Update: ‘DIRECTV STREAM’ Rebrands as Just ‘DIRECTV’ – Navigating the Confusing Rollout
If you’re going to make an enormous change to your streaming service, it helps if all your websites have the same information. Today, DIRECTV announced a major change, but many pages on its own website still hold conflicting or contradictory statements. After several customer service interactions, here’s the truth about the new situation moving forward.
- “DIRECTV STREAM” and “DIRECTV via Internet” are now the same service, simply called DIRECTV
- If you choose to use the DIRECTV Gemini streaming device, you can lock in your current pricing for up to 24 months, but you will have to pay $10/month to rent the Gemini.
- If you stream DIRECTV with your own device, prices are subject to change at any moment.
- For reasons unknown, all the DIRECTV sign-up pages have “24-month” language, but you don’t have to commit to that.
- Contrary to information on DIRECTV’s website and what a DIRECTV representative told me earlier today, there is no early termination fee.
Here’s how a DIRECTV representative cleared up the confusion:
For the past few years, DIRECTV had been pushing its “DIRECTV via Internet” plan with a 2-year contract, while still offering “DIRECTV STREAM” (basically the same thing, but contract-free). This change suggests the 2-year commitment proved unpopular enough that it was thankfully scrapped.
For the record, I don’t think anyone should pay a monthly rental fee for a Gemini device. You’re better off getting a Roku or Apple TV. Of course, you risk a price increase over the next two years, but it makes more sense simply to drop DIRECTV for a month or two when you may not be watching much TV. You can find plenty of entertainment for free in the meantime.
Pricing Changes
Along with this rebrand, we’re getting new pricing.
- Entertainment: $84.99 (down from $86.99)
- Choice: $105.98 – depends on regional sports fee (down from $114.99)
- Ultimate: $135.98 – depends on regional sports fee (up from $129.99)
DIRECTV is offering another $10 off per month for your first three months with Choice or Ultimate.
Final Thoughts
DIRECTV is a great overall TV streaming service and it’s good that they’re streamlining their offerings. Their website is still tilted towards getting you to lease their unnecessary Gemini device, but it’s good that you’re no longer locked into a 2-year agreement. The folks at DIRECTV might want to go through their website to clear out old and confusing references to early termination fees, but as long as those are a thing of the past, we can all breathe easier.
Got some news to share? Email us at tips@streamingsmarter.com
