8 Quick Ways to Watch Animal Planet Without Cable

Discover the best streaming services for watching Animal Planet without cable. Our guide compares prices, plans, and value, offering insights on live TV and on-demand options to help you choose the right service for your needs.

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Are you an Animal Planet fan looking for cost-effective ways to enjoy your favorite wildlife and pet shows without a cable subscription? You’re in luck. 

Discovery+ is the cheapest on-demand option for $4.99 per month. For a live TV channel, you can subscribe to Philo for $25 per month. We’ve compiled a list of nine quick and affordable options to watch Animal Planet without cable, prioritizing the cheapest and most user-friendly choices.

I have subscribed to all of these services and will rate them for adding Animal Planet to your TV plan. 

Discovery Plus

PLANPRICECHANNELS
Standard (ad-supported)$4.99/mo.On-demand
Ad-free$8.99/mo.On-demand
Device support: Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, LG Smart TV, Samsung TV, VIZIO Smart TV, Xfinity Flex.

Discovery Plus is a streaming service that offers a vast array of real-life entertainment options. It features content from some of TV’s most popular brands, including HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, Animal Planet, and the Discovery Channel. The service provides a platform for viewers to stream thousands of shows, encompassing a wide range of genres such as lifestyle, true crime, home improvement, food, and adventure.

One of the unique selling points of Discovery Plus is its extensive collection of both new and classic hit shows, allowing users to binge-watch their favorite series from start to finish. Additionally, the service regularly adds fresh new series to its roster, ensuring that there is always something new to discover and enjoy.

Discovery Plus also includes CNN Originals, offering groundbreaking storytelling and a range of exclusive originals that can’t be found anywhere else. These offerings are updated weekly throughout the year, providing a constant stream of new content for subscribers.

The service offers two main subscription plans: a standard plan starting at $4.99 per month and an ad-free version at $8.99 per month. This is the easiest and most affordable way to get Animal Planet programs into your rotation of weekly TV shows.

Both plans come with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. Discovery Plus is accessible on a variety of devices, including mobile devices, tablets, computers, game consoles, and connected TVs, making it a versatile option for streaming content anytime, anywhere.

Max with Discovery+

  • Price: $9.99 – $19.99
  • Free trial: Available to Amazon Prime subscribers
  • DVR: No
  • Simultaneous Streams: 2 to 4 devices (depending on plan)
PLANPRICECHANNELS
With Ads$9..99/monthSports from TBS, TNT and TruTV (with B/R Add-on)
Ad-Free$15.99/monthSports from TBS, TNT and TruTV (with B/R Add-on)
Ultimate Ad-Free$19.99/monthSports from TBS, TNT and TruTV (with B/R Add-on)
Device support: Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Cox device, LG Smart TV, PlayStation, Roku, Samsung TV, VIZIO Smart TV, Xbox, XClass TV/Xumo TV, Xfinity X1 and Flex

Max is the new streaming iteration from Warner Bros. Discovery that weaves HBO and Discovery+ into a single streaming service. It replaced HBO Max.

Max has a vast library of movies, TV shows, and original programming from HBO, as well as additional content from Warner Bro. Discovery (WBD). Much of what you will find on Discovery Plus is now part of a Max subscription. 

Shows from HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, Animal Planet, and the Discovery Channel are on Max.

The ad-free plan to Max is $15.99 per month. With ads, Max costs $9.99. The new sports add-on is another $9.99 per month.

Philo

PLANPRICECHANNELS
Philo$25/month72
Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, and Sony Bravia.

Philo is the cheapest live TV option offering Animal Planet with 70 TV channels for $25 per month.

Philo has one plan that includes A&E, AMC, BBC America, Hallmark Channel, History, MTV, and Paramount Network.

New customers can get a 7-day free trial. Subscribers get unlimited Cloud DVR, and a large library of on-demand content from TV networks.

You can use Philo on Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick and Android TV devices such as Google Chromecast.

From a web browser, you can watch Philo on Mac computers, and PCs. There is widespread support for mobile devices including iPhones and iPads (with current iOS), and Android smartphones.

You can try out Philo free for a week by signing up in under a minute using your smartphone number.

Philo offers a budget-friendly way to enjoy Animal Planet along with over 70 other channels at just $25 per month. It’s an excellent choice for those who want a wide variety of content without breaking the bank.

DIRECTV STREAM

PLANPRICECHANNELS
Entertainment$79.99/month75+
Choice$108.99/month105+
Ultimate$119.99/month140+
Premier$164.99/month150+
Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, Sony Bravia

DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) has Animal Planet in the Entertainment channel bundle. You have four ways to watch NBC without cable through DIRECTV STREAM.

You can sign up for a free 5-day trial on every plan without any obligations. Subscribers get $10 off the first three months of service on any plan.

The Entertainment package has more than 75 live TV channels. Subscribers can watch TV on unlimited screens within your home.

ESPN, ESPN2 and FS1 are included in the channel lineup. Discovery, Lifetime, MSNBC and Paramount Network are among the entertainment channels. You get unlimited hours of Cloud DVR storage and 40,000 on-demand movies and shows.

Subscribers can get three months of Max (formerly HBO Max) Showtime, STARZ, Cinemax and MGM+ for free before the monthly rates kick in.

The Choice package has 40 regional sports channels, including Bally Sports networks, NBC Sports and Marquee Sports Network. Choice subscribers get more than 105 channels. 

The Ultimate package has more than 140 channels, including local channels, and more sports and entertainment channels. The Premier Package has over 150 channels, including premium channels such as Max, Cinemax and Showtime.

DIRECTV STREAM works on Roku, Android TV, Fire TV devices, Apple TV and smartphones and tablets. Subscriptions run month to month and so you can cancel whenever you want.

You can look over the different channel lineups before deciding whether to sign up.

Fubo

  • Free trial
  • 1,000 hours Cloud DVR
  • 10 simultaneous streams
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Pro$74.99/month176
Elite $84.99/month241
Premier$94.99/month250 & Showtime
Device support: Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Xbox One, along with Smart TVs by Hisense, Samsung, LG, Sony Bravia and VIZIO SmartCast TV. Android, iPhones and iPads with current iOS.

Fubo (formerly fuboTV) carries local NBC channels in all three of its channel packages.

The Pro plan has 170 channels, including ESPN, FX, CNBC and key sports networks such as ACC Network, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, FS1, NBC Sports and Golf Channel. 

AMC, HGTV, Food Network, Freeform, History, Food network, HGTV, Comedy Central and Investigation Discovery are some of the entertainment channels.

Fubo offers three plans, Pro, Elite and Ultimate. You can sign up for a free 7-day trial of any Fubo plan. Subscribers get 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR storage. You can watch live TV on 10 screens at once. 

A subscription costs $74.99 per month. A regional sports fee is included, and costs between $10.99 to $13.99 per month. 

The Elite plan is $84.99 per month, and has 65 more sports, news and entertainment channels. The Ultimate plan has 231 channels, including Showtime and NFL RedZone, for $99.99 per month

fubo has a library of on-demand content, including movies and TV shows. Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV and Smart TVs all carry the fubo app.

Fubo has mobile apps for iPhone and Android so you can watch ESPN live on your smartphone. Subscribers can watch live TV through their web browser.

Hulu + Live TV

  • Sign up & get Disney+ and ESPN+ included
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR (9 mos.)
  • Two simultaneous streams
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Hulu + Live TV$76.99/month90+
Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, VIZIO SmartCast, Sony Bravia, PlayStation, XBox, Xfinity Flex and Xumo TV.

Hulu Live TV carries Animal Planet, and a number of popular cable and local broadcast channels.

Subscribers get over 75 popular TV channels like HGTV, CNN, Fox News, ESPN, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, Travel Channel and USA Network. Hulu has one TV plan with History Channel.

Hulu Live TV costs $76.99 per month, and now includes Disney+ and ESPN+. You can stream TV channels on up to two devices at once. Subscribers get 50 hours of Cloud DVR.

Local NBC, ABC and FOX stations and regional sports channels are available in most of the U.S.

You can quickly look over the channel lineup in your area.

Another big perk with a Hulu with Live TV is the big library of on-demand content. You’ll get unlimited access to TV shows, movies and originals on Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu on-demand.

Hulu with Live TV works on Apple TV, Roku, XBox One, Amazon Fire TV, Fire Stick and Chromecast.

YouTube TV

  • Free trial
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR
  • Three simultaneous streams
PLANPRICECHANNELS
YouTube TV$72.99/month128
Device support: Android TV, Google TV, Smart TVs by Samsung, LG, VIZIO, Hisense, Sharp and Sony; Chromecast, Google TV, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox, PlayStation and Google Nest Hub; Android and iOS devices.

YouTube TV offers NBC stations and NBC regional sports networks.

For $72.99 per month, subscribers get more than 128 live channels and unlimited Cloud DVR. Subscribers get local ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX stations. The channel lineup includes ESPN, Oxygen Network, USA Network, Comedy Central, FOX News, CNN, and Telemundo.

TNT, TBS, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNews, FS1, FS2, NFL Network, and MLB Network and regional NBC Sports networks are part of the base plan as well.

You can watch TV or on-demand content on up to three screens at once. 

Subscribers can use Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku and Chromecast. You can also watch TV live on a PC with your subscription. You can get a free 7-day trial.

Now TV for Xfinity Internet Customers

Xfinity internet customers can enjoy the Now TV and Peacock Premium bundle for just $20 per month.

This package includes a vast selection of films and TV shows from Universal, NBC, Bravo, Hallmark, History, and AMC, along with 24/7 live channels like BBC News, NBC News Now, Food Network, Discovery, and IFC. The bundle covers news, entertainment, sports, and on-demand content, making it a comprehensive choice for cord-cutters.

The bundle also offers 20 hours of cloud DVR and allows streaming on three concurrent screens. With no additional requirements beyond an Xfinity internet subscription, this bundle is a steal for those looking to maximize their entertainment options.

How to Watch Animal Planet FAQs

Is Animal Planet on Sling TV?

No. Animal Planet is not offered as a live TV channel on Sling TV. However, you can add a Discovery+ subscription to your Sling TV channel bundle. 

Can I watch Animal Planet for free?

While Animal Planet itself isn’t free, services like Discovery Plus offer affordable plans with Animal Planet content.

What is the cheapest way to watch Animal Planet?

Discovery Plus, starting at $4.99 per month, is one of the most budget-friendly options to access Animal Planet shows.

Can I access Animal Planet on multiple devices?

Yes, most streaming services like Discovery Plus and Max offer multi-device accessibility, allowing you to watch Animal Planet on various platforms such as Roku and Amazon Fire TV.

Jim Kimble is a seasoned industry expert with over two decades of journalism experience. He has been at the forefront of the cord-cutting movement since 2016, testing and writing about TV-related products and services. He founded The Cord Cutting Report in 2016, and serves as the editor.

Major publications, including MarketWatch, Forbes, and South Florida Sun Sentinel, have interviewed Kimble for his years of expertise. He gives advice on the complexities consumers are navigating with streaming options, and over-the-air TV. Kimble has been a staff writer or correspondent for several award-winning, daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe.

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