What is DirecTV: plans, pricing, channels, and more

By Bryan M. Wolfe Updated May 12, 2025

DirecTV has been around for a long time, and now you can get the channels you want without a pesky satellite dish. The company’s streaming product, once called AT&T TV and then DirecTV Stream, is now simply DirecTV. While it may not be the most popular streaming service, it’s worth checking out. It provides access to live TV and an on-demand library like Hulu Plus Live TV or YouTube TV. Although it tends to be a bit pricier, you receive plenty in return.

We’ve got the details for you here.

DirecTV Stream has undergone another rebranding and is now known as DirecTV (yes, it’s confusing, see below). This change reflects the company’s focus on streaming as its primary service. Existing DirecTV Stream customers should not experience immediate changes to their service or packages. New customers will find all streaming options under the DirecTV brand.

Here’s the latest information on DirecTV streaming packages and pricing:

Signature Packages offer a traditional channel lineup with entertainment, sports, and news. Prices listed below reflect a $10/month discount for the first 24 months for new customers on the CHOICE, ULTIMATE, or PREMIER packages. After the promotional period, regular rates apply. A Gemini device lease fee of $10/month may also apply. Regional Sports Network (RSN) fees of up to $17.99/month (depending on location) and an Advanced Receiver Service fee of $15.00/month are additional.

ENTERTAINMENT: At this time, DirecTV’s entry-level package is more expensive than the mid-priced CHOICE package, at least for the first 24 months. It’s $84.99/month for more than 90 channels. This package includes local channels (where available) and unlimited Cloud DVR on your home network.

CHOICE: Starting at $79.99/month (for 24 months, then regular price) for 125+ channels. This includes everything in ENTERTAINMENT, specialty sports channels (like ACC Network, Big Ten Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, SEC Network), and regional sports networks (fee applies).

ULTIMATE: Starting at $109.99/month (for 24 months, then regular price) for 160+ channels. It includes CHOICE, which has more entertainment and sports channels (like CBS Sports Network, Discovery Family, FX Movie Channel, NHL Network, STARZ Encore).

PREMIER: Starting at $154.99/month (for 24 months, then regular price) for 185+ channels. This top-tier package includes everything in ULTIMATE and streaming services like Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ, and Cinemax.

Genre Packs: For those seeking more tailored content, DIRECTV offers Genre Packs starting at $34.99/month (plus tax) with no annual contract. These packs focus on specific interests like sports (MySports), entertainment (MyEntertainment, which includes Disney+ and Hulu Bundle Basic, and Max Basic With Ads), news (MyNews), and Spanish-language programming (MiEspañol). Mini Pack add-ons like MySports Extra and MyCinema are also available for an additional monthly fee.

Limited-Time Offers: New subscribers on the CHOICE, ULTIMATE, or PREMIER packages may be eligible for a $10/month bill credit for two years. Additionally, some plans offer free premium channels (Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, CINEMAX, and MGM+) for the first three months.

The fundamental difference between DIRECTV Satellite and DIRECTV Streaming lies in their delivery methods: satellite relies on a physical dish to receive signals, necessitating professional installation and often involving a two-year contract, while streaming delivers content over your existing internet connection, offering greater flexibility with no long-term contract and easy setup via apps on your devices.

Satellite generally boasts a higher channel count, particularly in upper-tier packages. While both offer Regional Sports Networks in the CHOICE and higher tiers (with an added fee), satellite viewing is primarily independent of internet reliability. However, it is susceptible to weather interference.

In contrast, streaming requires a stable internet connection for all viewing. Still, it provides the convenience of unlimited Cloud DVR and the ability to watch on multiple devices anywhere with internet access. Equipment also differs, with satellite using leased receivers and DVRs, while streaming primarily utilizes your own smart devices or an optional DIRECTV Gemini streaming device. Ultimately, the choice depends on individual priorities regarding channel selection, contract commitment, internet dependency, portability, and ease of installation.

MyFree DIRECTV is a free streaming service offered by DirecTV that provides access to over 100 live channels and on-demand content without requiring a paid subscription or a credit card. It’s designed as an entry point to the DirecTV experience, allowing users to sample a variety of programming across news, sports, movies, and TV shows. To access MyFree DirecTV, new or former customers must sign up with an email address via the DirecTV website or app. Current DirecTV subscribers automatically have access to all the content on MyFree DirecTV, along with their regular paid channels.

While it offers a diverse range of ad-supported channels, the selection differs from the premium and extensive libraries available with DirecTV’s paid subscription packages. Streaming a curated content selection using the DirecTV app on various devices is a no-commitment way.

It’s important to note that DirecTV is going through some significant changes at the time of this writing. As such, the pricing quoted above might differ from what’s offered while you read this. You can find all the current information on the DirecTV website.