Discovery Inc. has officially launched its streaming service Discovery+ in the UK and Ireland. The move serves as a rebranding of the existing dplay platform as the company shifts to a sole SVOD service. “We are unveiling discovery+ at a time when streaming captivating programs is a source of joy for many in locked-down areas across the country, who may be socially distanced from friends and family or perhaps just looking for something new,” Clare Laycock, SVP, head of lifestyle and entertainment brands said.
Discovery+ will be accessible for a monthly fee of £4.99/€5.99 or £49.99/€59.99 per year. A discounted annual fee of £29.99/€34.99 per year will be offered as a promotion for users who sign up before the end of January. While all customers can pick up a 14-day free trial, Discovery said that it has partnered with Sky to offer Sky Q customers access to the service at no extra cost for 12 months. Sky Q users can activate this offer by saying ‘get discovery+’ into their voice-activated remote.
The service will include a collection of factual, lifestyle, and reality programming, aggregating shows from across its FTA and pay-TV networks Discovery Channel, TLC, Quest, Really, and Animal Planet. Over 80 hours of discovery+ originals will also be available at launch. “Through our factual content, from documentaries and historical films to series dedicated to survival and adventure, we hope to offer viewers a chance to enter another world, whether this is a specific era of history, a tour of the world’s oceans or on a row across treacherous seas,” Simon Downing, SVP channel head, factual and sport, said.
Content exclusive to the platform includes “Joe Exotic: Tigers,” “Lies & Cover Up,” “Salvage Hunters: Design Classics,” and “Prince Andrew,” “Maxwell & Epstein.” In addition, full box sets of shows like World’s Greatest Cars, 90 Day Fiancé and Say Yes to the Dress will be available to viewers. Outside of Sky Q and the web, Discovery has launched a new discovery+ app for iOS and Android, with the company promises the release of additional devices and platforms later this year and through to 2021.