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Confirmed: Long-Time DIRECTV STREAM Customers Will Not Lose ‘Early Adopter’ Discounts, Despite Rate-Increase Emails

Confirmed: Long-Time DIRECTV STREAM Customers Will Not Lose ‘Early Adopter’ Discounts, Despite Rate-Increase Emails

With a background in sports and entertainment reporting, he’s covered everything from Broadway to college football. He cut the cord in 2014 and has a sharp eye for streaming trends and a soft spot for Hallmark movies.

The streaming landscape is one of constantly changing seas. From content bouncing between services to costs climbing ever upward, it is never a surprise when customers are confused by any bit of information that they get from a service regarding their subscriptions. This week, word began to trickle out that some longtime subscribers to the live TV streaming service DIRECTV STREAM were losing the discounts that they had enjoyed for years. However, a DIRECTV spokesperson has confirmed to The Streamable that this is not the case.

The impacted customers had originally come to the service before its most recent name change, either when it was known as AT&T TV NOW or DIRECTV NOW. At the time, they signed up for the Go Big package which, depending on when they subscribed, came with a much lower price tag than what is currently available from the live TV streaming service. The plan previously cost as little as $35 per month, but as more channels and technologies were added, grew to $79.99 monthly.

In fact, two years ago, the price for the Go Big plan increased to $104.99 per month, but “early adopters” received a $25 per month credit to keep the cost under $80. Despite the fairly high cost, the benefit was that the package included practically every premium cable channel, including HBO Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, Reelz, Cinemax, and more. However, that subscription option has since been retired, replaced by the Premier package, which runs $154.99 per month.

Despite that fact, those aforementioned early adopters were allowed to keep their packages as DIRECTV kept their pricing and channel lineups locked in. But, this week, some legacy subscribers received emails from the streamer that informed them that their prices would be increasing to $114.99 per month, essentially eliminating the long-established discounts. For those customers who had locked in the very early $35 per month rate to the now-discontinued plan, that would represent a monthly increase of $80 monthly.

However, when reached for comment by The Streamable a DIRECTV spokesperson confirmed that as long as customers did not make any changes to their plans — which had always been the case with these plans — nothing would change in terms of their monthly bills.

“As long as customers aren’t making changes to their existing DIRECTV or mobility services, they will continue to keep their discounts,” the spokesperson said.

According to DIRECTV, the communication informing customers that their bills would be increasing was sent in error. The mistake has since been fixed on the service’s side and any subscribers who were impacted are able to maintain their discount and any monies that were errantly billed will be refunded.

DIRECTV

DIRECTV is one of The Streamable’s top choices for the best live TV streaming service overall in 2026, especially for users who want the most channels or want to watch the most live sports. With an unbeatable lineup of local, news, sports, and entertainment channels, three main signature packages, an unlimited DVR, and 20 simultaneous streams at home, DIRECTV remains a premier choice for any cord-cutter.

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Following the launch of several genre-specific Genre Packs, there are now even more flexible ways to watch DIRECTV. Options like MySports, MyEntertainment, MyNews, and MiEspañol provide affordable, targeted alternatives to larger bundles, allowing viewers to subscribe to a specific set of channels that match their interests without the cost of a full lineup.

DIRECTV starts at $59.99 / month for its Entertainment package. You can access your local regional sports network with the Choice package, which begins at $64.99 / month, as well as the MySports Pack $44.99 / month. At the top end, they also have an Ultimate ($94.99) for 218 channels. Slimmer Genre Packs for entertainment and news are MyEntertainment for $42.99 / month and MyNews $39.99 / month. There is no contract or broadcast TV fees with this DIRECTV streaming option.

The service was previously called DIRECTV STREAM, preceded by AT&T TV.

How much does DIRECTV cost in 2026?

DIRECTV now offers flexible entry points starting at $19.99/month for the MyKids Genre Pack, while full Signature Packages like Entertainment start at $84.99/month. See the full list: DIRECTV Pricing & Plans

Does DIRECTV have a free trial?

Yes, DIRECTV offers a 5-Day Free Trial for new customers, which includes access to your chosen package and any added Genre Packs.

What are DIRECTV Genre Packs?

Genre Packs are targeted, contract-free plans introduced in 2025. They include MySports ($69.99/mo), MyEntertainment ($34.99/mo), MyNews ($39.99/mo), and MiEspañol ($34.99/mo), often bundling apps like Max, Disney+, or Hulu.

How many channels does DIRECTV have?

The channel count varies by plan: the Entertainment package starts with 90+ channels, while the Premier package offers over 185+ channels. See the full list: DIRECTV Channels.

How many streams are allowed at once on DIRECTV?

DIRECTV allows for unlimited simultaneous streams on your home network and up to 3 streams while on the go. See more details: DIRECTV Simultaneous Streams

Does DIRECTV include local channels?

Yes, local affiliates like ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC are included in all Signature Packages and the MySports Genre Pack in most markets. See the full list: DIRECTV Local Channels.

Does DIRECTV have live sports?

DIRECTV is a leader in sports, offering ESPN, FS1, NFL Network, and MLB Network, plus Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) in the Choice plan and above. See the full list: DIRECTV Sports Channels.

Does DIRECTV offer premium channels?

Yes, you can add Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ, and Cinemax. Many 2026 Genre Packs now include these services as part of the base price. See the full list: DIRECTV Premium Channels.

Does DIRECTV offer 4K streaming?

DIRECTV provides dedicated 4K channels (104-106) for live sports and special events at no extra cost, provided you have a compatible 4K device.

Does DIRECTV have a DVR?

Every DIRECTV plan includes Unlimited Cloud DVR storage, allowing you to record and save shows for up to 9 months.

Is there a Regional Sports Network (RSN) fee on DIRECTV?

An RSN fee of up to $15.99/month applies to the Choice package and above, as these plans include local sports coverage. This fee is determined by your zip code and the number of Regional Sports Networks available in your area.

Can I avoid the RSN fee on DIRECTV?

Yes. To avoid the RSN fee, you can subscribe to the Entertainment package or the MySports Genre Pack ($69.99/mo), which bundles sports content without a separate itemized RSN charge. See the breakdown: DIRECTV RSN Fees & Locations.

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Matt Tamanini is the News Editor at The Streamable, where he oversees daily news coverage and editorial strategy, with a particular focus on breaking stories, streaming comparisons, and major industry events. A well-rounded journalist with a diverse background, Matt joined The Streamable in 2022 after holding key editorial roles at several high-profile outlets. He has an extensive career in sports and entertainment journalism, having served as a senior editor for BroadwayWorld, the world’s largest theater website, and as managing editor for Land-Grant Holy Land, which covers Ohio State sports.

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