DIRECTV STREAM is a streamable version of DIRECTV, but both services have their ups and downs. DIRECTV STREAM doesn’t require a contract, but DIRECTV gives you more channels and some included perks, like premium channels. Enough small talk. Let’s get into the details of which service is best for you. DIRECTV requires a two-year contract that you can’t get around, and DIRECTV STREAM lets you cancel your service whenever you’d like. DIRECTV does offer lots more channels for you and the family to enjoy, and that might be worth it. DIRECTV’s pricing is $5–$10 less per month for the first year, and each package includes about double the channels than DIRECTV STREAM does. So if you want all of the lifestyle, news, sports, kids, and entertainment channels you can think of, DIRECTV is the one for you. On the other hand, DIRECTV has a 2-year contract. DIRECTV used to have second-year price hikes that nearly doubled your monthly cost, but now your price will return to DIRECTV’s prevailing prices at the end of your contract. This is good news for those leaning toward DIRECTV STREAM. And if you order DIRECTV STREAM online, you can get unlimited cloud DVR storage with any plan. So make sure you order online to dodge having to pay $10 per month to have unlimited hours of recording space. DIRECTV includes the first Genie DVR with your service, which holds 200 HD hours of recordings, and you’ll want to pay an extra $7 per month if you’d like a DVR in your bedroom, as well. DIRECTV STREAM’s streaming device isn’t necessary if you already have an Apple TV, Roku, smart TV, or any other supported streaming device. If you don’t, $5 per month isn’t too bad, but we still recommend buying a less expensive streaming device if you don’t already have one. DIRECTV STREAM has most of the popular channels, which is good news since it only offers half the channels DIRECTV does. DIRECTV has Univision, and it will most likely have the specialty channels you want, such as NASA TV and TUDN. But during our research on channels, we realized that there are quite a lot of music channels in DIRECTV’s lineup (close to 50), which contributes greatly to the high channel count. So we encourage you to check out DIRECTV STREAM’s and DIRECTV’s complete channel lineup to make sure it has a lineup that you need. If sports channels determine how great a service is to you, scroll down a little for the fun stuff. HBO Max is included in DIRECTV STREAM’s PREMIER package, and you’ll get HBO Max in your channel lineup for three months if you order CHOICE or ULTIMATE. When you get ENTERTAINMENT, CHOICE, or ULTIMATE with DIRECTV, you’ll get a three-month membership to HBO Max, Cinemax, SHOWTIME, STARZ, and MGM+. The PREMIER package includes all of the premium channels besides MGM+ in your channel lineup. Just make sure to cancel at the end of each subscription period so you don’t get charged the following month (if you don’t want to keep the premium channel, of course). DIRECTV STREAM only offers four sports channels in its entry-level package (ESPN, ESPN 2, Bally Sports, and NBCSN). If you can live without the Golf Channel and NHL Network, you’ll be fine with the CHOICE plan. DIRECTV also gives you access to all of its sports channels with the ULTIMATE package and above. This satellite TV provider is also the best option for diehard NFL fans because it has a service you can’t find anywhere else: NFL SUNDAY TICKET. NFL SUNDAY TICKET is a subscription to all out-of-market games straight to your TV. With the included Genie DVR, you’ll get 200 HD hours of storage space and five simultaneous streams. DIRECTV STREAM comes with a cloud DVR storage space of 20 hours (or unlimited if you order online), and you only get three simultaneous streams. If you have a bigger family, there is a pro and a con with DIRECTV STREAM.
Pro: You can sign up for DIRECTV STREAM online or upgrade your DVR storage for $10 per month for unlimited storage space. Con: Only three family members can stream at once, but this might not be such a huge problem.
You’ll get access to over 7,000 apps with DIRECTV STREAM’s streaming box, and you can stream services like Netflix, Prime Video, Pandora, and HBO Max. DIRECTV’s set-top box won’t give you this experience. With both DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV, you’ll get access to on-demand content, so check it out before you spend more money on a streaming service. If neither sounds like the right service for you, check out our Best TV Service Providers of 2021.
