Discovery Plus Costs in the UK
Discovery Plus is the UK's premium streaming destination for factual entertainment, offering the largest collection of documentaries, reality shows, true crime series, nature programmes, and lifestyle content. Combining libraries from Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, Quest, Food Network, HGTV, and Eurosport, the service provides unmatched depth in non-fiction programming. Whether you're passionate about wildlife documentaries, home renovation shows, true crime investigations, or live sports through Eurosport coverage, understanding Discovery Plus's subscription options helps you evaluate whether this specialist streaming service aligns with your viewing interests and entertainment budget.
📺 For viewers who prefer factual content over fictional dramas and films, Discovery Plus offers exceptional value and depth unavailable on general entertainment platforms like Netflix or Disney Plus. Comparing its specialised factual library with broader streaming services helps determine whether Discovery Plus complements or replaces other subscriptions in your household's entertainment portfolio.
How Much is Discovery Plus in the UK?
Standard Plan (with ads): £3.99 per month or £39.99 annually. Access to the complete Discovery Plus content library with advertising breaks during programmes. Stream on up to four devices simultaneously in HD quality with unlimited downloads for offline viewing.
Premium Plan (ad-free): £6.99 per month or £69.99 annually. Ad-free viewing across all Discovery Plus content, streaming on up to four devices simultaneously in HD quality, and includes exclusive access to Eurosport coverage featuring cycling, tennis, winter sports, and motorsports. Unlimited downloads included.
For example, a documentary enthusiast choosing the Premium annual plan at £69.99 pays approximately £5.83 monthly instead of £6.99—saving £13.98 annually. This represents excellent value considering the ad-free experience and extensive Eurosport sports coverage alongside the comprehensive factual content library.
The annual payment option saves roughly two months' subscription across both tiers compared to monthly billing. Discovery Plus frequently offers promotional periods with reduced rates for new subscribers, particularly around major sporting events covered by Eurosport or when launching highly anticipated documentary series.
Both plans remarkably allow streaming on four devices simultaneously—more generous than most competing services at similar price points. HD streaming, unlimited downloads, personalised recommendations, and multiple user profiles are included across both subscription tiers, with the Premium plan's differentiators being ad-free viewing and exclusive Eurosport sports access.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Discovery Plus in the UK
📺 Plan Selection: Standard vs Premium
The £3 monthly difference between Standard at £3.99 and Premium at £6.99 primarily buys ad-free viewing and Eurosport sports coverage. If you're comfortable with occasional advertisements and aren't interested in Eurosport's cycling, tennis, or winter sports content, Standard delivers exceptional value at under £4 monthly. However, Premium's ad-free experience significantly enhances documentary viewing—eliminating interruptions during compelling true crime or nature programming—making the additional £3 worthwhile for regular viewers.
🚴 Sports Content Interest
Premium plan subscribers gain exclusive access to Eurosport's extensive sports coverage, including Grand Tour cycling, major tennis tournaments, Olympic sports, and winter sports championships. For cycling or tennis enthusiasts, this transforms Discovery Plus from a documentary service into a sports platform, making Premium at £6.99 monthly exceptional value. Compare this with dedicated sports services like NOW TV Sports at £34.99—Discovery Plus Premium costs 80% less while covering niche sports comprehensively.
💰 Payment Frequency Choice
Annual billing substantially reduces costs across both tiers. Standard annual at £39.99 works out to £3.33 monthly instead of £3.99—saving £7.89 yearly. Premium annual at £69.99 saves £13.98 compared to monthly payments. Given Discovery Plus's extensive back catalogue, annual subscriptions make particular sense—there's always compelling content to watch, unlike services where you might exhaust interesting programmes quickly.
👨👩👧👦 Household Viewing Patterns
Discovery Plus generously allows four simultaneous streams on both Standard and Premium plans—double what most competitors offer at comparable prices. This makes Discovery Plus exceptional value for families where multiple members want to watch different factual programmes simultaneously. A family of four sharing Premium at £6.99 monthly pays approximately £1.75 per person—extraordinarily affordable for high-quality factual entertainment and sports coverage.
🎯 Content Library Preferences
Discovery Plus's value depends heavily on interest in factual programming rather than fictional entertainment. If you primarily watch documentaries, true crime, home renovation shows, wildlife programmes, or reality TV, £3.99 monthly for Standard represents outstanding value—you won't find comparable factual content depth elsewhere. However, if you prefer scripted dramas or Hollywood films, mainstream services like Netflix or Amazon Prime better suit your preferences despite higher costs.
How to Save Money on Discovery Plus in the UK
💳 Choose Annual Billing
Paying annually saves £7.89 on Standard or £13.98 on Premium—equivalent to nearly two months free. Given Discovery Plus's enormous content library spanning decades of programming from multiple channels, you're unlikely to exhaust interesting content quickly. Annual billing at £39.99 for Standard or £69.99 for Premium makes particular sense—you'll consistently find compelling documentaries, true crime series, or sports events to watch throughout the year.
🏠 Start With Standard Plan
Many users subscribe to Premium unnecessarily. If you're not interested in Eurosport sports and can tolerate occasional advertisements, Standard at £3.99 monthly provides the complete factual content library. Save £3 monthly—that's £36 annually—without losing access to any Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, or Food Network content. You can always upgrade to Premium later if Eurosport coverage becomes important or advertisements prove too disruptive.
👨👩👧👦 Share Across Your Household
Discovery Plus allows four simultaneous streams on both subscription tiers. Share Premium at £6.99 monthly among four family members, reducing individual costs to approximately £1.75 each—cheaper than nearly any streaming service while providing ad-free factual entertainment and sports coverage. This makes Discovery Plus exceptionally affordable for households where multiple people enjoy documentaries, true crime, or cycling sports coverage.
🚴 Subscribe During Major Sports Events
If your primary interest in Premium centres on specific Eurosport coverage—Tour de France cycling in July, Wimbledon tennis alternatives, or Winter Olympics—subscribe to Premium for £6.99 during those months, then downgrade to Standard at £3.99 afterward. This strategic approach provides premium sports access when needed while maintaining year-round access to Discovery's factual content at minimal cost.
🔍 Watch for Promotional Offers
Discovery Plus regularly offers promotional rates for new subscribers, particularly around major sporting events or high-profile documentary releases. Watch for discounted first months or extended free trials. Some broadband or mobile providers bundle Discovery Plus with their services at reduced rates. Check your existing contracts before subscribing directly—you might access Discovery Plus for less than the standard £3.99 or even receive it included at no extra cost.
FAQs
Can I cancel Discovery Plus at any time?
Yes, Discovery Plus subscriptions can be cancelled at any time without penalty. Monthly subscribers paying £3.99 or £6.99 retain access until their current billing period ends. Annual subscribers who paid £39.99 or £69.99 upfront maintain access for the full twelve months but won't receive pro-rata refunds if cancelling early. The flexibility makes monthly plans ideal for trying the service before committing long-term.
Is Discovery Plus worth it compared to Netflix?
Discovery Plus Standard at £3.99 costs significantly less than Netflix Standard at £10.99, making it exceptional value if you primarily watch factual content. Netflix provides broader entertainment including dramas and films, while Discovery Plus specialises in documentaries, true crime, nature programmes, and reality shows. Many households subscribe to both services—Discovery Plus for factual content and Netflix for fictional entertainment—as the combined £14.98 monthly still represents reasonable value for comprehensive viewing options.
How many devices can use Discovery Plus simultaneously?
Both Standard (£3.99) and Premium (£6.99) plans allow streaming on four devices simultaneously—more generous than most competing services. You can register unlimited devices on your account and create separate profiles for different viewers. This makes Discovery Plus exceptional value for families, as four people can watch completely different programmes at the same time without conflicts or additional costs.
Does Discovery Plus include Eurosport?
Eurosport coverage is exclusive to the Premium plan at £6.99 monthly. Premium subscribers access Eurosport's extensive sports coverage including cycling Grand Tours, tennis, winter sports, and Olympic sports. Standard plan subscribers at £3.99 cannot access Eurosport content—they only access Discovery's factual entertainment library. For cycling or tennis enthusiasts, Premium represents exceptional value combining sports coverage with comprehensive documentary content.
Can I download Discovery Plus content for offline viewing?
Yes, both Standard (£3.99) and Premium (£6.99) plans include unlimited downloads for offline viewing on mobile and tablet devices. Downloaded content remains available for 30 days, with 48 hours to complete viewing once you start playback. This feature works across Discovery's entire factual library, making it particularly valuable for long journeys, flights, or areas with unreliable internet connectivity where you want documentary entertainment.
Conclusion
Discovery Plus offers outstanding value for factual entertainment enthusiasts in the UK, with Standard at just £3.99 monthly providing access to the largest collection of documentaries, true crime, nature programmes, and reality shows available on any streaming platform. Premium at £6.99 monthly adds ad-free viewing and comprehensive Eurosport sports coverage, representing exceptional value for cycling or tennis fans. With generous allowance of four simultaneous streams, unlimited downloads, and HD quality across both subscription tiers, Discovery Plus delivers more features at lower cost than most competitors. Annual billing saves approximately £8-14 depending on your chosen tier, making it the most economical option for committed subscribers. Compare Discovery Plus with alternatives like Netflix, Disney Plus, or BritBox based on whether you prioritise factual content over fictional entertainment. For households passionate about documentaries, true crime, wildlife, home renovation, or cycling sports, Discovery Plus at £3.99-£6.99 monthly represents one of the UK's best-value streaming subscriptions. 🌍
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Jane Smith |
| Am British, live in London (1985–present) |
