The growth of live TV streaming services has made it easier to ditch cable TV providers. As a result, an increasing number of people are cutting the cord because these streaming services are not only inexpensive, but they also provide the convenience of portability. You can now easily consume media on your mobile devices.
Many traditional TV service providers like DIRECTV have also launched a live TV streaming service called DIRECTV Stream to keep up with the ever-changing media landscape. This service is one of the best alternatives for cable TV as it provides the same experience. This DIRECTV Stream review will cover all the sufficient details to decide if it’s the correct TV service for your home.
What is DIRECTV Stream?
Popularly known as a television service provider, DIRECTV also provides a convenient solution for consumers to stream their favorite shows on their mobile phones through DIRECTV Stream. Previously recognized as DIRECTV Now and AT&T TV, DIRECTV Stream is not a new streaming service. It was rebranded as DIRECTV Stream in 2021 after AT&T decided to separate DIRECTV, U-Verse, and AT&T TV into a separate company.
DIRECTV Stream offers the same viewing experience as a traditional TV service and is designed to replace satellite or cable TV. In contrast to other live streaming services, DIRECTV Stream provides a comprehensive channel lineup that includes free access to excellent regional sports channels and special offers on premium networks. Despite being an easy-to-use service, DIRECTV Stream is one of the pricier options on the market.
Let’s begin by examining the primary advantages and disadvantages of DIRECTV Stream before getting into the finer details
Pros
- Multiple plans
- Large channel lineup
- Cable-like experience
- Unlimited DVR
Cons
- Expensive compared to others
- Slow loading time
DIRECTV Stream Plans
Although not the cheapest option, DIRECTV Stream offers a wide range of networks divided over its four plans – Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate, and Premier. Its live TV streaming plans are on par with many major cable TV providers as they offer a healthy selection of content to binge. You can start with a basic Entertainment package, but if you enjoy regional sports networks, upgrade to the Choice or higher packages.
With subscriptions beginning at 69.98, DIRECTV Stream provides more channels than rival streaming services, limitless DVR storage, Sports Pack for 1 month on Choice and higher packages, and streaming on unlimited devices. Furthermore, unlike DIRECTV’s TV service, DIRECTV Stream does not bind you to a 2-year contract. Here is an overview of this streaming service’s plans.
DIRECTV Stream Plans | ||
Plan | Promotional Price | Live TV Channels |
ENTERTAINMENT + Sports Pack | $69.98/mo. + tax for 2 mos. | 75+ |
CHOICE™ + Sports Pack | $83.99/mo. + tax for 1 mo. | 105+ |
ULTIMATE + Sports Pack | $94.99/mo. + tax for 1 mo. | 140+ |
PREMIER + Sports Pack | $139.99/mo. + tax for 1 mo. | 150+ |
**Sports Pack is included for 1 month on Choice and higher packages for free, after which a monthly fee of $14.99 will apply
DIRECTV Stream Entertainment
The DIRECTV Stream Entertainment plan costs $79.99 per month and has over 75 live TV channels. But if you combine it with Sports Pack, you can get it for $69.98 per month for two months. While the Entertainment package may be the cheapest among other DIRECTV Stream plans, it is more expensive than other live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, Sling, and Philo. The plan includes all the local channels, over 40,000 On-Demand titles, unlimited cloud DVR storage, and three months of free premium networks, making it a perfect choice for selective viewers who value quality over quantity.
DIRECTV Stream Choice
This plan is perfect for local sports fans. DIRECTV Stream Choice, priced at $108.99, gives you over 30 channels more than the Entertainment plan. That’s right! You receive over 105 popular networks in this package, featuring regional sports channels such as NBA TV, Bally Sports, MLB Network, and college sports networks at no additional cost. What’s more, you can actually get this plan for $83.99 if you bundle it with the Sports Pack. Plus, you will enjoy a free month of Sports Pack.
After the initial month, DIRECTV will charge a monthly fee of $14.99 for its Sports Pack, but you will still get a $25 discount on the Choice plan for the second month. DIRECTV Stream Choice offers all the benefits of the Entertainment package, and its On-Demand library includes over 45,000 titles.
DIRECTV Stream Ultimate
The DIRECTV Ultimate plan expands the channel lineup to 140+, making it perfect for large families and movie enthusiasts. Along with the features from the previous plans, DIRECTV Stream Ultimate also offers regional sports networks for free and 55,000+ On-Demand shows and movie titles. This live TV streaming plan costs $119.99 per month, but with Sports Pack, you can get it for $94.99 for the first month.
DIRECTV Stream Premier
The premium package from DIRECTV Stream offers over 150 channels at a monthly cost of $164.99. However, you can currently avail a $25 discount on this plan by bundling it with DIRECTV’s Sports Pack. This exclusive offer allows you to save up to $50 in two months and enjoy the free Sports Pack for a month.
The highlight of the DIRECTV Stream Premier package is the inclusion of free premium channels. In addition to all the networks featured in the base plan, DIRECTV offers free local sports networks and a vast selection of over 65,000 On-Demand programs and films. Hence, this Premier plan is excellent for larger families.
DIRECTV Stream Channel Lineup
Choosing the right DIRECTV Stream package is crucial for enjoying your favorite programs. Take a look at the channel lineup for each streaming plan before choosing one, as you neither want to overpay for unnecessary channels nor be disappointed by the lack of the right networks. All plans offer extensive content libraries with a channel range of 75 to 150+ networks spanning different categories.
Entertainment & Music Channels
DIRECTV Stream brings a healthy channel lineup for entertainment and music lovers. So, if you love watching music videos, live performances, award shows, movies, reality shows, and everything else, check the detailed channel guide to see which plan includes all your favorite entertainment and music networks.
Entertainment & Music Channels | DIRECTV Stream | |||
ENTERTAINMENT | CHOICE | ULTIMATE | PREMIER | |
A&E HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
AMC HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
American Heroes Channel HD | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Animal Planet HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Aspire HD | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Atres Series | $ | $ | $ | $ |
AXS TV HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Bandamax | $ | $ | $ | $ |
BBC America HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
BET HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
BET Her HD | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Bounce TV | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Bravo HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Canal 22 Internacional | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Caracol TV | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Centroamerica TV | $ | $ | $ | $ |
CLEO TV | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
CMT | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Comedy Central | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Comedy TV | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Cooking Channel | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Cozi TV | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Destination America | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Discovery en Espanol | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Discovery | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Discovery Life | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
E! | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Ecuavisa Internacional | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Enlace | $ | $ | $ | $ |
FMC | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Food Network HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Fuse | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
FX | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
FXX | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
FYi | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Galavision HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Game Show Network | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Great American Family | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
GRIT | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Hallmark Channel | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Hallmark Drama | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Heroes & Icons HD | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
HGTV | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
History en Espanol | $ | $ | $ | $ |
HITN | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Hogar de HGTV | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Hola TV HD | $ | $ | $ | $ |
IFC HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Investigation Discovery | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
ion Television | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Lifetime HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Logo HD | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Magnolia Network HD | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
MTV Classic | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
MTV HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
MTV Live HD | $ | $ | $ | $ |
MTV2 HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Nuestra Tele | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Once Mexico | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Ovation HD | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
OWN HD | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Oxygen True Crime HD | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Paramount Network | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Pasiones | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Peru Magico | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Pop TV HD | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
REVOLT HD | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
RFD-TV HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Shop LC HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
ShortsTV HD | $ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
SundanceTV HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
SUR Peru | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Syfy | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Tastemade HD | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
TBS HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Telefe HD | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Telemundo | $ | $ | $ | $ |
TLC HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
TNT HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Tr3s | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Travel Channel | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
TruTV HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
TV Chile | $ | $ | $ | $ |
TV Land HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
TV One | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
TVE | $ | $ | $ | $ |
UniMás | $ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Universo HD | $ | $ | ✔ | ✔ |
Univision | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Univision tlnovelas | $ | $ | $ | $ |
USA Network | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
VePlus HD | $ | $ | $ | $ |
VH1 HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Videorola HD | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Vme | $ | $ | $ | $ |
WAPA | $ | $ | $ | $ |
We tv | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Family & Kids Channels
Do you have children in your home? DIRECTV Stream has a comprehensive lineup of kids’ networks that give you access to thousands of free kids’ shows and movies. Parental controls also make it simpler to keep an eye on what your children are watching, giving you time to relax while your kids are immersed in their favorite characters.
It also lets you subscribe to add-on channels if you want a particular network in your plan. Here is a detailed lineup of family and kids channels offered by DIRECTV Stream.
Family & Kids Channels | DIRECTV Stream | |||
ENTERTAINMENT | CHOICE | ULTIMATE | PREMIER | |
BabyTV | $ | $ | $ | $ |
BabyFirst | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Boomerang | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Cartoon Network | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Discovery Familia | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Discovery Family Channel | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Disney Channel | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Disney Junior | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Disney XD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Freeform | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Hallmark Channel | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Multimedios HD | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Nat Geo Wild HD | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
NatGeo Mundo | $ | $ | $ | $ |
National Geographic HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Nick Jr. HD | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Nickelodeon | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Nicktoons | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
PBS Kids HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
TeenNick HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Universal Kids HD | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
UPtv HD | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
ZooMoo TV | $ | $ | $ | $ |
International Channels
DIRECTV Stream does not include many international channels in its plans, but it offers a few international channel add-ons, giving you a flavor of diverse content from Korea, Brazil, and Vietnam. Besides these add-ons, it also provides a Spanish package called Optimo Mas for $64.99/month. The following table highlights all the channels offered in these packages.
International Channels | DIRECTV Stream | |||
ENTERTAINMENT | CHOICE | ULTIMATE | PREMIER | |
1+1 International | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Arirang TV | $ | $ | $ | $ |
CTS | $ | $ | $ | $ |
EBS | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Film 24H | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Globo HD | $ | $ | $ | $ |
HONVIETV | $ | $ | $ | $ |
KBS America HD | $ | $ | $ | $ |
MBC | $ | $ | $ | $ |
MBN | $ | $ | $ | $ |
National Geographic Korea | $ | $ | $ | $ |
S Channel | $ | $ | $ | $ |
SBS | $ | $ | $ | $ |
SBS Plus | $ | $ | $ | $ |
SBTN | $ | $ | $ | $ |
TAN | $ | $ | $ | $ |
TViet Network | $ | $ | $ | $ |
VGN TV | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Vien Thao | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Viet Face | $ | $ | $ | $ |
VIETV | $ | $ | $ | $ |
YTN | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Movies & Events Channels
Again, DIRECTV Stream’s plans are not well known for offering a wide selection of movie and event channels. You can get most of the following channels as add-ons and enjoy your favorite fantasy, horror, or thriller movies on the go or catch up with trending events from the comfort of your bed.
Movies & Events Channels | DIRECTV Stream | |||
ENTERTAINMENT | CHOICE | ULTIMATE | PREMIER | |
Cine Estelar HD | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Cine Mexicano | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Cine Nostalgia HD | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Cinelatino | $ | $ | $ | $ |
De Pelicula | $ | $ | $ | $ |
De Pelicula Clasico | $ | $ | $ | $ |
FX Movie Channel HD | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Hallmark Movies & Mysteries HD | ✔ | $ | $ | ✔ |
HDNet Movies HD | $ | $ | $ | $ |
LMN HD | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
ReelzChannel HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Sony Movies HD | $ | $ | $ | $ |
TCM HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
ViendoMovies HD | $ | $ | $ | $ |
News & Information
Catch up with the latest news and information through DIRECTV Stream’s vast channel lineup. The provider offers numerous news and information channels in its four plans, including FOX News, CNBC, CNN, and more, allowing you to keep up with national and international news.
News & Information | DIRECTV Stream | |||
ENTERTAINMENT | CHOICE | ULTIMATE | PREMIER | |
AccuWeather HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Antena 3 HD | $ | $ | $ | $ |
BBC World News HD | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Bloomberg TV HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
C-SPAN HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
C-SPAN2 HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Cheddar News HD | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
CNBC HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
CNBC World | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
CNN en Espanol | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
CNN HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
CNNi HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Crime+Investigation HD | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Estrella TV HD | $ | $ | $ | $ |
FOROtv | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Fox Business Network HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Fox News Channel HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Fox Weather | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
HLN HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Home Shopping Network HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Justice Central HD | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
MSNBC HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Newsmax HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
NewsNation HD | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
NTN24 | $ | $ | $ | $ |
QVC HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
QVC2 HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Science HD | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Scientology Network HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Smithsonian Channel HD | $ | $ | ✔ | ✔ |
Sportv | $ | $ | $ | $ |
TeleCentro | $ | $ | $ | $ |
The Weather Channel HD | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
TheGrio HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Vice HD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Premium Channels
DIRECTV Stream also offers a selection of popular premium entertainment networks like HBO Max, EPIX, STARZ, SHOWTIME, and Cinemax. And while the Premier plan includes these channels, the first three tiers of DIRECTV Stream only offer them for three months. Following the promotional time in the first three plans, you need to pay a monthly subscription fee for these networks that varies from $5 to $14, depending on the channel.
Here is a full lineup of the premium channels offered by DIRECTV Stream.
Premium Channels | DIRECTV Stream | |||
ENTERTAINMENT | CHOICE | ULTIMATE | PREMIER | |
5StarMax HD | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
Cinemax ActionMax HD | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
Cinemax East HD | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
EPIX 2 HD | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available |
EPIX HD | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available |
EPIX Hits HD | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available |
HBO Comedy | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
HBO East | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
HBO Family | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
HBO Latino | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
HBO Signature | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
HBO Zone | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
HBO2 East | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
MoreMAX | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
MovieMAX | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
Showtime 2 | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
Showtime East | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
Showtime Extreme | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
Showtime FamilyZone | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
Showtime Next | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
Showtime Showcase | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
SHOxBET HD | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
STARZ Cinema | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
STARZ Comedy | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
STARZ Edge | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
STARZ Encore | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ | ✔ |
STARZ Encore Action | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ | ✔ |
STARZ Encore Black | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ | ✔ |
STARZ Encore Classic | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ | ✔ |
STARZ Encore Family | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ | ✔ |
STARZ Encore Suspense | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ | ✔ |
STARZ Encore West | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ | ✔ |
STARZ Encore Westerns | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ | ✔ |
STARZ in Black | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
STARZ Kids & Family | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
ThrillerMAX | Promo Available | Promo Available | Promo Available | ✔ |
Sports Channels
While the entry-level package of DIRECTV Stream offers a few sports networks, its more expensive monthly plans are more suitable for sports enthusiasts, especially for those who love watching regional sports. It also offers a sports add-on if you want to watch more content. Here is a full lineup of the premium channels offered by DIRECTV Stream.
Sports Channels | DIRECTV Stream | |||
ENTERTAINMENT | CHOICE | ULTIMATE | PREMIER | |
ACC Network | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Big Ten Network | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
CBS Sports Network | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
ESPN Deportes HD | $ | $ | $ | $ |
ESPN | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
ESPN2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
ESPNews | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
ESPNU | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
FanDuel TV HD | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
FOX Deportes | $ | $ | $ | $ |
FOX Sports 1 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
FOX Sports 2 | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Golf Channel | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
GolTV | $ | $ | $ | $ |
MLB Network HD | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Motor Trend | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
NBA League Pass HD | $ | $ | $ | $ |
NBA TV HD | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
NFL Network | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
NHL Network HD | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
SEC Network HD | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
SportsGrid | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Sportsman Channel HD | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Tennis Channel HD | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
TUDN HD | $ | $ | ✔ | ✔ |
TyC Sports | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Streaming Quality of DIRECTV Stream
Although DIRECTV Stream’s stream quality does not distinguish it from other live streaming services, it is nonetheless decent as it lets you watch content at 720p. On the other hand, you can stream its On-Demand movies and shows on Blu-ray and 1080p.
DIRECTV Stream DVR Review
All DIRECTV Stream plans now come with unlimited cloud DVR storage. This feature, however, is only available to new customers online. With cloud DVR, you can record multiple shows at the same time and access your favorite titles whenever you want. It also allows you to fast-forward through commercials, which is excellent for binge-watchers.
But, there are some limitations. You can only record a maximum of 30 episodes of a single show. Additionally, all recordings have a shelf life and expire after 9 months.
DIRECTV Streaming Device
Since DIRECTV Stream is a live TV streaming service, you can access your favorite shows without specific equipment. You can use any compatible device to watch the content. However, it still provides a streaming device to its customers for $120, or $5 each month for two years. Although the streaming device has a few benefits, like a Google-powered remote, 4K content capability, and Dolby Atmos 5.1 surround sound, you don’t necessarily need it.
Is DIRECTV STREAM Worth It?
Since streaming platforms and services are overtaking traditional cable TV services, we see many new providers in the market. DIRECTV has also launched a live TV streaming service to keep up with the trend, and overall its cable TV-like extensive channel lineup is its most attention-grabbing feature.
Although it is pricey, its unlimited DVR, outstanding choice of regional networks, and three months of free access to premium channels make it worth the consideration. We have provided all the essential details in this DIRECTV Stream review. If you are looking for other options, you can also check out the DIRECTV Stream vs YouTube TV analysis to further explore streaming alternatives.
FAQs
With DIRECTV STREAM, you get access to tons of live TV channels, including local channels and regional sports networks, depending on the package. The service also includes a Unlimited cloud DVR recordings feature, allowing you to record your favorite shows for later viewing.
Yes, DIRECTV STREAM includes access to local channels in its packages. The service lets you keep up with local news, weather, and other regional content. But, the availability of these local channels can vary based on your location.
No, DIRECTV Stream is not cheaper than cable TV. The service starts at $79.99 per month, and the cost goes up to $164.99 per month to access RSNs and local and premium networks. Hence, cable TV might be a more cost-effective choice for entertainment, depending on the cable TV provider and their packages.
DIRECTV STREAM recommends at least 8 Mbps internet speed per device for ideal streaming videos in high-definition (HD). If you use many devices simultaneously, you will need a faster internet speed. For those using AT&T Internet, the Internet 100 plan or higher is advised for watching on up to 10 streams.
DIRECTV STREAM can be accessed using compatible streaming devices such as smart TVs, streaming devices like Roku and Amazon Fire TV, and mobile devices. While you can use your existing devices, DIRECTV STREAM also offers its streaming device for an additional cost.
Generally, streaming boxes require an internet connection, and they are often linked to a home network. If you take the box elsewhere, it would need a stable internet connection to function, and some services might be location-specific.
Yes, you can use DIRECTV STREAM on a non-smart TV by utilizing various streaming devices. DIRECTV STREAM is compatible with popular streaming sticks and devices such as Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Android TV devices, and Roku. After setting up one of these devices on your TV, you can download the DIRECTV STREAM app, log in, and start streaming.
J.Soofi