Discovery Plus has announced a new price increase for its subscription plans in the United States. The decision comes just one week after Skydance completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Starting October 13, 2026, both Discovery Plus subscription plans will cost more. The ad-supported plan has increased from $5.99 to $6.99 per month. Meanwhile, the ad-free plan has jumped from $9.99 to $11.99.
New subscribers must pay the updated prices immediately. However, existing customers will receive 30 days’ notice before the changes affect their bills.
The higher rates will appear on billing statements dated November 12, 2026, or later. The exact date will depend on each subscriber’s billing cycle.
Moreover, this marks Discovery Plus’s first U.S. price increase since January 2025.
Discovery Plus Announces New Subscription Prices
The latest Discovery Plus price hike affects both available subscription tiers.
The ad-supported plan now costs $6.99 per month, an increase of $1.
Meanwhile, the ad-free subscription has risen by $2, bringing its monthly price to $11.99.
As a result, subscribers who prefer watching without advertisements will face the larger increase.
The new prices are:
| Subscription Plan | Old Price | New Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ad-Supported | $5.99/month | $6.99/month |
| Ad-Free | $9.99/month | $11.99/month |
However, the final cost may vary depending on taxes and third-party billing arrangements.
When Will Existing Subscribers Pay More?
New customers will pay the revised subscription prices starting October 13.
However, existing subscribers will have more time before the changes take effect.
Discovery Plus will provide 30 days’ advance notice.
The higher prices will appear on billing statements dated November 12, 2026, or later.
Therefore, subscribers should check their upcoming renewal dates.
Additionally, customers who subscribe through third-party providers should review their billing details.
Skydance Takeover Comes Before Price Increase
The timing of the announcement has attracted attention.
Skydance completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery in early October 2026.
The merger brought several major entertainment businesses under one company.
These include HBO, CBS, CNN and several streaming services.
Moreover, Skydance now controls Discovery Plus, HBO Max, Paramount+ and Pluto TV.
However, the company has not officially connected the Discovery Plus price increase to the merger.
Industry observers suggest the adjustment may have been planned before the acquisition was completed.
Therefore, the timing alone does not establish that the merger caused the increase.
What Happens to Discovery Plus Under Skydance?
The future of Discovery Plus remains uncertain.
Skydance has announced plans to eventually combine HBO Max and Paramount+ into a single streaming service.
However, the company has not confirmed whether Discovery Plus will join that platform.
For now, Discovery Plus continues operating as a separate service.
Meanwhile, its parent company is developing a broader streaming strategy.
The planned HBO Max and Paramount+ combination could bring major changes to the entertainment market.
Nevertheless, subscribers will have to wait for official announcements about Discovery Plus.
How Much More Will Subscribers Pay?
The new prices will also increase annual subscription spending.
Customers using the ad-supported plan will pay an additional $1 each month.
As a result, their yearly spending will increase by $12.
Meanwhile, ad-free subscribers will pay an extra $2 per month.
That adds $24 to their annual subscription costs.
At the new rates, 12 months of the ad-supported plan will cost $83.88 before taxes.
The ad-free plan will cost $143.88 over the same period.
However, these calculations assume prices remain unchanged throughout the year.
What Can You Watch on Discovery Plus?
Discovery Plus focuses mainly on reality television, documentaries and lifestyle programming.
The platform offers content from several popular television networks.
These include Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network and Investigation Discovery.
Additionally, viewers can watch programming from Animal Planet and Magnolia Network.
The service features shows covering home renovation, cooking, true crime and paranormal investigations.
Therefore, it appeals to viewers who enjoy unscripted entertainment.
Popular Discovery Plus Shows
Discovery Plus offers several well-known television franchises.
The 90 Day Fiancé franchise remains a popular part of its reality television library.
Meanwhile, Sister Wives attracts audiences interested in family relationships and personal stories.
Fans of paranormal programming can watch Ghost Adventures.
Additionally, the platform features Deadliest Catch and other adventure-based shows.
Discovery Plus also offers programs featuring celebrity personalities.
These include Guy Fieri and Chip and Joanna Gaines.
As a result, the service provides a wide selection of lifestyle and reality-based entertainment.
Streaming Subscription Prices Continue to Rise
Discovery Plus is not the only platform increasing subscription costs.
Netflix, Disney+, Hulu and other major streaming services have raised prices in recent years.
Meanwhile, entertainment companies continue investing in original programming and technology.
They also face pressure to improve profitability.
As a result, subscription prices have become an important part of their business strategies.
However, higher costs can create challenges for customers.
Households that subscribe to several streaming platforms may see their entertainment expenses increase.
Therefore, some viewers are becoming more selective about the services they keep.
Why Are Streaming Services Getting More Expensive?
Streaming platforms face several financial challenges.
Producing and licensing entertainment content can be expensive.
Additionally, companies must invest in technology, distribution and customer services.
Competition also remains strong.
Major streaming platforms continue developing exclusive programming to attract subscribers.
Meanwhile, many companies are expanding their advertising businesses.
Ad-supported subscriptions allow platforms to offer cheaper plans while generating advertising revenue.
However, Discovery Plus has not publicly identified a single reason for its latest price increase.
Is Discovery Plus Still Worth the Price?
The value of Discovery Plus depends on individual viewing preferences.
For reality television fans, the platform offers a large collection of familiar shows.
However, occasional viewers may want to reconsider their subscriptions.
The ad-supported plan now costs $6.99 per month.
Meanwhile, the ad-free option costs $11.99.
Therefore, customers should decide whether an ad-free experience justifies the additional expense.
Additionally, subscribers who already use HBO Max may want to check for overlapping Discovery programming.
Some shows are available on both platforms.
As a result, reviewing existing subscriptions could help customers avoid unnecessary spending.
What Should Existing Subscribers Do?
Current Discovery Plus subscribers do not need to take immediate action.
However, they should review their upcoming billing statements.
The revised prices will begin affecting existing customers on November 12, 2026, or later.
Additionally, subscribers should check their renewal dates and payment arrangements.
Customers using third-party billing services should review notices from their providers.
Meanwhile, those concerned about the higher prices can compare the available plans.
They can also review their viewing habits before deciding whether to continue subscribing.
Could Discovery Plus Prices Rise Again?
Skydance has not announced another Discovery Plus price increase.
However, the company is still developing its long-term streaming plans.
The future of Discovery Plus remains unclear, especially as Skydance prepares to combine HBO Max and Paramount+.
Meanwhile, subscribers are waiting for more details about the company’s strategy.
Future changes could affect how the platforms operate.
Nevertheless, no additional Discovery Plus price increase or merger has been confirmed.
Therefore, customers should rely on official announcements rather than speculation.
The Discovery Plus price hike brings higher monthly costs for subscribers in the United States.
The ad-supported plan now costs $6.99 per month. Meanwhile, the ad-free subscription has increased to $11.99.
New customers must pay the updated prices immediately.
However, existing subscribers will receive advance notice before the higher rates appear on their bills.
The announcement also comes shortly after Skydance completed its Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition.
Although the company has major streaming plans, Discovery Plus’s long-term future remains uncertain.
Will you continue paying for Discovery Plus after the price increase? Share your thoughts and stay tuned for more streaming and entertainment news!
About the author
Neha Nikharge is Assistant Editor at Awesome TV and a writer for AWSM Times. Neha covers Bollywood, OTT releases, celebrity interviews and pop culture for South Asian audiences in the US and around the world, and has written more than 4,500 stories for Awesome TV. Story tips and corrections: hello@awesometv.com.
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