Discovery+ rolls out in the US

Discovery+ content includes A Perfect Planet

Discovery+, the new streaming service from global factual giant Discovery, launches in the US today with 50 exclusive non-fiction series featuring talent including Sir David Attenborough.

The streamer, which costs US$4.99 per month with ads or US$6.99 for the ad-free version, was unveiled last month having been two years in the making.

The direct-to-consumer service arrives with more than 55,000 episodes from Discovery’s portfolio of brands, as well as content from the BBC’s Natural History collection, A+E Networks and Group Nine.

Its key titles at launch include BBC/Discovery copro A Perfect Planet, the latest series narrated by natural history veteran Attenborough.

In the US, Discovery+ also features an exclusive first look at content from the Magnolia Network, Discovery’s forthcoming multiplatform joint venture with Fixer Upper duo Chip and Joanna Gaines.

David Zaslav

It will also include a slate of exclusive originals from Friends star David Schwimmer; actor/comedian Kevin Hart and producer collaborator Will Packer; and celebrity chefs Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis.

Specialising in non-fiction content, Discovery+ is aiming to offer the definitive collection of science, nature and environmental programming, going up against more generalist SVoD services such as Netflix and Disney+.

Its international roll-out across an initial 25 countries in 2021 began last year with the UK, Ireland and India, while the Nordics, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands are next. Distribution partners include Sky in the UK and Ireland and TIM in Italy.

Discovery+ will also be made available in Latin American markets, including a planned launch in Brazil, and in parts of Asia.

In the US, Verizon customers will get 12 months of Discovery+ for free following an exclusive distribution agreement between the two companies.

Last month, Discovery CEO and president David Zaslav said: “We have been working methodically the past two years to bring all of our strategic advantages to the launch of Discovery+, including distribution and advertising partnerships around the world, a world-class offering of quality brands, authentic personalities and the largest content library at launch, as well as a broad slate of exclusive programming.”