DIRECTV Streaming vs. Satellite: What’s the Difference?

DIRECTV’s satellite dollar-to-channel ratio used to be much better than that of DIRECTV streaming, but now they offer the same channel counts.

Now, this is where you can pull out your pros and cons sheet. Would you rather have to get a dish installed on your home and sign a 2-year contract? Or would you rather stream channels on a streaming device, be able to cancel at any time, and also order quality internet service for smooth streaming?

Since DIRECTV streamlined its pricing and channel counts for its satellite and streaming services, it seems like a no-brainer to go the streaming route.

Since DIRECTV's streaming packages don’t require a contract, we believe it is trying to push the live TV streaming service over the satellite TV service. But honestly, DIRECTV streaming is currently the priciest live TV streaming service on the market.

DIRECTV’s satellite packages do require a contract, but at least your price will stay the same for however long you decide to keep your DIRECTV streaming service.

If you'd like all of the lifestyle, news, sports, kids, and entertainment channels you can think of at a concrete price for a couple years, DIRECTV's satellite service is the one for you.

You can bundle both DIRECTV streaming and satellite services with AT&T’s internet service. Check out Best DIRECTV Bundles and Best Internet Providers (just in case you live in an area AT&T doesn’t offer its internet service).

As mentioned above, streaming with DIRECTV doesn’t require you to sign a contract of any kind.

On the other hand, DIRECTV satellite has a 2-year contract. DIRECTV used to have second-year price hikes that nearly doubled your monthly cost, but now your price will return to DIRECTV's non-promotional prices at the end of your contract.

By glancing at the fees table, you can see that DIRECTV's streaming packages have the fewest amount of fees.

This is good news for those leaning toward streaming. And if you order DIRECTV streaming online, you can get unlimited cloud DVR storage with any plan. So make sure you order online to dodge having to pay $10 per month to have unlimited hours of recording space.

DIRECTV satellite includes the first Genie DVR with your service, which holds 200 HD hours of recordings, and you’ll want to pay an extra $7 per month if you’d like a DVR in your bedroom, as well.

DIRECTV's streaming device isn’t necessary with its streaming service if you already have an Apple TV, Roku, smart TV, or any other supported streaming device. If you don’t, $5 per month isn’t too bad, but we still recommend buying a less expensive streaming device if you don’t already have one.

If you need help avoiding those early termination fees, we have some solutions for you.

When comparing both providers and the availability of the top channels, they’re very similar.

DIRECTV's streaming packages have most of the popular channels, which is good news since it only offers half the channels its satellite service does.

DIRECTV satellite has Univision, and it will most likely have the specialty channels you want, such as NASA TV and TUDN.

We encourage you to check out DIRECTV'S streaming packages and DIRECTV’s satellite channel lineup to make sure it has the lineup that you need.

If sports channels determine how great a service is to you, scroll down a little for the fun stuff.

Both streaming and satellite have the same pricing for all of the premium channels, but DIRECTV satellite offers more options to add to your service.

Max (formerly HBO Max) is included in DIRECTV's streaming PREMIER package (the highest tier), and you’ll get Max in your channel lineup for three months if you order CHOICE or ULTIMATE.

When you get ENTERTAINMENT, CHOICE, or ULTIMATE with DIRECTV's satellite or streaming service, you’ll get a three-month membership to Max, Cinemax, SHOWTIME, STARZ, and MGM+. The PREMIER package includes all of the premium channels besides MGM+ in your channel lineup.

Just make sure to cancel at the end of each subscription period so you don’t get charged the following month (if you don’t want to keep the premium channel, of course).

And if you're looking for premium sports channels, DIRECTV's satellite service currently offers NBA League Pass while its streaming service won't offer the service until October 19th, 2023.

DIRECTV streaming also has add-ons, like Deportes and Español, which you can find more about in our DIRECTV streaming review.

With DIRECTV streaming, you can get all of the sports channels listed below with the ULTIMATE and PREMIER packages.

Both satellite and streaming with DIRECTV offer only four sports channels in its entry-level package (ESPN, ESPN 2, FOX Sports, and Motortrend). 

DIRECTV satellite also gives you access to all of its sports channels with the ULTIMATE package and above.

DIRECTV's streaming packages give you the following sports channels:

DIRECTV's satellite service gives you the following sports channels:

DIRECTV's satellite service has one of the best set-top box DVRs in the industry in its Genie DVR.

With the included Genie DVR, you’ll get 200 HD hours of storage space and five simultaneous streams.

DIRECTV streaming packages come with an unlimited cloud DVR storage space (if you order online), and three simultaneous streams.

You’ll get access to over 7,000 apps when you stream with DIRECTV's streaming box, and you can stream services like Netflix, Prime Video, Pandora, and Max. DIRECTV’s satellite set-top box won’t give you this experience.

With both DIRECTV's streaming and satellite services, you’ll get access to on-demand content, so check the library out before you spend more money on another streaming service.

• Pricing: DIRECTV streaming wins with its no-contract service and lack of extra fees. DIRECTV's satellite plans require a 2-year contract and come with extra fees, but you'll get a few extra premium add-on options.
• Channels: DIRECTV's satellite and streaming packages will give you the same amount of channels. We encourage you to check out the channel lineups for DIRECTV streaming and DIRECTV satellite before you officially decide.
• Sports Channels: Both services kinda have the same sports channel lineup. For the most part, they're the same, yes. But the satellite service gives you NFL Network and ESPN College Extra while the streaming service nets you the Big Ten Network. 
• DVR: DIRECTV’s satellite Genie DVR gives you 200 HD hours of storage space and DIRECTV streaming gives you unlimited space if you order online. 

If you’re still unsure of either of these services, check out our more in-depth reviews on DIRECTV streaming and DIRECTV satellite.

If neither sounds like the right service for you, check out our Best TV Service Providers