DIRECTV STREAM Review: 5 Things to Know Before You Sign Up (2024)

DIRECTV STREAM is positioning itself as a premium live TV streaming service, but it comes with a premium monthly price.

Is it worth it? I signed up for DIRECTV STREAM to evaluate the service’s pros and cons.

What Is DIRECTV STREAM? Everything to Know Before You Sign Up

DIRECTV STREAM launched in August 2021 after AT&T and TPG Capital struck a deal to make DIRECTV a standalone video business.

As you probably know, DIRECTV also sells satellite TV subscriptions.

DIRECTV STREAM is an internet-based live TV streaming service that competes with companies like YouTube TV, Hulu Live, Sling TV and Fubo.

It sells bundles of cable TV networks with no contracts or hidden fees for local channels, DVR and equipment.

DIRECTV STREAM Pros and Cons Overview

Pros	Cons
Well-rounded channel lineup	High monthly price
Regional sports networks available with most plans	Confusing marketing (DIRECTV STREAM vs. DIRECTV via Internet)
Unlimited cloud DVR storage	DVR: Maximum of 30 episodes in a series stored
Unlimited in-home streams
No contracts or hidden fees

What makes DIRECTV STREAM stand out from other streaming TV options? In this article, you’ll learn five things to know before you sign up for DIRECTV STREAM.

1. How Much Does DIRECTV STREAM Cost?

DIRECTV STREAM is one of the most expensive live TV streaming services. Its plans range in price from $79.99 to $164.99 a month, plus taxes.

The service raised the monthly price for all plans in November 2023, marking the second increase of the year.

Entertainment: $79.99
Choice: $108.99
Ultimate: $119.99
Premier: $164.99

There are two main reasons why people may consider the service:

Regional sports networks are included in most plans
Look and feel is similar to a traditional cable or satellite service

For most people, the plan I would recommend is DIRECTV STREAM Choice. It is the least expensive plan that includes regional sports networks.

If you don’t need regional sports networks, the base Entertainment plan is $79.99 per month. This is only slightly more expensive than competitors YouTube TV and Hulu Live.

DIRECTV STREAM plans are available with no annual contract or sneaky fees.

IMPORTANT: DIRECTV began marketing DIRECTV via Internet in April 2023. This is separate from DIRECTV STREAM. With DIRECTV via Internet, there are additional fees for equipment and regional sports networks.

2. What Channels Does DIRECTV STREAM Offer?

DIRECTV STREAM’s channel lineup is pretty well-rounded and offers regional sports networks that other streaming services have dropped.

That includes channels from Sinclair-owned Bally Sports, formerly known as FOX RSNs.

Aside from regional sports, the DIRECTV STREAM Choice plan features more than 90 networks from these content partners and more:

AMC Networks
Discovery
Disney
FOX
NBCUniversal
Paramount

If you want a service that includes your local channels, DIRECTV STREAM has ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and PBS.

NFL Network and NFL RedZone were also added in 2023.

Here’s my advice: Make a list of your must-have channels, then use the tool on DIRECTV STREAM’s website to see if they’re all available.

3. Does DIRECTV STREAM Offer Cloud DVR?

DIRECTV STREAM made big changes to its cloud DVR in 2022. New customers who sign up online get unlimited cloud DVR storage at no additional charge with every package.

Previously, only 20 hours of DVR storage was included with the base plan.

Recordings can be saved for up to nine months. There was previously a 90-day limit. But if you’re recording a series, a maximum of 30 episodes will be stored.

DIRECTV STREAM allows you to record multiple shows at once and fast-forward through the commercials of everything in your cloud DVR — just like other live TV streaming services.

4. What Equipment Do I Need to Use DIRECTV STREAM?

DIRECTV STREAM is compatible with streaming devices from Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast with Google TV and others.

When you’re away from the TV set, you can watch DIRECTV STREAM on devices such as your phone, computer or tablet.

The service has a generous policy for simultaneous streams, which is great for large households:

Stream on unlimited devices at the same time when you’re connected to your home network
Up to three streams are allowed while on the go

A high-speed internet connection is required. DIRECTV STREAM recommends a minimum internet download speed of 8 Mbps per stream.

You can test your internet connection for free at Speedtest.net.

5. How Is the DIRECTV STREAM User Experience?

DIRECTV STREAM has a look and feel that will be comfortable for users who are cutting the cord for the first time. You can see my walkthrough using a Roku device in the featured video above.

DIRECTV STREAM began gradually rolling out updates to improve its user interface in late 2023.

Main Navigation

When you first open the DIRECTV STREAM app, it doesn’t take you to a home screen or the live guide like most services.

Instead, it picks up with the channel where you left off.

If you click down on the remote, the primary navigation appears. There are several main sections for you to browse:

Guide
Watch Now
My Library
Sports
On Demand

Guide

DIRECTV STREAM’s live guide lists all channels in alphabetical order, but you can favorite channels for quick access.

There is also a Jump to Day setting to preview the guide up to two weeks in advance.

Navigating the guide is simple, but I noticed a slight delay while waiting for the descriptions of particular shows to load.

When you click on a program airing live, you’re taken directly to it.

But when you select a program that’s coming up later on, you’ll be taken to an information screen with the option to record it.

Watch Now

The Watch Now section is DIRECTV STREAM’s version of a home screen.

You’ll see what’s airing at the moment and a shortcut back to the guide.

There are multiple categories of trending shows and movies to watch, but this section didn’t feel as personalized as some other services.

My Library

My Library is the place to access your DVR recordings.

When you select All Recordings, you’ll be taken to a screen where you can:

View upcoming recordings
Delete recordings
See how much storage space is left

On Demand

DIRECTV STREAM features a separate On Demand section. From this screen, you can stream movies and shows even if they’re not in your DVR.

But the difference is that they will likely have unskippable ads.

Live TV Features

There are a few additional features for live TV viewers.

When you press the Play/Pause button on your Roku remote, more options will appear along the bottom of your screen:

Pause, rewind and fast-forward live TV
Set a recording
Adjust closed captioning

While watching live TV, click the up arrow to view recent channels.

You can also change channels without going back to DIRECTV STREAM’s guide by using the left and right arrows on your Roku remote.

Final Thoughts

DIRECTV STREAM doesn’t save you much money compared to cable or satellite, but I understand why people may give it a closer look.

It really comes down to live sports — particularly regional sports networks.

Ask yourself this: Are regional sports networks worth an extra $25 a month or more?

If the answer is yes, the good thing about DIRECTV STREAM (not DIRECTV via Internet) is that you don’t have to sign a contract. You can cancel anytime.

To save money, I recommend that you drop the live TV service during the off-season.

Fubo is another live TV option with regional sports networks. If you can live without them, you may want to take a look at YouTube TV — my #1 pick for first-time streamers.

For more ways to cut the cord, subscribe to the Michael Saves YouTube channel.