DIRECTV STREAM vs. DIRECTV
Our expert analysis says that both DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV are too expensive to be worth it for most folks—but DIRECTV STREAM is at least easier to escape.
Is DIRECTV STREAM or DIRECTV better?
DIRECTV is the original satellite TV service, and DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) is a DIRECTV-branded live TV streaming service.
DIRECTV STREAM is flexible and simple (no contracts, no hidden fees) but also has high prices and fewer channels. DIRECTV has tons of channels, the Genie DVRs, and a new two-year price guarantee—but also a two-year contract, hidden fees, and even higher pricing.
Sports fans will be happy with both services because DIRECTV STREAM is the best live TV streaming service for sports, and DIRECTV is the best TV provider for sports. Both have many sports channels, including regional sports networks, but DIRECTV has more sports add-ons despite losing NFL SUNDAY TICKET to YouTube TV.
DIRECTV STREAM vs. DIRECTV pros and cons
DIRECTV STREAM
✓ No contracts
✓ Fast self-installation
✓ Many sports channels (including regional sports networks)
✗ High pricing for a streaming TV service
✗ Fewer channels than DIRECTV
✗ Cloud DVR fee
DIRECTV
✓ Two-year price guarantee
✓ Genie DVRs (200 or 450 hrs.)
✓ Many sports channels, regional sports networks, and add-ons
✗ High pricing
✗ 2-yr. contract
✗ Hidden fees
✗ No self-installation
Compare DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV head to head
| Provider | Price* | Connection type | Channel count | DVR storage | Simultaneous recordings | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
DIRECTV STREAM Best for flexibility |
$69.99–$159.99/mo. | Internet | 75–150+ | 20 hrs. (free) or unlimited for $10.00/mo. | Unlimited |
View plans Read DIRECTV STREAM Review |
|
DIRECTV Best for DVR and features |
$69.99–$159.99/mo. | Satellite | 165–340+ | 200 hrs. (Genie) or 450 hrs. (Genie 2) for $15.00/mo. | Up to 7 |
View plans Read DIRECTV Review |
Data effective as of post date. Not all offers are available in all areas.
*for 24 months plus taxes and fees w/ 24-mo. agmt.; AutoPay and Paperless Bill req’d. Advanced Receiver Service Fee $15/mo. is extra and applies.
We were never into AT&T TV, and DIRECTV STREAM is essentially its clone, with high channel counts, high prices (including a $5 a month fee for your streaming device), and scanty cloud DVR storage compared to other live TV streaming services.
DIRECTV STREAM does, however, have sweet no-contract flexibility, like most streaming services, and you can self-install its internet-based streaming box in minutes.
We suggest services like YouTube TV ($72.99/mo., 100+ channels) and Hulu + Live TV ($76.99–$89.99/mo., 85+ channels) over DIRECTV STREAM. Neither one has as many channels as DIRECTV STREAM, but both offer better overall value—including more affordable pricing and free unlimited cloud DVR storage.
DIRECTV, meanwhile, has 340+ channels for the same price as DIRECTV STREAM—and no more second-year price hike, thanks to DIRECTV’s new two-year price guarantee. But that guarantee comes with a two-year contract and hidden fees, including a new $15.00 monthly Advanced Receiver Service Fee for the once-included Genie DVRs and a $13.99 monthly regional sports network fee.
If satellite TV is your only option, the more affordable DISH Network has slightly fewer channels than DIRECTV, and almost as many sports networks and add-ons. DISH also has the more powerful Hopper 3 DVR ($10.00 a month) and guarantees your monthly payment for three years.
DIRECTV STREAM vs. DIRECTV prices and plans
DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV have four separate plans with similar monthly payments—but wildly divergent channel counts. Let’s see how they rate in terms of overall value.
DIRECTV STREAM pricing and plans
| Package | Price* | Channel count | Popular channels | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV STREAM ENTERTAINMENT | $69.99/mo. | 75+ | AMC, CNN, ESPN, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, MSNBC, Nickelodeon, and TLC | View plan |
| DIRECTV STREAM CHOICE™ | $84.99/mo. | 105+ | Bravo, Disney, IFC, Nick Jr., OWN, Science, Travel Channel, and UniMás | View plan |
| DIRECTV STREAM ULTIMATE | $114.99/mo. | 140+ | Magnolia Network, Golf Channel, LOGO, Nat Geo WILD, NHL Network, and Universal Kids | View plan |
| DIRECTV STREAM PREMIER | $159.99/mo. | 150+ | CINEMAX®, STARZ®, SHOWTIME®, and MaxTM | View plan |
Data effective as of post date. Not all offers available in all areas.
*for 24 months plus taxes and fees w/ 24-mo. agmt.; AutoPay and Paperless Bill req’d. Advanced Receiver Service Fee $15/mo. is extra and applies.
All live TV streaming services, not just DIRECTV STREAM, have fewer channels than cable and satellite TV services. So it’s not like DIRECTV STREAM is trying to give you less for your money. It’s how live TV streaming services roll—they offer quality over quantity or more popular channels instead of filler networks.
DIRECTV STREAM plans cost $0.82–$1.07 per channel. DIRECTV STREAM ULTIMATE ($114.99 a month, 140+ channels) has the best value at $0.82 per channel. Here’s how that number compares to other top live TV streaming services.
(Note: Due to differences between streaming and traditional TV services, a cost-per-channel comparison between DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV doesn’t make sense.)
- fuboTV (130–240+ channels): $0.57–$0.40
- Hulu + Live TV (85+ channels): $0.82–$0.98
- Sling TV (31–47+ channels): $1.10–$1.33
- YouTube TV (100+ channels): $0.73
Withg DIRECTV STREAM’s CHOICE™ ($84.99 monthly, 105+ channels) and ULTIMATE ($114.99 per month, 140 channels) packages, new customers get three free months of CINEMAX, MGM+, Max, SHOWTIME, and STARZ. But if you go with PREMIER ($159.99 a month, 150+ channels), those premium channels are a permanent part of your plan.
DIRECTV pricing and plans
| Package | Price* | Channel count | Popular channels | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENTERTAINMENT All Included | $69.99/mo. | 165+ | AMC, CNN, ESPN, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, MSNBC, Nickelodeon, and TLC | View plan |
| CHOICE™ All Included | $84.99/mo. | 200+ | Bravo, Disney, IFC, Nick Jr., OWN, Science, Travel Channel, and UniMás | View plan |
| ULTIMATE All Included | $114.99/mo. | 270+ | Magnolia Network, Golf Channel, LOGO, Nat Geo WILD, NHL Network, and Universal Kids | View plan |
| PREMIER™ All Included | $159.99/mo. | 340+ | CINEMAX, STARZ, SHOWTIME, and Max | View plan |
Data effective as of post date. Not all offers available in all areas.
*for 24 months plus taxes and fees w/ 24-mo. agmt.; AutoPay and Paperless Bill req’d. Advanced Receiver Service Fee $15/mo. is extra and applies.
DIRECTV and DIRECTV STREAM packages are essentially the same in terms of popular channels. The difference is that DIRECTV STREAM packages cut out the filler channels you’ll probably never watch.
Both providers now charge the same price for their plans—but the channel counts are vastly different (see tables).
DVRs
When it comes down to DVRs, the DIRECTV Genie stomps DIRECTV STREAM’s cloud DVR. Check out the vital statistics of each below.
DIRECTV STREAM Cloud DVR vs. DIRECTV Genie DVR
| DVR | Price | Storage | Simultaneous recordings | Video quality | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV STREAM Cloud DVR | Included–$10.00/mo. | 20 hrs.–Unlimited (stores for 90 days) | Unlimited | 720p (live TV), 1080p (on demand) | View plans |
| DIRECTV Genie / Genie 2 | $15.00/mo. Advanced Receiver Service Fee | 200 hrs. (Genie), 450 hrs. (Genie 2) | Up to 7 | Up to 4K | View plans |
DIRECTV STREAM Cloud DVR
DIRECTV STREAM’s 20-hour cloud DVR is free but dinky. Trying to watch everything before you run out of space will suck—it’s like DIRECTV STREAM is pushing you toward the unlimited DVR upgrade and its $10 monthly fee.
But, even once you get unlimited storage space (and unlimited simultaneous recordings), you can keep your DVR recordings for only 90 days. So this DVR upgrade doesn’t solve the recording management problem.
DIRECTV Genie
If you like to keep movies, shows, and sporting events to watch at your leisure, the best option is DIRECTV’s Genie (200 hours, five simultaneous recordings) and Genie 2 (450 hours, seven simultaneous recordings). The Genie DVRs don’t auto-delete your recordings unless you’re out of storage.
DIRECTV still claims that the Genie is included with your plan, but it’s not. In the fine print, you’ll see DIRECTV now charges a $15 monthly Advanced Receiver Service Fee. This feels sneaky. It would be easier to accept this fee if DIRECTV were transparent about it. After all, DISH openly charges $10 monthly for its Hopper 3 DVR.
The basic Genie (wired) has enough storage and tuners for most users. The Genie 2 is best for committed couch creatures and their binge-watching habits, and the unit is wireless so you can avoid cable clutter. But beware of the Genie 2’s $99 bridge fee for Wi-Fi setup, which is due at signup.
Finally, with both Genies, you can add DIRECTV on up to seven TVs in your home with the Genie Mini devices ($7 a month each). To learn more about DIRECTV whole-home DVR, check out our DIRECTV Genie review.
Installation
Installing DIRECTV STREAM is much, much, easier than installing DIRECTV.
When your DIRECTV STREAM device ($10 a month for 12 months) arrives in the mail, just use the included HDMI cable to connect the device to your TV, plug in the power adapter, connect to your home Wi-Fi network, and start streaming.
DIRECTV installation is also free, but a tech does all the work for you because installing a dish on your roof isn’t nearly as simple as setting up a streaming device. You’ll probably have to take a day off from work to be present for the installation, which can take up to five hours. And apartment dwellers may need to have their landlord sign an installation approval form.
Streaming apps
Comparing DIRECTV STREAM’s and DIRECTV’s apps is a little tricky. Allow us to elaborate.
DIRECTV STREAM app
All streaming services are based around an app that you use on a compatible device like a Chromecast, gaming console, personal computer, smart TV, smartphone, streaming stick, or tablet. So, unlike the DIRECTV app, the DIRECTV STREAM mobile app (Amazon, Android, and iOS) isn’t an extra feature—it’s the main way to use the service.
Note: You don’t need the DIRECTV STREAM streaming device to use DIRECTV STREAM, which is compatible with a variety of better, more affordable streaming devices. See the list in our DIRECTV STREAM review.
DIRECTV TV app
With DIRECTV, the mobile app for Android and iOS is an additional feature. Actually, it’s almost like having both DIRECTV and DIRECTV STREAM because it allows you to do all of this:
- Stream live TV, on-demand content, and DVR recordings
- Download movies and shows to watch offline
- Set and manage DVR recordings
- Set and manage parental controls
- Stream on up to five mobile devices at once
But does adding a streaming component to DIRECTV via the DIRECTV app justify DIRECTV’s astronomical second-year payment? Maybe if money is no object to you. But since money matters to most people, we’ll say that the DIRECTV app isn’t worth the higher payment.
Internet bundles
Although AT&T and DIRECTV have separated, you can still bundle either DIRECTV STREAM or DIRECTV with AT&T Internet plans. And, in some areas, you can bundle DIRECTV with CenturyLink internet services. To learn more, read our DIRECTV Bundles review.
Final take
DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV have some excellent features, but you can get more for less with other providers. If forced to choose one over the other, we’d pick DIRECTV STREAM since it’s the most flexible (no contract means an easier escape). Otherwise, we recommend YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV over DIRECTV STREAM and DISH over DIRECTV.
DIRECTV STREAM vs. DIRECTV FAQ
How much does DIRECTV STREAM cost?
DIRECTV STREAM has four plans priced $69.99–$159.99/mo. a month for 75–150+ channels.
Can I stream DIRECTV if I have DIRECTV?
You can stream your DIRECTV live channels, on-demand content, and DVR recordings with the DIRECTV App, which is free to current DIRECTV subscribers.
Is DIRECTV streaming worth it?
If you’re asking about the DIRECTV STREAM live TV streaming service, we think it’s too expensive to be worth it. But if you’re asking about streaming DIRECTV through its mobile app, we think it adds a ton of value to your DIRECTV subscription.
How much does DIRECTV cost after one year?
DIRECTV no longer has a second-year price hike—the satellite TV provider now offers a two-year price guarantee. Current DIRECTV prices are $69.99–$159.99/mo..
Methodology
At CableTV.com, we constantly analyze prices, plans, and specifications of TV providers like DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV so our readers can make informed buying decisions. We’ve also tested DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV from signup through activation, and surveyed other customers to see what they thought about providers. To learn more about our process, see our How We Rank page.
DTV & DTV STREAM: 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.
