Discovery, like several other learning and informational cable channels, launched as a science-grounded network in 1985. But, since the late ’90s, Discovery has shifted toward reality TV programming, and currently has over 30 original series in rotation, including “Expedition Bigfoot,” “Naked and Afraid,” “Gold Rush,” “Ghost Adventures,” and the enduring “Deadliest Catch.” Discovery is also home to the annual Shark Week, a summer staple that’s somewhat educational (lesson: stay away from sharks).
Discovery is available through most cable, satellite, and live TV streaming services, covering around 71,000 households in the US. Read on to discover where to find Discovery in your area.
What channel is Discovery Channel on near me?
Discovery is carried by major cable providers Xfinity, Cox, and Spectrum, satellite services DIRECTV and DISH, and live TV streamers YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV. If you reside in or near any of the cities we’ve collected below, you should be able to watch Discovery.
Discovery Channel channels in major US cities
| City | Cox channel | DIRECTV channel | DISH channel | Optimum channel | Spectrum channel | Xfinity channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | 54 |
| Anchorage, AK | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | — |
| Atlanta, GA | 26 | 278 | 182 | — | 53 | 40 |
| Austin, TX | — | 278 | 182 | 34 | — | |
| Bakersfield, CA | — | 278 | 182 | — | 55 | — |
| Baltimore, MD | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | 38 |
| Boston, MA | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | 70 |
| Bronx, NY | — | 278 | 182 | 27 | 66 | — |
| Brooklyn, NY | — | 278 | 182 | 27 | 66 | — |
| Buffalo, NY | — | 278 | 182 | — | 106 | — |
| Charlotte, NC | — | 278 | 182 | — | 35 | — |
| Chicago, IL | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | 51 |
| Cincinnati, OH | — | 278 | 182 | — | 79 | — |
| Cleveland, OH | — | 278 | 182 | — | 54 | — |
| Colorado Springs, CO | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | 46 |
| Columbus, OH | — | 278 | 182 | — | 22 | — |
| Dallas, TX | — | 278 | 182 | — | 37 | — |
| Denver, CO | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | 16 |
| Detroit, MI | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | 25 |
| El Paso, TX | — | 278 | 182 | — | 59 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | 55 |
| Fort Worth, TX | — | 278 | 182 | — | 37 | — |
| Fresno, CA | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | 56 |
| Honolulu, HI | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | — |
| Houston, TX | — | 278 | 182 | — | 26 | 29 |
| Indianapolis, IN | — | 278 | 182 | — | 33 | 36 |
| Jacksonville, FL | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | 38 |
| Kansas City, MO | — | 278 | 182 | — | 45 | — |
| Las Vegas, NV | 25 | 278 | 182 | — | — | — |
| Los Angeles, CA | — | 278 | 182 | — | 73 | — |
| Louisville, KY | — | 278 | 182 | — | 38 | — |
| Memphis, TN | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | 44 |
| Miami, FL | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | 55 |
| Milwaukee, WI | — | 278 | 182 | — | 41 | — |
| Minneapolis, MN | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | 55 |
| Nashville, TN | — | 278 | 182 | — | 47 | 39 |
| New Orleans, LA | 32 | 278 | 182 | — | — | — |
| New York, NY | — | 278 | 182 | — | 66 | — |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 32 | 278 | 182 | 60 | 37 | — |
| Orlando, FL | — | 278 | 182 | — | 41 | 53 |
| Philadelphia, PA | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | 28 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 23 | 278 | 182 | — | — | — |
| Pittsburgh, PA | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | 57 |
| Portland, OR | — | 278 | 182 | — | 28 | 7 |
| Sacramento, CA | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | 63 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | 14 |
| San Antonio, TX | — | 278 | 182 | — | 30 | — |
| San Diego, CA | 35 | 278 | 182 | — | 44 | — |
| San Francisco, CA | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | 15 |
| San Jose, CA | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | 29 |
| Seattle, WA | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | 8 |
| St. Louis, MO | — | 278 | 182 | — | 33 | — |
| St. Paul, MN | — | 278 | 182 | — | 70 | — |
| Tampa, FL | — | 278 | 182 | — | 34 | 46 |
| Tucson, AZ | 23 | 278 | 182 | — | — | 43 |
| Washington, DC | — | 278 | 182 | — | — | 41 |
Get Discovery channel with cable or satellite
Discovery is available through most of the basic and premium channel packages offered by cable and satellite TV providers.
| Provider | Type | Price | Discovery | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | Cable | $20.00–$184.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | Satellite | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | Satellite | $89.99–$119.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read DISH review |
| Optimum | Cable | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read Optimum review |
| Spectrum | Cable | $40.00–$145.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | Cable | $105.00–$149.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | Cable | $55.00–$125.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read Xfinity review |
Get Discovery channel with a live TV streaming service
Discovery isn’t as easy to find on live TV streaming services as it is on cable or satellite. YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Philo carry it, but Fubo doesn’t have Discovery (or any other Warner Bros. Discovery-owned channels).
| Provider | Type | Price | Discovery | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV | Streaming | $84.99–$149.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read DIRECTV review |
| Fubo | Streaming | $14.99–$94.99/mo. | — |
View Plan Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | Streaming | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Philo | Streaming | $33.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | Streaming | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read Sling TV review |
| YouTube TV | Streaming | $82.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read YouTube TV review |
Get Discovery channel with a streaming app
For live TV subscribers to cable, satellite, and streaming TV, the Discovery Go app (which requires a subscription login) is compatible with Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Samsung devices. For full-on cord-cutters, the standalone app Discovery+ gives you access to all things Discovery. HBO Max also features some Discovery shows, but just enough to entice you to sign up for Discovery+.
What’s on Discovery channel?
In addition to the ever-popular Shark Week each summer, Discovery also carries 30+ ongoing original series, including “Deadliest Catch,” “Expedition Bigfoot,” “Naked and Afraid,” “Gold Rush,” “Ghost Adventures,” “Street Outlaws: Locals Only,” “The Last Woodsmen,” “Bering Sea Gold,” and “Mud Madness,” as well as spinoff shows from several titles. Unlike with most cable channels, you won’t find movies filling time on Discovery, just original series 24/7.
Discovery channel guide FAQ
How do I watch Discovery for free?
You can watch the live Discovery channel for free with Hulu + Live TV’s three-day trial, or with Philo’s seven-day trial. Discovery+, which streams Discovery content on-demand, offers a free seven-day trial, as well.
What’s the difference between Discovery and Discovery+?
Discovery is a live channel available on cable, satellite, and live TV streaming services. Discovery+ is a standalone on-demand streaming app featuring content from the Discovery channel.
What streaming package includes Discovery+?
You can bundle the Discovery+ service with an HBO Max subscription or with the triple-combo HBO Max/Hulu/Disney+ package.
