How to Stream Animal Planet Without Cable

As someone who can’t miss my favorite wildlife and nature shows, I wanted to find out how to keep watching Animal Planet after canceling my cable subscription. Here’s what I discovered about streaming this channel online.

In a hurry? Animal Planet is available on most streaming services — even the smaller ones. Here are our favorites:

Why You Need a VPN Today

However, first you need a VPN to unblock US streaming services from . Our favourite is ExpressVPN. It’s definitely not the cheapest option at $6.67/month, but it just works – and across all your devices.

They have servers in 25+ US cities/states and 105 countries, which unblock access to premium streaming platforms available only in the US, as well as free “on demand” TV services worldwide.

You’ll have access to local platforms as if you were in the country, meaning you can watch BBC iPlayer as if you were in the UK, CBC Gem as if you were in Canada, plus hundreds more worldwide.

Sign Up for ExpressVPN

Hotdog users get three months free at ExpressVPN, so it’s a “no-brainer” for us. Decide for yourself with their 30 day money-back guarantee.

IMPORTANT: Once you’ve installed your VPN and connected to a US server, you’ll still need to subscribe separately to access premium streaming services.

Animal Planet is, first and foremost, a channel that celebrates animals. Whether in the wild or curled up on your couch, this network has our furry (and scaly, and feathered, and shell-covered) friends covered.

You don’t need cable though to see what Terri and Robert Irwin are up to in Australia or how the Texas game wardens are getting on each week. Check out how you can continue to watch your Animal Planet favorites online.

Sign Up for a Free Fubo Trial

How to Stream Animal Planet

Animal Planet is part of the Warner Bros. Discovery network which owns more than 20 channels besides Animal Planet, including:

Several top streaming services offer Animal Planet (and many other Discovery network channels) in their base plan. These include:

Service	Price	Channels	Reviews
	$79.99/month	150+	Fubo
	$28.00/month	70+	Philo
	$79.99/month	90+	DIRECTV
	$76.99/month	95+	Hulu
	$40.00/month‡	30+	Sling
	$72.99/month	100+	YouTube TV

All of the above services let users stream on multiple screens simultaneously and include a cloud-based DVR (most of which have unlimited storage) so you can record live shows to watch later.

They work with most streaming devices too, including Amazon Fire TV, Android and iOS mobile devices, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, and web browsers. Most services support Android-based smart TVs, plus those from Samsung, LG, VIZIO, and Hisense, as well as gaming consoles such as Xbox and PlayStation.

See the individual streaming reviews for details on which devices are compatible with each service.

Other Ways to Stream Animal Planet

Animal Planet programming is available on-demand through Discovery+ ($4.99/mo). This mostly provides content from the Discovery channels (including Animal Planet), but it also has exclusive rights to BBC Earth series and specials, original content, and some A&E, History, Lifetime, and NBC reality (eg, Real Housewives, Queer Eye, Top Chef, and American Ninja Warrior).

There’s also a free Animal Planet GO website/app service. This uses the TV Everywhere platform to provide access to all Discovery channels if you already have a subscription for them (you need your pay-TV provider login to access the content).

Our Choice

We recommend watching Animal Planet with FuboTV. Or, if you’re on a budget, check out Philo.

What Is Animal Planet?

Animal Planet was originally launched in 1996 as a joint venture with BBC Studios. It initially featured daytime family-friendly programming.

It took a darker, edgier turn in 2008 to try and rejuvenate ratings. More focus was put on predators (such as alligators), attacks, and other sensationalized content. There was also a spotlight on humans who investigated, hunted, or otherwise interacted with them. Shows from this period include Escape to Chimp Eden and Whale Wars, and a particularly low point was a 2012 documentary on mermaids.

In 2018, the channel returned to its family-friendly roots. This included the mission of “keeping the childhood joy and wonder of animals alive by bringing people up close in every way.” It did this with shows like:

• Wolves and Warriors — Documenting a wolf rescue group that employs veterans to work with and care for the rescued animals.
• The Zoo — Showcasing the stories of both the animals in the zoo and the people who take care of them.
• The Aquarium — Similar to The Zoo, but about the Georgia Aquarium.

One angle the channel kept is its use of a more narrative approach to covering critters. Shows like Meerkat Manor and Orangutan Island followed individual animals or families in their struggles and triumphs in the wild. These sometimes sound more like a soap opera than a nature documentary, but “humanizing” the animals makes for very compelling TV.

You used to need a cable company to watch Animal Planet, but now you can subscribe to a live TV streaming service over the internet. Cheaper and more flexible, there are no contracts or installation appointments.

Animal Planet Shows

Favorite shows currently or once trending on Animal Planet include:

FAQ

What other channels are good for animal lovers?

No other channels are completely devoted to animals like Animal Planet, but National Geographic Wild has a nature focus (on animals as well as plants, space, geology, etc). Discovery’s Science Channel contains technology, space, and prehistory content in addition to animals, nature, and wilderness survival. The subscription on-demand services CuriosityStream and Magellan TV both have documentaries spanning all subjects, including animals and the natural world.

Are there any channels for animals (instead of just about them)?

There are channels for animals. DogTV, the self-described first and only TV channel for dogs, is a subscription on-demand channel with programming specifically created for dogs. Designed for owners to put on when they leave their four-legged friends at home, it features visuals calibrated for a dog’s color vision developed by dog behavior specialists.

What’s the Puppy Bowl all about?

The Puppy Bowl is Animal Planet’s annual parody-for-charity of the Super Bowl. The event, which has been running for over fifteen years now, raises money and awareness for dog shelters and pet adoption. It features puppies playing with a variety of toys on a puppy-sized football field. Dragging a toy into the end zone scores a “touchdown.”

Tune in for the next one on February 9th, 2025.

How can I watch other family and kids channels?

Here are our guides for watching related TV shows and channels the whole family can enjoy:

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Alanna Baker

Alanna Baker was the Streaming Content Editor at Hotdog.com, specializing in comprehensive streaming coverage across various genres, with a particular focus on sports and Sling TV offerings. With a background in literature and education, coupled with extensive experience in media and law, Alanna brings a unique perspective to the streaming industry.

Her expertise stems from being an early adopter of various entertainment technologies, from mail-order Netflix to modern streaming platforms. Alanna's in-depth knowledge of Sling TV's modular service and her ability to cover diverse streaming content make her a key expert in navigating the complex landscape of modern streaming options, especially in sports and entertainment.

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