DIRECTV STREAM vs. DIRECTV: Channel Lineup, Satellite, Package & Price Compared 2024
$20 Cash BackTo choose the ideal TV service for any household, it is important to compare products carefully.DIRECTV has been the premier satellite TV service for over three decades in United States. It is also available in the Caribbean and Latin America.If you use AT&T for streaming or have been looking at their streaming plans lately, you may have noticed a new name appear: DirecTV Stream.This is the newest AT&T's streaming TV service available nationwide.DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV are very similar in what they offer, but which is right for you?What is the difference between DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV?Is Directv Stream included with Directv?Within this guide,we will make a comparison between DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV.Take a look at the pricing, available channels and add-ons from DIRECTV and DIRECTV STREAM to determine the best service for your home.
What is DIRECTV STREAM?
DIRECTV STREAM (formerly known as AT&T TV and AT&T TV NOW, launched by AT&T) is a no term commitment service. That means, you can enjoy the best of Live TV & On demand local and national channels, without the contracts!Like many streaming platforms, DirecTV Stream is available on a wide variety of devices and can connect to popular apps like Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and so on. When you opt for the DIRECTV exclusive streaming device you can watch and pause live TV on up to 20 devices in your home. It’s a neat feature to have when you want to start watching a movie downstairs but want to finish watching in a bedroom upstairs.
The pitch from DIRECTV STREAM is that you’re getting a more premium streaming experience with some of its packages, which include channels that many other streaming services don’t carry.While this service does away with many of the junk fees that you might have come to expect from AT&T cable or satellite brands, you’re going to find that this service is on the expensive side of the live TV streaming market.
DIRECTV STREAM Pros and Cons
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What is DIRECTV?
DIRECTV is a satellite based TV service provided by AT&T,offering a strong channel lineup and low introductory prices. Rather than using a wire to carry the video signal to your home (as would a cable TV provider), DIRECTV sends the signal through the air. Earth-orbiting satellites send the signals to a receiver dish that's mounted to your home. DIRECTV Stream is the internet version of DIRECTV.
When you order DIRECTV service, a technician will mount the satellite receiver dish for you and set up the in-house wiring, connecting the receiver dish to the set-top box. The DIRECTV set-top box decodes the signals and makes them viewable on your TV.
DIRECTV’s satellite TV service has all the channels you want—including NFL SUNDAY TICKET and premium channels like HBO and SHOWTIME.Although DIRECTV has a two-year contract with second-year price hikes, you're guaranteed a great channel variety for the family, for movie buffs, and for sports addicts.
DIRECTV Pros and Cons
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DIRECTV STREAM vs. DIRECTV: Comparison Side by Side
1.Packages and Pricing
One of the most common areas to consider when choosing DIRECTV or DIRECTV STREAM is pricing. Both services offer a wide range of packages. Packages or bundles help to pull together the services the household needs into a lower price point.
DIRECTV STREAM packages and pricing
Package | Channels | Regional sports included | Premium channels | Best for | On demond titles | Price |
ENTERTAINMENT | 65+ | ✘ | SHOWTIME, STARZ, EPIX, and Cinemax included for first 3 months | The essentials | 40,000+ | $69.99/mo + taxes |
CHOICE | 90+ | ✔ | HBO Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, EPIX and Cinemax included for first 3 months | Sports, news, lifestyle and movies | 45,000+ | $84.99/mo + taxes |
ULTIMATE | 130+ | ✔ | HBO Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, EPIX and Cinemax included for first 3 months | Movies and sports | 55,000+ | $94.99/mo + taxes |
PREMIER | 140+ | ✔ | HBO Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, and Cinemax included EPIX included for first 3 months | Premium channels | 65,000+ | $139.99/mo + taxes |
DIRECTV packages and pricing
Package | TV channel count | Top channels | Premium channels | Price |
ENTERTAINMENT | 160+ | AMC, ESPN, ESPN2, FOX Sports 1, TBS, TLC, TNT, USA | SHOWTIME, STARZ, EPIX & Cinemax for first three months | $64.99/mo + taxes |
CHOICE | 185+ | MLB Network, OWN, Travel Channel, Weather Channel | HBO Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, Cinemax & EPIX for first three months | $69.99/mo + taxes |
ULTIMATE | 250+ | DTV4K, Movie Channel, NFL Sunday Ticket | STARZ ENCORE included. HBO Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, Cinemax & EPIX for first three months | $84.99/mo + taxes |
PREMIER | 330+ | Movie Channel Extra, Next Level Sports, Outdoor Channel | HBO Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ and Cinemax included. EPIX included for first three months. | $134.99/mo + taxes |
DIRECTV’s pricing is $5–$15 less per month for the first year, and each package includes about double the channels than DIRECTV STREAM does.If you want all of the lifestyle, news, sports, kids, and entertainment channels you can think of, DIRECTV is the one for you.
DIRECTV has second-year price hikes that you can’t get around, and DIRECTV STREAM lets you cancel your service whenever you’d like.But honestly, DIRECTV STREAM is currently the priciest live TV streaming service on the market.
You should take the time to consider the specific services you desire before picking any package offering. In addition, bundling DIRECTV or DIRECTV STREAM with AT&T Internet brings additional savings.
DIRECTV vs DIRECTV STREAM’s most popular package
DIRECTV STREAM CHOICE | DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT PACKAG |
Starting at $84.99/mo.*, you’ll get over 90 channels and access to 40,000 on-demand titles. 20 hours of DVR storage is included with your service as well. | Starting at $64.99/mo.*, this introductory package starts with over 160 channels. Genie HD DVR is included with up to 200 hours of storage space. |
2.Hidden Fees
Fee | DIRECTV STREAM | DIRECTV |
Set-top box/ Streaming device | $5/mo for 24 mos or $120 one-time fee | Included, then $7.00/mo for additional and $99 installation fee |
Upgraded DVR service | $10/mo | N/A |
Regional sports fee | N/A | Up to $9.99/mo |
Early termination fee | N/A | Up to $20 for each month remaining on your contract |
3.Contracts
As mentioned above, DIRECTV STREAM doesn’t require you to sign a contract of any kind.
On the other hand, DIRECTV has a 2-year contract with second-year price hikes that nearly double your monthly cost.And it will be a pain to get out of the contract early. You’ll have to pay an early termination fee if you want out of the relationship. This means you’ll have to pay up to $20 per month that is left on your contract.
So if you want DIRECTV because of all of the channels they offer or because satellite TV is your only TV option in your area, then just make sure to budget for that second-year price hike.
4.Channel Lineup
When comparing both providers and the availability of the top channels, they’re very similar.One of DIRECTV’s best features is its pretty awesome channel lineups.Luckily, you don’t have to pay for the highest-tier packages to get the channels you want with DIRECTV. DIRECTV STREAM has most of the popular channels, which is good news since it only offers half the channels DIRECTV does.
Channel | DIRECTV STREAM | DIRECTV |
Disney Channel | ✔ | ✔ |
ESPN | ✔ | ✔ |
Fox News | ✔ | ✔ |
HGTV | ✔ | ✔ |
Lifetime | ✔ | ✔ |
MSNBC | ✔ | ✔ |
Nickelodeon | ✔ | ✔ |
The CW | ✘ | ✘ |
Univision | ✘ | ✔ |
USA | ✔ | ✔ |
BBC World News | ULTIMATE and PREMIER | ULTIMATE and PREMIER |
History Channel | All packages | All packages |
Investigation Discovery (ID) | All packages | All packages |
National Geographic | All packages | All packages |
Premium channels
Channel | DIRECTV STREAM price | DIRECTV price |
HBO Max | $14.99/mo | $14.99/mo |
Cinemax | $11/mo | $10.99/mo |
SHOWTIME | $11/mo | $10.99/mo |
STARZ | $11/mo | $10.99/mo |
EPIX | $6/mo | $5.99/mo |
Sports channels
With DIRECTV STREAM, you can get all of the sports channels listed below with the ULTIMATE and PREMIER packages.
DIRECTV also gives you access to all of its sports channels with the ULTIMATE package and above.
DIRECTV STREAM | DIRECTV |
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5.DVR
DIRECTV has one of the` best set-top box DVRs in the industry in its Genie DVR.You can get 4K resolution, the ability to switch between games, and the ability to connect up to eight TVs wirelessly. You can record five programs at once with a single Genie DVR, and you can schedule it on your TV or online.
DIRECTV STREAM comes with a cloud DVR storage space of 20 hours, and you only get three simultaneous streams.
With both DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV, you’ll get access to on-demand content, so check it out before you spend more money on a streaming service.
DVR details | DIRECTV STREAM | DIRECTV |
TV box/ streaming device monthly price | $5/mo or $120 one-time fee | First DVR included, then $7/mo for additional |
DVR service | None or $10/mo for unlimited hours | N/A |
Storage space | 20 hours | 500 SD hours/ 200 HD hours |
Days saved in storage | Indefinitely | Indefinitely |
Simultaneous streams | 3 | 5 |
6.Add-ons and Special Offers
DIRECTV STREAM special features and offers:
Voice Control with built-in Google Assistant – Change the channel or search for shows using your voice when you add the DIRECTV STREAM device to your package.
HBO Max included – For three months with ENTERTAINMENT, CHOICE and ULTIMATE packages, and for length of service with PREMIER.
DIRECTV special features and offers:
NFL SUNDAY TICKET – This DIRECTV-exclusive sports package offers “every live, out-of-market game, every Sunday.” NFL SUNDAY TICKET is also available in areas where DIRECTV can’t be installed.
International packages – DIRECTV offers more international packages than DIRECTV STREAM with programming available in Cantonese, Filipino, French, Italian, Japanese, Russian and more. Both DIRECTV and DIRECTV STREAM offer Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese and Brazilian based TV packages.
Conclusion
DIRECTV comparisons like this need to be considered on a personal level.
If you are are NOT tech savvy, do not want to install your own equipment, love seasonal sports packages, have no internet or slow internet or live in a rural area – choose DIRECTV.
If you are are tech savvy, wouldn’t mind self installing your own equipment, already have fast internet, and would like to have integrated streaming apps – choose DIRECTV Stream.
Individuals who want specialized TV programming, including sports, International channels, and business packages may not find what they need from DIRECTV STREAM. However, this is widely available through DIRECTV.DIRECTV will give you the most channels, but we noticed a good portion of the extra channels are music channels. Besides, DIRECTV requires a 2-year contract and it comes with second-year price hikes.
DIRECTV STREAM may not give you as many channels, but you’ll save money in the longrun.DIRECTV STREAM wins with its no-contract service and you’ll be able to cancel whenever you’d like.
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