Discovery’s streaming service has been updated, with new features, improved search and navigation options. Sky Q users will be the last to get the new Discovery Plus update, which may cause some issues in the meantime.
The new look Discovery Plus began its roll-out across mobile, web and connected TV devices on 9th December. As a result, users on Android and Apple devices will need to update their app to benefit from the changes.
The update triggers a log-out – all affected users will need to log back in using their normal user email and password.
Once the update is complete, users will notice a number of changes to the look and feel of the service, including the arrival of personalised recommendations, parental controls. There are also changes to the way sports content is found on the service.
Changes to how sports content is found on the service coincide with the gradual withdrawal of the Eurosport Player in favour of Discovery Plus becoming the online home of Eurosport. A special promotion is currently available to Amazon Prime Video Channel users switching from Eurosport Player to Discovery Plus.
Discovery Plus Update | What are the new features?
- Each user will have five individual profiles, with an option to create a Kids profile for the first time. (However, only up to four people can access a single Discovery+ account at any one time.)
- There will be personalised recommendations on Standard profiles
- New Parental Controls to create a suitable viewing experience for children have been introduced.
- The Home page is now called “For You“
- “Favourites” have moved to “My List”
- Sport is no longer in “My List“. There is now a dedicated page with a sports schedule.
Sky Q delay
The delay in reaching Sky Q boxes will result in a number of temporary issues for some subscribers. However, Discovery is promising the update for ‘early 2022’. This means all users should have updated in time for the Winter Olympics in February.
In the meantime, some items will not be in sync between Sky Q and other devices. This means that any programmes in “favourites” and any “continue watching” items on Sky Q will not match other devices.
Sky Q users who don’t use Discovery Plus on other devices will be affected by another issue. Once the update arrives on Sky Q, items in “favourites” and “continue watching” will reset. As a result, these features will revert back to how the service was on 9th December 2021. For example, any new favourites added over Christmas will disappear.
For now, Discovery is advising Sky Q users to make a note of their user email and password so they can log in more quickly when the update arrives.
The full Discovery Plus service, including Entertainment and Sport is available from £6.99 a month. The sport-free option is £4.99 a month. However, streamers can opt to register only for Discovery’s free channels. This provides on-demand and live access to Quest, Quest Red, Really, HGTV, Food Network and DMAX.