By Jonathan Easton
Discovery has officially launched its streaming service discovery+ in the UK and Ireland.
The streamer, previously branded as “a new SUV” to the “great sports cars” of Netflix and Amazon by Discovery CEO David Zaslav, promises to offer “an unprecedented collection of factual, lifestyle and reality programming.”
As announced in October, the streamer – initially launching in the UK and Ireland – is a rebranding of the existing dplay platform, with the key difference being the transition to a purely SVOD service.
Discovery+ will be available for £4.99/€5.99(US$6.58/US$7.09) per month or for £49.99/€59.99 per year. The company is offering a discounted annual fee of £29.99/€34.99 per year 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.
Outside of Sky Q and the web, Discovery has launched a new discovery+ app for iOS and Android, with the company promises roll-outs for additional devices and platforms later this year and through to 2021.
In terms of content, the platform will aggregate shows from across its FTA and pay TV networks Discovery Channel, TLC, Quest, Really and Animal Planet. This, Discovery said, will present users with an ‘unprecedented mix’ of content, along with over 80 hours of discovery+ originals available at launch.
Content exclusive to the platform include 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.
SVP, head of lifestyle and entertainment brands Clare Laycock says: “We are unveiling discovery+ at a time when streaming captivating programmes 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. At Discovery, we’re extremely proud of our extensive portfolio of exclusive and original shows, and are inviting consumers to indulge their passions with discovery+, whether these lie in true crime and blue light shows or property and design.”
SVP channel head, factual and sport, Simon Downing said: “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.” https://www.digitaltveurope.com
