4 Things To Know Before You Sign Up for DIRECTV STREAM

If you’re tired of paying a big cable bill each month, you could save some money by cutting the cord and subscribing to DIRECTV Stream (formerly AT&T TV) in 2023.

This live TV streaming service is one of the most expensive options on the market, but it may be the closest experience to traditional cable or satellite TV for cord-cutters who want to maintain that feeling while shifting to streaming.

Feeling the heat from popular streaming services such as YouTube TV, Hulu +Live TV and Sling TV, DIRECTV has leveraged legacy satellite TV technology into creating a competitor in this space.

But is it good enough? Are its prices palatable, especially in light of the price hike in 2023? And will you be able to avoid all the fees that DIRECTV tries to hook you with along the way?

In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about DIRECTV’s live television subscription service.

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March 2023 Update:

• As of March 14, 2023, DIRECTV STREAM is offering $120 off your first 12 months of membership (in the form of $10 monthly credits), but you must make a qualifying streaming device purchase to receive the credits. Team Clark does not recommend buying their streaming device.
• Newsmax has been removed from the channel menu for all packages in February 2023 amid a carriage dispute. In a corresponding change, DIRECTV STREAM added news network The First to presumably replace it.
• DIRECTV STREAM raised prices on all packages effective January 22, 2023. The cheapest monthly subscription is now $75 per month.
• New customers have the option to enjoy a complimentary three months of HBO Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, Cinemax and EPIX. That’s up to a $160 value for those who choose to opt in, but it’s worth noting you will be automatically billed for all of these in the fourth month of service if you don’t remember to cancel.

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What Is DIRECTV STREAM? Team Clark Reviews the Live TV Streaming Service

Monthly Price: $99.99 Channels: 123 (Full list) Free Trial: 5 Days (Sign up) Cloud DVR Hours: Unlimited Simultaneous Streams: 20 Local Channels: ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC included Regional Sports: Bally Sports, AT&T SportsNet and NBC Sports channels Supported Streaming Devices: Roku, Amazon Fire, Chromecast, Apple TV and select smart TVs (Full list)

DIRECTV STREAM is a live TV streaming service offered by DIRECTV, which has been responsible for popular satellite television products in recent years. This service previous was known as AT&T TV until a rebranding in August 2021. AT&T is no longer involved with this streaming service.

While this service does away with many of the junk fees that you might have come to expect from a DIRECTV satellite subscription, you’re going to find that this service is on the expensive side of the live TV streaming market.

The cheapest package, branded as the “Entertainment Package”, offers roughly 80 channels for a monthly base price of $74.99. That’s higher than top competitors YouTube TV and Sling TV.

If you want regional sports networks, you’ll have to pay at least $99.99 per month. And it only gets more expensive from there with a package menu that goes as high as $154.99 per month for the Premier option.

The pitch from DIRECTV STREAM is that you’re getting a more premium streaming experience with some of its packages, which include channels that many other streaming services don’t carry.

In fact, due to contract disputes with other streaming services, many customers may find that DIRECTV STREAM is the only streaming option for the regional sports networks that carry the games of their favorite MLB, NHL and NBA teams.

Read on for my detailed analysis of DIRECTV STREAM’s channel lineup, cloud DVR offering, supported devices and more.

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Table of Contents: 

• Channel Lineup
• DVR
• Supported Devices
• Multiple Streams

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1. What Channels Do You Get With DIRECTV STREAM? 

With DIRECTV STREAM, the questions you’ll be asking about channels are probably a little different from those you might about a cheaper streaming service.

Instead of, “Does this service offer my favorite channel?” you’re probably more likely to ask, “Can I find the channels I like in a DIRECTV STREAM package and still save money?”

DIRECTV STREAM is not short on channels. But with four subscription tiers that start at $75 per month and go up from there, things can start to add up pretty quickly.

If you’re looking to use DIRECTV STREAM as a streaming service because it offers the regional sports network that broadcasts the games of your favorite team, it’s worth noting that you’ll probably have to upgrade to the Choice Package ($99 per month effective Jan. 22, 2023) to get those channels.

DIRECTV STREAM carries local channels (ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX affiliates) and regional sports networks (Bally Sports South, YES Network, etc.), but you’ll want to verify exactly what’s available in your area by entering your ZIP code on the DIRECTV STREAM website.

It’s worth noting that you will be eligible to get HBO Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, EPIX and Cinemax at no additional charge for the first three months of your new subscription. DIRECTV STREAM previously offered a free year of HBO Max, but that’s no longer available.

Below is a list of channels offered on each DIRECTV STREAM subscription tier. If you want to compare DIRECTV STREAM’s channel lineup to other streaming TV services, see our side-by-side chart or use our live TV streaming channel tool.

DIRECTV STREAM – Choice Package ($99.99)	DIRECTV STREAM – Entertainment Package ($74.99)	DIRECTV STREAM – Premier Package ($154.99)	DIRECTV STREAM – Ultimate Package ($109.99)
A&E	A&E	A&E	A&E
ABC	ABC	ABC	ABC
ACC Network		ACC Network	ACC Network
AccuWeather	AccuWeather	AccuWeather	AccuWeather
AMC	AMC	AMC	AMC
		American Heroes Channel	American Heroes Channel
Animal Planet	Animal Planet	Animal Planet	Animal Planet
		aspireTV	aspireTV
AXS TV	AXS TV	AXS TV	AXS TV
BabyFirst	BabyFirst	BabyFirst	BabyFirst
BBC America	BBC America	BBC America	BBC America
		BBC World News	BBC World News
BET	BET	BET	BET
		BET Her	BET Her
Big Ten Network		Big Ten Network	Big Ten Network
Bloomberg TV	Bloomberg TV	Bloomberg TV	Bloomberg TV
Boomerang	Boomerang	Boomerang	Boomerang
Bounce TV		Bounce TV	Bounce TV
Bravo	Bravo	Bravo	Bravo
C-SPAN	C-SPAN	C-SPAN	C-SPAN
C-SPAN2	C-SPAN2	C-SPAN2	C-SPAN2
Cartoon Network	Cartoon Network	Cartoon Network	Cartoon Network
CBS	CBS	CBS	CBS
		CBS Sports Network	CBS Sports Network
Cheddar		Cheddar	Cheddar
		Cinemax
		Cinemax ActionMax
CLEO TV	CLEO TV	CLEO TV	CLEO TV
CMT	CMT	CMT	CMT
CNBC	CNBC	CNBC	CNBC
CNBC World		CNBC World	CNBC World
CNN	CNN	CNN	CNN
CNN HD	CNN HD	CNN HD	CNN HD
CNN International	CNN International	CNN International	CNN International
CNÑ	CNÑ	CNÑ	CNÑ
Comedy Central	Comedy Central	Comedy Central	Comedy Central
Comedy.TV		Comedy.TV	Comedy.TV
Cooking Channel		Cooking Channel	Cooking Channel
Cozi TV		Cozi TV	Cozi TV
		Dark Matter TV
		Destination America	Destination America
Discovery Channel	Discovery Channel	Discovery Channel	Discovery Channel
		Discovery Family	Discovery Family
		Discovery Life	Discovery Life
Disney Channel	Disney Channel	Disney Channel	Disney Channel
Disney Junior	Disney Junior	Disney Junior	Disney Junior
Disney XD	Disney XD	Disney XD	Disney XD
E!	E!	E!	E!
ESPN	ESPN	ESPN
ESPN HD	ESPN HD	ESPN HD	ESPN HD
ESPN2	ESPN2	ESPN2	ESPN2
ESPNews		ESPNews	ESPNews
ESPNU		ESPNU	ESPNU
		Fail Army
FanDuel TV		FanDuel TV	FanDuel TV
		FM	FM
Food Network	Food Network	Food Network	Food Network
FOX	FOX	FOX	FOX
FOX Business Network	FOX Business Network	FOX Business Network	FOX Business Network
FOX News Channel	FOX News Channel	FOX News Channel	FOX News Channel
FOX Sports 1	FOX Sports 1	FOX Sports 1	FOX Sports 1
		FOX Sports 2	FOX Sports 2
FOX Weather	FOX Weather	FOX Weather	FOX Weather
Freeform	Freeform	Freeform	Freeform
Fuse		Fuse	Fuse
FX	FX	FX	FX
FX HD	FX HD	FX HD	FX HD
		FXM	FXM
FXX	FXX	FXX	FXX
		FYI	FYI
GAC Family
Galavision	Galavision	Galavision	Galavision
Game Show Network		Game Show Network	Game Show Network
Golf Channel		Golf Channel	Golf Channel
		Great American Country	Great American Country
Grit		Grit	Grit
Hallmark Channel	Hallmark Channel	Hallmark Channel	Hallmark Channel
	Hallmark Movies & Mysteries	Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
		HBO
		HBO Comedy
		HBO Family
		HBO Latino
		HBO2
Heroes & Icons		Heroes & Icons	Heroes & Icons
HGTV	HGTV	HGTV	HGTV
History	History	History	History
HLN	HLN	HLN	HLN
HSN	HSN	HSN	HSN
IFC	IFC	IFC	IFC
		Infast
Investigation Discovery	Investigation Discovery	Investigation Discovery	Investigation Discovery
Ion	Ion	Ion	Ion
Jewelry Television	Jewelry Television	Jewelry Television	Jewelry Television
Jewish Life TV	Jewish Life TV	Jewish Life TV	Jewish Life TV
JusticeCentral.TV		JusticeCentral.TV	JusticeCentral.TV
Lifetime	Lifetime	Lifetime	Lifetime
		Lifetime Movie Network	Lifetime Movie Network
		LOGO	LOGO
		Magnolia Network	Magnolia Network
MLB Network		MLB Network	MLB Network
MotorTrend	MotorTrend	MotorTrend	MotorTrend
		Movie Max HD
MSNBC	MSNBC	MSNBC	MSNBC
MTV	MTV	MTV	MTV
		MTV Classic	MTV Classic
MTV2	MTV2	MTV2	MTV2
		Nat Geo Wild	Nat Geo Wild
National Geographic	National Geographic	National Geographic	National Geographic
NBA TV		NBA TV	NBA TV
NBC	NBC	NBC	NBC
		NBC Universo	NBC Universo
NewsNation		NewsNation
		NHL Network	NHL Network
Nick Jr.		Nick Jr.	Nick Jr.
Nickelodeon	Nickelodeon	Nickelodeon	Nickelodeon
Nicktoons		Nicktoons	Nicktoons
		Origin Sports
	Ovation TV	Ovation TV	Ovation TV
OWN – Oprah Winfrey Network		OWN – Oprah Winfrey Network	OWN – Oprah Winfrey Network
		Oxygen	Oxygen
Paramount Network	Paramount Network	Paramount Network	Paramount Network
	PBS
PBS Kids	PBS Kids	PBS Kids	PBS Kids
POP		POP	POP
QVC	QVC	QVC	QVC
QVC2	QVC2	QVC2	QVC2
		Realmadrid.tv
Reelz	Reelz	Reelz	Reelz
	Revolt	Revolt	Revolt
RFD-TV	RFD-TV	RFD-TV	RFD-TV
Science Channel		Science Channel	Science Channel
Scientology Network	Scientology Network	Scientology Network	Scientology Network
SEC Network		SEC Network	SEC Network
Shop LC	Shop LC	Shop LC	Shop LC
ShortsTV		ShortsTV	ShortsTV
		SHOWTIME
		SHOWTIME 2
		SHOWTIME Extreme
		Showtime FamilyZone
		Showtime Next
		Showtime Showcase
		SHOxBET
		Smithsonian Channel	Smithsonian Channel
		Sportsman Channel	Sportsman Channel
		STARZ
		STARZ Encore	STARZ Encore
		STARZ Encore Action	STARZ Encore Action
		STARZ Encore Black	STARZ Encore Black
		STARZ Encore Classic	STARZ Encore Classic
		STARZ Encore Family	STARZ Encore Family
		STARZ Encore Suspense	STARZ Encore Suspense
		STARZ Encore West	STARZ Encore West
		STARZ Encore Westerns	STARZ Encore Westerns
		STARZ Kids & Family
SundanceTV	SundanceTV		SundanceTV
Syfy	Syfy	Syfy	Syfy
Tastemade		Tastemade	Tastemade
		Tastemade Home
TBS	TBS	TBS	TBS
TCM	TCM	TCM	TCM
TeenNick	TeenNick	TeenNick	TeenNick
Tennis Channel		Tennis Channel	Tennis Channel
		The Big Dish
		The Bob Ross Channel
The CW
The First	The First	The First	The First
The Weather Channel		The Weather Channel	The Weather Channel
TheGrio	TheGrio	TheGrio	TheGrio
		ThrillerMax
TLC	TLC	TLC	TLC
TNT	TNT	TNT	TNT
		Toon Giggles
		Toon Giggles Junior
Travel Channel		Travel Channel	Travel Channel
truTV	truTV	truTV	truTV
		TUDN	TUDN
TV Land	TV Land	TV Land	TV Land
TV One		TV One	TV One
TVG		TVG
UniMás		UniMás	UniMás
		Universal Kids	Universal Kids
		Universo HD	Universo HD
Univision	Univision	Univision	Univision
UPtv		UPtv	UPtv
USA Network	USA Network	USA Network	USA Network
VH1	VH1	VH1	VH1
Vice	Vice	Vice	Vice
WE tv	WE tv	WE tv	WE tv
WGN America		WGN America	WGN America
		Womensports Network

Available Premium Subscriptions

You may have noticed that DIRECTV STREAM does not offer add-on channel packages like some of its competitors. Rather than one base subscription level like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV have, DIRECTV STREAM works from a four-tier subscription menu.

But you can add premium channel subscriptions to your DIRECTV STREAM package.

Here are some of the premium options available:

• HBO Max
• Cinemax
• Showtime
• STARZ

The Premier package, which is the most expensive, includes all of the above at no additional charge.

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2. Does DIRECTV STREAM Come With DVR Capabilities? 

	DIRECTV STREAM – Choice Package	DIRECTV STREAM – Entertainment Package	DIRECTV STREAM – Premier Package	DIRECTV STREAM – Ultimate Package
Cloud DVR Hours	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited

With an entry price of $75 per month, one would hope that DIRECTV STREAM would offer a great cloud DVR solution included with the subscription.

And the service is delivering on that in 2023. After initially offering just 20 hours of cloud DVR functionality with each package, DIRECTV STREAM now offers unlimited DVR space.

Here’s a look at how DIRECTV STREAM’s cloud DVR storage space stacks up against some of its top competitors.

	Hulu + Live TV	Philo	Sling Orange + Blue	YouTube TV
Cloud DVR Hours	Unlimited	Unlimited	50	Unlimited

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3. How Do You Stream DIRECTV STREAM?

One of the biggest perks of cutting the cord and opting into a service like DIRECTV STREAM is the variety of ways in which you can enjoy the content.

Not only can you move seamlessly from device to device, but you can also take your recorded content with you thanks to the portability of the cloud DVR.

You can stream DIRECTV STREAM on your smartphone, tablet, computer or your TV. All you need is high-speed internet access to enjoy.

If you’re planning to watch on your television, you’ll need a streaming device like a Roku or Amazon Fire TV stick.

Here’s a list of compatible devices according to DIRECTV STREAM’s website:

• Amazon Fire TV devices
• Apple TV
• Roku devices
• Chromecast with Google TV
• Android phones and tablets
• ioS (Apple) phones and tablets
• Samsung smart TVs

DIRECTV STREAM also sells its own streaming device that is customized for its service. It uses Google technology for voice commands and has one-click options for accessing your channel guide and cloud DVR.

Be careful! This could be a real money trap.

The device costs $120 upfront or $5 a month for 24 months.

This is an unnecessary device that can rope you into a pseudo-contract if you choose to pay for it monthly.

Remember: One of the huge benefits of switching from cable or satellite to streaming is getting AWAY from that type of arrangement.

Paying out of pocket for a device like a Roku or Amazon Fire TV stick is not only significantly cheaper, but it keeps you from any obligation to DIRECTV in the process.

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4. Does DIRECTV STREAM Allow for Multiple Streams? 

If you are considering cutting the cord and have a household with more than a couple of viewers, you’re probably concerned with how many people can watch your streaming service at once.

This is one area in which DIRECTV STREAM does shine.

No matter which package you choose, you’re going to get access to up to 20 simultaneous streams at once on your home network. If you’re away from your home network, you still get three concurrent streams.

Each DIRECTV STREAM account is allowed one user profiles for customization of content.

	DIRECTV STREAM – Choice Package	DIRECTV STREAM – Entertainment Package	DIRECTV STREAM – Premier Package	DIRECTV STREAM – Ultimate Package
Simultaneous Streams	20	20	20	20
User Profiles Allowed	1	1	1	1

Here’s a look at how the simultaneous streams and user profiles stack up against some of the top competitors in the space.

	Hulu + Live TV	Philo	Sling Orange + Blue	YouTube TV
Simultaneous Streams	2	3	3	3
User Profiles Allowed	6	10	1	6

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Pros and Cons for DIRECTV STREAM 

Pros	Cons
One of the best streaming services for regional sports networks.	Among the most expensive live streaming TV packages on the market
Local channels are included	The cheapest package that includes regional sports networks is $90 per month.
Up to 20 concurrent streams on your home network	Only one user profile allowed

DIRECTV STREAM has its strong points, but it is the most expensive live TV streaming service on the market.

Many prospective customers may find that a service such as YouTube TV offers many of the same things for a lower cost.

The one exception is regional sports networks. This is one area where DIRECTV STREAM enjoys a competitive advantage over YouTube TV and many of the other top competitors.

But before you pay what will probably be $100 per month (or more) to get those channels, check our guide for watching sports without cable for alternative solutions.

If you’re streaming on a budget, it’s really hard to recommend DIRECTV STREAM. There are comparable options on the live TV streaming market that will keep more money in your wallet each month.

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