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In the United States, BBC Earth points viewers to HBO Max for the original Planet Earth (2006). U.S. listings also show it on Discovery+, Philo, YouTube TV, and certain Amazon Channels; you can also buy it digitally from Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, or Fandango At Home. No free streaming option was listed in the U.S. when availability was checked on August 17, 2026. Check the current listing before signing up, since streaming catalogs can change.
Quick answer: where to watch the original series
The options below refer to the original BBC series, Planet Earth (2006), in the United States. A listing means a service was reported as carrying the title; confirm that it is included in your plan and available in your account before paying.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Planet Earth DVD Board Game | $25.21 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Planet Earth - Complete Series [2006] [DVD] by David Attenborough | $73.07 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Cosmos from the Sky-Planet Earth | $6.63 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within | Buy on Amazon | |
| 5 |
|
Men in Black | $14.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| Route | U.S. option | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Direct subscription | HBO Max; Discovery+ | HBO Max is the destination named on BBC Earth’s U.S. title page. Discovery+ is another listed option. |
| Live-TV subscription | Philo; YouTube TV | These services offer broader channel lineups and are usually excessive if you only want this one series. |
| Amazon Channels | HBO Max through Amazon; Discovery+ through Amazon; Planet Earth Amazon Channel | Channel subscriptions can be separate paid add-ons. Their appearance in Prime Video does not mean the series is included with base Prime. |
| Digital purchase | Apple TV Store; Amazon Video; Fandango At Home | Buy the title rather than maintaining a streaming subscription. Check the edition, episodes, and retailer terms before purchase. |
| Free streaming | None listed | JustWatch reported no free U.S. streaming option on August 17, 2026. |
Availability sources: BBC Earth and JustWatch’s U.S. listing. Last checked: August 17, 2026.
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Which “Planet Earth” do you mean?
Streaming search results can mix up related titles. The availability answer above is for the original 2006 television series.
#1 Best Overall
- Challenge your family and friends with the unique co-operative game-play.
- Travel the board, answer questions correctly and complete the puzzle to help save our world.
- The Planet Earth DVD Board Game, the more you play, the more you'll discover abou the amazing Planet Earth.
- The interactive DVD Board Game featuring stunning vision from the epic television series.
- Game include: DVD, board game, puzzles, dice, and tokens.
| Exact title | What it is |
|---|---|
| Planet Earth (2006) | The original series covered in this article. |
| Planet Earth II (2016) | The sequel. Its availability may differ, so search for the full title rather than assuming it shares the original’s options. |
| Planet Earth III (2023) | A later sequel. U.S. listings checked August 17, 2026 show it on HBO Max, Discovery+, Philo, YouTube TV, and related Amazon Channels, with purchase options on Amazon Video and Fandango At Home. See its separate listing. |
| Earth | A separate BBC series, not another name for Planet Earth. BBC Earth lists PBS as its U.S. streaming destination; see the official page. |
Choosing a way to watch
Use HBO Max for the most direct subscription route
For U.S. viewers, BBC Earth’s official page names HBO Max as the destination for the original series. If you already subscribe, search the service for Planet Earth and check that the result is the 2006 series. Service branding and plan details can change, so confirm the name and terms shown when you sign in.
Check Discovery+ if you already subscribe
Discovery+ is also listed for the series. If it is already part of your household’s subscriptions, check there before adding another service. Catalog access can vary by plan or account, so confirm that the title shows a play option under your membership.
Use Amazon only after checking what the listing actually sells
Amazon may show the series as a channel add-on or as a separate purchase. An “Amazon Channel” listing usually means a paid subscription through Prime Video, not automatic inclusion with base Prime. Look for whether the page offers playback under a subscription, asks you to add a channel, or presents an episode or season purchase. Amazon’s listings may separate those routes; its franchise page also presents different Planet Earth titles and offers.
Buy it if you want repeat access without another monthly bill
Digital purchase is listed through Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, and Fandango At Home. It can make sense if you expect to rewatch the series or prefer not to add a recurring subscription. A digital purchase is tied to the retailer account and its platform; it is not the same as owning a disc. Check the exact series, season or episode count, playback compatibility, and retailer terms before checkout.
Rank #3
Do not subscribe to live TV for this series alone
Philo and YouTube TV are listed as viewing options, but they are live-TV services rather than single-show purchases. They are more sensible if you also want their wider channel lineups or already pay for them.
Is there a free way to stream it?
At the U.S. check on August 17, 2026, JustWatch listed no free streaming option for the original series. That describes the listing at that time, not a promise that availability will never change.
A provider’s free trial, if offered to an eligible account, is a temporary subscription promotion—not permanent free access. Eligibility, duration, renewal price, and cancellation rules vary by provider and can change. Check the provider’s checkout terms before starting a trial.
Why you may see Netflix or BBC iPlayer in search results
Older pages may mention Netflix, but the current U.S. availability sources cited here do not list it for the original series. Search results can also surface a separate movie-style entry that reports BBC iPlayer. That conflicts with the U.S. television-series listing and BBC Earth’s official U.S. destination. BBC iPlayer is region-restricted and should not be treated as the normal U.S. route.
Best Value
If the title does not appear in an app, search the exact name Planet Earth, then check for the year 2006 or narrator David Attenborough. Results may instead show Planet Earth II, Planet Earth III, the distinct Earth series, or other nature documentaries. If the app offers only a purchase button, the title may not be included in your current subscription.
Before you sign up or buy
- Confirm the listing is Planet Earth (2006), not a sequel or similarly named series.
- For a subscription listing, check that your specific plan includes playback.
- For Amazon, distinguish a channel add-on from base Prime and from a one-time purchase.
- For digital purchase, verify the edition and episode or season details in the retailer’s store.
- Availability, prices, trials, video quality, audio formats, and subtitles can vary by provider, account, device, and region. The sources here establish availability, not a universal resolution or audio specification.
This guide is for the United States; availability elsewhere can differ. Listings and rights can change after the date checked, so confirm the current option in your own account or location.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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