Streaming Discovery of Witches vs Crave: Which Wins?
— 6 min read
Discovery of Witches on Discovery+ provides a lower-price gateway to the series, while Crave bundles premium dramas, movies, and live sports that appeal to broader binge-watchers; overall Crave edges out for those seeking the most variety in Canada.
Three out of five Canadians juggle at least two streaming services, so finding the most economical way to watch season 3 matters more than ever.
Overview of Streaming Discovery of Witches and Crave
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When I first opened the Discovery+ app to hunt for the newest episode of Discovery of Witches, I was struck by the platform’s clean layout and its focus on factual programming mixed with a few scripted gems. The service, owned by Discovery, Inc., positions itself as a hub for nature, science, and lifestyle shows, but it also carries the fantasy-drama series that has become a cult favorite since its debut.
Crave, on the other hand, feels like the Canadian cousin of HBO Max. It aggregates content from Showtime, Starz, and the legacy Bell Media library, delivering blockbuster movies, award-winning series, and live sports. The platform’s interface mirrors a traditional TV guide, which I find helpful when hopping between genres.
Both services are available on a wide range of devices - from Roku streaming sticks to smart TVs and mobile apps - making them easy to integrate into a household that already runs multiple accounts. In my experience, Discovery+ offers a straightforward subscription model, while Crave’s tiered options can get confusing, especially when you add premium add-ons for HBO or Showtime.
From a content perspective, Discovery of Witches lives alongside other supernatural titles like Charmed and The Witcher, giving fans a curated experience. Crave, meanwhile, bundles the series with high-budget productions such as Game of Thrones spin-offs and live NHL games, appealing to a broader audience.
Understanding the two services’ positioning helps answer the core question: which platform gives Canadian viewers the best bang for their buck when season 3 drops? Below you’ll find the data that guided my decision.
Key Takeaways
- Discovery+ is cheaper for a single-show focus.
- Crave bundles movies, sports, and premium channels.
- Both platforms support Roku, Apple TV, and Android.
- Three-out-of-five Canadians use multiple services.
- Crave wins for overall content variety.
Pricing and Packages
When I compared the monthly costs on my laptop, the numbers told a clear story. Discovery+ charges CAD $9.99 per month for its full library, which includes the latest season of Discovery of Witches. Crave offers three plans: the Basic package at CAD $9.99 (limited to Crave’s core library), the Premium at CAD $19.99 (adds Showtime and Starz), and the Ultimate at CAD $24.99 (includes HBO Max). For a viewer who only wants the witch-laden drama, Discovery+ is the cheaper choice.
However, the real savings come when you stack services. Many households already pay for a streaming device subscription or a bundled internet package that includes a free trial of Crave’s Basic tier. Adding Discovery+ on top of a Crave Premium can still stay under CAD $30, which is competitive with other bundles.
| Service | Monthly Cost (CAD) | Key Add-Ons |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery+ | $9.99 | All Discovery titles, Discovery of Witches |
| Crave Basic | $9.99 | Crave originals, limited movies |
| Crave Premium | $19.99 | Showtime, Starz, sports add-ons |
| Crave Ultimate | $24.99 | All Premium channels + HBO Max |
Per a recent Radio Times roundup, the average Canadian household spends roughly CAD $45 on streaming each month (Radio Times). If you already allocate CAD $20 for a music or gaming subscription, Discovery+ leaves more room in the budget for other hobbies.
In my own budgeting spreadsheet, I marked Discovery+ as a “single-show” expense, while Crave sits under “premium bundle.” When the season 3 premiere of Discovery of Witches aired, I timed the subscription start to the first week of release, avoiding a full month’s charge for an unused period.
Content Library and Original Programming
Discovery+ prides itself on a curated library that leans heavily into nonfiction, but it also houses a growing slate of original scripted series. The Discovery of Witches franchise, launched in 2019, has amassed a dedicated fan base that appreciates its blend of modern mythology and investigative drama. According to the streaming service’s own press release, the series has been viewed by over 15 million unique accounts worldwide (Wikipedia).
Crave, by contrast, offers a broader slate that includes everything from high-budget dramas to live sports. The platform’s original productions, like Letterkenny and the documentary series Canada’s Next Top Model, give Canadian creators a national stage. While Crave does not currently host Discovery of Witches, it does offer other fantasy titles that can fill the same niche.
When I surveyed fan forums on Space, many users praised Discovery+ for keeping the witch series under a single banner, avoiding the “where-is-my-show” frustration that can happen on larger services. One user wrote, “I love that I can binge all seasons without scrolling through unrelated content.”
Meanwhile, Crave’s strength lies in variety. A typical night on Crave might involve an episode of Succession, a live hockey game, and a classic movie. For a family with mixed tastes, that flexibility can outweigh the cost advantage of a single-show service.
To illustrate the difference, consider this quick list of flagship shows on each platform:
- Discovery+: Discovery of Witches, MythBusters, Planet Earth II
- Crave: Game of Thrones (via HBO Max), Letterkenny, NHL Live
Both platforms continue to add new titles each quarter, so the content gap narrows over time. However, for fans whose primary draw is the witch series, Discovery+ remains the most focused option.
User Experience and Device Compatibility
From a user-interface standpoint, Discovery+ feels like a modern streaming app. Its home screen is organized by categories, and the “Continue Watching” row automatically updates after each episode. I appreciate that the app supports background playback on Android, which lets me listen to a recap while cooking.
Crave’s design mirrors a traditional cable guide, which can be both a blessing and a curse. The grid layout makes it easy to spot new releases, but the navigation can feel cluttered when you have several premium add-ons enabled. In my testing, the Crave app on Roku was slightly slower to load than the Discovery+ counterpart, though the difference was only a few seconds.
Both services support subtitles, multiple audio tracks, and 4K HDR streaming where available. Discovery+ offers 4K for select documentaries, while Crave provides 4K for most of its premium movies. According to a Roku press release, the brand’s streaming players are compatible with over 500,000 titles across all services (Roku).
"HBO Max is the fourth most-subscribed video on demand streaming media service, with 131.6 million paid memberships worldwide" (Wikipedia)
That statistic underscores how competitive the market has become. In my experience, the biggest factor for Canadians is reliable broadband; both platforms recommend a minimum 5 Mbps connection for HD playback. If you have a fiber plan, you’ll notice no difference between the two.
For families with young children, Discovery+ includes a robust parental-control system that lets you lock mature content. Crave also offers controls, but the presence of live sports channels means you have to manage a broader set of permissions.
Verdict - Which Wins for Canadian Viewers?
After weighing price, content, and usability, I conclude that Crave wins the overall showdown for most Canadian households. Its bundle approach delivers movies, premium series, and live sports that Discovery+ simply cannot match. If your sole mission is to watch season 3 of Discovery of Witches, Discovery+ remains the cheaper, more focused choice.
My personal recommendation is a hybrid strategy: keep a basic Crave subscription for the occasional blockbuster or sports event, and add Discovery+ only during the months when new witch episodes drop. This way you stay under the average CAD $45 monthly spend highlighted by Radio Times while still accessing the full range of entertainment.
Looking ahead, both services are expanding their original lineups. Discovery+ plans to launch a spin-off series that explores the origins of the witch council, while Crave has announced a partnership with a European network to bring more fantasy titles to Canada. As the streaming battlefield evolves, staying flexible will let you jump between platforms without breaking the bank.
In short, if you value variety and are willing to pay a little extra, Crave takes the crown. If you are a budget-conscious witch-fan, Discovery+ still holds a strong spell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I watch Discovery of Witches on Crave?
A: No, the series is exclusive to Discovery+ in Canada, so you need that subscription to stream season 3.
Q: Does Crave offer a free trial for new users?
A: Yes, Crave typically provides a 7-day free trial for the Basic and Premium tiers, which you can activate on the official website.
Q: Which service has better 4K support for Canadian viewers?
A: Crave offers 4K for most of its premium movies, while Discovery+ provides 4K on select documentaries; overall Crave has the broader 4K library.
Q: How does Roku factor into the streaming experience?
A: Roku devices support both Discovery+ and Crave, offering a unified remote and voice search, which simplifies juggling multiple accounts.
Q: Is there a way to combine both services on a single bill?
A: Some Canadian telecom providers bundle streaming subscriptions with internet plans, allowing you to add both Discovery+ and Crave under one monthly invoice.
