This weekend we reported that DIRECTV NOW was planning to introduce 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.
We’ve now confirmed that starting tomorrow, all existing customers will be notified of a price increase. Current Live a Little, Just Right, Go Big, and Gotta Have It subscribers will be able to keep their plans, but with a $10 price increase. New subscribers will only be able to select from the new DIRECTV NOW PLUS ($50) and DIRECTV NOW MAX ($70) plans.
The news follows a $5 price increase across plans last June. With the price increases, a current Live a Little subscriber will see a 42% increase in the price of their streaming plan in just 9 months.
This should not come as a surprise. At the UBS Global Media & Communications Conference in December, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson hinted that customers might be seeing a smaller, more expensive bundle from DIRECTV NOW in 2019.
Stephenson shared that he expects DIRECTV NOW to “thin the content out, get content that’s really relevant to a particular customer segment.” While the service launched in November 2016 at $35 a month, he thinks the target market is a “lower priced offering” targeting a “$50-60 price.”
The good news for cord cutters is that there are alternatives. We’ve compared the new DIRECTV NOW plans with other streaming services like Fubo, PlayStation Vue, Sling TV, Philo, Hulu Live TV, and YouTube TV.
You can also add also use our Channel Finder to add your favorite channels, shows, and sports teams to find the best service for you.
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.
Last month, Fubo announced they are adding Viacom channels (MTV, VH1, etc.) to their service, but they have not gone live quite yet.
Regional Sports Networks
Under the new plans, you will be required to subscribe to DIRECTV NOW MAX ($70) in order to get your RSN. This is $20 more than any other service that offers Regional Sports Networks.
National Sports Channels
Just like current DIRECTV NOW plans, the new PLUS and MAX plans will include ESPN, FS1, NBCSN, TBS, & TNT.
While other services also include these channels in their base plans, you could all of them for just $40 with Sling TV, YouTube TV or $45 with PlayStation Vue and Hulu Live TV.
Pro Sports Channels
Neither PLUS or MAX will include any pro sports channels like NFL Network, NBA TV, MLB Network, or NHL Network.
PlayStation Vue includes NFL Network, NBA TV, and MLB Network in their $50 plan.
College Sports Channels
Under the new plans, you will need to subscribe to DIRECTV NOW MAX ($70) to get College Sports Channels. Most of these channels are included with YouTube TV ($40) and PlayStation Vue ($55).
Other Sports Channels
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.
Most of these channels are included with YouTube TV ($40) and PlayStation Vue ($55).
Premium Channels
The biggest difference with the new plans it that they include HBO, HBO Family, and HBO Latino. This is currently a $15 add-on on most other services.
Additionally, the MAX plan also include Cinemax which is $9-15 add-on on other services.
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.