【Violet (2025)】

Discovery,Violet (2025) Inc. joined the streaming game with a platform of its own on Jan. 4. The media company’s new service, Discovery+, advertises “real-life entertainment” from brands including HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, and more.

If this sounds up your alley, you're probably asking questions like what’s included, how much does it cost, and is it worth it? Don't worry, we're here to answer all these and more.

What’s included?

Discovery+ features over 2,500 current and classic shows that fall into categories including lifestyle, true crime, home improvement, food, and adventure. The streaming service currently contains over 55,000 episodes, and new ones are added daily.

In addition to the channels we already mentioned, you can catch shows from Travel Channel, Planet Earth, A&E, History, Lifetime, OWN, Cooking Channel, DIY Network, Destination America, AHC, and Discovery Life. One of the streaming service's biggest highlights is its award-winning natural history collection from the BBC.

What kind of original programming is there?

Discovery+ premiered 50 new titles at launch over a variety of categories. Many of the new series are spin-offs of already popular shows like 90-Day Fiancé, Chopped,House Hunters, Say Yes to the Dress, and Ghost Adventures. Others, like comedic baking competition Cakealikesand house-update show Frozen in Timeare all new.

There’s also the Magnolia Network Preview, which offers early access to a group of series and premiere episodes set to air onFixer Upper stars Chip and Joanna Gaines’ upcoming lifestyle channel. While you can watch several episodes of cooking show Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines, you can also watch the first episodes of flower-farming series Growing Floret, backyard-boosting show Super Dad, small business story Self Employed, and more.

Chip and Joanna Gaines in HGTV's 'Fixer Upper' Credit: HGTV / Discovery

What does it cost?

Discovery+ has a two-tier system. For $4.99/month plus tax, you can get unlimited access to all the shows your heart desires. For $2 more at $6.99/month, you can get all the same great content but without the ads.

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New Verizon customers who get select Unlimited plans, FiOS Home Internet, or 5G Home will receive Discovery+ for free for 12 months.

Is there a free trial?

Yes! If you want to try out Discovery+ before you commit to it, you can get a 7-day free trial with or without ads. Just make sure that if you don’t want to pay for it, you cancel your subscription prior to renewal. Signing up for a free trial requires your credit card number or PayPal info.

Guy Fieri in 'Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives' Credit: food network / discovery

What’s the interface like?

Like many other streaming services, Discovery+ lets users create up to five separate profiles to keep everyone’s favorite series separate.

Once you’re past this opening screen, you’ll notice a sleek interface with categories for featured, original, just added, and trending shows. While you can browse through genres like “Science & Technology” and “Relationships,” you can also sort programming by channel. Save your favorites to “My List” for easy access.

Where can I watch it?

Discovery+ can be streamed on most mobile devices, tablets, computers, game consoles, and connected TVs.

Most notably, Discovery+ has been available via Roku since launch, unlike recent streaming service HBO Max, which took its sweet time getting onto the platform.

Terri, Bindi, and Robert Irwin Credit: animal planet / discovery

Is there anything else to know?

Discovery+ is continuing to get bigger and is planning a bunch of new series for the future. It will also debut a fresh feature, Discovery Channels, by Jan. 29, which will allow users to access 24/7 streams of top shows.

Is it worth it?

You're not going to find scripted TV series or movies on Discovery+, but you will find lots of cooking competitions, mystery documentaries, and animal adventures.

The original content is limited in that it's primarily new takes on classic shows, so Discovery+ might not be for you if you're looking for super innovative series. But if you already like the featured channels and the personalities on them, or simply want more of the real-life content the streaming service promises, it might be exactly what you've been waiting for.