Discovery+ has just launched its biggest app overhaul in years, rolling out a completely redesigned interface that brings the streaming service much closer to HBO Max’s look and feel ahead of next year’s UK launch.
The update, which started automatically downloading to devices from September 22, promises “an enhanced streaming experience” with new sign-in processes, navigation, and player features.
But as with any major software change, the rollout hasn’t been entirely smooth, with some users facing login issues and complaints about the new sports navigation.
Alongside the app refresh, Warner Bros. Discovery has also launched a limited-time annual deal for TNT Sports subscribers – ironically bringing back yearly billing after axing all annual plans earlier this year (see full details below).
What’s New in the Discovery+ App?
For those unfamiliar, Discovery+ serves as Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming home for both entertainment and sports content in the UK.
The service offers lifestyle and factual programming, reality shows, and documentaries from channels like Discovery Channel, TLC, and Animal Planet.
It also serves as the streaming platform for TNT Sports, which includes Premier League football, Champions League matches, tennis Grand Slams, MotoGP, UFC, boxing, and much more after absorbing all Eurosport content earlier this year.
The most obvious change in the new version is visual. Discovery+ now sports a much bolder design with larger images and what the company describes as “improved search functionality.”
There’s also more detailed information about titles displayed throughout the interface, making it easier to understand what you’re about to watch before clicking play.
The interface bears a striking resemblance to HBO Max’s app design used globally, which isn’t a coincidence given Warner Bros. Discovery’s plans to launch HBO Max in the UK in early 2026.
Two particularly useful new features have been added to the video player. Fast-forward now shows a preview thumbnail, similar to BBC iPlayer’s thumbnail scrubbing, making it easier to jump to specific moments without overshooting your target (but it seems this only works on some devices for now).
For sports fans, key event markers (like goals, wickets, or race incidents) are now hidden by default and require an extra press of the down button to reveal, helping avoid accidental spoilers when catching up on matches.
The app also features a completely new sign-in process and an overhauled navigation system that should feel more intuitive once users adapt to the changes.
The company says the update should be seamless, with users not needing to re-enter their login details.
However, early reports from community forums suggest this hasn’t been universal, particularly for users on BT/EE TV boxes, Sky Stream, and Sky Q devices, where some subscribers have been forced to log back in or found themselves unable to access the app entirely (I’ve noticed this myself on a Fire TV stick, where I’ve had to log back in twice this week).
Rolling Out Everywhere (Almost)
The update is hitting virtually every platform where Discovery+ is available – Fire TV sticks, Roku devices, smart TVs, Virgin Media boxes, and Sky platforms.
The one notable exception is those older BT/EE TV YouView boxes that lost Discovery+ support entirely on September 22.
As we covered last month, three older BT TV/EE TV YouView devices – the 4K Recordable TV Box, TV Box, and Recordable TV Box – can no longer run the Discovery+ app due to technical limitations.
Users with these devices lost access to all Discovery+ entertainment content and TNT Sports on-demand features, though they can still watch TNT Sports’ linear channels through their TV guide if they have the right package. The newer TV Box Pro, TV Box Mini, and Apple TV 4K EE Box continue working normally.
Sky Q boxes are reportedly taking a bit longer to receive the update compared to other platforms, though it should arrive soon.
The HBO Max Connection
This isn’t just a cosmetic refresh. The new Discovery+ app appears designed to align much more closely with HBO Max’s interface and functionality, laying the groundwork for eventual integration when HBO Max launches in the UK.
HBO Max is Warner Bros. Discovery’s premium streaming service that combines HBO’s critically acclaimed dramas (like House of the Dragon and The Last of Us) with Warner Bros. films, DC superhero content, and other premium programming.
The service has been available in the US and other markets for years, but is finally coming to the UK in early 2026 after long-standing exclusive licensing deals with Sky were renegotiated.
As we reported in December, Sky struck a major deal with Warner Bros. Discovery that will see HBO Max bundled with Sky and NOW services from early 2026, with the streaming service also available as a standalone option.
Existing HBO shows will continue on Sky Atlantic, while Sky customers get HBO Max’s ad-supported tier at no extra cost.
The timing of this Discovery+ redesign suggests Warner Bros. Discovery is preparing to eventually merge or bundle these services more seamlessly.
Having both apps share similar interfaces and backend technology should make it much easier to offer combined packages or migrate users between services when HBO Max arrives.
User Reactions: A Mixed Bag
As with any major app update, user reactions have been decidedly mixed. The Google Play Store reviews for the Android version paint a somewhat stark picture, especially from sports fans who feel the changes have made finding their preferred content more difficult (then again, pleased users don’t often bother to write reviews).
One reviewer complained: “The individual sport categories are now down at the bottom so you have to scroll past loads of stuff you don’t care about to get to them. Numerous categories that used to exist are no longer there so how are you supposed to find the events?”
Another added: “I don’t want to see all the other sports, I want to quickly and easily search through the sports I’m interested in.”
The complaints seem particularly focused on sports navigation, with users frustrated that specific sport categories are now buried deeper in the interface.
As one cyclist put it: “Since the latest update, there is no category search, I only want to watch bikes, I don’t care about football or cricket… and I’ve lost that search.”
These early teething problems aren’t entirely surprising – major app overhauls often create temporary disruption as users adapt to new interfaces and developers iron out compatibility issues across different devices.
The Return of Annual Billing (Sort Of)
Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Discovery has launched a limited-time annual deal for TNT Sports just as the new app launches – despite having axed all annual subscription options back in February.
Until September 30, you can sign up for TNT Sports (without the entertainment content) at £25.49 per month, but only if you commit to a full year.
You’ll still pay monthly rather than upfront, but you’re locked in for 12 instalments totalling £305.88 (instead of £371.88), with no option to cancel early.
This represents a £5.50 monthly saving compared to the standard £30.99 monthly price for the TNT Sports tier, though it’s still substantially more expensive than the old Eurosport option that many sports fans miss.
The timing is notable given how aggressively Discovery+ has restructured its pricing this year.
After eliminating the middle Standard tier (which included Eurosport for £6.99/month) in February, July brought the introduction of three new tiers with a £3 monthly increase for combined sports and entertainment content.
The 12-month deal is only available directly via Discovery+, and not on the Prime Video Channels version of TNT Sports.
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“Existing HBO shows will continue on Sky Atlantic”
The Comcast press release said ‘through their term’ , which to me suggests they will leave whatever the expiry date is for now which can be found on Sky+ or legacy Sky+ app (you don’t need Sky+ to use it) , although they aren’t exclusive so aren’t really anything worth to Sky in my view