Discovery+ France: Subscription, HBO Max merger, and availability in 2026

Discovery+ will no longer exist as a standalone service in France as of May 2026: it was merged into HBO Max (formerly Max) on June 11, 2024. To access Discovery, HGTV, and MythBusters programming, you must subscribe to HBO Max starting at €5.99/month (Basic with ads), €9.99/month (Standard), or €13.99/month (Premium). Eurosport remains available via an additional Sports add-on.

Key points to remember

• Discovery+ merged with HBO Max on June 11, 2024; the standalone service no longer exists in France
• The Discovery, HGTV, and nature documentary catalog is now available on HBO Max
• Three HBO Max plans: Basic with ads for €5.99/month, Standard for €9.99/month, and Premium for €13.99/month
• Eurosport (Eurosport 1, 2, Tennis, Cycling) is available only through an additional Sports package
• The future of the Discovery+ catalog remains uncertain: a potential merger between Paramount and HBO Max would exclude Discovery+ and CNN

Will Discovery+ still be available in France in 2026?

No, Discovery+ has not existed as a standalone streaming service in France since 2024. The service merged with HBO Max (which was then called "Max" in France) on June 11, 2024, as part of the global Warner Bros. Discovery merger.

In late 2025, the "Max" brand was dropped in favor of a return to "HBO Max," an editorial decision intended to refocus the platform on its premium series and clarify its positioning against competitors. To understand the new platform as a whole, the HBO Max France guide provides a detailed overview of the current offering.

A Timeline of the Disappearance

• Before June 2024 — Discovery+ and HBO Max will coexist in Europe, with separate libraries
• June 11, 2024 — Launch of "Max" in France; merger of the two catalogs into a single platform
• Late 2025 — Return to the "HBO Max" brand to refocus on premium content and HBO series
• 2026 — Discovery+ is no longer available for live streaming; its shows are now available on HBO Max

How can I watch Discovery channels in France?

The only legal way to watch *MythBusters*, *Planet Earth*, HGTV, or Discovery documentaries is now HBO Max. These shows are listed under the "Documentaries & Lifestyle" category and no longer have a separate "Discovery+" label.

• HBO Max Plans | Pricing | Ads | Simultaneous Streams | Max Quality
• Basic with ads|€5.99/month|Yes|2|Full HD
• Standard|€9.99/month|No|2|Full HD
• Premium|$13.99/month|No|4|4K UHD, Dolby Atmos

The Basic plan with ads, priced at €5.99/month, is the most affordable way to access the classic Discovery library. For a more in-depth look at the platform and its editorial choices, seethe detailed HBO Max review.

Which Discovery shows are available on HBO Max?

The integration of the Discovery catalog into HBO Max has retained many of its strong brands. Fans of nature, science, and adventure documentaries will find their longtime favorites there, even though the depth of the catalog varies from month to month.

Discovery / HGTV's History Programs

• MythBusters — Discovery’s cult classic series, now available on HBO Max
• Planet Earth — the BBC nature series
• Deadliest Catch — Crab Fishing in Alaska
• HGTV — home renovation shows (Property Brothers, Fixer Upper)
• Science and Adventure Documentaries — How It's Made, Gold Rush, Naked and Afraid
• Cooking and Lifestyle — Food Network: By Episode

Coming in 2026 on HBO Max (Discovery/Nature)

• The Dark Wizard — a highly anticipated documentary event
• U.S. Against the World — 2026 World Cup Special
• Olympic documentaries related to sporting events

As for editorial news, the HBO Max France updates provide a month-by-month breakdown of new releases, including additions to the documentary catalog.

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Eurosport and Sports on HBO Max: How Does It Work?

Eurosport is part of Warner Bros. Discovery and is therefore included in HBO Max in France. However, access to Eurosport channels is not included in the standard subscription; you must activate an additional Sports add-on.

What the HBO Max Sport option unlocks

• Eurosport 1 — live and scheduled programming, Grand Slam tennis, cycling
• Eurosport 2 — winter sports, snooker, tennis highlights
• Tennis Channels — Extensive coverage of ATP/WTA tournaments
• Cycling Channels — Tour de France, Giro, Vuelta, Classics (see Tour de France 2026 broadcast)
• Live Streams — Replays and VOD of Competitions

For cycling and tennis fans, the HBO Max Sports package has become the go-to option since Discovery+ was discontinued. The exact cost of the Sports add-on varies depending on current promotions and is not included in the base price of €5.99/€9.99/€13.99 per month.

The discontinuation of Discovery+ in France did not mean the end of its content library: *MythBusters*, *Planet Earth*, HGTV, and Eurosport are still available, but now through HBO Max. It’s the brand that’s gone, not the shows.

Pros and Cons of HBO Max for Discovery Viewers

For longtime Discovery+ subscribers, HBO Max presents a trade-off: you lose a simple, niche service in favor of a broader but more expensive and more general-interest platform.

Benefits

• A much wider selection: premium HBO series in addition to Discovery documentaries
• 3 pricing tiers, including a starter plan for €5.99/month
• 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos on the Premium
• Eurosport is available as an add-on for sports fans
• One app, one bill for two worlds (premium series + documentaries)

HBO Max also compares favorably to other niche services (such as Paramount+ in France or Apple TV+ in France) for those who want to combine premium series and documentaries.

Disadvantages

• There is no longer a service dedicated solely to Discovery documents: you must purchase a general subscription
• The Basic plan with ads includes advertising, which was not the case with the original Discovery+
• Eurosport is an extra charge, so the bill goes up for sports fans
• Discovery+'s current catalog may change if Warner Bros. Discovery restructures

How can the cost of HBO Max for Discovery content be reduced?

A single HBO Max subscription replaces the former Discovery+ and unlocks HBO series as a bonus. But the bill can add up if you bundle Premium with the Sports option. There are several ways to keep the cost down.

• Choose Basic with ads — €5.99/month if you accept ads and mainly watch documentaries
• Don't enable the Sport option if you're not following the Tour de France or tennis
• Sharing within the household — the Standard plan allows for 2 screens, while the Premium plan allows for 4
• Verified shared subscription — split the cost with other users through a platform like spliiit securely connects you
• Keep an eye out for deals — Warner Bros. Discovery regularly offers annual subscription deals or weeks with 50% off

The guide on how to share your HBO Max subscription explains how sharing works and the available profiles.

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Which option is right for you?

Depending on how much you actually care about the Discovery catalog, several scenarios are possible. All of them now involve HBO Max, but to varying degrees. For a broader comparison, see the guide to affordable legal streaming services and the SVOD comparison.

• For die-hard fans of nature and science documentaries: The Basic plan with ads for €5.99/month is all you need—you can watch *MythBusters* and *Planet Earth* without spending a dime more
• For fans of HBO series and Discovery documentaries: The Standard plan at €9.99/month with no ads is the best option
• For sports fans (cycling, tennis): Standard or Premium + the Sports option, for live Eurosport
• For a household with a 4K TV: Premium at €13.99/month for 4 screens and 4K HDR
• For those who just want to try it out: start with the Basic plan with ads, then upgrade if needed

What does the future hold for Discovery+ and its library?

The matter remains unresolved as of May 2026. A proposed acquisition between Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery involving HBO Max has been in the works since 2025, and it would reportedly exclude Discovery+ and CNN. There is talk of a "Discovery Global" spin-off, which could eventually re-release the Discovery catalog as a separate service.

• Scenario A — status quo: Discovery remains a sub-brand of HBO Max
• Scenario B — "Discovery Global" spin-off: a new standalone service revitalizes the brand
• Scenario C — Switch to another player as part of a Paramount/HBO Max deal

Nothing has been confirmed at this point. In the meantime, an HBO Max subscription remains the only legal way to access the classic Discovery catalog in France.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Discovery+ no longer available in France?

Discovery+ merged with HBO Max on June 11, 2024, as part of the Warner Bros. Discovery merger. The goal was to unify the group’s streaming offerings under a single brand (initially “Max,” then “HBO Max” since late 2025) to enhance its visibility in competition with Netflix and Disney+.

Is my old Discovery+ subscription still active?

No, Discovery+ subscriptions were migrated to HBO Max at the time of the merger in 2024. If you did not confirm the switch, your subscription has been canceled. You must now subscribe to HBO Max directly (€5.99/€9.99/€13.99 per month) to access Discovery programming.

Is Eurosport included in HBO Max?

No, Eurosport is available only through a Sports add-on to the Standard or Premium HBO Max plan. This add-on unlocks Eurosport 1, Eurosport 2, and the Tennis and Cycling channels. The exact cost of the add-on depends on current promotions.

What is the difference between HBO Max and Discovery+ today?

There’s no longer any difference: Discovery+ is no more. HBO Max is the only platform that brings together both premium HBO series (Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, The Last of Us) and the classic Discovery catalog (MythBusters, Planet Earth, HGTV). One app, one bill.

Will Discovery+ return as a standalone service?

Possibly in the medium term. A proposed Paramount/HBO Max acquisition in 2025–2026 would exclude Discovery+ and CNN from the deal, which could lead to a "Discovery Global" spin-off. Nothing has been officially confirmed as of May 2026, and the programs remain available on HBO Max in the meantime.

Is it legal to share an HBO Max subscription to watch Discovery documentaries?

Yes, the Standard (2 simultaneous screens) and Premium (4 screens) plans are designed for sharing within a household. To share with users outside your household and split the cost securely, co-subscription through a platform like spliiit the recommended option under the Terms of Service.