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?
Cable is no longer necessary 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 stream the Discovery Channel.
1. Philo
Philo has been a fantastic 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 70+ 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 over-the-air antenna like the Mohu Leaf.
You can try Philo with a seven-day free trial to see if the service is for you.
Read our Philo review to learn more.
2. Sling TV
Sling TV is a streaming service to consider if you want live sports and cable news, without a hefty bill. It has 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 $200 per month for cable. Switching to Sling TV could save you over $100 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.
The service usually don’t offer a free trial, but it does run money-saving promotions. Recent examples include the first month for half-off or discounts on a streaming device.
Read our Sling review to learn more about the channel lineup and interface.
3. 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? Read our guide on ways to watch college football 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.
If you want a more cable-like experience, DIRECTV STREAM offers four plans, with higher-end ones including more networks, including premium ones.
You can test the service with a five-day free trial to identify if it’s for you.
Read our comprehensive DIRECTV STREAM review to learn more.
4. 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 180 channels in its base package for $79.99 a month, plus RSN fees.
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.
You can test the service with a seven-day free trial to learn if it’s for you.
Read our fuboTV review to learn more.
5. 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, unlimited cloud DVR, 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.
The service doesn’t offer a free trial, but it does include the Disney bundle with a subscription. This nets you all content from Disney+ and ESPN+
Read our Hulu Live channels list guide to learn what you receive with the service.
6. 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 110 channels at $69.99 per month. The other plan is the Premium plan and has approximately 150 channels for $84.99 per month.
Unfortunately, there is no free trial of the service. However, our testing of the platform has shown that it’s a reliable 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.
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 over 100 popular networks.
Best of all, it offers unlimited cloud DVR recording capability. Plus, it has no contract and no cancellation fees.
If you’re a fan of the NFL, the service will have NFL Sunday Ticket starting with the 2023 season.
The service offers a seven-day free trial, but it often extends to two weeks.
Read our YouTube TV review to learn more about the service.
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?
I’m Nicole Schmoll – a master’s-educated professional writer, mompreneur, and co-founder of Frugal Rules.
As a freelance copywriter in Omaha, I still believe that writing is an artistic expression. Every time I strike the keys, I intend to evoke a response from my listeners. I left my full-time career as a senior copywriter for an insurance agency to start my own freelance writing business.
I love watching and writing about TV (and how to stream it!)
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