Getting DIRECTV used to be simple. You needed satellite TV, you got satellite TV. But now, DIRECTV offers two different ways to get your favorite channels: the classic satellite dish or the modern streaming version.
Regardless of how you connect, DIRECTV remains a top contender in the TV sphere. DIRECTV recently earned our Best of the Best Award for the best TV provider for sports, and currently holds the highest customer satisfaction rating for live TV streaming, beating the next-closest provider by a whopping eight points.
While DIRECTV is heavily pushing its streaming plans, its satellite plans are still a great choice for rural folks who want their TV signal independent of any slow internet connection at home. But if your family has a speedy internet plan, you may want to consider DIRECTV streaming.
Keep reading this DIRECTV guide to get all the deets on the service’s two offerings. I’ll break down the plans and pricing, the gear you’ll need, and the key differences in the fine print so you can pick the right service for you without the headache.
DIRECTV satellite vs. DIRECTV streaming: What’s the difference?
The most important distinction to understand is that DIRECTV operates as two separate products: DIRECTV satellite plans and DIRECTV streaming plans (formerly known as DIRECTV STREAM). Even though the product name (“DIRECTV”), costs, and channel lineups are nearly identical, how you watch is vastly different.
Let me explain. DIRECTV’s satellite plans are the classic choice for rural dwellers or those who want their TV service independent of their home’s bandwidth. In contrast, DIRECTV’s streaming plans run over your home internet connection. I’d call DIRECTV’S streaming plans the no-strings-attached version of the service: There are no dishes, no professional installation, and—most importantly—no annual contracts.
Read on to learn all the minute differences between the two DIRECTV services, and see which product is right for you and your family. We also have a dedicated page comparing these two services head-to-head, if that’s more your style.
DIRECTV guide: Satellite plans and perks
| Package | Price | Channel count | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENTERTAINMENT | $89.99/mo. for 24 mos. plus taxes and fees | 175+ | View plan |
| CHOICE™ | $94.99/mo. for 24 mos. plus taxes and fees | 215+ | View plan |
| ULTIMATE | $124.99/mo. for 24 mos. plus taxes and fees | 270+ | View plan |
| PREMIER™ | $124.99/mo. for 24 mos. plus taxes and fees | 350+ | View plan |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
If you go the DIRECTV satellite route, you’ll get a TV experience that doesn’t rely on your internet speeds. This remains the best option for areas with spotty internet—all you need is a satellite dish and a clear view of the southern sky to get DIRECTV broadcast in your home 24/7.
DIRECTV’s satellite plans require a two-year contract, but offer a price guarantee for that duration. Just be aware that canceling before your 24 months are up will trigger an early termination fee of around $20 for every month remaining on your agreement.
Get more details on our dedicated DIRECTV satellite review.
DIRECTV guide: Streaming plans and perks
| Package | Price | Channel count | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENTERTAINMENT | $89.99/mo. for 24 mos. plus taxes and fees | 90+ | View plan |
| CHOICE™ | $94.99/mo. for 24 mos. plus taxes and fees | 125+ | View plan |
| ULTIMATE | $124.99/mo. for 24 mos. plus taxes and fees | 160+ | View plan |
| PREMIER™ | $124.99/mo. for 24 mos. plus taxes and fees | 185+ | View plan |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
DIRECTV was ahead of the game with its streaming plans. They launched the first iteration of DIRECTV Stream (the previous name for its streaming service, now simply called DIRECTV) back in November 2016—that’s roughly eight years before Spectrum launched its current TV Stream plan and Xfinity debuted its StreamSaver plans.
DIRECTV’s streaming plans offer the same channel counts as the satellite version, but without the required hardware. You can watch on almost any compatible smart device, from your phone to your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, or Apple TV. You can also get a five-day free trial to test the service and see if it’s a good fit.
If you want DIRECTV but like the flexibility of a monthly subscription, the streaming side is your best bet. Unlike typical cable or satellite plans that lock you into long-term commitments, live TV streaming services are usually contract-free, letting you cancel anytime without paying hefty termination fees. DIRECTV streaming is no different.
Learn more in our detailed DIRECTV streaming review.
DIRECTV satellite and streaming channel lineup
One perk about DIRECTV’s consolidation is that you no longer have to guess which channels you’re getting based on your delivery method. Both satellite and streaming customers now have access to the same core packages, meaning that whether you use a dish or a Wi-Fi connection, you’ll still get the same major networks, although channel counts do slightly vary between the services.
Lucky for you, we have a comprehensive DIRECTV channel guide that compares all four plans across both satellite and streaming.
Pro tip: If you’re a sports fan, the CHOICE™ package and above is usually where you want to be. These tiers include Regional Sports Networks (RSNs), which are often the only way to catch local MLB, NBA, or NHL games.
DIRECTV Genre Packs
If the high price of a full DIRECTV package is too much for your budget, DIRECTV recently introduced Genre Packs for its streaming customers. These are smaller, specialized mini-bundles that allow you to pay only for the types of content you actually watch (i.e., kids, sports, news, etc.). These packs are significantly cheaper than the full packages, though they typically exclude local broadcast channels to keep costs down.
Check out our DIRECTV Genre Packs guide for a deep dive into their specific channel lineups and pricing.
DIRECTV equipment and tech: satellite vs. streaming
For DIRECTV’s streaming plans, there’s no need to pay for professional installation or a dish, since you can use a device you likely already own (Roku, Apple TV, etc.) to stream DIRECTV.
That said, DIRECTV also offers the Gemini Air for streaming customers, a small dongle that plugs into your TV’s HDMI port. It comes with a voice remote with a number pad, making it feel closer to a traditional TV experience. You can choose to lease this device for roughly $10 per month, or stick to your personal streaming device.
In contrast, there’s no getting around an equipment fee with DIRECTV’s satellite plans. All of the DIRECTV satellite plans come with a disclaimer that states its required $10.00/mo. Gemini fee. The Gemini receiver (available in wired or wireless) lets satellite customers switch between live, recorded, and on-demand TV, plus additional streaming apps like Netflix or HBO Max, with ease.
DIRECTV reliability and customer service
DIRECTV usually scores pretty high for reliability. Satellite TV is not as reliable as, say, Verizon Fios’ fiber TV service, and can occasionally flicker during a big storm. Still, folks seem to love DIRECTV’s performance, with the service coming in tied for third place for reliability in our most recent Customer Satisfaction Survey.
Streaming reliability is up to your Wi-Fi speeds—if your internet is fast, the picture will be great. Simple as.
As for customer service, DIRECTV’s support is available seven days a week. Just be aware that if you’re on a satellite contract and call to cancel, they’ll probably (definitely) try to win you back with some discounts to keep you from leaving.
Get more information on how to contact DIRECTV on our detailed customer service guide.
DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS
If you’re looking to bring top-tier entertainment to a restaurant or commercial space, DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS is the service for you. Offering specialized TV plans for bars, restaurants, offices, and hotels, DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS is a flexible service designed to be customized to fit your business’ needs.
We think DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS is best for sports-centric venues: think sports bars, restaurants showing the big game, etc. That’s due to its exclusive commercial access to sports packages like NFL Sunday Ticket, ESPN+ for Business, and MLB Extra Innings.
DIRECTV also now offers Apple TV to both residential and business customers. This is key for sports coverage, as Apple TV has exclusive Formula 1, Major League Soccer (MLS), and Friday Night Baseball broadcasts.
DIRECTV promotions and deals
New DIRECTV customers can take advantage of several introductory offers when they sign up. One of the most popular (and longest-running) DIRECTV deals is the inclusion of premium channels like HBO Max, Paramount+, STARZ, MGM+, and Cinemax for the first three months on all DIRECTV base packages.
One thing to note is that some deals are satellite- or streaming-plan specific. An example is the current $30 off deal, which is only available to new DIRECTV streaming customers.
Regardless, we think DIRECTV is the top TV provider for deals—it won our Best of the Best for Promos award for the second year running! I recommend you keep an eye on our regularly updated DIRECTV promotions page for the most up-to-date DIRECTV deal info.
DIRECTV guide FAQ
Does DIRECTV require a satellite dish?
DIRECTV requires a satellite dish if you choose its satellite plans. If you choose DIRECTV's streaming plans, you can stream your channels over Wi-Fi using your own device (like a Roku or Apple TV) or using DIRECTV's Gemini Air device.
What is the difference between DIRECTV streaming and satellite?
The main difference is the delivery method. DIRECTV's streaming plans run over your home internet, require no dish or professional installation, and typically have no long-term contracts. DIRECTV's satellite plans require a dish (and a two-year contract), and don't rely on an internet connection.
Can I cancel DIRECTV anytime?
If you have a DIRECTV streaming plan, yes, you can cancel anytime—it's month-to-month with no contracts. If you have a DIRECTV satellite plan, you are usually locked into a 24-month contract and will face early termination fees if you cancel before your contract is up.
Why you should trust us
Our TV experts have spent hundreds of hours using and learning about DIRECTV satellite and streaming. For this DIRECTV guide, we realized that DIRECTV’s recent consolidation of its services was confusing for customers. To help readers make the best decision on which service is better for them, we compared DIRECTV satellite and streaming with each other based on channels, pricing, features, and more.
For more information on how we work, check out our How We Rank page.
