Are you an Animal Planet fan looking for cost-effective ways to watch Animal Planet 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 $28 per month. I’ve compiled a list of quick and affordable options to watch Animal Planet without cable, prioritizing the cheapest and most user-friendly choices.
Ways to Watch Animal Planet on Streaming
Here is a breakdown of the best ways to watch Animal Planet if you are a cord-cutter who relies on streaming services. I have subscribed to all of these services and will rate them for adding Animal Planet to your TV plan.
| Service | Free Trial | Monthly Price | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery Plus | Yes | $4.99 (Standard), $8.99 (Ad-free) | Animal Planet, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, Discovery Channel |
| Philo | Yes | $28 | Animal Planet, A&E, AMC, BBC America, Hallmark Channel, History, MTV, Paramount Network |
| DIRECTV STREAM | Yes | $79.99 | Animal Planet, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, Discovery, Lifetime, MSNBC, Paramount Network |
| Hulu + Live TV | Yes | $76.99 | Animal Planet, HGTV, CNN, Fox News, ESPN, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, Travel Channel, USA Network |
| YouTube TV | Yes | $72.99 | Animal Planet, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN, Oxygen Network, USA Network, Comedy Central, FOX News, CNN, Telemundo |
| Now TV | No | $30 | Animal Planet, Universal, NBC, Bravo, Hallmark, History, AMC, BBC News, NBC News Now, Food Network, Discovery, IFC |
Stream Animal Planet with Discovery Plus
Discovery Plus is a streaming service that offers 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.
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 anywhere.
| PLAN | PRICE | CHANNELS |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (ad-supported) | $4.99/mo. | On-demand |
| Ad-free | $8.99/mo | On-demand |
Philo
Philo is the cheapest live TV option offering Animal Planet with 70 TV channels for $28 per month.
Philo has one plan that includes A&E, AMC, BBC America, Hallmark Channel, History, MTV, and Paramount Network. A subscription comes with AMC+, which gives you access to AMC+, Sundance Now, and Shudder.
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 $28 per month. It’s an excellent choice for those who want a wide variety of content without breaking the bank.
| PLAN | PRICE | CHANNELS |
|---|---|---|
| Philo | $28/month | 72 |
DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) has Animal Planet in the Entertainment channel bundle.
The Entertainment package costs $79.99 per month, and 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.
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.
| PLAN | PRICE | CHANNELS |
|---|---|---|
| Entertainment | $79.99/month | 75+ |
| Choice | $108.99/month | 105+ |
| Ultimate | $119.99/month | 140+ |
| Premier | $164.99/month | 150+ |
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu Live TV carries Animal Planet, and a number of popular cable and local broadcast channels.
Subscribers get over 90 popular TV channels like HGTV, CNN, Fox News, ESPN, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, Travel Channel and USA Network.
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.
| PLAN | PRICE | CHANNELS |
|---|---|---|
| Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads) | $76.99/month | 90+ |
| Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (No Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads) | $89.99/month | 90+ |
YouTube TV
YouTube TV offers Animal Planet alongside a variety of entertainment, news and sports networks that you will find on a typical cable TV plan.
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.
| PLAN | PRICE | CHANNELS |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | $72.99/month | 128 |
Now TV for Xfinity Internet Customers
Xfinity internet customers can enjoy the Now TV and Peacock Premium bundle for just $20 per month.
Now TV carries 40 live TV channels, including A&E, Discovery, HGTV and Hallmark Channel. It’s a comparable service to Philo.
The bundle also offers 20 hours of cloud DVR and allows streaming on three concurrent screens.
This package includes a 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.
With no additional requirements beyond an Xfinity internet subscription, this bundle is a steal for those looking to maximize their entertainment options.
| PLAN | PRICE | CHANNELS |
|---|---|---|
| NOW TV | $20/month | 40+ live TV channels |
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.
Methodology
I spend hundreds of hours throughout the year conducting hands-on testing of streaming services, including Peacock, DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV. I do the same rigorous testing for TV antennas and TV-related hardware. Check out the review policy to see how I compare products and services. The Cord Cutting Report is a reader-supported publication, and may earn affiliate commissions when you pick a streaming service through a recommendation. Read our affiliate policy for more information.
