DIRECTV Review: The Best Live TV Streaming Service in 2025

Streaming Smarter says: DIRECTV is the best option for streaming live TV right now. It offers the best channel selection, 7 channel packages, an unlimited DVR, and unlimited streams at home. It’s the perfect choice for first-time cord-cutters. It even has the best lineup of regional sports networks. I find it very easy to use. Give it a try with a 5-day free trial. New subscribers get 3 free months of Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ, Cinemax, and MGM+.

What Does DIRECTV Cost?

To take the bargain option, choose one or more of DIRECTV’s Genre Packs: MyEntertainment ($34.99), MyNews ($39.99), or MySports ($69.99). If you want a wider channel lineup, upgrade to the Entertainment plan ($84.99), add regional sports with the Choice package ($105.98), add even more with Ultimate ($134.98) or go all out with Premier ($174.98). Prices may be higher or lower by a dollar or two, depending on the prices of your regional sports provider. These prices are what I saw in my area.

Additional channel bundles and add-ons are available.

Can You Get a Discount on DIRECTV?

DIRECTV usually offers discounts for new users. These deals are best in August and September as they try to earn your business for NFL and college football season. Once you’ve signed up, you can only access these deals again with a new credit card and email address.

Current DIRECTV Discounts

DIRECTV’s “Signature Packs” have some great intro offers.

• 3 months free of Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ, MGM+ and Cinemax
• Free DIRECTV Sports Pack for 1 month

Can You Watch DIRECTV for Free?

Yes! Get started with a 5-day free trial of any DIRECTV package. It’s the best way to get a feel for the platform, set up your favorite channels, and try the DVR. Cancel before the trial is over and you won’t be charged.

If you’re still not sure, you can also use MyFree DIRECTV, which gives you a taste of DIRECTV and it won’t cost anything.

MyFree DIRECTV includes over 90 channels like ACC Digital Network, T2, Court TV, Documentary+, Tastemade, FOX Weather, Women’s Sports Network, PokerGO, Yahoo! Finance, MovieSphere, and Comedy Dynamics.

As free services go, MyFree DIRECTV is not very good. It has a great user interface, but the channel lineup is weak. See Streaming Smarter’s Guide to Free TV for better free options like Plex, Pluto TV, and Tubi.

What Channels Are Available on DIRECTV?

The great thing about DIRECTV is that nearly every TV channel is available.

The “skinny” MySports package gives you ABC, FOX, and NBC, cable standouts like CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, TNT, TBS, and USA Network, and sports must-haves like ESPN, FS1, Golf Channel, NBA TV, NHL Network, MLB Network, Big Ten Network, and ACC Network.

If you’re a first-time cord-cutter, you’ll probably prefer the Entertainment package, which adds CBS, CW, and a lot of cable favorites like ION, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, Discovery, TLC, Food Network, and more.

Jump up to Choice if you need your regional sports network, Golf Channel, Great American Family, The History Channel, Lifetime, MeTV, or OWN.

I don’t recommend the Ultimate or Premier levels since those are mostly movie channels and you’re better off with an on-demand streamer for premium content.

More channels are available with add-on packages (see below).

What Local Channels Are on DIRECTV?

All DIRECTV signature packages include ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CW, and PBS. It’s a great choice if you need local news, weather and sports.

If you choose the inexpensive genre packs, you won’t get CBS. Availability of FOX and NBC depend on your zip code. If you need local channels, either upgrade to the Enterainment level or sign up for Paramount+ with Showtime and you’ll get your live, local CBS channel. Choose Peacock Premium Plus to get your local NBC station.

What Sports Channels Are on DIRECTV?

Every level of DIRECTV has a strong sports lineup. You can flex your subscription up or down, depending on your needs. The ESPN family, Golf Channel, Fox Sports, NFL Network, MLB Network, MLB Strike Zone, NHL Network, NBA TV, NFL RedZone, Willow (cricket), and Tennis Channel are available.

DIRECTV is also a great choice for college sports fans with ACC Network, Big Ten Network, and SEC Network.

If you choose MySports as your base package, you’ll get ESPN+ for free.

Basketball fans can add NBA League Pass Premium for $24.99/month.

If you like soccer, add MLS Season Pass for $14.99/month

Can You Watch Regional Sports Networks with DIRECTV?

Yes! DIRECTV has the best collection of regional sports networks for cord-cutters. The FanDuel regional channels are available, along with most independent team-specific channels. You’ll find 35 regional sports networks on the service. Although DIRECTV has three of the NBC Sports-affiliated regional channels, it does not have NBC Sports Philadelphia. See Streaming Smarter’s Guide to Sports to know which service is best for you.

If you choose the MySports package ($69.99), you can access 28 regional sports networks with the MyHome Team add-on ($19.99).

Does DIRECTV offer 4K Broadcasts?

Yes, 4K is included in all levels. The service offers three 4K channels: two channels that go live when live sports have a 4K option and one channel that has a 24/7 feed of shows, original series, and documentaries. You will need 4K-enabled devices to see the high-resolution broadcasts.

Does DIRECTV Require a Contract?

You can subscribe to DIRECTV one month at a time. Cancel anytime at no penalty.

If you choose to use DIRECTV’s Gemini streaming device, you will have to pay them $10/month and return the device whenever you cancel. I do not recommend this. Consider an Apple TV or Roku as a better device option.

Does DIRECTV Have a DVR?

Yes. The included cloud DVR allows for unlimited recordings. Each recording can be saved up to 9 months.

What Streaming Devices are Compatible with DIRECTV?

How Many Simultaneous Devices Can Stream DIRECTV?

One of my favorite things about DIRECTV is that unlimited devices can watch when connected to your home network. Outside the home, you’re limited to 3 simultaneous streams at once.

DIRECTV is also a great choice if you have multiple homes. You can update your home network up to 4 times in a 12-month period.

What Are All the Channels Available on DIRECTV?

Signature Packages

Signature Package Add-Ons

Genre Packs

Note: local channels not available in all areas. Check your zip code to see your lineup.

Genre Pack Add-Ons

DIRECTV Premium Channel Add-Ons

What Happened to DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV via Internet?

In April 2025, DIRECTV simplified its offerings, folding DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV via Internet into just one service called simply “DIRECTV.” Users willing to lease a streaming box directly from DIRECTV for $10/month get to lock in their prices for 24 months. If you want to use your own device, you’re not safe from price hikes.

I do not recommend leasing equipment. $120 per year just for the equivalent of a $20 Roku or Fire TV stick is a terrible mistake.

Who Should Subscribe to DIRECTV?

I’ve tested all the live TV streaming services, but DIRECTV is the one that impresses me the most. Its user interface is easy to understand and channel numbers make it feel more familiar than its competitors. These factors make it the perfect choice for first-time cord-cutters and seniors.

If you love sports, DIRECTV is your best choice for a live TV provider. Its lineup is unbeatable. It has all the cable sports mainstays like the ESPN group, FS1, TNT, and TBS. It brings all the major college channels and every regional sports network (minus NBC Sports Philadelphia).

Thanks to the genre packs added in 2025, DIRECTV isn’t done innovating. While other live TV streamers stick you with bloated channel packages, services like DIRECTV and Sling are making things more affordable.

Because you can try DIRECTV free for 5 days, I think you’ll find it’s a superior choice to nearly every other live TV option.