DIRECTV Plans, Pricing, and Review — 2026
Satellite & Streaming TV | Nationwide Coverage | Now 100% Owned by TPG Capital | 90+ to 340+ Channels | Zenorex Score: 6.8 / 10
Check DIRECTV Availability at Your Address
DIRECTV is a television service provider — not an internet service provider. This is the most important clarification to make before evaluating DIRECTV: it offers live TV via satellite dish and via streaming app, but it does not provide broadband internet service. To use DIRECTV streaming, you need a separate internet connection. DIRECTV satellite works without any internet connection at all.
DIRECTV satellite TV is available at virtually any US address where a satellite dish can be mounted with a clear southern sky view — making it one of the few TV services with truly nationwide availability, including rural areas where cable and fiber TV are unavailable.
How Service Varies by Location:
- DIRECTV satellite: Available at virtually every US residential address. Requires mounting a dish with a clear southern sky view.
- DIRECTV streaming: Available anywhere with internet service meeting minimum speed requirements (8+ Mbps per stream). Works on smart TVs, mobile devices, Roku, Apple TV, and Gemini.
- The Zenorex availability tool confirms which internet providers serve your address — essential for DIRECTV streaming customers who need broadband.
- All DIRECTV satellite pricing requires autopay and paperless billing enrollment.
infoDIRECTV at a Glance
compare_arrowsDIRECTV Satellite vs. DIRECTV Streaming — Which Is Right for You?
| Factor | DIRECTV Satellite | DIRECTV Streaming | Which to Choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet required | No — works without internet | Yes — requires broadband | Satellite for rural/no-internet; Streaming for urban/broadband |
| Dish installation | Yes — free pro install | No — app-based self-install | Satellite for traditional TV; Streaming for no installation |
| Channel count | 175+ to 340+ channels | 90+ to 185+ channels | Satellite for maximum channels |
| Contract | 2-year agreement with ETF | None — cancel anytime | Streaming for flexibility |
| Broadcast TV fee | $21.99/mo. mandatory | Not charged | Streaming avoids this $263.88/yr fee |
DIRECTV Plans and Pricing
DIRECTV offers Signature Packages with streaming and satellite delivery. Price guarantees run for 24 months with Autopay.
ENTERTAINMENT (Stream)
Perfect for basic live TV and entertainment. Includes local channels, ESPN, FS1, Disney, CNN, HGTV, plus Disney+, Hulu & ESPN bundle included.
- check_circle 90+ Streaming Channels
- check_circle Disney+, Hulu & ESPN included
- check_circle 24-Month Price Guarantee
- check_circle No Annual Contract (Streaming)
CHOICE (Stream)
Leader in sports content. Unlocks regional sports networks (RSNs) for local MLB/NBA/NHL games, ESPNU, MLB Network, NBA TV, NFL Network.
- check_circle 125+ Streaming Channels
- check_circle Regional Sports Networks (RSNs)
- check_circle ESPN, NFL Network, MLB Network
- check_circle No Annual Contract (Streaming)
PREMIER (Stream)
The ultimate package. Includes all entertainment, sports, news, and kids programming plus Max (HBO), Showtime, Cinemax, MGM+.
- check_circle 185+ Streaming Channels
- check_circle Max, Paramount+ w/ Showtime, Cinemax
- check_circle Disney+, Hulu & ESPN included
- check_circle All Regional Sports Networks
warningHonest Assessment: Advertised vs. True Monthly Costs
DIRECTV's billing complexity is its most significant consumer drawback. Advertised rates do not reflect the actual monthly bill. Mandatory monthly fees — such as the Broadcast TV Fee ($21.99/mo. for satellite), the Regional Sports Fee (up to $19.99/mo. on CHOICE+), and equipment leases ($10-$15/mo.) — substantially inflate the cost.
For example, the advertised $89.99/mo. ENTERTAINMENT satellite plan has a true starting cost of $121.98/mo. before taxes. The CHOICE satellite plan actually costs $151.96/mo. in markets with the maximum RSN fee.
DIRECTV Streaming Plans — Signature Packages
| Plan | Streaming Channels | 24-Mo. Price (Autopay) | True Monthly Cost | Regional Sports | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENTERTAINMENT | 90+ channels | $89.99/mo. | ~$99.99/mo. | No (Sports Pack add-on $14.99/mo.) | None — cancel anytime |
| CHOICE | 125+ channels | $94.99/mo. | ~$114.98/mo. | Yes (RSN fee up to $19.99/mo.) | None — cancel anytime |
| ULTIMATE | 160+ channels | $104.98/mo. | ~$124.97/mo. | Yes (RSN fee up to $19.99/mo.) | None — cancel anytime |
| PREMIER | 185+ channels | $154.98/mo. | ~$174.97/mo. | Yes (RSN fee up to $19.99/mo.) | None — cancel anytime |
DIRECTV Satellite Plans — Signature Packages
| Plan | Satellite Channels | Base Price (2-Yr Lock) | True Monthly Cost | Contract | Equipment Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENTERTAINMENT | 175+ channels | $89.99/mo. | ~$121.98/mo. | 2 years with ETF | Genie DVR $15/mo OR Gemini $10/mo |
| CHOICE | 200+ channels | $104.99/mo. | ~$151.96/mo. | 2 years with ETF | Genie DVR $15/mo OR Gemini $10/mo |
Frequently Asked Questions About Internet & TV Service
Real answers to the six most common questions home internet and TV shoppers ask across our 11-state coverage area. Updated Q1 2026.
Enter your ZIP code in the Zenorex search tool above — it returns providers that may be available in your area with verified infrastructure that may be available at your address, pending provider confirmation in seconds. Coverage varies block by block in most US cities. A provider licensed to operate in your state does not guarantee they have infrastructure at your address. Zenorex shows only confirmed options from FCC Broadband Data Collection and ISP coverage maps.