It's in the name: The Discovery Channel explores every inch and corner of the world. Whether those are sharks in the depths of the ocean or planets in outer space, or even just everyday things used in everyday life and ghosts that may or may not appear at night, you're sure to learn something new with The Discovery Channel on. No wonder it's been a staple in households ever since it first aired in 1985.
In the past, you needed cable to access a channel like Discovery. But these days, it's just as easy to watch when you go cordless (and contractless) by taking the streaming route.
To get The Discovery Channel live without cable, you can sign up for any of the live TV streaming services that carry it. We list your best options below, but what you end up choosing will largely depend on your needs. That's why we've included other helpful information like free trial offers and price points, which you can read more about below.
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream is a streaming service that offers everything from live TV, local channels, on-demand films, sports packages, and even premium cable networks like HBO and Starz for an additional fee. Its plans, which start at $70/month, are on the pricier side of live TV, but that’s because it offers unlimited DVR and streams on top of at least 75 channels, depending on the plan you pick.
How much does DirecTV Stream cost?
$86.99/monthDoes DirecTV Stream have a Free Trial?
5 days
Which channels are on DirecTV Stream?
A&E, ABC, ACC Network, AccuWeather, AMC, American Heroes, American Heroes Channel, Animal Planet, Aspire, AXS TV, BabyFirst, BBC America, BBC News, BBC World News, BET, BET Her, Big Ten Network, Bloomberg, Bloomberg Television, Boomerang, Bounce, Bravo, C-SPAN, C-SPAN2, Cartoon Network, CBS Sports Network, Cheddar News, Cleo TV, CMT, CNBC, CNBC World, CNN, CNN En Español, CNN International, Comedy Central, Comedy TV, Cooking Channel, Cozi TV, daystar, Destination America, Directv 4K, Directv 4K Live 1, Directv 4K Live 2, Discovery Channel, Discovery Family, Discovery Life, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, Earthx TV, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FanDuel TV, FM, FMC, Food Network, Fox Business, Fox News, FOX SOUL, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Fox Weather, Freeform, Fuse, FX, FX Movie Channel, FXX, FYI, Great American Family, Grit, Hallmark Channel, HBO, Heroes & Icons, HGTV, History, HLN, Hogar de HGTV, HSN, IFC, Investigation Discovery, ION, Jewelry TV, Justice Central, Lifetime, LMN, Logo, Magnolia Network, MeTV, MLB Network, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, MTV Classic, MTV2, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBA TV, Newsmax, Newsmax TV, NewsNation, NFL Network, NHL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Origin Sports, Ovation, OWN, Oxygen, Paramount Network, PBS Kids, Pop, PowerNation, Pursuit, QVC, QVC2, QVC3, ReelzChannel, REVOLT, RFD-TV, Science Channel, Scientology Network, SEC Network, Shop LC, ShortsTV, Showtime, Smithsonian Channel, SportsGrid, Sportsman Channel, Starz, Starz Encore, Starz Encore Action, Starz Encore Black, Starz Encore Classic, Starz Encore Family, Starz Encore Suspense, Starz Encore Westerns, Sundance TV, SYFY, Tastemade, TBS, TCM, TeenNick, Tennis Channel, The Design Network, The Grio, TLC, TNT, Tru TV, TUDN, TV Land, TV One, TVG, Unimas, Universal Kids, Universo, Univision, UPtv, USA, VH1, Vice, WE tvSling TV
Slings TV is a relatively affordable and wide-ranging live TV streaming service that has three main plans: the family-friendly Sling Orange, the sports-and-news-focused Sling Blue, and the comprehensive Sling Orange + Blue. The latter has a total of 46 channels, including IFC, TNT, and MGM, plus cloud DVR and simultaneous streams. You can also add multiple add-ons, like the Sports Extra, the News Extra, and the International Extra, to enhance your base package.
How much does Sling TV cost?
$40/month
Which channels are on Sling TV?
A&E, ABC, AMC, AXS TV, BBC America, BET, Bloomberg Television, Bounce, Bravo, Cartoon Network, Charge!, CNN, Comedy Central, Comet, Discovery Channel, Disney Channel, E!, EPIX Drive-In, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN2, ESPN3, FETV, Food Network, FOX, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 1, Freeform, Fuse, FX, HGTV, History, HLN, IFC, Investigation Discovery, Investigation Discovery, Laff, Lifetime, Local Now, MGM+, MotorTrend, MSNBC, National Geographic, NBC, NBC local channels, NFL Network, Nick Jr., QVC, Sling Scapes, SYFY, TBS, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, USA, USA Network, Vice, WE tvPhilo
At just $28/month, Philo is one of the most affordable on-demand and live TV streaming services out there. It boasts over 70 live channels, including AMC, Lifetime, and Paramount Network, 70,000 movies, and unlimited DVR. If you ever find Philo’s base package wanting, the service also allows you to stack add-ons like Starz and MGM+ to your plan.
How much does Philo cost?
$28/monthDoes Philo have a Free Trial?
7 days
Which channels are on Philo?
A&E, AccuWeather Network, AMC, American Heroes Channel, Animal Planet, aspireTV, AXS TV, BBC America, BBC World News, BET, BET Her, Catchy Comedy, Cheddar News, Cleo TV, CMT, Comedy Central, Cooking Channel, Crackle, Crime-Investigation, Deck the Hallmark, Destination America, Discovery Channel, Discovery Family, Discovery Life, FETV, Food Network, FYI, Game Show Network, GetTV, Great American Family, Great American Living, Gusto TV, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Heroes & Icons, HGTV, History, IFC, INSP, Investigation Discovery, KIN, Law & Crime, Lifetime, LMN, Logo, Magnolia Network, MeTV, MotorTrend, MTV, MTV Classic, MTV Live, MTV2, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Oprah Winfrey Network, Paramount Network, PlayersTV, pocket.watch, Pop TV, RetroCrush, REVOLT, Revry, Ryan and Friends, Science Channel, Smithsonian Channel, Start TV, Story Television, Sundance TV, Tastemade, TeenNick, TLC, Travel Channel, TV Land, TV One, UPtv, Vevo 80s, Vevo 90s, Vevo Country, Vevo Hip-Hop, Vevo Holiday, Vevo Pop, VH1, Vice, WE tvHulu with Live TV
Combining the best of streaming and cable, Hulu with Live TV pairs Hulu’s original programming like Only Murders in the Building, imports like Normal People, and licensed ABC shows like Modern Family with live TV channels like CNN, CBS, and TCM to give you an all-in-one TV package. The plans start at $77/month (with ads), but for an additional fee, you can upgrade to a bundle that removes commercials and throws in Disney+ and ESPN+ to the mix.
How much does Hulu with Live TV cost?
$76.99/monthDoes Hulu with Live TV have a Free Trial?
3 days
Which channels are on Hulu with Live TV?
A&E, ABC, ABC Localish, ABC News Live, ACC Network, Adult Swim, Animal Planet, BET, Big Ten Network, Bloomberg Television, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, CBSN, Cheddar News, CMT, CNBC, CNN, CNN International, Comedy Central, Comedy TV, Cozi TV, Dabl, Discovery Channel, Discovery en Español, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, ESPN, ESPN College Extra, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, Food Network, FOX, Fox Business, Fox Deportes, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Freeform, FX, FXM, FXX, FYI, Golf Channel, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, HGTV, History, HLN, Investigation Discovery, Justice Central TV, Lifetime, LMN, Localish, Military History Channel, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, NASA, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBC, NBC News Now, NBCLX, NewsNation, NFL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, OWN, Oxygen, Paramount Network, Pop, QVC, SEC Network, Smithsonian Channel, Start TV, SYFY, TBS, TCM, Telemundo, The CW, The Grio, The Weather Channel, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, TV Land, Universal Kids, USA, VH1, ViceFubo
Designed for the ultimate sports fan, Fubo is an on-demand and live TV service that streams games from multiple leagues including the NFL, NBA, MLB, and the Premier League. You can get up to 215 live channels on your lineup, which includes coverage on RSNs and local stations, though you might have to pay extra if you want premium entertainment channels like Starz and Showtime.
How much does Fubo cost?
$79.99/monthDoes Fubo have a Free Trial?
7 days
Which channels are on Fubo?
A&E, ABC, ABC News Live, ACC Network, AccuWeather, Animal Planet, Bein Sports, beIN Sports en Español, Big Ten Network, Bounce, Bravo, CBS, CBS Sports Network, CBSN, Cheddar, CMT, CNBC, Comedy Central, Comet, Court TV, Cozi TV, Discovery Channel, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, Estrella TV, Food Network, FOX, Fox Business Network, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Freeform, fubo Sports Network, FX, FXX, FYI, Galavision, GetTV, Golf Channel, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, HGTV, History, IFC, INSP, Investigation Discovery, ION, Ion Mystery, Local Now, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, National Geographic, NBC, NBCLX, NBCSN, Newsmax, NFL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Olympic Channel, OWN, Oxygen, Paramount Network, Pop, RSNs, SEC Network, Smithsonian Channel, SYFY, Tastemade, TBD, Telemundo, The CW, The Weather Channel, TLC, Travel Channel, TUDN, TUDNxtra4, TUDNxtra5, TUDNxtra6, TUDNxtra7, TUDNxtra8, TUDNxtra9, TV Land, TVG, Unimas, Universal Kids, Universo, Univision, USA, VH1, Vice, WE tv, WGN AmericaYouTube TV
Often dubbed as the best cordless replacement to cable, YouTube TV is a live TV streaming platform that gives you access to more than 100 channels, sporting events, local channels, unlimited DVR space, and up to three simultaneous streams. But what really gives YouTube TV its edge is customization; depending on your needs, you can easily add premium channels like HBO, sports channels like NFL Redzone, and Spanish channels like Unimas to your preferred lineup.
How much does YouTube TV cost?
$72.99/monthDoes YouTube TV have a Free Trial?
7 days
Which channels are on YouTube TV?
ABC, ABC News, ACCN, Adult Swim, AMC, Animal Planet, BBC America, BBC World News, BET, BET Her, Big Ten Network, Bounce, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CBS, CBS local channels, CBS Sports Network, Cheddar, Cheddar News, CMT, CNBC, CNBC World, CNN, Comedy Central, Comedy TV, Comet, Court TV, Cozi TV, Dabl, Discovery Channel, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Docurama, Dove Channel, E!, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, Food Network, FOX, Fox Business, Fox News, FOX SOUL, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Fox Weather, Freeform, FX, FXM, FXX, Galavision, Game Show Network, Get TV, Golf Channel, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, HGTV, HLN, HSN, IFC, Investigation Discovery, ION, Justice Central TV, LAFC Channel, Law & Crime, Live Now, Local Now, Localish, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, MTV Classic, MTV2, My TV, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBA TV, NBC, NBC local channels, NBC News Now, NBC Universo, NBCLX, NBCSN, NECN, NewsNation, NFL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Orlando City Channel, OWN, Oxygen, Paramount Network, PBS, PBS Kids, PBS local channels, PC Mag, Pop, QVC, Recipe.TV, Scripps News, SEC Network, Smithsonian Channel, SNY, Start TV, Sundance TV, SYFY, Tastemade, TBS, TCM, Teen Nick, TeleHit, Telemundo, The CW, The Great Courses, The Weather Channel, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, Tru TV, TV Land, TYT, Unimas, Unimas local channels, Universal Kids, Univision, Univision local channels, USA, VH1, WE tvSling TV with All Extras
Sling TV offers Orange, Blue, and various specific package options like Sports and Entertainment extras if you want to bling out on extra channels. Orange offers 34 channels including Disney Channel and ESPN, while Blue offers a little more at 42 channels including MSNBC and Fox News. Each go for $40/month, but together go for $55/month with 46 channels. Plus, you even get $25 off of your first month, making Sling TV (and its various extras) one of the most affordable plans to consider.
How much does Sling TV with All Extras cost?
$61/month
Which channels are on Sling TV with All Extras?
A&E, ACC Network, AMC, American Heroes, American Heroes Channel, AXS TV, BBC America, BBC World News, Bein Sports, beIN Sports en Español, BET, Big Ten Network, Bloomberg Television, Boomerang, Bounce, Bravo, Cartoon Network, Charge!, CMT, CNBC, CNN, Comedy Central, Comet, Cooking Channel, Destination America, Discovery Channel, Discovery en Español, Discovery Familia, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FETV, Food Network, Fox Business, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Freeform, Fuse, FX, FXM, FXX, FYI, Game Show Network, Golf Channel, Great American Family, Great American Living, Grit, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, HDNet Movies, Heroes & Icons, HGTV, History, HLN, IFC, INSP, Investigation Discovery, Laff, Law & Crime, Lifetime, LMN, Local Now, Logo, Longhorn Network, Magnolia Network, MLB Network, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, MTV2, Nat Geo Mundo, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBA TV, Newsmax, NewsNation, NFL Network, NFL Redzone, NHL Network, Nick Jr., Nicktoons, Outdoor Channel, Oxygen, Paramount Network, Pursuit, QVC, ReelzChannel, REVOLT, RFD-TV, Science Channel, SEC Network, Sportsman Channel, Start TV, Starz, Starz Encore, Starz Encore Action, Starz Encore Black, Starz Encore Classic, Starz Encore Family, Starz Encore Suspense, Starz Encore Westerns, Sundance TV, SYFY, TBS, TCM, TeenNick, Tennis Channel, The Cowboy Channel, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, TV Land, USA, VH1, Vice, WE tv, Willow TV, World Fishing NetworkNow TV
Available exclusively to Xfinity customers, Now TV is a live and on-demand streaming service that comes with more than 40 live channels and a subscription to Peacock Premium at no additional cost. You can watch AMC, The Food Network, and Discovery on Now TV, and a wide array of NBC sitcoms, Sunday Night Football, and the Premiere League on Peacock. It costs $20/month (on top of a $20 internet subscription) and can be viewed simultaneously on up to three devices.
How much does Now TV cost?
$40/month
Which channels are on Now TV?
A&E, Afro, AMC, Animal Planet, BBC America, BBC News, Comedy TV, Cooking Channel, Crime-Investigation, Discovery Channel, Discovery Life, Food Network, FYI, Game Show Network, GetTV, Great American Family, Great American Living, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, HGTV, History, IFC, Investigation Discovery, Justice Central TV, Lifetime, LMN, Magnolia Network, Military History Channel, MotorTrend, OWN, Pursuit, Recipe.TV, Science Channel, Sony Movies, Sundance TV, The Weather Channel, TLC, Travel Channel, Vice, WE tvDirecTV Stream Ultimate
DirecTV Stream Ultimate is the second-biggest package offered by DirecTV Stream. With it, you get up to 160 channels (up 40 channels from the previous tier) across entertainment, sports, and news. That’s almost any channel you can think of—from TBS and USA; to ESPN and CBS Sports; to CNN and BBC News; and so much more. You get it all, plus tens of thousands of on-demand titles for the price of $109.99/month (saving you roughly $40/month from the package after it), so if the budget allows, it's worth trying the Ultimate plan yourself.
How much does DirecTV Stream Ultimate cost?
$109.99/monthDoes DirecTV Stream Ultimate have a Free Trial?
5 days