DIRECTV and DIRECTV Stream are two different types of TV services. While the traditional DIRECTV service requires a dish to catch signals from satellite, the DIRECTV Stream plans only require a home internet connection. Continue reading to understand their differences and choose the one that best suits your entertainment needs.
DIRECTV Satellite
| DIRECTV Plan | Promo Price | Channels |
|---|---|---|
| Entertainment | $69.99/mo. | 90+ |
| Choice™ | $84.99/mo. | 125+ |
| Ultimate | $114.99/mo. | 160+ |
| Premier | $159.99/mo. | 185+ |
**Price is subject to change. Taxes and other charges may apply
***All plans require a 2-year agreement
****RSNs are available on Choice and higher packages for an additional fee of $15.99/mo.
DIRECTV offers TV services to approximately 11.3 million subscribers all over the country, including remote and rural areas. The pay TV service starts at $69.99 per month and can offer up to 150 channels and 90,000 on-demand shows and movies. For details about the DIRECTV channel list, you can refer to the DIRECTV Channel Guide.
Pros
- Available nationwide
- 2-year price guarantee
- Up to 90,000 On-Demand movies and shows
- Access over 200 hours of HD storage via satellite plans.
- Upgraded Gemini receiver
- Genie HD DVR
Cons
- Charges a monthly $15 advanced receiver services fee with every plan
- Requires a 2-year contract
- Requires a credit check
- Interruptions, particularly in inclement weather, may affect satellite service
DIRECTV Stream
| DIRECTV Stream Plans | Promotional Price | Live TV Channels |
|---|---|---|
| ENTERTAINMENT + Sports Pack | $84.98/mo. + tax for 3 mos. | 90+ |
| CHOICE™ + Sports Pack | $98.99/mo. + tax for 1 mo. | 125+ |
| ULTIMATE + Sports Pack | $109.99/mo. + tax for 1 mo. | 160+ |
| PREMIER + Sports Pack | $169.98/mo. + tax for 3 mo. | 185+ |
**Entertainment subscribers must add the DIRECTV Sports Pack to get the promo discount.
***Sports Pack is included for 1 month on Choice and Ultimate packages for free, after which a monthly fee of $14.99 will apply
Like other popular streaming services in the country, DIRECTV Stream also requires a fast internet connection with a minimum download speed of 8 Mbps. Customers can stream content on unlimited devices on their home network, as long as they have gigabit and multi-gigabit broadband speeds. DIRECTV Stream also offers up to 185 channels on its elite monthly plans, and viewers can take their pick from the 90,000 On-Demand movies and shows that are available for streaming and downloading.
Pros
- Live streaming of DIRECTV
- Does not require a contract
- Easy, self-installation
- Access to Netflix, Pandora, YouTube, and more.
- Includes RSNs without any extra cost
- Does not require a credit check
- Up to 90,000 On-Demand shows and movies
Cons
- Requires high-speed internet
- Pricier than other streaming alternatives
Key Differences – DIRECTV vs DIRECTV Stream
We have summarized some of the main differences between DIRECTV and DIRECTV Stream in the table below.
| DIRECTV | DIRECTV Stream | |
| Over Satellite | Over Internet | |
| pay TV service | pay TV service | A live TV streaming service |
| Does not need an internet connection | Needs a high-speed internet connection | Needs a high-speed internet |
| Service available nationwide | Service available nationwide | Service available nationwide |
| Requires professional installation | You can install it yourself | No installation required |
| Equipment includes a satellite dish and HD Genie DVR | Equipment includes Gemini Receiver | No extra equipment required |
| Other streaming apps/ services are not available | Other streaming apps/ services are available | Other streaming apps/ services are available |
| The first three plans include the Sports Pack for 7 months. Premier customers get unlimited access. | The first three plans include the Sports Pack for 7 months. Offered as an add-on with Premier package. | Includes Sports Pack on Choice and Ultimate packages for a month |
| Needs a credit check | Needs a credit check | Does not need a credit check |
| Pricey pay TV service | Pricey pay TV service | Pricey streaming service |
| Needs a 2-year contract | Needs a 2-year contract | Does not need a contract |
| No price hike for 2 years | No price hike for 2 years | No price hike after 1 year |
| Over 185 channels | Over 185 channels | Over 185 channels |
| Up to 90,000 On-Demand titles | Up to 90,000 On-Demand titles | Up to 90,000 On-Demand titles |
| Access to premium channels | Access to premium channels | Access to premium channels |
| Does not have a voice remote control | Has a voice remote control | Does not have a voice remote control |
| Up to 200 HD hrs. of DVR recording | Unlimited Cloud DVR storage | Unlimited Cloud DVR |
Additional Fees – DIRECTV vs DIRECTV Stream
While looking for the best on-screen entertainment service for your home, you must be wary of the hidden costs associated with your purchase. Most advertisements will leave out the disclaimers for the digital or printed bills. We have been there, and we know how shocking it can be to see an unexplained $20 additional charge on your monthly TV bill.
Luckily, DIRECTV is quite transparent with its fees and surcharges. Both DIRECTV and DIRECTVStream provide free installation. The difference is that for DirecTV via satellite, you will have to request a professional installation, whereas DirecTV via the Internet and DirecTV Stream installation is a quick and easy affair. The company will send you a self-installation kit via mail and the setup only takes a few minutes.
| Additional Fees – DirecTV vs DirecTV Stream | ||
| Fee | DirecTV | DirecTV Stream |
| Equipment Installation | Free | Free |
| Advanced Receiver Services Fee | $15 per month | Not applicable |
| Service Activation | $19.95 for 1st device and $49.00 for each extra receiver (only applicable when you connect with a satellite dish) | Not applicable |
| Access Fee for Additional Receivers | $7.00 per month for each extra piece of equipment | Not Applicable |
| Regional Sports Channels | Up to $15.99 per month | Not applicable |
| Early Termination | $20.00/mo. for every remaining month | Not Applicable |
Unlike DIRECTV Stream, DIRECTV is a contract-based service, and canceling your subscription before the contract expiration date will result in an early termination fee of $20 per month for every remaining month. Moreover, DirecTV charges its users a flat $15 for its advanced receiver services. You can find more information about the extra charges associated with DirecTV’s services on the provider’s website.
When you add up all the additional charges on your DIRECTV vs. DIRECTV Stream subscriptions, you will notice that overall, DIRECTV is more expensive than DirecTV Stream.
Channel Selection – DIRECTV vs DIRECTV Stream
Both DIRECTV and DIRECTV Stream offer the same number of networks, but the latter’s plans remove filler channels. Although this may not be a significant point of contention for most users when deciding between DirecTV and DirecTV Stream, as both services carry all the in-demand channels, the ultimate choice comes down to how you want to enjoy your home entertainment.
The premium channels included in DIRECTV and DIRECTV Stream plans are as follows:
| Premium Channels | DirecTV Plans | DirecTV Stream Plans |
|---|---|---|
| Max |
|
|
| CINEMAX® |
|
|
| MGM+™ |
|
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| Paramount+ with SHOWTIME |
|
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| STARZ® |
|
|
To summarize, it is only the DIRECTV and DIRECTV Stream Premier plans that give free and unlimited access to premium channels. However, MGM+ is only available on the house for the promo period of 3 months.
Final Word
It would not be wrong to say that DIRECTV has something to offer everyone. Their satellite TV service is ideal for those who live in remote areas, struggle with internet speeds, prefer to have a broad collection of channels, and love to spend quality time with their family by huddling around the TV screens. Meanwhile, DIRECTV Stream is ideal for people residing in densely populated urban areas, where high-speed internet is readily available, and installing large dishes is not possible due to limited space.
FAQs
