Yesterday DIRECTV NOW announced two new plans, called DIRECTV NOW PLUS ($50) and DIRECTV NOW MAX ($70). The new plans gain HBO, includes locals and cable channels from Disney, NBCU, FOX/FX, and Hallmark, but lose almost 18 Top Cable Channels from Viacom, Discovery/Scripps, and AMC.
This morning, the company announced that existing subscribers could keep their current Live a Little, Just Right, Go Big, Gotta Have It, and Todos y Mas packages, but with a $10 price increase.
- Live a Little: $50 (was $40)
- Just Right: $65 (was $55)
- Go Big: $75 (was $65)
- Go Big (Early Adopter): $50 (was $40)
- Gotta Have it: $85 (was $75)
Those with premium channels like HBO at $5 a month, will be able to keep their current promotional pricing for the add-on. Those who add them today will pay a new higher price starting at $15 a month.
- HBO: $15 (was $5)
- Cinemax: $11 (was $5)
- Starz: $11 (was $8)
- Showtime: $11 (was $8)
New subscribers will only be able to select from the new DIRECTV NOW PLUS ($50) and DIRECTV NOW MAX ($70) plans. The new pricing will go into effect on April 12, 2019.
Want to Learn More About Live TV Streaming Services?
- You can read our full guide comparing the new DIRECTV NOW plans to different cord-cutting services including PlayStation Vue, fuboTV, Hulu Live TV, Philo, Sling TV, and YouTube TV.
- Use our Channel Finder to add your favorite channels, shows, and sports teams and we’ll tell you the best service for you.
Everything You Need to Know About DIRECTV NOW Price Hike & New Plans
How are DIRECTV NOW package prices changing?
- Base packages - Starting April 12th, prices of the Live a Little, Just Right, Go Big, Gotta Have It, and Todo y Mas packages are increasing by $10 a month.
- Premium channels - Prices starting March 13, 2019 will be $15 per month for HBO® and $11 per month for Cinemax® and Starz®. Existing subscribers will keep current price
- International options - The Brazilian package is increasing to $30 per month and the Deportes add-on is increasing to $15 a month. Existing subscribers will keep current price.
What if I am on the Early Adopter offer for Go Big?
You’ll continue to save $25 per month off the regular price of Go Big, but your package will increase $10 per month. Your new price will be $50 a month.
What happens if I update my DIRECTV NOW package after the price change?
If you upgrade or downgrade your package after April 12, 2019, you’ll pay the new price – even if you have a promotion.
Comparison of DIRECTV NOW Plans & Pricing
Locals Channels
Just like current plans, both new plans will carry local CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC, The CW, and MyNetworkTV. Whether you receive those channels will depend on your market.
Top Cable Channels
Both plans include cable channels from Turner, Disney, NBCU, FOX/FX, and Hallmark, but only include 18 of the Top 35 cable channels — the fewest of any Live TV Streaming Service.
Neither plan carries channels from Viacom, Discovery/Scripps, and AMC. All current DIRECTV NOW plans have 34 of the Top 35 cable channels.
| AT&T TV NOW | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “PLUS” | “MAX” | “Live a Little” | “Just Right” | “Go Big” | “Gotta Have It” | ||
| Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | ||
| $54.99 | $79.99 | $59.99 | $74.99 | $84.99 | $94.99 | ||
| A&E | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| AMC | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| BET | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Bravo | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Cartoon Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| CNN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Comedy Central | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Discovery | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Disney Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Disney Junior | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| E! | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| ESPN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Food Network | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Fox News | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Freeform | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| FX | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| FXX | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Hallmark Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| HGTV | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| History | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Investigation Discovery | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Lifetime | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| MSNBC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| MTV | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Nickelodeon | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Paramount Network | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Syfy | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| TBS | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| TLC | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| TNT | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Travel Channel | - | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| truTV | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| USA Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| VH1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| WE tv | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Regional Sports Networks
Currently, you need the $55 “Just Right” plan to get access to regional sports networks (RSNs), which are generally from FOX Sports, NBC Sports, and MSG.
Under the new plans, you will be required to subscribe to DIRECTV NOW MAX ($70) in order to get your RSN.
National Sports Channels
Just like current DIRECTV NOW plans, the new PLUS and MAX plans will include ESPN, FS1, NBCSN, TBS, & TNT. The MAX plan also adds FS2.
| AT&T TV NOW | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “PLUS” | “MAX” | “Live a Little” | “Just Right” | “Go Big” | “Gotta Have It” | ||
| Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | ||
| $54.99 | $79.99 | $59.99 | $74.99 | $84.99 | $94.99 | ||
| ESPN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| ESPN2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| FS1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Fox Sports 2 | - | ✓ | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| TBS | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| TNT | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| USA Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Pro Sports Channels
Unlike the current plans, neither PLUS or MAX will include any pro sports channels like NFL Network, NBA TV, MLB Network, or NHL Network.
| AT&T TV NOW | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “PLUS” | “MAX” | “Live a Little” | “Just Right” | “Go Big” | “Gotta Have It” | ||
| Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | ||
| $54.99 | $79.99 | $59.99 | $74.99 | $84.99 | $94.99 | ||
| MLB Network | - | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| NBA TV | - | - | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| NFL Network | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| NFL RedZone | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| NHL Network | - | - | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
College Sports Channels
Big Ten Network, ESPNU, and SEC Network are available on the $55 “Just Right” plan and above. Under the new plans, you will need to subscribe to DIRECTV NOW MAX ($70) to get those channels.
| AT&T TV NOW | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “PLUS” | “MAX” | “Live a Little” | “Just Right” | “Go Big” | “Gotta Have It” | ||
| Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | ||
| $54.99 | $79.99 | $59.99 | $74.99 | $84.99 | $94.99 | ||
| ACC Network | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| ACC Network Extra | - | ✓ | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Big Ten Network | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| CBS Sports Network | - | ✓ | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| ESPNU | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Longhorn Network | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Pac-12 Network | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| SEC Network | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| truTV | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Other Sports Channels
ESPNEWS and Tennis Channel are available on the $55 “Just Right” plan and above, whereas Golf Channel and Olympic Channel are on the $65 “Go Big” plan and above.
Under the new plans, you will need to subscribe to DIRECTV NOW MAX ($70) to get those channels. The Tennis Channel isn’t available on either plan.
| AT&T TV NOW | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “PLUS” | “MAX” | “Live a Little” | “Just Right” | “Go Big” | “Gotta Have It” | ||
| Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | ||
| $54.99 | $79.99 | $59.99 | $74.99 | $84.99 | $94.99 | ||
| beIN Sports | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Next Level Sports | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| ESPNEWS | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| FanDuel TV | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Fox Soccer Plus | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Golf Channel | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Tennis Channel | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Premium Channels
The biggest difference with the new plans it that they include HBO, HBO Family, and HBO Latino. On current plans, these are a $5 add-on.
Additionally, the MAX plan also include Cinemax which is $5 add-on on current plans.
| AT&T TV NOW | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “PLUS” | “MAX” | “Live a Little” | “Just Right” | “Go Big” | “Gotta Have It” | ||
| Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | ||
| $54.99 | $79.99 | $59.99 | $74.99 | $84.99 | $94.99 | ||
| Cinemax | + $11 | ✓ | + $11 | + $11 | + $11 | + $11 | |
| HBO | + $10 | ✓ | + $10 | + $10 | + $10 | + $10 | |
| MGM+ | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Parmount+ with SHOWTIME | + $11 | + $11 | + $11 | + $11 | + $11 | + $11 | |
| Starz | + $11 | + $11 | + $11 | + $11 | + $11 | + $11 | |
Want to Learn More About Live TV Streaming Services?
- You can read our full review comparing 7 different cord-cutting services including DIRECTV NOW, PlayStation Vue, fuboTV, Hulu Live TV, Philo, Sling TV, and YouTube TV.
- Use our Channel Finder to add your favorite channels, shows, and sports teams and we’ll tell you the best service for you.