Canceling DIRECTV NOW After Price Hikes? 5 Best Options to Switch from DIRECTV NOW

Today, DIRECTV NOW officially announced that all existing customers will see their plans go up $10, just 9 months after seeing a $5 price increase across plans last June.

New subscribers will only be able to select from two new plans: 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 A+E, AMC, Discovery/Scripps, & Viacom.

While some existing subscribers might be willing to absorb the price hike, the new plans are the least competitive streaming option of any of the major Live TV Streaming Services. If you’re looking to get rid of your DIRECTV NOW plan, we’ve put together the five options that will get you locals, lifestyle, news, entertainment, and both national & regional sports.

Best Alternatives for DIRECTV NOW Subscribers

1. fuboTV ($45)

Savings: $5 - $20

Just last month, fuboTV announced that they will be adding Viacom channels: BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Paramount Network, TV Land, and VH1. With the new additions, the service now has 28 of the 35 Top Cable Channels from the DIRECTV NOW plan.

While you’ll lose ABC, Disney, ESPN, & some Discovery channels — you’ll gain your Regional Sports Network, NBA TV, NFL Network, BTN, and Pac-12 Network. Also, the service carries more CBS, NBC, and FOX affiliates, so you’re more likely to get them in your area

For those in New York, they are the only other service that offers MSG/MSG+ at $20-25 less than DIRECTV NOW (depending on your plan). They recently also became the only service to offer AT&T SportsNet Southwest which offer live Houston Rockets and Houston Astros games.

2. Philo ($16)

Savings: ~$35 - $50

If you’re willing to sacrifice local and live sports, Philo is a great budget option that will give you 18 of the Top Cable channels from your DIRECTV NOW plan. You’ll get channels from AMC, A+E, Viacom (MTV, VH1, etc), and Discovery/Scripps (Discovery, Food Network, HGTV).

Besides the cost savings, the big bonus is that you get an Unlimited DVR and three simultaneous streams.

3. PlayStation Vue ($45+)

Savings: $5 - $15

For the same $50 as the legacy Live a Little DIRECTV NOW plan, you’ll get 26 of the 35 Top Cable Channels, but with the PlayStation Vue Core Plan ($50) get your local RSN and more pro and college sports. The service carries more ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX affiliates than DIRECTV NOW, so you’re more likely to get them in your area.

While you’ll lose A&E and Viacom (MTV, VH1, etc.) — you’ll get channels from AMC, Disney (ESPN, Disney Channel, ABC), Discovery/Scripps (Discovery, Food Network, HGTV), Fox (FX, Fox News), NBCU (Bravo, E!, MSNBC), and Turner (TNT, TBS, CNN).

Depending on if you’re a sports fan, you can either subscribe to their Access ($45) or Core ($50) plans. Both include ESPN, FS1, & NBCSN, but the the Core Plan adds your local Regional Sports Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, NFL Network, and college sports channels like BTN and SEC Network.

4. Philo + YouTube TV ($56)

Savings: ~$10

Philo alone not enough? While neither Philo or YouTube TV will give you as wide of channel coverage individually, when you pair them together you can get the same Top 35 Cable Channels as your old DIRECTV NOW plan for $56.

Unlike DIRECTV NOW, both services include a third stream and an Unlimited DVR.

You’ll get channels from A+E, Viacom (MTV, VH1, etc), and Discovery/Scripps (Discovery, Food Network, HGTV) from Philo ($16), while you’ll get Turner (TNT, TBS, CNN), Disney (ESPN, Disney, ABC), Fox (FX, Fox News), and NBCU (Bravo, E!, MSNBC) from YouTube TV ($40).

You’ll also gain your local RSN, [NBA TV][nbatv], and MLB Network through YouTube TV. This is ~$10-15 cheaper than either the new DIRECTV NOW MAX or legacy Just Right plan.

5. Sling Orange + Blue ($40)

Savings: $10 - $25

For $40 (and just $25 for your first three months) you’ll get 25 of the 35 Top Cable Channels from the DIRECTV NOW plan.

You’ll get channels from AMC, Disney (ESPN, Disney), Discovery/Scripps (Discovery, Food Network, HGTV), FX, NBCU (Bravo), and Turner (TNT, TBS, CNN).

One unique feature with Sling is that you can add additional channels through Extra packs like Kids, Comedy, News, and Lifestyle. For $5 each, or $10 for all four — you can add channels like MTV, VH1, E!, Disney Junior, and MSNBC.

What you’ll lose is locals. While Sling carries NBC & FOX, it’s only in select markets. You can either supplement with an antenna or a free service like Locast.

Comparison of Channels Across Live TV Streaming Services

Top Cable

Locals

Regional Sports

National Sports

Pro Sports

College Sports

Other Sports