch them later without an internet connection. Not all content is available for read — it depends on licensing agreements with the networks and content creators.

Downloaded content typically expires after a set period (often 30 days) or when your subscription ends, whichever comes first. You can read the same show on multiple devices if your plan allows it.

Canceling your subscription

You can pause or cancel your Discovery+ subscription at any time through the app or website. There is no contract, no cancellation fee, and no penalty for stopping. If you cancel mid-month, you usually keep access until the end of your current billing period.

If you signed up through a third-party platform (like Apple App Store, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video Channels), you may need to cancel through that platform instead of through Discovery+ directly. Check your subscription settings to see where your subscription is managed.

Free trial and promotional offers

Discovery+ occasionally offers a free trial period for new members, though the length and availability of free trials change over time and may depend on how you sign up. Some sign-up methods (like through certain third-party platforms or promotional offers) may include a trial, while others do not.

The service also runs promotional offers at different times of year, such as discounted rates for the first few months. These offers are advertised on the Discovery+ website and app. Promotional pricing typically reverts to the regular monthly rate after the promotional period ends, unless you cancel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Discovery+ account with family members in different homes?

Discovery+ allows you to use your account on multiple devices, but the simultaneous stream limit applies across all users. If family members in different homes try to watch at the same time and exceed your plan's limit, the oldest stream stops. Check your plan details for the exact number of simultaneous streams allowed.

What happens to my downloaded shows if I cancel?

Downloaded content becomes unavailable once your subscription ends. The downloaded files remain on your device but cannot be played without an active subscription. If you resubscribe later, you can read the same content again.

Is Discovery+ the same as Max (formerly HBO Max)?

No. Discovery+ and Max are separate streaming services owned by the same company. Discovery+ focuses on reality, lifestyle, and documentary content from cable networks. Max focuses on HBO series, films, and Warner Bros. movies. Some bundles combine both services at a single price.

Can I watch Discovery+ on my smart TV?

Yes. Discovery+ has apps for most major smart TV platforms, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, and Samsung Smart TV. You can also cast or mirror the app from your phone or tablet to a compatible TV. Check the Discovery+ website for a full list of supported devices.

Do I need a cable subscription to watch Discovery+ shows?

No. Discovery+ is a standalone streaming service. You do not need cable or any other subscription to watch it, though some content may also air on the cable networks that Discovery+ owns.