Based on the U.S. channel of the same name, it primarily carries a general entertainment format focusing on television series, films, reality, and sports programming.

The channel was launched on December 31, 1994 by Labatt Communications as Discovery Channel, a U.S. version of the American cable network of the same name; as with its namesake, it primarily aired factual programming relating to topics such as science, technology, and nature, with a mix of original Canadian productions (including a daily news magazine that aired from its launch through 2018) and imported programming.

Bell subsequently announced that it would enter into a licensing agreement with NBCUniversal for two of its Discovery-branded channels, with Discovery being relaunched as USA Network on January 1, 2025.

[2][3] During the licensing process, the venture had received numerous letters of support from various science-focused and educational groups, and academics such as John Polanyi and Susan Mann.

[7] The feed would later be shut down on December 19, 2005, and be replaced by a separate category 2 digital cable specialty channel called Discovery HD Theatre.

In the late 2000s and early 2010s, the channel followed its U.S. counterpart's shift away from natural history towards adventure and reality programming targeting male audiences, with series like Deadliest Catch, Highway Thru Hell, and Canada's Worst Driver.

[13] According to Rogers, the injunction requested by Bell would—if granted—prevent the company from operating any linear TV channels under the relevant brands during that timeframe, but would not affect other content rights.

[15] In late-August, Bell stated that it had dropped its legal action against Rogers (thus allowing its' relaunch of the Discovery brands to proceed), in favour of focusing on WBD having allegedly violated its right of first negotiation.

In November 2015, Bell Media announced Discovery Channel Canada's first original scripted drama, the Jason Momoa-fronted Netflix co-production Frontier, chronicling the North American fur trade.

[20][19] USA Network will also carry some live sports programming sublicensed from TSN, including professional wrestling (AEW Collision; USA Network has been a long-time home of All Elite Wrestling's main competitor WWE, whose rights moved from Rogers' Sportsnet to Netflix in 2025 as part of a global licensing agreement),[29][30] and coverage of the NASCAR Xfinity Series beginning in the 2025 season.