DIRECTV vs. YouTube TV

Streaming with DIRECTV and YouTube TV begins at reasonable prices that won’t make you feel as though you are being fleeced out of your money for no content.

Neither services employ the hidden cost game to get more money out of you. For the most part, the price you see is the price you pay.

While DIRECTV offers a more typical package structure, charging you more money for an increased channel count, YouTube TV has only a single offering.

Compared to its competitors, DIRECTV does appear to be one of the more expensive services available. However, you’ll quickly discover that other providers’ hidden fees rapidly add up to a more expensive bill, and you’ll find yourself paying more than you originally thought.

There isn’t any decision-making needed once you jump aboard the YouTube TV train. With only a single package, YouTube simplifies selecting a live television provider at the expense of available content.

YouTube TV’s only plan option is cheaper than DIRECTV's most affordable streaming option, so if you’re after the basics, YouTube TV might be the option for you.

YouTube TV does not have a contract.

DIRECTV via satellite requires a 24-month term agreement with an early termination fee of $20 per month remaining in the contract. Thankfully, its streaming plans do not require a contract.

With DIRECTV and YouTube TV, what you see is what you pay. There are no hidden fees for either service.

YouTube TV does offer a 4K service option, but at $10 a month ($20 a month after 12 months), and a limited selection of channels, we feel that most customers can go without it.

DIRECTV offers a media streaming box that you can purchase to stream the service to your television. Still, it isn’t necessary if you already own a compatible device, including Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, or Roku.

If you opt to purchase DIRECTV’s media streaming box, it will cost you $10/month.

You can stream YouTube TV via the same streaming boxes that are compatible with DIRECTV, as well as Xbox and PlayStation.

There are no bundling discounts when you add DIRECTV or YouTube TV to your internet service. However, some internet providers offer a new-customer promotional discount on YouTube TV.

DIRECTV has more channels, but it's more important to select a service with the channels you want to watch than paying for hundreds of channels you won’t give a second glance.

If you already know exactly what you're after, DIRECTV's Genre Packs^® let you skip the bigger plans altogether and pay only for the sports, kids', or Spanish-language content you actually want.

For more details on channels provided with each package, we recommend you check out our full reviews of both DIRECTV and YouTube TV.

DIRECTV and YouTube TV both allow you to throw an extravagant movie night thanks to available premium channels such as HBO Max and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME.

Neither provider is a clear winner when it comes to package offerings, as both services have cheaper options than the other.

One advantage of streaming with DIRECTV is that with the PREMIER package, HBO Max, Cinemax, STARZ, and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME are all included. Subscribers on ENTERTAINMENT through ULTIMATE can add these premium channels for an additional monthly fee.

If you’re a sports fan, this may be the deciding factor—which sports channels are available on each service. Remember, sports fans, pick the option that includes the most sports channels that you will actually watch. Don’t merely select the provider with the most selection.

And now exclusively with YouTube TV, you can bundle NFL Sunday Ticket with your live-streaming service for the 2024 NFL season. Add just the NFL Sunday Ticket or pair it with the NFL RedZone Channel on top of a YouTube TV subscription or a la carte. 

A DVR allows you to record your favorite bits of live television so you can watch content on your own schedule. DVRs are perfect for couples who have shows on simultaneously or for those working during their favorite afternoon talk shows.

Sports fans can also take advantage of DVRs, ensuring that they never miss out on their favorite matches.

DIRECTV satellite packages provide 450 hours of HD recording time that never expires, while DIRECTV streaming plans offer unlimited DVR storage that expires after nine months.

On the other hand, YouTube TV includes unlimited recording time in its base price for all plans, making it the best deal for those attached to their DVRs.

DIRECTV and YouTube TV both know what they are doing when it comes to the future of live television. By getting rid of outrageous hidden fees and sinister contracts, the two services offer a more consumer-friendly service.

While both DIRECTV and YouTube TV offer excellent services in their rights, DIRECTV comes through with its outstanding channel selection. You’ll be paying a tad more with DIRECTV, but it’s an excellent choice for those who find themselves living on their couches or favorite recliners in the evening. And if the full channel count feels like overkill, DIRECTV's Genre Packs^® offer a lighter, more affordable way in.

That said, YouTube TV is still a spectacular service that offers the basics of television, plus a bit more, at a low monthly cost. It's also the only way to get the NFL Sunday Ticket.