Many people are looking for the best ways to watch Discovery Channel without cable. Streaming services are the answer.
Here, we cover seven strong options for watching Discovery Channel without a TV provider.
Table of Contents
Which Streaming Services Offer Discovery Channel?
A decade ago, cable used to be the only way to watch popular shows on Discovery Channel. Not now. All you need is an internet connection and a device to watch it on.
Here are the best ways to get it.
1. Philo
This streaming service has been an option for cord cutters since 2009. If you want a solid selection of lifestyle and entertainment content, Philo TV could be your best choice.
Its 60+ channel package costs just $25 per month and includes the following channels:
- AMC, A&E, Animal Planet
- Comedy Central, CMT
- Discovery Channel
- DIY, Food Network, Lifetime, MTV
- HGTV
- History Channel
The only downside to Philo TV is that it doesn’t let you stream popular sports channels like ESPN or FOX Sports or local channels. Thankfully, you can get local channels for a low, one-time cost by purchasing a simple digital antenna like the Mohu Leaf.
Read more about Philo in our review of the Philo TV streaming service.
2. Sling TV
This streaming service features an easy to use interface and channel menu as well as reliable streaming quality. The best way to get Discovery Channel is through the Sling TV Blue package.
If you’re like the average American, you’re paying around $110 per month for cable. Switching to Sling TV could save you $75 per month.
Not only will you slash your cable bill, you’ll be able to catch all the latest episodes of Planet Earth, Mythbusters, and The Deadliest Catch.
Learn more about the channel lineup, pros and cons and everything you can expect to experience with Sling TV by reading our detailed guide to the cable replacement now.
3. fuboTV
If not having sports is a deal breaker for you, fuboTV is a fantastic option to stream the Discovery Channel. The cable alternative has over 100 channels in its base package for $70 a month.
It has dozens of popular entertainment and lifestyle channels, including Bravo, E!, Hallmark, HGTV, and more. The service also carries lots of awesome sports networks, including the full-suite of ESPN channels, Fox Sports, and the NFL Network.
FuboTV also carries all local networks and has a base DVR of 1,000 hours of recorded content.
Read our review of fuboTV to learn more.
4. Hulu Live
Like the other services mentioned, Hulu with Live TV makes it easy to watch Discovery Channel without cable. It features an intuitive user guide, generous cloud DVR recording capacity, and great channel selection.
The streaming provider also offers a lot of on-demand content from Discovery Channel and other networks, as well as loads of high quality original programming.
5. Vidgo
Arguably the most ‘social’ of the streaming platforms, Vidgo lets subscribers react to shows and sports games on their phones with friends and family.
Chat rooms, short videos, meme and GIF generators make watching TV fun on Vidgo. Its channel lineup comes in two different plans.
The “Plus” plan has approximately 95 channels at $55 per month. The other plan is the “Premium” plan and has approximately 112 channels for $79.95 per month.
They let you try either plan for the first seven days free to see if it’s a good choice to watch your favorite Discovery Channel shows.
Still growing, it doesn’t yet include a cloud DVR, but says it has plans to add that feature soon.
Read our Vidgo review to learn more about the service.
6. DIRECTV STREAM
There’s a lot to like about DIRECTV STREAM, formerly AT&T TV Now, as a cable alternative. For starters, its menu and navigation are very easy to figure out and to use.
It also offers an array of popular channels at a high streaming quality.
*Related: Love college football? Check out our guide on how to watch college football games without cable to catch all the action without a pricey contract.*
You can stream Discovery Channel online with its base plan. This reasonably priced option lets you watch content live and go back three days to watch shows that have already aired, on demand.
Learn more about DIRECTV STREAM in our comprehensive DIRECTV STREAM review.
7. YouTube TV
A final way to stream this channel is through YouTube TV. While on the higher end of the streaming spectrum, it does offer all the most popular networks for less than cable.
Best of all, it offers unlimited cloud DVR recording capability.
Plus, it has no contract and no cancellation fees.
Read our YouTube TV review to learn more about the service.
Try YouTube TV’s free trial and see if this streaming service works for you.
Can I Stream Discovery Channel for Free?
Unfortunately, there’s no good way to do this.
While some point to Discovery Channel’s app, DiscoveryGO, as an option, it only lets you watch shows if you have a paid cable plan.
The free Discovery Channel content available through its app is on-demand only, is limited, and mostly consists of clips and bits of its popular shows rather than entire episodes.
You can also try the new streaming platform that costs $4.99 per month. It airs on-demand content and recent airings of popular shows.
Discovery+ offers a seven-day free trial to test it out.
Read our Discovery+ review to learn more.
Can I Watch Discovery Channel on Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, or Roku?
Yes. All of the options presented here are available on the all the major streaming platforms. With an internet connection and screen to watch on, you’re all set.
Summary
There’s no reason to spend north of $150 per month on a cable subscription. Watch your favorite shows with any of the streaming services mentioned here.
If you aren’t sure which streaming service you’ll like best, try them all using their free trial options and stick with the one that fits you best.
What other channels hold you back from cutting the cord on your cable contract? How much money do you spend on cable or cable alternatives each month?
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