Discovery+: How Many Devices Can Stream at the Same Time

Discovery+ subscribers can stream on up to four devices at the same time. This simultaneous streams limitation is regardless of which devices are being used to access the service and irrespective of the plan a household is subscribed to. Making Discovery+ a great option for watching multiple HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, OWN, Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, and Animal Planet shows at the same time.

The number of streams is an important subscription feature. This is even more true for households where more than one person is likely to be sharing the same subscription, and where there’s an increased chance of multiple people accessing the service in different rooms or on different devices. Considering Discovery+ provides direct access to a wide selection of networks that are likely to appeal to different family members, the number of simulations streams is all the more relevant.

Understanding how many streams are available with a service like Discovery+, including any limitations to the simultaneous streams policy, helps to ensure everyone accessing the service can watch what they want, when they want, and on the devices they want. If a service does not provide enough streams for an individual or household, then subscribers will be forced to choose between who, and which devices, can access the service.

Four streams, regardless of device

Discovery+ subscribers can stream on up to four devices at the same time, regardless of the device. Although it seems logical that with four streams, subscribers would be able to watch on any four supported devices, that’s not always the case.

Many streaming services differentiate between living room devices and mobile devices, such as smartphones. This distinction can offer result in knock-on effects, including some devices blocked from the additional streams. Typically, this proves more of an issue when household members are attempting to stream show episodes and movies when away from a home area or network.

However, that’s not the case with Discovery+. Instead, the service’s simultaneous streams policy appears to be relatively free of device concerns, with subscribers able to stream on living room and mobile devices without any major restrictions. Likewise, whether accessing the service at home or when away from house does not appear to impact on the number of same-time streams.

Four streams, regardless of plan

Discovery+ allows subscribers to stream on up to four devices at the same time, regardless of the plan. Discovery+ is available in two different tiers with the cheapest costing $4.99 per month and the more expensive plan priced at $6.99. As these are differently priced subscriptions, it stands to reason there will be differences in benefits as well.

Fortunately, that’s not a concern in terms of the number of streams. Irrespective of whether signed up to the $4.99 ad-supported plan or the $6.99 ad-free option, Discovery+ subscribers have access to four simultaneous streams. As a result, the amount a subscriber pays has no direct impact on the number of devices that can stream at the same time. With no difference in streams between the two paid plans, subscribers are free to upgrade or downgrade their Discovery+ plan without worrying about losing any additional streams.

In the event that four simultaneous streams are not enough, there’s currently no option to upgrade to more streams. This is the case for subscribers of both $4.99 and $6.99 plans. As a result, anyone in need of more than four streams might have to consider a second Discovery+ subscription, or accessing specific Discovery+ channels through an alternate service, such as a live TV streaming app.

Discovery+ simultaneous streams summary

Four devices can stream Discovery+ at the same time. While this is a limitation, it is fairly generous compared to other streaming services, and especially at the price Discovery+ charges. What makes it all the more beneficial to subscribers is the lack of additional caveats and restrictions. Regardless of the Discovery+ plan a household signs up to, or even the devices they are using to stream shows on, there are always four simultaneous streams available.

The only major caveat to be aware of is that four simultaneous streams is not only the minimum, but also the maximum. Technically, Discovery+ provides the option to add up to five profiles to a single account. Therefore, the number of streams is slightly less than the actual number of profiles that can be set up. With no option to increase the number of devices that can stream at the same time, households in need of more than four streams will want to consider an additional Discovery+ subscription or using a different service to access specific networks.

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