DIRECTV STREAM Assessment 2023 [Is it Worth it?]

Canceling cable is a terrific approach to economize. Switching to a reside TV streaming service can simply shave $100 per thirty days off your leisure prices.

Though on the dear finish of cable replacements, the DIRECTV streaming service could also be an appropriate choice to your TV wants.

Our DIRECTV STREAM evaluation shares our expertise testing the platform and the way it stacks up in opposition to the competitors.

What’s DIRECTV STREAM?

DIRECTV STREAM is a rebrand of AT&T TV as of August 2021. Earlier than that, it was referred to as AT&T TV Now, and it was additionally beforehand referred to as DirecTV Now.

The reside tv subscription service was just lately spun off by AT&T to function independently. It’s the no-contract model of DIRECTV and is a worthy consideration to switch your cable or satellite tv for pc TV contract.

How A lot Does DIRECTV STREAM Value?

The DIRECTV STREAM app is among the costlier cable alternate options. It has 4 plans to select from, with the Leisure bundle being the most cost effective at $74.99 a month.

That base bundle provides almost 75 channels of common life-style, sports activities, and information channels. You additionally obtain native broadcast channels in every bundle.

Listed here are the 4 DIRECTV STREAM packages and the way a lot they value.

For the fee and channel information, you could discover fuboTV or YouTube TV extra appropriate to your wants. Learn our evaluation of how you can watch native channels with out cable if you wish to save more cash.

What Channels Do You Get with the DIRECTV STREAM App?

With 4 totally different choices to pick out from, selecting the best DIRECTV STREAM channel lineup for you is essential.

The Leisure bundle is probably the most inexpensive, however the high decisions rival costs you’ll pay at any cable supplier.

Every bundle contains channels from the one beneath it, so that you need to make sure you decide the plan that works for you.

Listed here are the channels included within the base bundle.

These are examples of among the channels you’ll obtain in successive packages:

Alternative: ACCN, BTN, CNBC World, Cooking Channel, ESPNews, ESPNU, Recreation Present Community, IFC, MLB HD, Nick Jr, and Nicktoons

Final: BBC World Information, Vacation spot America, Discovery Household Channel, FX Film, Lifetime Film Community, Nat Geo Wild, NHL Community, Olympic Channel, Starz Encore, and Common Children

Premier: Cinemax HD, HBO, Showtime, and Starz

Premium Channels

Like all internet-based streaming service, DIRECTV STREAM provides a wide range of premium channels to boost your viewing expertise.

These have an extra value however could be a good method to watch motion pictures and unique, on-demand content material.

Listed here are the premium channels obtainable via the streaming service.

In the event you select the Alternative bundle or above, you obtain HBO Max free for 3 months. Nevertheless, when it was AT&T TV, you obtained it free for 12 months.

*Associated: Learn our HBO Max app evaluation to study extra concerning the platform.

Sports activities Channels

Stay sports activities are an enormous purpose why individuals select to not cancel cable or satellite tv for pc TV. DIRECTV STREAM provides a aggressive lineup of sports activities channels.

Once you select a higher-tier bundle, you obtain all the ones within the lower-tier plan. That is much like the usual channels.

Listed here are the sports activities networks you obtain in every bundle:

Leisure: ESPN, ESPN 2, FS1, and NBC Sports activities

Alternative: ACCN, BTN, ESPNU, ESPNews, MLB Community, NBA TV, SECN, and Tennis Channel

Final: CBSN, FS2, Golf Channel, NHL Community, and Olympic Channel

Premier: CBSN, FS2, Golf Channel, NHL Community, and Olympic Channel

Sadly, you received’t see NFL Community on DIRECTV STREAM. If that channel is vital to you, learn our information on how you can watch NFL Community with out cable to get it.

A part of what units DIRECTV Stream other than different reside TV streaming providers is their inclusion of regional sports activities networks (RSNs).

Different providers, like YouTube TV embody some RSNs, however to not the extent DIRECTV STREAM does.

Listed here are the RSNs you possibly can at the moment obtain:

• Altitude
• AT&T SportsNet
• Fox Sports activities RSNs
• NBC Sports activities RSNs
• MSG
• NESN
• Spectrum SportsNet

It is very important observe that you will need to choose the Alternative bundle or above to obtain entry to RSNs. This makes it a expensive $99.99 per thirty days, however you obtain significantly extra RSNs than some other no-contract reside TV service.

Nevertheless, in case you solely want an RSN for a short while in the course of the yr, akin to in the course of the school soccer season, you might subscribe to DIRECTV STREAM for the season.

Then, you might transfer to a different service as soon as the season is over. In the event you don’t want a reside service and need Bally Sports activities RSNs, the standalone Bally app could possibly be various.

Learn our Bally Sports activities+ evaluation to study extra.

Look and Really feel

The DIRECTV STREAM interface is comparatively straightforward to make use of with out being overly flashy. It’s easy to navigate, and the streaming high quality matches some other high cable various.

The highest navigation menu has 4 fundamental tabs to view content material. These are:

• Watch Now
• My Library
• On Demand
• Information

You will discover a search bar within the high proper of the display in addition to a gear wheel to entry your account settings.

The search perform isn’t very strong, however it’s resourceful sufficient to seek out packages to look at. Nevertheless, one good characteristic is that you could slender outcomes by kind.

For instance, in case you seek for baseball, you possibly can filter it by TV packages and sports activities. YouTube TV and fuboTV have extra strong search choices, however it’s nonetheless a strong characteristic on DIRECTV STREAM.

The information is intuitive, and you’ll simply discover what you need to watch. Once you click on on the information, it brings up a grid you should utilize to browse channels.

You may bookmark channels, permitting you to streamline the information to your wants. It additionally permits you to browse content material by TV exhibits, motion pictures, sports activities, and children.

Clicking on any present at the moment operating will deliver up this system in full display. If it’s airing sooner or later, the information will present a small field with a present information and episodes you possibly can file.

Utilizing the cellular DIRECTV STREAM app produced an analogous expertise because the desktop and TV variations. It’s a bit of extra clunky however is intuitive and easy to navigate.

Do I Want DIRECTV STREAM’s Streaming Machine?

Once you join service, DIRECTV will give you the power to buy its brand-specific streaming field. It’s pointless to buy since you possibly can stream reside tv via the service utilizing different supported units.

*Associated: Is the DIRECTV streaming service too costly for you? Take our free quiz to discover a higher, extra inexpensive service to your wants.

Nevertheless, you will need to know that they cost $5 per thirty days for the streaming gadget. It additionally requires a 24-month contract.

You may pay $120 upfront or pay for the gadget month-to-month. In the event you select to go away the service, you’ll have to pay the stability due.

*Replace: As of April 6, 2023, The DIRECTV STREAM gadget is now not obtainable. You may deliver your individual gadget to make use of the platform. The app works with lots of the main units, together with Roku, Tivo, Apple TV, and Fireplace units.

Options

The cord-cutting house is a aggressive market, and the very best video streaming providers create packages to lure prospects with sought-out options.

Options

Selecting a reside TV streaming service may be difficult. Options are sometimes the place a streaming app units itself aside.

Listed here are a number of of the vital options you get with a subscription to DIRECTV STREAM.

Cloud DVR

A DVR is what retains many individuals from reducing the twine on cable or satellite tv for pc. At launch, DIRECTV STREAM’s cloud DVR was paltry compared to different premium providers. 

Now, it matches what you could find with YouTube TV or Hulu Stay. The cloud DVR provides limitless recording capability and recordings expire after 9 months.

Lookback and Restart

Lookback and Restart is a useful useful resource to make use of in case you neglect to file a present. Each are useful in a pinch.

Lookback works because it sounds. It permits you to watch programming that has aired within the earlier three days. Not all channels help it, however it may be a superb useful resource.

Restart lets customers play a reside present from the start. For instance, if it’s an hour-long present that’s half over, you possibly can restart it from the start.

Like Lookback, Restart is channel-dependent. The DIRECTV STREAM help web page lists the channels that enable Lookback and Restart.

Simultaneous Streams

DIRECTV STREAM is a terrific alternative for big households. The service permits for 20 simultaneous streams.

Most reside streaming providers enable two or three streams without delay with the power to improve for an extra value.

In the event you’re away from your own home community, you possibly can stream on as much as three units without delay.

Parental Controls

Not all streaming providers provide parental controls, however you possibly can restrict what your children can watch on DIRECTV STREAM.

Right here is how dad and mom can entry the controls and settings:

• Click on on the gear icon within the higher proper nook of the web page
• Choose Parental Controls and toggle on or off
• Enter your 4-digit PIN

Doing this lets you block content material, create settings of what your youngsters can watch, and extra.

4K and Dolby

In case you are a videophile or audiophile, it’s your decision a reside TV service that gives both 4K or Dolby encompass sound. Sadly, DIRECTV STREAM doesn’t provide entry to both characteristic.

Each have been obtainable via its proprietary gadget, however the dongle is now not in use.

DIRECTV STREAM says they’ll provide 4K streaming capabilities, however will probably be later in 2023. There isn’t any phrase on if it should require an extra value. Presently, the service solely provides Dolby 2.0 sound.

Supported Units

Suitable units are an vital a part of canceling cable. You may entry DIRECTV STREAM with the next units:

• Amazon Fireplace TV units
• Apple units
• Chromecast
• Microsoft Edge
• Roku units
• Samsung good TVs

They now not provide a tool to buy. In the event you use one of many above it is best to face no points in streaming TV.

How you can Cancel DIRECTV STREAM

It’s not at all times straightforward to cancel your subscription in case you don’t just like the service. Whereas DIRECTV STREAM does at the moment provide a 5 day free trial, it’s a problem to cancel.

Moreover, if you are going to buy their gadget, you will need to pay the stability in full.

They don’t make it straightforward, however right here is how you can cancel DIRECTV STREAM:

• Sign up to your account and click on Watch Now
• Click on on the gear icon within the higher proper nook of the account web page
• Select Account Particulars
• Choose Handle My Subscription
• Click on on the Cancel My Subscription hyperlink on the left-hand facet of the display

This brings up a chat display to talk with a consultant.

Inform them you need to cancel the service. Upon canceling, you’ll obtain an electronic mail to substantiate your cancellation.

You may as well name 1-800-288-2020 to talk with a consultant to cancel.

Execs and Cons

There’s quite a bit to think about when selecting a streaming service like DIRECTV STREAM. Listed here are some issues to consider.

Execs:

• Good streaming high quality
• Largest providing of RSNs from any reside TV service
• You may have 20 streams concurrently
• Permits you to stream away from dwelling
• Consists of parental controls
• Lookback and Restart options
• Good channel lineup

Cons:

• It’s costly
• Canceling is tough
• Interface is a bit clunky

DIRECTV STREAM is nice for sports activities followers and has a sturdy channel lineup. Nevertheless, it’s straightforward to see financial savings from reducing the twine evaporate with the service.

Prime Options

Given the excessive value, you could need to select a special service to your leisure wants.

Listed here are three alternate options to DIRECTV STREAM which are cheaper or provide a greater platform.

fuboTV

FuboTV is a best choice for cord-cutters in search of a cable-like expertise. The service has almost 150 channels in its base bundle for simply $74.99 a month, plus RSN charges.

You obtain roughly 50 extra channels in its Elite plan for an extra $10 a month. The platform is a number one sports activities choice with roughly a dozen add-ons to look at area of interest sports activities.

It additionally contains 4K content material, when obtainable, at no further cost. Not all providers provide that.

If you wish to watch NFL video games, plus different common sports activities, fubo is commonly a better option than DIRECTV STREAM.

Learn our fuboTV evaluation to study extra.

Sling TV

Sling TV is a low-cost, no-contract streaming service. The service has two base plans – Orange and Blue.

Both choice prices $40 per thirty days, or you possibly can mix the 2 for $55 a month. Orange has ESPN, and Blue has Fox Sports activities.

The service solely carries ABC, FOX, and NBC in choose places via the Blue bundle. It would be best to pair it with an over-the-air antenna to get native channels.

It has a base DVR of fifty hours, or you possibly can improve to 200 hours for $5 a month.

Learn our Sling TV evaluation to study extra.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV is our top-rated reside TV streaming service. It has over 100 channels in its base plan, which prices $72.99 per thirty days.

YouTube TV units itself aside with its strong channel choices of life-style, sports activities, and information channels. They’re additionally the one service that features the MLB, NBA, and NFL networks.

It even contains an infinite capability cloud DVR, and you’ll maintain recordings for 9 months.

Learn our evaluation of YouTube TV vs. DIRECTV STREAM to find out how they evaluate.

Learn our YouTube TV evaluation to study extra.

Backside Line

DIRECTV STREAM is a worthy competitor within the cord-cutting house. They provide probably the most RSNs within the house and have a powerful channel lineup.

Nevertheless, it’s tough to look previous the worth. It’s the most costly choice available on the market, and it’s DVR may use some assist.

In the event you don’t want RSNs, you’ll be higher served by one of many different high reside TV streaming providers. They are going to probably prevent cash and supply a greater expertise.

How a lot do you spend on TV suppliers every month?

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