DIRECTV Review

With each TV plan, DIRECTV includes a fair amount of channels for a price that won't break the bank—especially if you're saving up some money for a beach vacation during the winter. However, you get way more channels with Satellite + Device packages.

DIRECTV's Streaming App + Device packages are on the steep side. Less than 100 channels for $85 per month? We don't love those numbers. But you do get more channels via satellite packages compared to streaming plans.  DIRECTV's Satellite + Device packages start with over 160 for $65 up to over 340 channels for $165. 

But if you’re looking for all your favorite channels and a TV service widely available across the US, DIRECTV is the service for you. Users can even choose to connect their DIRECTV service through a satellite dish or streaming app.

DIRECTV's satellite packages have two-year contracts, while streaming DIRECTV is contract-free.

While it's nice to have a set price for two years, it will be a pain to get out of the contract early if you decide to switch. You’ll have to pay an early termination fee if you want out of the relationship. This means you’ll have to pay up to $20 per month for what is left on your contract. 

However, if you want DIRECTV because of the premium channels it offers or because satellite TV is your only TV option in your area, then this pill won't be so hard to swallow.

Make sure to sign up for autopay and paperless billing as soon as you sign up for DIRECTV. You’ll get a $5-per-month discount that starts in the first 1–4 billing cycles. This discount only applies for the first year (which is wack, if you ask us).

Here’s a plus: DIRECTV gives you free installation and free DVR storage. No monthly payment!

But you do have to pay for a monthly regional sports fee and advanced receiver fee. Dang, DIRECTV. There you go hurting us again.

Like most other TV providers, you’ll have to pay a monthly DVR fee for additional TV receivers if your daughter and son want one in their room.

First of all, pick out your must-have channels. Then, pick a package based around those channels that’s affordable for you.

But let us help you decide which package might be the chosen one:

• ENTERTAINMENT: With DIRECTV's starter package, you'll have all of your family's favorites like Disney Channel, HGTV, and CNN. Channels that you miss out on going from CHOICE to ENTERTAINMENT that are worth mentioning are TeenNick and TV Land, but in return, you get ESPN and Lifetime Movie Network. 
• CHOICE: The CHOICE package tends to the sports-watching families. Not only do you get a few more key sports channels, like NFL Network, but football fans will also get access to ESPN College Extra with DIRECTV. 
• ULTIMATE: This upgrade adds channels for movie lovers, such as ENCORE Action and ENCORE Drama. If you’re a big fan of Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer, you’re going to want this package for the Tennis Channel. And your kids will love Boomerang and PBS Kids. Plans ULTIMATE and below also get three months free of Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®, STARZ, Cinemax, and MGM+. Just make sure to cancel after three months if you don't want to pay for them.
• PREMIER: The biggest package is for the movie buffs and includes 45+ premium channels, including Max, Cinemax, STARZ, and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®. And for international sports fans, the PREMIER package also includes Fox Deportes and Fox Soccer Channel.

Luckily, you don’t have to pay for the highest-tier packages to get the channels you want with DIRECTV. You’re likely to find the channel variety you need in the ENTERTAINMENT plan. (All plans include your local channels, as well.) 

But don’t let us stop you if you need a channel lineup that has all the sports or all the movies. We’ll highlight some channels each package includes when you upgrade from one to another. And keep in mind that DIRECTV's satellite plans offer more channels.

DIRECTV'S ENTERTAINMENT plan includes the following:

DIRECTV CHOICE plan includes the following:

DIRECTV ULTIMATE plan includes the following:

DIRECTV PREMIER plan includes the following:

DIRECTV offers popular premium channel add-ons like CINEMAX, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®, STARZ, and MGM+, and you get them all included in PREMIER. That's one of the best premium channel perks in the TV industry!

Don't forget to cancel your subscription after the three months are up, or else you'll be charged full price for all services. Or just make sure you budget so you won't have to miss out on Raised by Wolves, Strike Back, or Billions.

To put it simply, the more you can budget for your monthly bill, the more sports channels you’ll get.

You’ll get a complete list of sports channels if you go as high as the ULTIMATE package (especially if you want to watch your O's, D-backs, or Yanks). You can also add MLB Extra Innings to any DIRECTV package.

DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT includes the following sports channels:

• ESPN
• ESPN2
• FOX Sports 1 (FS1)
• MotorTrend

DIRECTV CHOICE includes the above sports channels and the following:

DIRECTV ULTIMATE includes all the sports channels above and the following:

DIRECTV PREMIER includes all the sports channels above and the following:

DIRECTV used to be it for football lovers with a free season of NFL Sunday Ticket. However, since the fall of 2023, NFL Sunday Ticket has moved to YouTube TV.

DIRECTV offers the following add-on packages:

• Movies Extra pack: $4.99/mo. (first three months included)
• DOGTV: $4.99/mo. (first month included)
• AMC+: $6.99/mo.
• Outdoor Channel: $4.99/mo.
• Hallmark Movies Now: $7.99/mo. (or check out other ways to watch the Hallmark channels)
• Hvault: $4.99/mo.
• Lifetime Movie Club: $4.99/mo.
• A&E Crime Central: $4.99/mo.
• Pantaya: $5.99/mo.
• Revry: $6.99/mo.
• Sports Pack: $14.99/mo.

DIRECTV satellite users will get the Genie DVR.  We appreciate that DIRECTV includes your first DVR, and it’s got plenty of storage. For satellite users, the Genie DVR holds up to 200 HD hours, which falls behind the 500 hours of the DISH Hopper 3, but is still a lot more than other competitors. The Genie also requires installation, which is, thankfully, included in your package.

DIRECTV via Internet users get the Gemini Air DVR device. It offers unlimited DVR hours and storage up to 9 months. Plus, its easy to self-install. 

The Genie DVR is one of the best brand DVRs out there. You get 4K resolution, the ability to switch between games, and the ability to connect up to eight TVs wirelessly. You can record five programs at once with a single Genie DVR, and you can schedule it on your TV or online.

You can take your DVR recordings on-the-go with the Gemini Air and DIRECTV app, too. So if you start your day with Good Morning America, you don’t have to stop once you get goin’ on your commute.

We’re not going to lie, we really like how DIRECTV no longer has second-year price hikes. And that DIRECTV's Streaming App + Device plans don't require a contract at all. The pricing is reasonable and we applaud the premium channel perks. Plus, you can choose between satellite or streaming plans.

And although its packages are pricey, you will get everything you want from DIRECTV. DIRECTV includes most of your favorite channels for you and your family to enjoy.

We recommend the ULTIMATE plan to get most of the sports channels DIRECTV offers, and the PREMIER plan includes almost all premium channels plus NFL RedZone.