Discovery Plus Will Remain a Standalone Streaming Service

Warner Bros. Discovery will keep running Discovery Plus as a standalone streaming platform, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. The company plans to offer two streaming options: Discovery Plus and an enhanced app that will combine content from HBO Max and Discovery Plus. Last August, the media giant announced that it expected to roll out a single, merged streaming app by summer 2023. However, it seems WBD is making changes.

HBO Max, known for its large catalog of films and scripted TV programming, carries some unscripted content. The service costs $10 a month for a basic subscription and recently increased its premium, ad-free plan to $16. Discovery Plus, which starts at $5 per month, offers a variety of documentaries and mostly reality-centric television. Viewers can watch content from TLC, Animal Planet, Food Network, HGTV and more. 

After Warner completed its merger with Discovery in April, CEO David Zaslav outlined plans for both streaming brands. In September, WBD began adding content from Chip and Joanna Gaines' Magnolia Network to HBO Max, signaling that change was afoot. 

Discovery Plus content will be added to the revamped, expanded streaming platform, but Discovery Plus will remain a standalone, lower-priced option. The idea is to retain the latter's customer base who may not be willing to pay more for the more expensive HBO Max. Viewers can expect a new version of Warner Bros. Discovery streaming offerings to roll out in the coming months.

Correction, 1:35 p.m. PT: This story originally misstated where Discovery Plus content will land. That content will remain in Discovery Plus' own streaming app and will also be available along with HBO Max content in a separate app.