Budgeting for a DIRECTV package can be intimidating when you’re afraid extra fees lurk around every corner. But don’t fret—we’ve got all the insider knowledge on DIRECTV’s hidden fees. From contracts to equipment to cancellation costs, we’ll give you a clear look at all your options before you sign up.
DIRECTV plans and promotional prices
DIRECTV requires a two-year contract but offers a two-year price guarantee. After those two years, you’ll pay whatever amount DIRECTV has raised its package prices to since you signed up, which it calls “the current prevailing prices.”
The one bonus is that DIRECTV’s deals and promotions usually include a nice freebie on top of your plan. Currently, you can get three free months of HBO Max™, CINEMAX®, MGM+™, Paramount+ Premium, and STARZ® when you sign up for the ENTERTAINMENT All Included package and higher.
Just don’t forget to cancel those offers at the end of your promo period, or your DIRECTV monthly cost will go way, way up.
DIRECTV price hikes
| Package | Price* | Channel count (Satellite) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT | $89.99/mo. for 24 mos. plus taxes and fees | 175+ channels | View plan |
| DIRECTV CHOICE™ | $94.99/mo. for 24 mos. plus taxes and fees | 215+ channels | View plan |
| DIRECTV ULTIMATE | $124.99/mo. for 24 mos. plus taxes and fees | 270+ channels | View plan |
| DIRECTV PREMIER | $169.99/mo. for 24 mos. plus taxes and fees | 350+ channels | View plan |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. See full disclaimer for details.
DIRECTV used to raise its prices sharply in the second year of your two-year contract, but it’s since done away with that misleading pricing.
After your two-year price guarantee, DIRECTV will charge you its latest package prices. If you don’t like those prices, your two-year agreement will be over, so you can switch to another TV provider like DISH.
DIRECTV taxes, fees, and surcharges
| Fee | Price | What it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| TV Access Fee | $7.00–$10.00/receiver/mo. | Connecting each receiver |
| Advanced Receiver Service Fee | up to $25.00/mo. | HD, DVR, and whole-home services |
| Regional Sports Fee | Up to $19.99/mo. | Including regional sports networks |
| Late Payment Fee | Up to $12.00 | Paying your bill late |
| Returned Payment Fee | Up to $30.00 (as permitted by law) | Making payments that get declined |
| Minimum Service | Up to $9.99/mo. | Placing your account in minimum service status because of non-payment |
| Restoral Fee | Up to $20.00 per restoral | Reinstating your regular service after it changed to minimum service |
| Service Call or Dispatch Fee | $99.00 | Dispatching a technician for requested repairs |
| Phone Payment and/or Order Assistance Fee | Up to $5.00 per payment | Talking to an agent to make a payment |
| Duplicate Statement Fee | Up to $1.75 | Sending a duplicate written statement at your request |
| Ledger Request | Up to $2.75 | Posting an itemized ledger of past payments at your request |
| Supplemental Equipment Fee | $49.00 per device | A one-time fee applies to each device starting with the 5th on an account |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
There are a few DIRECTV’s hidden fees you get each month.
You’ve got your taxes, which are determined by where you live. Then there’s the regional sports fee, which DIRECTV charges customers with CHOICE All Included and higher-tier plans for regional sports channels.
For the most part, everything else that isn’t equipment or premium channels is incidental stuff you can avoid. We suggest using your online account to check statements and make payments, because talking to an agent on the phone can cost you extra.
DIRECTV installation fees
| Fee | Price | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Activation fee | $49.00 per TV connection | Activating your DIRECTV service |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Installing your satellite dish requires a professional technician, but luckily DIRECTV doesn’t charge for that. Instead, you’ll pay only an activation fee. But this is often waived for online orders.
DIRECTV equipment fees
| Fee | Price | What it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Receiver Service Fee | Up to $25.00/mo. | Receiving HD, DVR, and whole-home services |
| Required Gemini fee | $10.00/mo. | Required fee for Gemini device for satellite plans |
| Genie DVR fee | $15.00/mo. | Fee for Genie DVR |
| Equipment non-return fee | $45.00–$135.00 | Fee for not returning equipment (varies by device) |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
DIRECTV says all its packages come with an up-to-$25 monthly advanced receiver service fee, which covers your DVR and HD service. DIRECTV’s site says that depending on your package and start date, your bill may already include Advanced Receiver Service fee(s), and to check your bill for details.
And if you want to zone out in front of more than one TV, a $7.00—$10.00 monthly TV Access Fee applies per receiver.
Want to learn more about DIRECTV’s equipment? Check out our review of the Genie, plus our guide to the newest equipment DIRECTV is pushing, its streaming-focused Gemini device.
How to return DIRECTV equipment
When you cancel your DIRECTV service, you can return it one of two ways:
- Take your unboxed equipment to a FedEx Office Pack and Ship or The UPS Store location. Just give the representative your DIRECTV account number. They’ll take care of everything and give you a receipt confirming that you returned the devices.
- DIRECTV might send you a return kit, which includes everything you need to box up the equipment—plus a prepaid shipping label. As for where to return your DIRECTV equipment, drop your box at a post office or FedEx location. (We’re not sure why you can’t take it to The UPS store for this method.)
If you don’t return your equipment, the DIRECTV equipment return fee is $45–$135 depending on the device. So make sure you send back your stuff.
DIRECTV premium channel and add-on costs
Premium channels and pricing
| Channel add-ons | What it includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| HBO Max | HBO's streaming service | $18.49/mo. |
| CINEMAX | Big-name premium channel | $10.99/mo. |
| Paramount+ Premium | Indie films and prestige TV | $13.99/mo. |
| STARZ | Thousands of movies and shows | $10.99/mo. |
| MGM+ | MGM+ channels | $7.99/mo. |
| MOVIES EXTRA PACK (includes Peacock Premium) | More HD programming, including classic and contemporary movies, short films, documentaries, and musical performances | $9.99/mo. |
| NBA League Pass | All out-of-market NBA games | $109.98 for the regular season |
| NHL CENTER ICE | Up to 40 out-of-market games each week and NHL Network included during the NHL season | $69.99 for the regular season |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
For the first three months, DIRECTV includes HBO Max, Paramount+ Premium, STARZ and Cinemax in your service. That is, unless you have DIRECTV PREMIER, since that package includes them all at no additional cost.
But DIRECTV’s premiums aren’t all movie channels. With a solid lineup of special sports passes, there’s something for every sports fan (psst—we also awarded DIRECTV our Best of the Best for Sports award).
You can pay monthly or purchase the season of whichever sport your competitive heart desires (yeah, DIRECTV carries almost all of them) in one payment. There aren’t any special savings for doing the latter, so listen to your gut on this one.
We didn’t include DIRECTV’s streaming Genre Packs, as we have an entire guide on them that we highly recommend you check out.
DIRECTV late fees
| Fee | Price | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Late Payment Charge | up to $12.00 | Not paying your bill by the due date |
Data as of post date. Information subject to change.
Sometimes unexpected things can stop you from paying your bill on time. DIRECTV has a small late fee charge, but it’s not too pricey.
DIRECTV cancellation costs
| Fee | Price | What it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Early Termination Fee | Up to $480.00 (prorated monthly) | Canceling your DIRECTV service before the end of your contract |
| Equipment Non-Return Fee | $45.00–$135.00 | Failing to return equipment after you cancel service |
Data as of post date. Information subject to change.
DIRECTV has a two-year contract, and you may be tempted to cancel when prices spike in the second year. Heads up—that will cost you a pretty penny. If you decide to go through with it, don’t forget to return your DVR and receivers, or your cancellation fees will be enormous.
Hidden Costs of DIRECTV FAQ
Does DIRECTV charge for equipment?
Yes, when you end your account, you can be charged up to $135 per device if you don’t return your equipment in the time defined in your service contract.
How can I get DIRECTV to lower my bill?
Contact the DIRECTV customer service department at 1-855-387-6898 and use the system prompts to speak to a representative. Explain your circumstances and find out if they have any promotional offers or discounts available.
Can I cancel DIRECTV and sign up again?
Yes, you can cancel your DIRECTV service, but if it is before the end of your contract, you may pay a cancellation fee of up to $480 (prorated monthly). You can sign up again anytime after cancellation, but you may have to wait a while before DIRECTV approves you for new customer deals.
How can I cancel DIRECTV without penalty?
You cannot cancel DIRECTV online or via email, and there’s no guarantee that DIRECTV will waive your cancellation fee. But you can try your luck with its customer retention department at 1-800-228-2020. Use the prompts to speak to a representative.
Does DIRECTV charge a fee for not returning equipment?
There is a DIRECTV equpiment non-return fee. It is $45–$135 depending on the device.
Why you should trust us
The team of TV experts at CableTV.com regularly research and test TV services like DIRECTV in order to give our readers the most accurate information on plans, pricing, fees, features, and functionality. For more on our process, see our How We Rank page.
Disclaimer
*ENTERTAINMENT: ($99.99/mo. w/req’d $10/mo. TV Access Fee) w/24-mo. agmt. Autopay and paperless bill req’d. One-time $49.95 activation fee is extra and applies. CHOICE: ($124.98/mo. w/req’d $10/mo. TV Access Fee & Regional Sports Fee of up to $19.99/mo.) w/ 24-mo.agmt. Autopay and paperless bill req’d. One-time $49.95 activation fee is extra and applies. ULTIMATE: ($154.98/mo. w/req’d $10/mo. TV Access Fee & Regional Sports Fee of up to $19.99/mo.) w/ 24-mo.agmt. Autopay and paperless bill req’d. One-time $49.95 activation fee is extra and applies. PREMIER™: ($199.98/mo. w/req’d $10/mo. TV Access Fee & Regional Sports Fee of up to $19.99/mo.) w/ 24-mo. agmt. Autopay and paperless bill req’d. One-time $49.95 activation fee is extra and applies.
