Discovery Plus subscription price, shows review 2022
I rate Discovery + a 7/10. Discovery+ offers a streaming collection of nonfiction and reality programs, as well as original programming.
However, it does not broadcast live feeds of Discovery-owned channels such as HGTV, TLC, Food Network, and ID.
Both the ad-supported and Discovery ad-free levels have monthly pricing that I find reasonable. However, it does not offer features like support for mobile device offline downloads, parental controls, and audio descriptions.
I also believe it is a squandered opportunity because there is no genuinely live TV material. This membership is for pay-TV users who desire ad-free access to Discovery's library.
Cord-cutters who enjoy nonfiction programs and can't get enough of it from their current streaming options would appreciate it.
Discovery+ is unlikely to replace Netflix, Disney+, or even HBO Max for most consumers. However, it may be a useful complementary option depending on your household's streaming budget and interest in extra nonfiction and reality programs.
Discovery Plus pricing
The add supporter version starts at $4.99 and progresses to the add-free tier at $6.99.
- Discovery+ is one of the most affordable video streaming services I've tried.
- There is an ad-supported and ad-free tier available.
- The monthly fee for the ad-supported version is $4.99, while the monthly fee for the Discovery ad-free version is $6.99.
- Discovery+ does not offer a reduced, longer-term plan during the sign-up process, but you may give a gift of ad-free membership for six months ($41.75) and Discovery cost for a year ($83.75).
- A seven days trial is available to new Discovery plus customers.
- Its competitor, Netflix starts at $8.99, but if you want to watch videos in HD, you'll have to pay $13.99.
- While HBO Max costs $14.99 per month, while NBC's Peacock is $4.99 with ads or $9.99 without ads.
- Hulu is available for $5.99 a month, but the ad-free version costs $11.99 per month.
Features
User Interface:
- The website of Discovery+ is simple to use and has a clean design.
- The Discovery logo doesn't appear on the top screen.
- I had no issues when perusing the sections or launching streams, and the site's subtle animations added to the overall experience.
- The Home area features prominent streaming material, channel hubs (including one for discovery+ originals), and a variety of additional horizontally scrolling lists of categorized content, including Favorite Personalities, Featured, From the Vault, Hidden Gems, and Trending Shows.
- There's also a section for Continue Watching and another for Recommendations in Discovery+.
Streaming experience:
- The web-based playback interface for Discovery+ is simple but functional.
- It's inconvenient that you can't change the streaming resolution.
- There's no way to add the current series to your saved list, and there's no way to get a description of what you're watching.
Content catalog:
- Discovery Plus is well-versed in its niche, with an extensive collection of shows aimed at viewers of reality television, wildlife shows, cuisine, true crime, and education.
- Fans of scripted dramas and comedies, on the other hand, will have to look elsewhere.
- Discovery Plus is exclusively a service for Discovery network lovers, and its catalog provides a lot of value in that regard.
- I counted 91 "Discovery Plus Originals" with entire episodes or trailers indicating that they would be available shortly.
Screen resolution:
- Discovery Plus annual subscription includes some 4K titles for customers with the requisite equipment, but they're difficult to find because there's no dedicated 4K category in the main menu.
- To find this content, you must use the search term "Ultra HD" on the platform.
- In the results, an "Ultra HD" tab will appear after you've done this.
Compatibility :
- Discovery+ is available on iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku video streamers, Samsung smart TVs, and Xbox One or Series S/X gaming consoles via an app.
- The subscribers can install the Discovery plus app on as many devices as you like, and you'll have access to Discovery's entire library on all of them.
- This is a welcome surprise, as many video subscription services are initially only available on a few devices.
- Discovery+ will be available on even more devices in the future, according to the company.
Mobile Interface:
- I used an Android 11 handset to download the discovery+ app and had no trouble entering it into my account.
- I had no problems with the app's performance, and the app's numerous sections are easy to browse using the bottom navigation bar.
- The app's sections are very similar to those on the website.
What does it lack?
Parental Controls:
- At the time of writing, the Discovery+ account does not have any parental control options.
- That's disheartening because I can easily envision a situation where a parent would wish to let their child watch the many environmental videos available on Discovery+ while restricting access to other age-inappropriate content.
VPN compatibility:
- I tried connecting my desktop and phone to an IP Vanish VPN server in the United States and streaming content from Discovery+; everything worked fine.
- After that, I connected each device to a server in Sweden. Discovery+ disabled my ability to stream on both platforms.
- The service refused to let me stream at one point, even after I reconnected my devices to a US server.
Offline Downloads:
- Offline downloads for mobile devices are not supported by Discovery+, which is an important feature.
- This feature is available on nearly every other on-demand video streaming service I've examined, including Apple TV+, Disney+, HBO Max, Netflix, and Prime Video.
Conclusion
Discovery+ enters a crowded field but does a lot to set itself apart from the competition. It has reasonable pricing and an extensive library of content. In addition, some of the most popular television shows are available to stream at home or on the go. There are no excuses for Verizon Unlimited members, but I encourage everyone to take advantage of Discovery's week-long free trial to see if it suits them.
