New Streaming Video Service Discovery+ Launches January 4

HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, Animal Planet, Discovery and more

Viewers who enjoy binge watching non-fiction, real-life entertainment will love Discovery+, a new streaming video subscription service, set to launch January 4. Discovery+ combines programs from more than a dozen different networks, including HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, OWN, Animal Planet, Discovery, the HISTORY channel, Lifetime, DIY Network, BBC Planet Earth, and more, plus exclusive Discovery+ originals. At launch, subscribers can access more than 55,000 episodes from 2,500+ shows, featuring the best of the networks’ lifestyle, home and family, food, nature and adventure, and true crime content.

“Whatever you’re into, it’s streaming on Discovery+,” says the Discovery+ trailer.

Streaming video subscription service Discovery+ launches in the U.S. on January 4, 2021. Image courtesy of Discovery.

Discovery Inc. president and CEO David Zaslav commented on the video subscription service in a news release last week.

“We have been working methodically the past two years to bring all of our strategic advantages to the launch of discovery+, including distribution and advertising partnerships around the world, a world-class offering of quality brands, authentic personalities and the largest content library at launch, as well as a broad slate of exclusive programming,” Zaslav said.

“With Discovery+, we are seizing the global opportunity to be the world’s definitive product for unscripted storytelling, providing households and mobile consumers a distinct, clear and differentiated offering across valuable and enduring lifestyle, and real-life verticals. We believe Discovery+ is the perfect complement to every streaming portfolio, and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with Verizon to bring this incredible content to their customer base,” added Zaslav.

Pricing and availability

Streaming subscription plans start at $4.99 per month with an ad-free version available at $6.99 per month. Each account will support up to five user profiles and four concurrent streams. Discovery+ plans to roll out to 25 countries, and has already started its launch in the U.K., Ireland and India. Its U.S. debut will begin January 4. It will be available on most major platforms including connected televisions, web, mobile and tablets.

Streaming content

Discovery+ will feature many beloved celebrities including the Irwin family, Jonathan and Drew Scott, Chip and Joanne Gaines, who will soon be launching their own Magnolia Network, Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri, Rachael Ray, David Schwimmer, Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, and more. Some of the streaming content available on the new video subscription service include:

90 Day Fiancé Diaries
Dr. Pimple Popper
Sister Wives
Deadliest Catch
Planet Earth
Ghost Adventures
Mysterious Planet, a Discovery+ original
On the Case with Paula Zahn
American Detective with Joe Kenda, a Discovery+ original
Dance Moms
Dirty Jobs
Ice Road Truckers
Married at First Sight
The First 48
Naked & Afraid
Property Brothers: Forever Home
Long Island Medium: There in Spirit, a Discovery+ original

“With decades of connecting audiences in every corner of the globe to the local voices and stories they love, Discovery drives inspiration, aspiration and loyalty everywhere, like few media brands can. discovery+ will harness our unique global and local model and strategy to serve fans around the world as we bring the best of real life entertainment to customers in a whole new way,” said JB Perrette, president and CEO of Discovery International.

Partnership with Verizon

To help kick off the launch, Discovery has partnered with Verizon to provide customers on select plans with six to 12 months of the video subscription service. New and existing Verizon customers with a Play More or Get More Unlimited plan will get 12 months free, and customers with Start or Do More Unlimited plans will get six months of the streaming service free.

“Connecting people to their passions is at the core of what we do, and adding Discovery+ on us is a phenomenal way to serve customers who love lifestyle, home, food, true crime and natural history content from one of the popular portfolios of video brands,” said Ronan Dunne, CEO of Verizon Consumer Group. “Our Mix & Match plans already offer unrivaled value in entertainment, so we’re excited to kick off 2021 by giving customers up to 12 months of Discovery+, adding even more value and choice as we continue to build our ecosystem of incredible partners and services.”

Insider Take

Discovery+ is the latest media company to start a new streaming video subscription service. Based on their announcement, Discovery has been working on the service for two years, ensuring it has the right mix of content and advertising partners to ensure this new service is a success. Partnering with Verizon will help the service gain initial viewers, but Discovery is after paying subscribers. The all-star line-up featuring fan favorites is sure to attract subscribers interested in the exclusive content, as well as content they may not be getting through their cable or streaming + live TV subscriptions (e.g., Hulu, YouTube, Sling TV). We expect this streaming service to do well in 2021, especially with so many of us staying home during the pandemic.

Filed in Business Model, Direct-to-Consumer, Entertainment and Streaming, Industry Announcements, News, Starting

Dana E. Neuts

Dana Neuts is Subscription Insider's Editorial Director, covering our daily subscription news as well as member features, case studies, premium content, and reports. Dana is also a writer, editor, marketer and communications professional. Her work has appeared in AARP Bulletin, The Seattle Times, Seattle Business, 425 Business, 425 Magazine, South Sound Magazine, Northwest Travel and more. Her specialties include business writing, community news, senior issues, travel and, of course, subscriptions!