No word on Canadian launch
NEW YORK — Discovery Inc. today announced the global launch of its new discovery+ subscription streaming service, which will debut in the U.S. on January 4, 2021.
There was no word in Discovery’s press release about a launch in Canada, but the company says the service’s global rollout will begin with the U.K., Ireland, India, the Nordics, Italy and the Netherlands. Its distribution partners include Sky in the U.K. and Ireland and TIM in Italy, says the release. The company says it also plans to launch discovery+ in Latin American markets, including Brazil, and in parts of Asia.
At launch in the U.S., discovery+ will feature the largest-ever content library for a new streaming service, according to the release, including more than 55,000 episodes collectively from Discovery’s brands (HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, OWN, Travel Channel, Discovery Channel and Animal Planet), the BBC’s Natural History collection, A&E Networks (A&E, History Channel and Lifetime), Group Nine Media and more.
Of course, many of these channel brands and their shows make up large chunks of the specialty programming from Bell Media (Discovery, Discovery Science, Animal Planet) and Corus Entertainment (HGTV, Food Network, History, Lifetime). While Discovery Inc. declined to say when it might consider a Canadian launch when asked by Cartt.ca and Corus did not return an email requesting comment, it’s worth noting Discovery’s arrangement with Bell Media is not limited to content and brand licencing. Discovery Inc. owns 20% of each of Bell’s Discovery Channel (which includes Discovery Velocity), Animal Planet and Discovery Science.
That ownership arrangement has been in place for years and Bell Media spokesperson Scott Henderson told Cartt.ca the company was aware of the impending launch of discovery+ and there are “no imminent changes for our Discovery brands.”
While Canadians may have to wait a while to gain access to discovery+ (or perhaps Canadian broadcasters will work on agreements such as the one Corus has with NBCUniversal to keep Peacock out of Canada for the time being), in the U.S., through an exclusive U.S. distribution agreement, Verizon customers with select plans will get 12 months of discovery+ on Verizon. Discovery says it expects this partnership will accelerate adoption of discovery+ in the U.S.
“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,” said Discovery president and CEO David Zaslav, in the press release.
“With discovery+, we are seizing the global opportunity to be the world’s definitive product for unscripted storytelling, providing households and mobile consumers a distinct, clear and differentiated offering across valuable and enduring lifestyle, and real-life verticals. We believe discovery+ is the perfect complement to every streaming portfolio, and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with Verizon to bring this incredible content to their customer base.”
For direct purchase, discovery+ will be available in the U.S. starting at US$4.99 per month, with an ad-free version available for US$6.99 per month.
For more, please click here.
