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Pricing & Packages Equipment Features Customer Service Final Recommendation

  • DISH Review Highlights:
  • Wide, national availability
  • Satellite option not as feasible for urban residents
  • Large price hike after first year

For fantastic live TV services available across the country, DIRECTV could meet all your demands. DIRECTV is a satellite television service provider owned by telecommunications giant, AT&T. The company offers over 330 channels with a large number available in HD, 4K live programming, NFL Sunday Ticket, and a heavy promotional discount for your first year of service. However, customers will face a price hike halfway through their contract and additional fees for connecting multiple TVs. Despite this, we love all the great features and discounts that DIRECTV throws in for their new customers.

Apache/2.2.15 (Red Hat) Server at directv.com Port 443. .up on the latest movies and shows with On Demand, and schedule recordings on your DVR—no additional equipment. Data Free TV lets you stream DIRECTV on.

PackagesPromo PriceRegular PriceChannels
Select$35/mo.$81/mo.155+
Entertainment$40/mo.$93/mo.160+
Choice$45/mo.$110/mo.185+
Xtra$55/mo.$124/mo.235+
Ultimate$60/mo.$135/mo.250+
Premier$110/mo.$189/mo.330+

New DIRECTV customers have six all-included plans to choose from. Your eligibility for discounted prices will vary depending on your location and you may see slightly higher promotional prices in some areas. Each of these plans is all-included, meaning you won’t be hit with additional DVR, receiver, or satellite dish fees.

The only thing that sets the DIRECTV packages apart are the number of channels included. The DIRECTV SELECT plan is perfect if you’re looking for value, offering affordable entertainment and access to at least 155 channels including HGTV, Nickelodeon, TNT, Food Network, and Discovery. Their ENTERTAINMENT package is great for casual sports fans who want to watch ESPN, ESPN 2, and FOX Sports 1.

From the CHOICE plan and up, you’ll get NFL Sunday Ticket for one year at no extra cost. The CHOICE plan includes a wide variety of 185+ channels from comedy to drama. Go with the XTRA plan if you want an even more impressive selection of channels including Nat Geo WILD, MTV Classic, and BBC World News. The ULTIMATE plan adds 14 movie channels to your line-up and PREMIER includes the DIRECTV Sports Pack as well as premium channels like HBO, Cinemax, and STARZ.

DIRECTV throws in one free season of NFL Sunday Ticket on select plans.

What’s Included in a DirecTV Package?

Tv Free-way Hook Up Directv Dvr Service

All of these packages include plenty of great features. For example, you’ll have access to thousands of On Demand titles and even a full-time, live 4K TV Channel. All DIRECTV packages include local channels, a free premium channel trial, and access to DIRECTV Everywhere. Plus, you can skip the $35 TV activation fee if you order online!

12-Month Price Lock

With DIRECTV, you know exactly what you’ll be paying for your first year of service. Your monthly service fee will not increase until the 13th month of your agreement when you will be charged the regular pricing for your plan. It’s important to note that all DIRECTV packages require a 24-month agreement.

Prices are guaranteed to not increase for your first 12 months.

4K Programming

All DIRECTV customers have access to DIRECTV On Demand where you can find thousands of titles and even some movies available in 4K. DIRECTV also provides a live 4K channel, so you can watch sports, concerts, and other events in ultra HD. Just remember, you will also need a 4K TV to enjoy the 4K content!

Local Channels

DIRECTV offers local channels in 99% of the US based on local availability. Most of these channels are available in HD and are included in your base service package. This is great because local channels can be difficult to find from other television providers and many people have to set up their own antenna to watch them.

Regional sports networks are included on the CHOICE package and up.

What’s Not Included in a DirecTV Package?

We mentioned that NFL Sunday Ticket is included on four DIRECTV plans. However, it is only free for the first season. Unless you cancel your subscription, it will renew the next year and you will be charged the full price (currently $293.94/season).

You’ll also run into additional fees if you want to set up more than one TV in your home with DIRECTV. Your first DVR is free, but a receiver is required for each additional TV and will cost $7 each per month. So for example, if you’re hooking up 4 TV’s, you’ll be paying $28 per month just for equipment.

Also, keep in mind that your service price will increase after 12 months even though you’ll be locked into a 24-month agreement. If you cancel early, DIRECTV will charge you $20 per month for every month left in your contract. It’s unusual for a company to increase your service charge halfway through your contract and this where DISH’s two-year price lock looks nice in comparison.

Add-On Packages

If your base package doesn’t have everything you need, you may want to add some channel packages. The premium channel packages include HBO, SHOWTIME, STARZ, and Cinemax. These networks are free for your first 3 months and then cost $53.99 per month. Other premium add-on channels include the DIRECTV sports pack, DOGTV, and adult content channels. There are also a variety of international packages available from $4.99 to $30.99 per month, including those in Italian, French, Cantonese, Filipino, and Spanish.

Genie HD DVR

All DIRECTV plans include the company’s flagship receiver, the Genie HD DVR. The Genie HD DVR is a solid piece of standard television equipment with the ability to record 5 shows at the same time and store 200 hours of HD video. The equipment allows you to restart live TV if you just missed the beginning of your show or watch entire shows that aired up to 72 hours earlier. Sports fans will enjoy the ability to watch 8 sports broadcasts on just one channel and track their favorite individual players with the Player Tracker.

Get Player Alerts when your favorite player makes a great play!

Wireless Genie Mini

You will also need a Genie Mini receiver for each additional TV you want to watch DIRECTV on. The Genie Mini receivers cost an additional $7 per month each. You’ll also have to pay a one-time charge of $99 to make your receiver wireless if you want a cordless connection to your TV. There is an additional upfront charge for your 5th and 6th receivers.

The Genie Minis allow you to start a show in one room and finish it in another, or watch shows in multiple rooms at the same time! The wireless function will also get you connected to the internet, so you can access TV apps like YouTube and DIRECTV On Demand programming.

DIRECTV Everywhere

If you spend a lot of time commuting on public transit or traveling within the country, you’ll appreciate DIRECTV Everywhere. DIRECTV movies and shows can be accessed by phone, tablet, or computer. Users can search through live programming options, pre-recorded DVR shows, and On Demand content to watch on the go.

Premium Channels

All DIRECTV customers can get a free 3-month trial of the premium channel package which includes HBO, Cinemax, SHOWTIME, and STARZ. This will give you access to loads of popular series including Game of Thrones and Westworld. Just remember to cancel your subscription before your three months is up or you will be charged for this package.

Enjoy three free months of access to HBO, Cinemax, STARZ, and SHOWTIME.

Free Installation

Installation is included with all DIRECTV plans, which means you don’t have to pay extra fees or set up anything yourself. A professional will scout out the best placement for your satellite dish and cable routing, then install all necessary equipment and connect each TV to your DIRECTV service. Before leaving, the technician will make sure everything is running smoothly and show you how to use your DIRECTV remote. Standard installation is quick and takes between 2-5 hours.

Equipment Protection

Customers can subscribe to the DIRECTV PROTECTION PLANS starting at $7.99 per month. These plans protect you from paying for system damages and can be useful if you expect power surges or high-wind storms in your region. You can extend this coverage to entertainment devices, like your TVs, tablets, and computers to protect them against drops and spills.

Protect your expensive electronics from damage with DIRECTV PROTECTION PLANS.

DIRECTV has been ranked as number one in Customer Satisfaction out of all other cable and satellite providers. * Yet, like most TV customer service, DIRECTV receives mixed reviews. Many customers report friendly interactions and helpful care agents who provided the information they needed to make a decision about their service. Others felt that customer service was rude and dishonest. Overall, contacting DIRECTV customer service may be hit or miss.

People can get a hold of DIRECTV customer service over instant chat or phone. Their general support phone service is available between 8 am and 12 am E.T. and their technical support is available at all hours. DIRECTV heavily pushes the use of their help center where you can look up answers to your questions or receive troubleshooting support.

*From a 2017 ACSI survey in which customers ranked their TV providers.

DirecTV can be a significant addition to your monthly bills just like most TV providers, but try utilizing these helpful tips to keep your expenses down!

Unsubscribe from Premium Channels

Make sure you unsubscribe from premium channels if you want to avoid being charged for these once your 3 free months are up. The same goes for the free NFL Sunday Ticket which is included with some plans. Make sure you cancel your subscription before it automatically renews the following year, or you will be charged full price.

Only Hook Up A Couple of TVs

Since DIRECTV charges you an additional $7 per month for each TV you hook up to your service, your bill can increase significantly if you start getting DIRECTV in every room of the house. It may be more economical to hook up just one or two TV’s – your first one is included – and take advantage of DIRECTV Everywhere to watch shows on your computers and tablets.

Watch your shows with DIRECTV Everywhere instead of paying extra to hook up multiple TVs.

Bundle TV, Internet, and Phone

DIRECTV offers a variety of bundles with AT&T services and third-party internet providers. You can bundle your DIRECTV plan with AT&T internet, mobile, or home phone services. DIRECTV also partners with HughesNet, CenturyLink, Viasat, Cincinnati Bell, Mediacom, and Windstream. You can save up to $10 per month when you bundle with these internet providers and $15 per month when you bundle with AT&T wireless plans.

Sign Up for AutoPay

You’ll be prompted to sing up for AutoPay when you initiate online checkout with your DIRECTV order. If you opt-in, you’ll save $5 per month. AutoPay automatically charges your monthly bill to your account, so you don’t have to remember to pay each month.

Our Recommendation

DIRECTV has a lot of things to love, such as full country-wide availability, one year of discounted prices, and the ability to watch live TV everywhere on your portable devices. With all the add-on options like premium channels and international packages, DIRECTV has something for everyone. Even their most affordable plan has a huge selection of channels. Sports fans will love the included NFL Sunday Ticket in select plans, as well as the additional features like Mix Channels where you can watch multiple sports broadcasts at the same time. Furthermore, the DIRECTV Genie HD DVR and Genie Mini are solid pieces of equipment for watching and recording shows.

DIRECTV may not be the best option for condensed apartment living or condos where mounting a satellite dish isn’t realistic. However, people living in suburban or rural areas are prime candidates for DIRECTV. Though DIRECTV is fairly affordable for the first 12 months, your monthly fees will increase a lot in your second year. For this reason, DISH may be a cheaper option although they provide a slightly smaller assortment of channels to choose from.

Overall, you won’t go wrong by choosing DIRECTV over traditional cable. We recommend the ENTERTAINMENT package for a healthy mix of popular entertainment, sports, and affordability.

Tv Free-way Hook Up Directv Dvr
8.0

DirecTV

Pros

  • NFL Sunday Ticket Included For First Year
  • Variety of Channel Packages
  • Bundle Savings With AT&T Internet

Cons

  • Price Increase After First Year
  • Regional Sports Fee

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Our expert analysis says that both DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV are too expensive to be worth it for most folks—but DIRECTV STREAM is at least easier to escape.

Price: $69.99–$139.99/mo.
Channel count: 65–140+
DVR storage: 20 hrs.–Unlimited (stores for 90 days)

Price: $64.99–$134.99/mo.
Channel count: 160–330+
DVR storage: 450 hrs. (store until you delete them)

*Data effective as of post date. Not all offers are available in all areas.

Earlier this year, AT&T sold its DIRECTV brand and exited the TV business. Now there are two DIRECTV-branded TV services: the original satellite TV service, DIRECTV, and a live TV streaming service, DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV).

We tend to recommend other services over both DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV. But if you’re already set on one of these, we suggest DIRECTV STREAM for its flexibility, simplicity, and price for most people. DIRECTV is much more expensive, but it offers more channels, a better DVR, and NFL SUNDAY TICKET, which is perfect for sports fans.

Jump to:

DIRECTV STREAM

Included streaming device
High pricing for a streaming TV service
Fewer channels than DIRECTV (for same price)
Fast self-installation

NFL SUNDAY TICKET
Genie DVR
2-yr. contract
Steep price hike in second year
No self-installation

Price Connection type Channel count DVR storage Simultaneous recordings Details
$69.99–$139.99/mo. Internet 65–140+ 20 hrs.–Unlimited (stores for 90 days) Unlimited
$64.99–$134.99/mo. Satellite dish 160–330+ 450 hrs. Up to 7

Data effective as of post date. Not all offers available in all areas.

We were never into AT&T TV, and DIRECTV STREAM is essentially its clone, with high channel counts, high prices (including a $5 a month fee for your streaming device), and scanty cloud DVR storage compared to other live TV streaming services.

DIRECTV STREAM does, however, have sweet no-contract flexibility, like most streaming services, and you can self-install its internet-based streaming box in minutes.

We’d suggest services like YouTube TV ($64.99 a month, 85+ channels) and Hulu + Live TV ($65.99–$71.99 a month, 70+ channels) over DIRECTV STREAM. Neither one has as many channels, but both offer better overall value—including cheaper pricing and beefier cloud DVRs—than DIRECTV STREAM.

What else is out there?

You can get streaming TV services wherever you can get a steady internet connection. Satellite TV services like DISH and DIRECTV are available almost anywhere. But cable TV providers’ availability depends on your location. Enter your zip code below to find providers in your area.

DIRECTV, meanwhile, has a bunch more channels (330+) for the same price as DIRECTV STREAM. DIRECTV also includes the Genie DVR at no extra charge, free NFL SUNDAY TICKET for one season, and premium-channel offers for new customers.

But DIRECTV also has contracts, with a huge 29%–40% rate hike in the second year (when those promos expire), and requires professional installation. These negatives mean DIRECTV loses to DIRECTV STREAM.

If satellite TV is your only option, DISH has slightly fewer channels than DIRECTV and similar pricing, but it pledges not to raise your monthly payment for two years, so it’s much cheaper in the long run.

DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV have four separate plans with similar monthly payments—but wildly divergent channel counts. Let’s see how they rate in terms of overall value.

Package
DIRECTV STREAM ENTERTAINMENT
DIRECTV STREAM CHOICE™
DIRECTV STREAM ULTIMATE
DIRECTV STREAM PREMIER
Price Channel count Popular channels Details
$69.99/mo. 65+ AMC, CNN, ESPN, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, MSNBC, Nickelodeon, and TLC
$84.99/mo. 90+ Bravo, Disney, IFC, Nick Jr., OWN, Science, Travel Channel, and UniMás
$94.99/mo. 125+ DIY Network, Golf Channel, LOGO, Nat Geo WILD, NHL Network, and Universal Kids
$139.99/mo. 140+ CINEMAX®, STARZ®, SHOWTIME®, and HBO MaxTM

Data effective as of post date. Not all offers available in all areas.

All live TV streaming services, not just DIRECTV STREAM, have fewer channels than cable and satellite TV services . So it’s not like DIRECTV STREAM is trying to give you less for your money. It’s just how live TV streaming services roll—they offer quality over quantity, or more popular channels instead of filler networks.

DIRECTV STREAM plans cost $0.76–$1.08 per channel. DIRECTV STREAM ULTIMATE ($94.99 a month, 125+ channels) has the best value at $0.76 per channel. Here’s how that number compares to other top live TV streaming services.

(Note: Due to differences between streaming and traditional TV services, it wouldn’t make sense to do a direct cost-per-channel comparison between DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV.)

  • fuboTV (111–159+ channels): $0.50–$0.59
  • Hulu + Live TV (70+ channels): $0.94–$1.02
  • Sling TV (32–51+ channels): $0.81–$1.09
  • YouTube TV (85+ channels): $0.76

DIRECTV STREAM ULTIMATE also comes with three free months of CINEMAX, EPIX, HBO Max, and SHOWTIME, but that added value doesn’t last very long. But if you go with DIRECTV STREAM PREMIER ($139.99 a month, 330+ channels), those premium channels are a permanent part of your plan.

Package
ENTERTAINMENT All Included
CHOICE™ All Included
ULTIMATE All Included
PREMIER™ All Included
Price (mos. 1–12) Price (mos. 13–24) Channel count Popular channels Details
$64.99/mo. $102.00/mo. 160+ AMC, CNN, ESPN, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, MSNBC, Nickelodeon, and TLC
$69.99/mo. $122.00/mo. 185+ Bravo, Disney, IFC, Nick Jr., OWN, Science, Travel Channel, and UniMás
$84.99/mo. $151.00/mo. 250+ DIY Network, Golf Channel, LOGO, Nat Geo WILD, NHL Network, and Universal Kids
$134.99/mo. $206.00/mo. 330+ CINEMAX, STARZ, SHOWTIME, and HBO Max

Data effective as of post date. Not all offers available in all areas.

DIRECTV has 190+ channels that DIRECTV STREAM doesn’t carry, but the packages are essentially the same in terms of popular channels. With DIRECTV, you’ll just get a bunch of other channels that you’ll probably never watch.

Price-wise, DIRECTV plans are a little cheaper than DIRECTV STREAM’s—but again, only for the first year. Then you get stuck with the butt-ugly second-year payment amounts listed above.

So why sign up for DIRECTV? Well, DIRECTV has NFL SUNDAY TICKET and includes an extra premium channel, STARZ, in its premium freebies promotion. Also, the DIRECTV app allows you to stream your DIRECTV content. And the free Genie DVR is way better than DIRECTV STREAM’s dinky cloud DVR.

But once the SUNDAY TICKET and premium channel promos expire and your payment jumps in the second year, all that DIRECTV has over DIRECTV STREAM is 190+ filler channels, a fancy DVR, the mobile app, and a monstrous monthly payment.

When it comes down to DVRs, the DIRECTV Genie stomps DIRECTV STREAM’s cloud DVR. Check out the vital statistics of each below.

Swipe Left to See All →
DVRPriceStorageSimultaneous recordingsVideo qualityDetails
DIRECTV STREAM Cloud DVRIncluded–$10.00/mo.20 hrs.–Unlimited (stores for 90 days)Unlimited720p (live TV), 1080p (on demand)
DIRECTV Genie / Genie 2IncludedUp to 450 hrs.Up to 7Up to 4K

DIRECTV STREAM’s 20-hour cloud DVR is free but dinky. Trying to watch everything before you run out of space will suck, which feels intentional—like DIRECTV STREAM is pushing you toward its $10 a month unlimited DVR upgrade.

But, even once you get unlimited storage space and unlimited simultaneous recordings, you can keep your DVR recordings for only 90 days. So this DVR upgrade doesn’t solve the recording management problem.

DIRECTV’s Genie (200 hours, five simultaneous recordings) and Genie 2 (450 hours, seven simultaneous recordings) are better options for those of us who like to binge movies and series at our leisure.

Both come included with your DIRECTV plan and, really, the basic Genie is enough for most users. But the Genie 2 has more than double the storage for committed couch creatures—and wireless connectivity for folks who like to avoid cord clutter. Just beware of the Genie 2’s $99 bridge fee for Wi-Fi setup, which is due at signup.

And, with both Genies, you can add DIRECTV on up to seven TVs in your home with the Genie Mini devices ($7 a month each). To learn more about DIRECTV whole-home DVR, check out our DIRECTV Genie review.

Installing DIRECTV STREAM is much, much, easier than installing DIRECTV.

When your DIRECTV STREAM device ($5 a month for 24 months) arrives in the mail, just use the included HDMI cable to connect the device to your TV, plug in the power adapter, connect to your home Wi-Fi network, and start streaming.

DIRECTV installation is also free, and a tech does all the work for you, but the process isn’t nearly as simple as with DIRECTV STREAM. You’ll probably have to take a day off from work to be present for the installation, which can take up to five hours. And apartment dwellers may need to have their landlord sign an installation approval form.

Comparing DIRECTV STREAM’s and DIRECTV’s apps is a little tricky. Allow us to elaborate.

All streaming services are based around an app that you use on a compatible device like a Chromecast, gaming console, personal computer, smart TV, smartphone, streaming stick, or tablet. So, unlike the DIRECTV app, the DIRECTV STREAM mobile app (Amazon, Android, and iOS) isn’t an extra feature—it’s the main way to use the service.

Note: You don’t need the DIRECTV STREAM streaming device to use DIRECTV STREAM, which is compatible with a variety of better, more affordable streaming devices. See the list in our DIRECTV STREAM review.

With DIRECTV, the mobile app for Android and iOS is an additional feature. Actually, it’s almost like having both DIRECTV and DIRECTV STREAM because it allows you to do all of this:

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  • Stream live TV, on-demand content, and DVR recordings
  • Download movies and shows to watch offline
  • Set and manage DVR recordings
  • Set and manage parental controls
  • Stream on up to five mobile devices at once

But does adding a streaming component to DIRECTV via the DIRECTV app justify DIRECTV’s astronomical second-year payment? Maybe if money is no object to you. But since money matters to most people, we’ll say that the DIRECTV app isn’t worth the higher payment.

Although AT&T and DIRECTV have separated, you can still bundle either DIRECTV STREAM or DIRECTV with AT&T Internet plans. And, in some areas, you can bundle DIRECTV with CenturyLink internet services. To learn more, read our DIRECTV Bundles review.

DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV have some excellent features, but they’re both way too expensive to be worth it. Forced to choose one over the other, we’d pick DIRECTV STREAM since it’s the most flexible (no contract means an easier escape) and avoids DIRECTV’s ridiculous second-year price hike.

So, go with DIRECTV STREAM if you must. Otherwise, we suggest you try YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV. And your best alternative to DIRECTV, if you need satellite TV, is DISH.

See all your options

Tv Freeway Hook Up Directv Dvr Service

If you’re not so sure about DIRECTV STREAM or DIRECTV, we get it. To explore your other TV options in your area, enter your zip code below.

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Tv Free-way Hook Up Directv Dvr With Remote

DIRECTV STREAM has four plans (65–140+ channels) priced $69.99–$139.99 a month.

Tv Free-way Hook Up Directv Dvr Instructions

You can stream your DIRECTV live channels, on-demand content, and DVR recordings with the DIRECTV App, which is free to current DIRECTV subscribers.

If you’re asking about the new DIRECTV STREAM live TV streaming service, we think it’s too expensive to be worth it. But if you’re asking about streaming DIRECTV through its mobile app, we think it adds a ton of value to your DIRECTV subscription.

After the first year of your contract, DIRECTV prices (regularly $64.99–$134.99 a month) go up to $102.00–$206.00 (or an additional 29%–40%) a month. We’ll say it for you: yikes.

Tv Freeway Hook Up Directv Dvr System

DIRECTV doesn’t offer a 2-year price guarantee—its prices jump by 29%–40% in the second year. DISH, however, does have a 2-year pricelock.

At CableTV.com, we constantly analyze prices, plans, and specifications of TV providers like DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV so our readers can make informed buying decisions. We’ve also tested DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV from signup through activation, and surveyed other customers to see what they thought about providers. To learn more about our process, see our “How We Rank” page.

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