DirecTV
DirecTV offers satellite TV (175–340+ channels, 24-month contract) and DirecTV Stream (internet-based, no contract, no dish) — including NFL Sunday Ticket and the most extensive sports channel lineup of any US TV provider.
Available Plans
DirecTV Satellite plans (base price — add mandatory $10/month TV Access Fee and RSF up to $19.99/month; 24-month contract): Entertainment 175+ ch ($99.99/month), Choice 200+ ch ($124.98/month), Ultimate 270+ ch ($154.98/month), Premier 340+ ch ($199.98/month — all premium channels included). DirecTV Stream (no dish, no contract, all-in pricing): Entertainment 90+ ch ($84.99/month), Choice 125+ ch ($84.99/month — most popular, includes RSNs), Ultimate 160+ ch ($109.99/month), Premier 185+ ch ($149.99/month — all premium channels). All Stream plans include unlimited cloud DVR and a 5-day free trial.
DirecTV Satellite Entertainment
$99.99/mo
DirecTV Satellite — Entertainment
$99.99/mo
DirecTV Satellite — Choice
$124.98/mo
DirecTV Satellite Choice
$124.98/mo
DirecTV Satellite Ultimate
$154.98/mo
DirecTV Satellite — Ultimate
$154.98/mo
DirecTV Satellite — Premier
$199.98/mo
DirecTV Satellite Premier
$199.98/mo
DirecTV Stream Entertainment
$84.99/mo
DirecTV Stream — Entertainment
$89.99/mo
DirecTV Stream — Choice
$119.99/mo
DirecTV Stream Choice
$84.99/mo
DirecTV Stream — Ultimate
$149.99/mo
DirecTV Stream Ultimate
$109.99/mo
DirecTV Stream — Premier
$169.99/mo
DirecTV Stream Premier
$149.99/mo
About DirecTV
DirecTV is one of the most recognized television brands in the United States, serving tens of millions of subscribers nationwide with two distinct product lines: traditional DirecTV satellite TV (requires dish installation and a 24-month contract) and DirecTV Stream (internet-based streaming TV with no dish, no contract, and all-in transparent pricing). This dual offering makes DirecTV unique — customers can choose the reliability and channel depth of satellite or the flexibility and no-contract simplicity of streaming, often with the same channel lineup.
DirecTV's greatest competitive advantage is its sports programming depth. DirecTV satellite carries every regional sports network (RSN) in the country, the NFL Sunday Ticket package (exclusive access to out-of-market NFL games), and a comprehensive lineup of national sports channels including ESPN, FS1, NFL Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, and NHL Network. For serious sports fans — particularly NFL fans who want to follow their team regardless of where they live — DirecTV's satellite service has historically been the gold standard.
DirecTV Stream, the no-contract internet-based option, starts at $84.99/month for 90+ channels with unlimited cloud DVR, no dish installation, no 24-month commitment, and a 5-day free trial. DirecTV Stream uses all-in transparent pricing — what you see is what you pay, without the additional mandatory $10/month TV Access Fee and Regional Sports Fee (up to $19.99/month) that apply to DirecTV satellite plans. For customers who want the DirecTV channel lineup without the satellite complexity, Stream is often the better value.
Best For
- ★NFL fans who want NFL Sunday Ticket to watch every out-of-market game — a DirecTV satellite exclusive
- ★Sports-focused households who need every regional sports network plus comprehensive national sports channels
- ★Rural customers in all 50 states who need live TV beyond what an antenna provides
- ★Cord-cutters who want a flexible no-contract TV option via DirecTV Stream without satellite installation
- ★Apartment and condo residents who can't mount a satellite dish but want live TV through DirecTV Stream
- ★Premium TV subscribers who want the widest possible channel selection including all HBO, STARZ, and Showtime
Pros
- ✓NFL Sunday Ticket available exclusively on DirecTV satellite — watch every out-of-market NFL game
- ✓Most extensive regional sports network (RSN) lineup of any US TV provider
- ✓DirecTV Stream offers a no-contract, no-dish alternative with all-in transparent pricing
- ✓Unlimited cloud DVR included on all DirecTV Stream plans
- ✓5-day free trial available on all DirecTV Stream plans
- ✓Available in all 50 states via satellite; Stream available anywhere with internet
- ✓Widest channel selection at the Premier tier (340+ channels including all premium networks)
Cons
- ✕DirecTV satellite requires a 24-month contract with early termination fees
- ✕Satellite plans include mandatory additional fees ($10 TV Access Fee + RSF up to $19.99/month) not reflected in advertised prices
- ✕Satellite signal can be temporarily disrupted by heavy rain or severe weather
- ✕DirecTV Stream does not include NFL Sunday Ticket — that is a satellite-only exclusive
- ✕No home internet service offered — a separate internet provider is required
- ✕DirecTV satellite requires professional dish installation and a clear southern sky view
Availability
DirecTV satellite TV is available in all 50 US states and US territories wherever a satellite dish can be mounted with an unobstructed view of the southern sky. DirecTV Stream is available anywhere in the United States with a broadband internet connection (minimum 8 Mbps for HD streaming, 25 Mbps recommended). DirecTV satellite is especially valuable in rural areas without cable or fiber TV infrastructure. DirecTV Stream is available in apartments, condos, and any home where satellite dish installation isn't possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between DirecTV satellite and DirecTV Stream?
DirecTV satellite requires a dish installation and a 24-month contract. DirecTV Stream is internet-based with no dish, no contract, and all-in transparent pricing. Satellite has more channels and NFL Sunday Ticket; Stream has the same core lineup, unlimited cloud DVR, no additional mandatory fees, and can be canceled any time.
Does DirecTV offer NFL Sunday Ticket?
NFL Sunday Ticket is available on DirecTV satellite plans, giving subscribers access to every out-of-market NFL regular season game each week. It is one of DirecTV's most unique offerings — no other satellite or cable TV provider carries the package. NFL Sunday Ticket is not included in DirecTV Stream plans.
How much does DirecTV actually cost?
DirecTV satellite advertised prices start at $99.99/month for Entertainment (175+ channels), but the actual monthly cost is $20–$30 higher due to mandatory add-ons: a $10/month TV Access Fee and a Regional Sports Fee of up to $19.99/month that are required for all satellite plans. DirecTV Stream uses all-in pricing with no hidden fees — Choice starts at $84.99/month with everything included.
Does DirecTV require a contract?
DirecTV satellite requires a 24-month service agreement with early termination fees. DirecTV Stream has no contract — you can cancel any month with no penalty and a 5-day free trial lets you test the service before committing.
Does DirecTV Stream include a DVR?
Yes — all DirecTV Stream plans include unlimited cloud DVR storage at no extra charge. You can record as many shows as you want and keep recordings for up to 9 months. DirecTV Stream DVR works on phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs through the DirecTV Stream app.
How does DirecTV compare to DISH?
Both are nationwide satellite TV providers. DirecTV's advantages: NFL Sunday Ticket, deeper sports lineup, more channels at the highest tiers. DISH's advantages: Hopper 3 DVR included free (records 16 shows simultaneously), transparent plan pricing without mandatory add-on fees, and a 2-year price guarantee. DirecTV satellite's mandatory $10 TV Access Fee and RSF make DISH's true monthly cost more predictable.
Can I get DirecTV in an apartment?
If you can mount a satellite dish with a clear southern sky view, yes — but many apartments prohibit dish installation. In that case, DirecTV Stream is the ideal alternative: it requires only a broadband internet connection (25 Mbps recommended) and works on any streaming device, smart TV, computer, tablet, or smartphone with no dish required.