Discovery Plus

[Juan]

Not really, this is a separate streaming service (with additional charges), not an ala carte channel on the satellite service.

How is it different than the free discovery app that comes on the roku with a dish logon?

 

[Juan]

I do understand it is another option (like Hulu, sling, peacock, etc, etc...) but I don't think it really qualifies as ala carte. I also understand that streaming is becoming more the norm every day.

I use Netflix on occasion, but with all these different networks spread over all these different streaming services, it will definitely not be as economical as having them all in one place like satellite service by the time you add up all the fees for each service.

And I have to say that I will give up my DVR when they pry it from my cold dead hands, being able to record shows/movies to my own personal DVR and save them for when I want to view them is invaluable to me. Streaming services have limitations and frequently drop shows/movies from lineups and then you have to figure out where to watch all over again when it moves. I do stream sometimes but would not give up satellite service.

You dont subscribe to all streamimg services at the sametime...most people rotate monthly and then binge watch their favorite shows using the ondemand function

 

[olds403]

How is it different than the free discovery app that comes on the roku with a dish logon?

It isn't different from the free app other than you are paying over and above for it (vs. free with Dish sub), and it appears they are creating special content for Discovery+. I use the free Discovery apps as a last resort, picture quality (contrast, black level) of on demand programs is MUCH better through the Hopper than through the Discovery Apps on Roku. When viewing in the bedroom, I would rather access my content through mostly one source (the Hopper DVR), rather than having to change devices unless I absolutely have to. I don't mind changing sources so much in the living room as I have a Harmony remote to run the AVR, BD player, Roku and Hopper 3.

Netflix is the one exception where the Hopper implementation is garbage compared to Roku.

 

[DishSubLA]

Not really, this is a separate streaming service (with additional charges), not an ala carte channel on the satellite service.

I think his point was that it was an "a la carte" consumer model: each service/channel has its own price than any of us can "pick and choose" one by one, and later cancel individually, if we choose. It really is the "a la carte" model. The problem is only the very few really big services are going to make ANY money at all or NOT ENOUGH money to continue to provide the service--which leaves the linear TV service retransmission rights model as--still--the ONLY way for the vast majority of these Channle/Streaming services to make decent to BIG money.

 

[DishSubLA]

You dont subscribe to all streamimg services at the sametime...most people rotate monthly and then binge watch their favorite shows using the ondemand function

I am sorry, I am way too busy to "binge watch." I really do wish I had the idle time and vacant schedule these "binge watchers" have to spend endless hours in front of the TV. As I mentioned, it can take me up to a year to get to some DVR'd content. I STILL have not seen the last 2 episodes of Deutchland 89 and probably won't for at least 1-2 weeks, so I would be stuck with on-going monthly subscriptions, and some of these services will have new releases that one may not want to cancel the service so they can see them. And by the way, I am still in the middle of trying to watch TV series content on Netflix and Hulu that I started LAST year--about 5 months ago. It took me almost 3 months just to get through 6 one-half hour episodes of The Windsors--a hoot of a show I really laugh when I watch it, but I can't just get the bloody time to do so--and HOPE the series has not been removed from the streaming service because they did not renew the rights to stream it.

I get like small bits of time to watch TV like a half-hour here, an hour there, along with staying informed with local and TV news, so it can take me 3 separate opportunities to finish a one-hour TV show spread across days, which is why I LOVE the RESUME feature of a DVR.

This why the local DVR in the privacy of my home is the best option for me. I don't know anybody who "binge watches" because they are all as busy as I am, and there will never be enough time. Right now I am really behind in my DVR watching, but because it is on my local DVR, If I can manage a bit more time a few days a week, I might catch up to some degree. Sorry, but I have lived the big disappointment of having started a TV series on-line and had it RIPPED off the streaming service allowing me to NEVER finish the series ever--MULTIPLE times. Streaming services with no local DVR options is not the best model for viewing content for me.

 

[cypherstream]

The wife is interested in this service but it really stinks they are charging for it when we already pay for the Discovery suite of Channels.

Why don’t they make the $4.99 ad supported version either that for cord cutters, or FREE if you log in with a valid DirecTV,Dish,Xfinity,Spectrum,Verizon, etc... username and password? Sure charge for commercial free if you want, but to subsidize it with ads to already be faithful subscribers? Come on...

Perfect example... I have HBO with DirecTV. If I log into HBOMax with my DirecTV username and password, it works great. If I cut the cord I obviously could choose to pay the $14.99 or whatever it is directly to HBOMax if I wanted. Same goes with Showtime Anytime or Starz apps. My login see’s I sub to those channels so it lets me in.

I already pay for Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime (though primarily for shipping benefits) and SiriusXM (for music) ... so how many more add on streaming services do I need?

 

[lakebum431]

I remember when the rant was for more a la cart options. Well, here's your Discovery a la carte option!

Exactly. I see this as a complete positive. This gives cord cutters another option to essentially build their own package. I can buy this for $5 and my wife is happy with HGTV, Food and the new Joanna Gains network. I enjoy lots of the Discovery content as well as the BBC stuff. I add in Netflix, Prime (which is effectively free because I do it for the free shipping), Hulu with ESPN+ and Disney+ for the kids. That literally covers everything we watch in my house.

 

[Juan]

I am sorry, I am way too busy to "binge watch." I really do wish I had the idle time and vacant schedule these "binge watchers" have to spend endless hours in front of the TV. As I mentioned, it can take me up to a year to get to some DVR'd content. I STILL have not seen the last 2 episodes of Deutchland 89 and probably won't for at least 1-2 weeks, so I would be stuck with on-going monthly subscriptions, and some of these services will have new releases that one may not want to cancel the service so they can see them. And by the way, I am still in the middle of trying to watch TV series content on Netflix and Hulu that I started LAST year--about 5 months ago. It took me almost 3 months just to get through 6 one-half hour episodes of The Windsors--a hoot of a show I really laugh when I watch it, but I can't just get the bloody time to do so--and HOPE the series has not been removed from the streaming service because they did not renew the rights to stream it.

I get like small bits of time to watch TV like a half-hour here, an hour there, along with staying informed with local and TV news, so it can take me 3 separate opportunities to finish a one-hour TV show spread across days, which is why I LOVE the RESUME feature of a DVR.

This why the local DVR in the privacy of my home is the best option for me. I don't know anybody who "binge watches" because they are all as busy as I am, and there will never be enough time. Right now I am really behind in my DVR watching, but because it is on my local DVR, If I can manage a bit more time a few days a week, I might catch up to some degree. Sorry, but I have lived the big disappointment of having started a TV series on-line and had it RIPPED off the streaming service allowing me to NEVER finish the series ever--MULTIPLE times. Streaming services with no local DVR options is not the best model for viewing content for me.

Dvr service will eventually go away...why?.. because ads pay for programs

 

[Juan]

Dvr service will eventually go away...why?.. because ads pay for programs

Back in

Dvr service will eventually go away...why?.. because ads pay for programs

Back in the olden days..all you needed was to buy a tv...the sponsor paid the rest( commercial).. once you eliminated commercials..station retransmission fees went thru the roof..why?.. to pay for sports and other programming because nobody watches commercials..so the soloution is to eliminate dvrs my making regular cable/ satellite way too expensive for the masses forcing them to cheaper alternatives such as streaming

 

[gasman882001]

One of my other complaints about all of this "new programming" on separate apps, so I pay for all of these extra packages, how do I know what is on each of them. Would be nice if someone could create something like a guide to help you though all your choices. I know it would not be a time based guide but I have no patience to go to 5 different apps to find something to watch. I miss so many shows because I forget or will not take hours to scroll through each, every time I want to watch something. A guide and DVR like Dish offers, is just more efficient for me.

 

[charlesrshell]

One of my other complaints about all of this "new programming" on separate apps, so I pay for all of these extra packages, how do I know what is on each of them. Would be nice if someone could create something like a guide to help you though all your choices. I know it would not be a time based guide but I have no patience to go to 5 different apps to find something to watch. I miss so many shows because I forget or will not take hours to scroll through each, every time I want to watch something. A guide and DVR like Dish offers, is just more efficient for me.

Yep, good point. I am hoping Satellite and Cable make a come back. At the present time the DVR is the way to go.

 

[Ronnie-]

One of my other complaints about all of this "new programming" on separate apps, so I pay for all of these extra packages, how do I know what is on each of them. Would be nice if someone could create something like a guide to help you though all your choices. I know it would not be a time based guide but I have no patience to go to 5 different apps to find something to watch. I miss so many shows because I forget or will not take hours to scroll through each, every time I want to watch something. A guide and DVR like Dish offers, is just more efficient for me.

The new google TV interface on the new chromcast device is probably as close to this as youre going to get.
It would be hard to do a traditional cable type guide with streamers, as there is so much more content, and it isnt linear. So essentially everything is "on" at the same time.

What some streamers are doing, and google tv better than most, is giving you suggestions as to what to watch, tailored on your habits, across the many apps that you sub to.

Its not perfect yet, but I find it does a very good job.

In the end, any change from what you are used to takes some time to adjust. I find the streaming options a vastly better value and experience for our uses. Others may not.

 

[olds403]

So the wife REALLY wanted to sign up for Discovery+, me not so much. But I looked at my programming (I have Flex and then Movie and Variety addons) and found that I was subscribing to Variety pack for ONE CHANNEL (ID Network). So dumping Variety and adding commercial free Discovery+ will cost a dollar. I am not crazy about going through the Roku for it rather than having the content on the Hopper3 but she will be happy and it only cost $1 more than having ID Network alone. I guess it is a win/win.

 

[Cold Irons]

Its funny. Maybe some company could provide a service where they consolidate all of these streaming sources at one location and charge the viewer one "overall price" that pays for all of the streaming services. They could also provide an overall (not-time-specific) guide as to what shows are on which services - I don't know, call them "channels" or something. I've heard of something like that somewhere before...

I've watched the growth of the stand-alone streamers, but they still do not compare with a Dish/Cable subscription (for me). I use Netflix, Prime, YouTube, and like them & their content, but would not want to have all of my viewing thru individual providers - it's just a PITA. Also, I see what is carried on the Discovery channel, and it is in no way compelling enough to pay for it stand-alone. It's like HBO to me, just not enough there to pay the bill.

And yes, I realize I'm a dinosaur.

 

[Juan]

Its funny. Maybe some company could provide a service where they consolidate all of these streaming sources at one location and charge the viewer one "overall price" that pays for all of the streaming services. They could also provide an overall (not-time-specific) guide as to what shows are on which services - I don't know, call them "channels" or something. I've heard of something like that somewhere before...

I've watched the growth of the stand-alone streamers, but they still do not compare with a Dish/Cable subscription (for me). I use Netflix, Prime, YouTube, and like them & their content, but would not want to have all of my viewing thru individual providers - it's just a PITA. Also, I see what is carried on the Discovery channel, and it is in no way compelling enough to pay for it stand-alone. It's like HBO to me, just not enough there to pay the bill.

And yes, I realize I'm a dinosaur.

Its better to pick and chose from month to month

 

[NashGuy]

The wife is interested in this service but it really stinks they are charging for it when we already pay for the Discovery suite of Channels.

Why don’t they make the $4.99 ad supported version either that for cord cutters, or FREE if you log in with a valid DirecTV,Dish,Xfinity,Spectrum,Verizon, etc... username and password? Sure charge for commercial free if you want, but to subsidize it with ads to already be faithful subscribers? Come on...

Perfect example... I have HBO with DirecTV. If I log into HBOMax with my DirecTV username and password, it works great. If I cut the cord I obviously could choose to pay the $14.99 or whatever it is directly to HBOMax if I wanted. Same goes with Showtime Anytime or Starz apps. My login see’s I sub to those channels so it lets me in.

Yeah, I've said before that this is what they should've done with Discovery+: follow the HBO Max playbook. If you get the Discovery channels as part of your cable TV package, then you'd be able to use your cable login for the D+ app. But you could also buy the D+ app standalone, without a cable subscription. The app would include live streams of the various channels (HGTV, Food, etc.), plus their on-demand content, including recent stuff. And then it would also contain additional content (new originals, etc.) that would be exclusive to the app and not available on any cable channel.

But going that route would be a risky move for Discovery. Because cable TV distributors (e.g. Comcast, Charter, etc.) would probably refuse to carry Discovery's channels as part of their bundles any more, saying that instead they only wanted to offer them and the D+ app as its own separate, optional bundle. That would allow them to reduce the prices on their mainstream channel bundles, allowing those consumers who don't really care about Discovery channels to avoid paying for them. Which would mean Discovery would lose a lot of subscribers, and therefore, revenue. (This wasn't really an issue for HBO, because it was always sold by cable distributors mainly as an optional add-on to the bundle rather than a non-optional part of it.)

 

[olds403]

Its better to pick and chose from month to month

Changing services and juggling payments, logins and such is a pain in the A** if you ask me. I already have to deal with reauthorizing the DiscoveryGo, TravelGo and TLCGo apps on the roku as they require you do that every couple weeks. I don't have time to keep track of all the different subscriptions and their charges and logins. If I subscribe to something it will be something I want for a while, not change it up constantly. I want to turn on the TV and watch it, not deal with changing services constantly so no thank you. That is why I really would prefer all the content come through the Hopper3 as it is a really nice DVR and makes life much easier. Having to switch inputs in the bedroom to watch the Roku can also present its own challenges as the wife is NOT techy and frequently texts me asking how to get it working.

 

[Radioguy41]

There seems to be a complete misunderstanding of what ala carte means. It means an individual item. It does not mean an individual service consisting of several items.

 

[Juan]

Changing services and juggling payments, logins and such is a pain in the A** if you ask me. I already have to deal with reauthorizing the DiscoveryGo, TravelGo and TLCGo apps on the roku as they require you do that every couple weeks. I don't have time to keep track of all the different subscriptions and their charges and logins. If I subscribe to something it will be something I want for a while, not change it up constantly. I want to turn on the TV and watch it, not deal with changing services constantly so no thank you. That is why I really would prefer all the content come through the Hopper3 as it is a really nice DVR and makes life much easier. Having to switch inputs in the bedroom to watch the Roku can also present its own challenges as the wife is NOT techy and frequently texts me asking how to get it working.

You just pay for it when you want to use it..then cancel..no commitment..no contract

 

[olds403]

You just pay for it when you want to use it..then cancel..no commitment..no contract

And you have to juggle multiple services, payments and logins on possibly multiple devices, no thank you. I have netflix, prime (mostly for shipping), and now Discovery+, I will not be cancelling any of them monthly or setting up different services. I don't want to have to deal with it on multiple devices in multiple bedrooms for myself, wife and stepkids, just not something I want to deal with. I do subscribe to some services but they are ones that we use regularly in addition to the satellite service. I see what you are saying but it is not for me.