The launch of Discovery Plus has indeed brought a smile to many tired faces, bringing with it thousands of episodes on the best of Discovery networks. But ever since Discovery announced the launch of its stand-alone streaming service, people have been wondering – “Will I be able to watch Discovery Plus shows on my Dish Network?”
The answer to that is not a clear-cut ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. Here’s everything you need to know about whether Discovery Plus is on the Dish Network, or if it can be.
What is Discovery Plus?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKKSl0aYOZM
Discovery Plus is a brand new streaming service by Discovery that was launched on 4th January 2021. It is aimed at not just the Discovery enthusiasts but also at those who like to watch real-life entertainment shows, documentaries, and tons of lifestyle shows.
Gone are the days of purchasing separate channel packages from your cable provider, and Discovery has really pushed the envelope on it with Discovery Plus. That means with Discovery Plus, you’ll be able to watch everything that comes under Discovery’s hood, including the likes of Food Network, Animal Planet, Magnolia Network, HGTV, and much more.
On top of that, with streaming services like Discovery Plus, you don’t have to wait for a specific time to tune in to watch your favorite shows; you can watch them whenever you want.
Is Discovery Plus on Dish?
Those who’re on the Dish Network are used to switching to channel 182 to watch the Discovery channel. Understandably, they would assume Discovery Plus to be on their Dish Network as well. After all, it does have the word Discovery in it.
However, Discovery Plus is not a channel – it is an entire streaming service unto itself, similar to Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. That’s an important distinction to understand.
However, with the introduction of new Smart Dish boxes for your TV, like the Hopper 3, the possibility that Discovery Plus will show up on your Dish network in the future is highly likely. If you have a compatible smart box right now then you can tune in to channel 600 and it will take you directly to Netflix!
Netflix has worked tirelessly with network providers to include this functionality. Some of the latest boxes by Dish will install a Netflix app directly on the box for you which will allow you to enjoy the native Netflix experience. Some older models also seem to support Netflix through a mix of proprietary protocols but compatibility seems to vary with each model.
What to expect in the future
More and more streaming services are looking to get integrated with Cable network providers to reach a larger audience. Additionally, allowing users to access these services through their existing connection takes away the hassle of investing in additional peripherals or a high-speed network. While there is no word from Discovery Plus to acquire a channel on Dish or any other network, it is highly unlikely that they will willingly miss out on this opportunity. Hence you can expect a dedicated channel for Discovery Plus in the future that will redirect you to the service, however, there is no release date yet or official word on it yet.
Discovery Plus Channel on Dish
As mentioned above, for now, Discovery Plus is not available as a channel on any cable network, let alone Dish. It’s a streaming service that you need to sign up for separately on a compatible device. You can also get Discovery Plus for free by the way, and here are various ways to watch it on TV until a dedicated channel is acquired by the network. We do expect to be added to cable networks in the future, but you will still need a compatible box from your provider to access the service.
How to get Discovery Plus
You can easily get Discovery Plus with a few simple steps and start watching your favorite shows on the supported devices, including your TV. You can even get Discovery Plus for free if you are eligible for it. Don’t worry if you don’t like it; you can cancel your Discovery Plus subscription whenever you wish.
Additionally, if you bought your TV within the past 5 years then it is likely that it comes with inbuilt casting capability or smart capabilities. Both of these can help you stream Discovery Plus on your TV for now until a dedicated channel is released by the network for compatible smart boxes. This will also be the ideal route for users that are not looking to invest in the latest smart hopper boxes introduced by Dish that bring the capability to get streaming services right on your TV through your provider.
That’s all you need to know about Discovery Plus on Dish Network. If you have any more burning questions about it, feel free to drop a comment below and we’ll be happy to respond.