In the highly competitive world of streaming, the name of the game for service providers is creating value. The more valuable a platform can be to customers, the less likely they are to leave for greener streaming pastures elsewhere. One way that live TV streaming services are creating value for consumers without having to raise prices is by adding free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels, while they might not be the marquee networks that people associate with broadcast and cable, they are increasingly what viewers turn to when they don’t know what to watch. This week, DIRECTV announced its next round of new channels available now for all streaming customers, and they feature a healthy dose of sports programming. Included in the additions are a channel dedicated to women’s sports, another focused on poker, and a third that covers all things racing.

Key Details:

• DIRECTV has added five new channels to its lineup, including three sports-focused networks.
• The channels are now available for both DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV Via Internet customers.
• DIRECTV has two different streaming products available to cord-cutters.

Recently, DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV Via Internet customers saw the additions of sports FAST channels Fuel TV, Origin Sports, and Sports Grid. Now, they are getting five new channels, including three sports-focused options. Subscribers to DIRECTV’s two streaming options now have the ability to tune into the Women’s Sports Network, Racing America, and PokerGo, as well as El Rey Rebel and Somos Novelas.

What New Channels Has DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV Via Internet Added?

• Women’s Sports Network (Ch. 4125): The network is the first around-the-clock streaming channel dedicated solely to women’s sports. The Women’s Sports Network features live game action, its daily studio show “Game On,” other original programming, documentaries, profiles, behind-the-scenes stories, and more. WSN celebrates female voices by focusing on women’s sports from breaking down the latest news and hottest topics to chronicling everything that’s current in sports-adjacent pop culture.

• Racing America (Ch. 4192): This channel is your home for live, short-track racing and serves as the only streaming channel that carries official NASCAR Cup team content. Racing America is a destination for all motorsports fans as it covers live races, news, and more.

• El Rey Rebel (Ch. 4229): A spin-off of the El Rey Network from filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, this FAST channel targets viewers’ independent, inner rebels. It focuses on films with raw action, fearless fun, and pure mayhem. El Rey Rebel hosts a lineup of films from Kung Fu and martial arts classics to grindhouse and gritty crime thrillers. It also features extreme sports and other popular films, series, and events as well.

• Somos Novelas (Ch. 4720): This new, Spanish-language channel features the most popular novelas from around the world. Somos Novelas includes titles from everywhere from Venezuela and Chile to Spanish-dubbed series from India, Turkey, Korea, and other countries around the world.

• PokerGO (Ch. 4140): The PokerGo FAST channel provides poker fans with some of the best action and moments in poker history. The network pulls from PokerGo’s vast library to bring you final table coverage of some of the biggest tournaments in the game, including the World Series of Poker, World Poker Tour, Poker Master, PokerGo Cup, and more.

What Is the Difference Between DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV Via Internet?

DIRECTV might be known for its industry-leading satellite TV coverage, but it offers two distinct streaming products as well. The Streamable’s expert David Satin has broken down all of the differences between the two streaming options, but I will run you through the major differences

• DIRECTV STREAM is likely the type of platform that you think of when you imagine a live TV streaming service. You don’t need any additional equipment to stream with this service. All of the packages are on a month-to-month subscription basis and you can cancel at any time.

• DIRECTV Via Internet blends the best of both the company’s streaming and satellite experience. While the channels between the two streaming products are identical, DIRECTV Via Internet is delivered via a Gemini streaming device. Also, this product requires a two-year contract. While this means that there is a fee for canceling before the agreement is up, in exchange you get a lower monthly rate and lock in the price for 24 months, regardless if the price goes up.

“ price/mo. for 24 months + fees, including $15/mo. Advanced Receiver Service fee
º Recordings expire after 9 months, with a maximum of 30 episodes per series. Restrictions apply.
** First device provided for well-qualified customers