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

DIRECTV gives you TV with or without a satellite dish, but which service is better?

Live TV Streaming
Directv stream correct logo (2023)
DIRECTV streaming
3 out of 5 stars
3
Starting from
$69.99-$159.99
Price Range
$69.99-$159.99
Channel Count Range
75-150
Satellite TV
Directv
DIRECTV
3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5
Price Range
$54.99-$159.99
Channel Count Range
75-150
Chantel Buchi
Nov 06, 2023
bullet6 min read

We may earn money when you click our links.

DIRECTV's streaming and satellite services have the same pricing, but that doesn't mean they offer the same experience.

DIRECTV streaming is—you guessed it—a streamable version of DIRECTV. But both services have their ups and downs. DIRECTV streaming doesn’t require a contract, but DIRECTV's satellite service gives you more included perks, like premium channels.

Enough small talk. Let’s get into the details to find out which service is best for you.

See if DIRECTV is available in your area.

DIRECTV streaming vs. satellite TV price comparison

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.

How much are DIRECTV's streaming prices and plans?
Plan
Price
TV channel count
Details
ENTERTAINMENT$69.99/mo. + tax*75+
CHOICE™$84.99/mo. + tax*105+
ULTIMATE$114.99/mo. + tax*140+
PREMIER$159.99/mo. + tax*150+
* Price subj. to change for new and existing customers.

New approved residential customers, price incl. TV pkg & equip. fees for first TV. Add’l fees may apply to non-qualified customers. Early agmt termination fee applies ($20/mo.) & add’l fee(s) may apply if equip. not returned. Credit card req’d. Restr’s apply. $19.95 activation & equipment lease req’d for satellite customers. Equipment lease req’d for DIRECTV via Internet customers in some sales channels.

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.

How much are DIRECTV's satellite prices and plans?
Plan
Price
TV channel count
Details
ENTERTAINMENT All-Included$69.99/mo.75+
CHOICE™ All-Included$84.99/mo. for 24 months plus taxes and fees105+
ULTIMATE All-Included$114.99/mo. for 24 months plus taxes and fees140+
PREMIER™ All-Included$159.99/mo. for 24 months plus taxes and fees150+
w/ 24-mo. agmt. AutoPay and Paperless Bill req’d. Advanced Receiver Service Fee $15/mo. is extra and applies.
w/ 24-mo. agmt. AutoPay and Paperless Bill req’d. Advanced Receiver Service Fee $15/mo. and Regional Sports Fee up to $13.99/mo. are extra & apply.

New approved residential customers, price incl. TV pkg & equip. fees for first TV. Add’l fees may apply to non-qualified customers. Early agmt termination fee applies ($20/mo.) & add’l fee(s) may apply if equip. not returned. Credit card req’d. Restr’s apply. $19.95 activation & equipment lease req’d for satellite customers. Equipment lease req’d for DIRECTV via Internet customers in some sales channels.

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).

DIRECTV streaming vs. satellite contracts

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.

DIRECTV streaming vs. satellite hidden fees

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.

DIRECTV streaming and DIRECTV satellite fees
FeeDIRECTV streamingDIRECTV satellite
Set-top box/ Streaming device$5.00/mo. for 24 mos. or $120 one-time feeIncluded, then $7.00/mo. for additional and $99.00 installation fee
Upgraded DVR service$10.00/mo.N/A
Regional sports feeN/AUp to $9.99/mo.
Early termination feeN/A Up to $20.00 for each month remaining on your contract

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

DIRECTV streaming vs. satellite channels

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.

DIRECTV streaming and satellite channels
Channel
DIRECTV streaming
DIRECTV satellite

BBC World News

NoYes

Disney Channel

Yes

Yes

ESPN

Yes

Yes

Fox News

Yes

Yes

HGTV

Yes

Yes

Lifetime

Yes

Yes

MSNBC

Yes

Yes

Nickelodeon

Yes

Yes

Hallmark Channel

Yes

Yes

History Channel

YesYes

Investigation Discovery (ID)

YesYes

National Geographic

YesYes

The CW

No

No

UnivisionYesYes

USA

Yes

Yes

Data effective 3/03/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

DIRECTV streaming vs. satellite premium channels

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 and satellite premium channels
Channel
DIRECTV streaming price
DIRECTV satellite price
Max™$15.99/mo.

$15.99/mo.

SHOWTIME®$11.99/mo.

$11.00/mo.

Cinemax®$11/mo.

$11.00/mo.

STARZ®$11/mo.

$11.00/mo.

MGM+$6/mo.

$6.00/mo.

Data effective 9/21/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

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

DIRECTV streaming vs. satellite sports channels

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:

  • ACC Network (ACCN)
  • Big Ten Network (BTN)
  • CBS Sports Network
  • ESPN, ESPN 2
  • ESPNews
  • ESPNU
  • FanDuel TV
  • FOX Sports (FS1), FS2
  • Golf Channel
  • Motortrend
  • MLB Network
  • NBA TV
  • NHL Network
  • SEC Network

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

  • ACCN
  • DIRECTV HD SPORTSMIX
  • CBS Sports Network
  • ESPN, ESPN 2
  • ESPNews
  • ESPNU
  • ESPN College Extra
  • FanDuel TV
  • FS1, FS2
  • Golf Channel
  • MLB Network
  • Mototrend
  • NBA TV
  • Next Level Sports
  • NFL Network
  • NHL Network
  • Outdoor Channel
  • SEC Network
  • Sportsman Channel

DIRECTV streaming vs. satellite DVR

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.

DIRECTV streaming vs. satellite DVR comparison
DVR detailsDIRECTV streamingDIRECTV satellite
TV box/ streaming device monthly price$5.00/mo. or $120.00 one-time fee"First DVR included, then $7.00/mo. for additional"
DVR serviceNone or $10/mo. for unlimited hoursN/A
Storage space20 hours or unlimited hours500 SD hours/ 200 HD hours
Days saved in storage9 monthsIndefinitely
Simultaneous streams3 5

Recap: DIRECTV streaming is the winner

Streaming with DIRECTV won't require a satellite dish or a contract, but you could experience future price hikes
  • 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

Now that you know, here are your next steps.

Still looking for a TV provider? Check out the top-ranked providers.

Enter your zip code to see internet providers in your area
Chantel Buchi
Written by
Chantel Buchi
Chantel is all about finding the best tv or streaming service to watch as many football games as possible to keep her Fantasy Football team in check. Prior to being a TV and Streaming Tech Reporter for Reviews.org, she worked for NFL Network and The Alliance of American Football. Before that, she received a B.A. of Communication at the University of Utah and an M.S. in Sports Journalism at USC. Go Utes and Fight On. Contact her at chantel@reviews.org

Related Articles

Boost Mobile Review - Students
Best Internet Plans for Students 2023
We’ve done the research and come up with the four best internet plans for students,...
Two children on living room floor watching TV
Sling TV Review
Find out if Sling TV is your streaming service as we get into the details...
A Middle Eastern man lies on a brown couch and shops online with his laptop
The Cheapest Spectrum Internet Plans
Spectrum offers high-speed internet all over the country. We’ll take a close look at the...
A woman plays video games on a desktop computer
10 Best Internet Providers for Gaming 2023
We found the best internet for gaming based on download and upload speed and latency,...