You can watch Discovery Channel without cable on seven live TV streaming services.
DIRECTV STREAM, fubo, Hulu Live TV, Philo, Sling TV, Vidgo and YouTube TV all stream the Discovery Channel live without a cable or satellite subscription.
There are 14 plans that carry Discovery Channel within those seven live TV streaming services. Discovery shows are now available on two other streaming services, Discovery+ and Max.
Subscribers to live streaming services, cable or satellite can activate the Discovery GO app and watch TV shows or on-demand programs.
Discovery Channel has been on cable TV since 1985. The network now has a roster of popular shows such as “Gold Rush”, “Expedition Unknown” and “Deadliest Catch.”
You can jump down to the summary of how to watch Discovery Channel without cable, or read through all your options.
How to Watch Discovery Channel Without Cable
Cord-cutters and so-called “cord-shavers” have a number of options to watch cable TV channels.
There’s a new age of TV underway, and you don’t need a cable TV or satellite provider to watch the Discovery Channel.
Instead you can get an affordable Internet connection, and live stream your TV channels.
Live TV streaming services are widely available on Smart TVs, Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV. You can watch TV on a tablet, iPad or iPhone.
All of these streaming services carry Discovery Channel and a number of other popular cable networks such as HGTV, Science Channel and TLC.
Some of these streaming services offer local channels such as ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX. But you should expect to pay more if you want them in your channel lineup.
You just need to pick a live streaming service with the channel lineup that you want. Discovery Channel is currently available through Philo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, DIRECTV STREAM, fuboTV, YouTube TV and Vidgo.
Philo
Philo offers more than 70 TV channels for $25 per month, making it the cheapest way to watch Discovery Channel on as a live channel.
Philo has one plan that includes A&E, AMC, BBC America, Discovery, 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.
Subscribers can activate the Discovery GO app and dozens of others using your Philo account. You can try out Philo free for a week by signing up in under a minute using your smartphone number.
Sling TV
Sling TV has Discovery Channel in its Blue channel bundle, and Sling Orange + Sling Blue package.
The Sling Blue plan has 41 channels, including Bravo, Cartoon Network, NFL Network, MSNBC, Lifetime, SyFy, TBS and FS1. A subscription is $40 per month. But subscribers can get half off their first month of service.
All subscribers get 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage.
You can combine the Sling Blue with Sling Orange for $55 per month. The Sling Orange plan includes 32 channels, including entertainment networks like AMC, A&E, BET, BBC America, Bloomberg TV+, Comedy Central, Disney Channel, ESPN, History, and TNT. A subscription to Sling Orange costs $40 per month.
Sling TV works on just about any streaming device and a number of Smart TVs.
Roku, Firestick, Chromecast and Apple TV all support the Sling TV app. There are Sling apps on Smart TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony and Vizio.
Gamers can watch TV on Xbox. The Sling app is supported by Samsung Smart TVs and Smart TVs operating on Android TV or Google TV. Sling TV supports mobile apps for iOS and Android.
You can look over the latest Sling TV promotion for discounts or deals.
Hulu Live TV
Hulu Live TV carries a number of popular TV channels including TLC, Investigation Discovery and key sports networks like ESPN.
Subscribers get over 75 popular networks 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 $69.99 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.
fubo
fubo (formerly fuboTV) has 152 channels including Discovery, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery, MotorTrend, OWN and TLC.
This streaming service pulls together live local ABC, NBC and FOX stations, alongside regional sports channels, entertainment and news.
fubo started out as a sports-first platform, but has grown into a full-blown replacement for cable TV. It is the only streaming service that has been airing select sporting events live in 4K.
And if you miss a game, fuboTV has a unique “look back” feature that has all games that aired in the last 72 hours.
Look over the channel lineup to see what local channels and regional sports networks are in your area. Subscribers get 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR, and you can activate a few dozen TV Everywhere apps.
fuboTV works on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Android TV devices. There’s a mobile app for iOS and Android. You can also watch TV on a PC or smartphone.
A subscription costs $74.99 per month. Fubo offers a free 7-day trial to new customers. Every plan includes a regional sports fee for its delivery of regional Bally Sports, NESN, ROOT Sports and others.
DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) has Discovery Channel in its entry-level channel bundle. You have four ways to watch Discovery Channel without cable through DIRECTV STREAM.
You can sign up for a free 5-day trial on any plan. New customers get $10 off for the first three months of service.
The Entertainment plan has more than 75 TV channels for $74.99 per month.
HGTV, A&E, CNN, Nickelodeon, ESPN, USA Network and local channels such as NBC and FOX are included in the Entertainment plan. You get unlimited Cloud DVR and 40,000 on-demand movies and shows.
The Choice package is best for sports fans because it has 40 regional sports channels, including Bally Sports networks, NBC Sports and Marquee Sports Network. Choice subscribers get more than 105 channels for $99.99 per month.
The Ultimate package has more than 140 channels, including local channels, and more sports and entertainment channels. The Ultimate package is $109.99 per month.
The Premier Package has over 150 channels, including premium channels such as HBO, Cinemax and Showtime. A subscription to Premier is $154.99 per month.
Subscribers can get three months of Max, Showtime, STARZ, Cinemax and MGM+ (formerly EPIX) for free before the monthly rates kick in.
There are no contracts. You can subscribe month to month and cancel whenever you want. DIRECTV STREAM works on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Smart TVs running on Android TV and Google TV.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV has 128 channels, including Discovery, HGTV, and NBA TV for $72.99 per month.
YouTube TV only has one way to get Discovery through its base plan.
The YouTube TV base plan carries other key sports channels for fans such as TNT, TBS, SEC Network, ACC Network, FS1, FS2, NFL Network, and MLB Network. YouTube TV carries regional NBC Sports networks across the U.S., but is missing others such as Bally Sports and YES Network.
You’ll be able to watch CNN, Golf Channel and FX. Unlimited Cloud DVR is included with a subscription. And you can create up to 6 profiles for a household per account.
The service works with Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast with Google TV, NVIDIA Shield TV, and Apple TV. You can get a free trial and look over the latest promotion YouTube TV is offering.
Vidgo
Vidgo lets you live stream Discovery Channel on three different plans.
The Vidgo Plus plan is $69.99 per month, and comes with 110 channels, including A&E, History, ESPN, and FX. Subscribers get local FOX and ABC affiliates in some markets.
The Premium package adds 40 more TV channels, and costs $84.99 per month. The Ultimate plan has more than 200 TV channels. It adds 45 Spanish-language channels.
Vidgo’s mobile app lets you take part in ‘watch parties’ for TV shows and sporting events.
Subscribers can stream on up to three devices or screens at once. Vidgo has apps on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV devices and Google Chromecast.
A Vidgo subscription costs $59.95 per month. You look over the channel lineup before deciding whether to sign up.
MAX with Discovery+
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 pulls together a number of media brands under WarnerMedia, including HBO, DC Entertainment, CNN, Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, and Animal Planet.
Max doesn’t have live TV channels, but if you’re a fan of HBO and shows from the above mentioned channels, then the streaming service might be worth a try.
One of the first things I noticed with my subscription is that I am getting new episodes of TV shows from Discovery and Discovery+ such as “Ghost Adventures.”
The Max Ad-Lite plan is $9.99 per month, and gives you two simultaneous streams. The Ad-Free plan is $15.99 per month, and the Ultimate Ad-Free Plan has up to 4K resolution and four
You can sign up for a Max subscription, or look through the roster of Max shows and movies on its website.
Discovery+
Discovery+ still has a standalone streaming service for $4.99 per month. But the service does not carry a live TV feed of Discovery Channel or its latest episodes of new shows.
Discovery+ has full seasons of shows from: Animal Planet, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, and Discovery ID.
There are many original Discovery+ shows, including “House Hunters: Comedians on Couches Unfiltered”, “Gold Rush: Freddy Dodge’s Mine Rescue”, and “Mysterious Planet.”
If you’re looking for full seasons of your favorite show, then Discovery+ offers a lot to watch at a much lower price than a cable subscription. There are no contracts or commitments with Discovery+.
You can sign up for Discovery+ and cancel online if the service isn’t for you.
How to Watch Discovery Channel FAQs
These are questions readers ask when researching ways to watch Discovery Channel without a TV provider.
Can I watch Discovery Channel for free?
Philo, fuboTV, DIRECTV STREAM, and YouTube TV all offer free trials, and include Discovery in their live TV channel lineup. If you cancel before the free trial ends, then you won’t be charged.
There is no long term way to watch Discovery Channel for free. You need either a cable provider or a live TV streaming service to watch favorite shows such as “Street Outlaws: Fastest in America”, “Deadliest Catch” and “Moonshiners.”
Is Discovery Channel on Amazon Prime?
The cable network Discovery Channel is not available on Amazon Prime. However, Amazon Prime subscribers can sign up for Max or Discovery+ through Amazon Channels.
Is Discovery joining HBO?
Yes. In fact, Warner Bros. Discovery merged HBO and its Discovery Plus streaming service and relaunched it as “Max” on May 23, 2023. The new combined service has all titles from HBO, along with movies and series from DC Entertainment, CNN, Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, and Animal Planet.
How can I stream Discovery Channel?
DIRECTV STREAM, fubo, Hulu Live TV, Philo, Sling TV, Vidgo and YouTube TV are the seven live TV streaming services that carry Discovery as a live TV channel. But remember, you can watch Discovery shows on Max, and Discovery+.
Philo is the cheapest way to watch Discovery channel live without cable for $25 per month. Subscribers get 64 channels and unlimited Cloud DVR. You just need an Internet connection and a Fire TV, Apple TV or Roku. Philo has a free 7-day trial.
Max is the best on-demand option for Discovery shows because it now includes Discovery Plus. Max pulls together the full catalog of HBO, HGTV, Animal Planet and Discovery ID. You can sign up for Max, and pick the Ad-Lite or Ad-Free plans. The Ad-Lite Plan is $9.99 per month.
For more news on streaming, how-to guides and reviews, head over to the main page of The Cord Cutting Report or follow the CCR on Google News.
Note: This article was published on February 11, 2021, and has been updated.
Founder and Editor of The Cord Cutting Report. Before launching the site in 2016, he worked for more than two decades as a staff writer or correspondent for a number of daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe. His enthusiasm for tech began with the Atari 2600. Follow @james_kimble
