DIRECTV STREAM Raises Prices - Should You Stick With It?
DIRECTV STREAM Raises Prices - Should You Stick With It?
We love DIRECTV STREAM for its excellent channel lineup, great user interface, and generous intro offers. But starting today, subscribers will see higher prices. Here’s what changed and why you may want to stick with DIRECTV even though that price hike is hard to stomach.
What Are the New DIRECTV STREAM Prices?
The new prices will raise your annual bill $60-$120, depending no which channel lineup you want.
| Package Name | Old Monthly Price | New Price | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENTERTAINMENT | $79.99 | $86.99 | +$7 |
| CHOICE | $108.99 | $114.99 | +$6 |
| ULTIMATE | $119.99 | $129.99 | +$10 |
| PREMIER | $164.99 | $169.99 | +$5 |
What Are the Best DIRECTV STREAM Alternatives?
Hulu + Live TV
In addition to 33 of the top 35 cable channels, and an unlimited DVR, Hulu Live TV also includes free access to Hulu on demand, Disney+, and ESPN+. No other service gives you so much entertainment for one subscription.
You’ll get all of your live local network affiliates like ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Telemundo, and The CW.
Hulu also has a handful of regional sports networks including Monumental Sports Network, NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports California, NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBC Sports Philadelphia+, and SportsNet NY.
Switching to Hulu + Live TV would mean losing AMC and WE tv.
Unfortunately, Hulu Live TV will raise its prices in a few days, so the bargain won’t last long. The least expensive channel lineup will cost $82.99/month.
Thankfully, Hulu + Live TV is now offering a rare 3-day FREE trial, so you can experience all it has to offer without any risk.
Full comparison: DIRECTV STREAM vs. Hulu + Live TV ►
Sling TV
Sling TV includes 27 of the top 35 cable channels. Sling’s unique price structure allows you to save a significant amount of money if you’re willing to choose a smaller channel bundle. Overall, the service offers as many as 143 channels.
If you leave DIRECTV STREAM for Sling, you’d lose access to Disney Junior, FXX, Hallmark Channel, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, VH1, and WE tv
Your ability to watch ABC, Fox, and NBC depends on where you live. Sling doesn’t carry CBS in any package.
Sling TV does not carry regional sports networks, so that may be a dealbreaker for some sports fans.
If you sign up now, you can get all the best sports Sling has to offer for just $50/month with a 4-month plan. (That’s the plan I’m using as my live TV provider during football season.)
Full comparison: DIRECTV STREAM vs. Sling TV ►
Fubo
If you love regional sports, Fubo is the only non-DIRECTV choice that has a similar lineup. It still offers those crucial Bally Sports RSNs. You can start streaming today with a FREE trial.
Fubo includes 19 of the top 35 cable channels. If you max it out, you can watch as many as 226 channels.
Unfortunately, switching to Fubo means losing A&E, AMC, Cartoon Network, CNN, Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, History, Investigation Discovery, Lifetime, TBS, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, and WE tv.
Full comparison: Fubo vs. DIRECTV STREAM ►
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a popular option, and one that does everything well, but Sling TV is a better option on price, Hulu Live TV gives you far more entertainment for virtually the same price.
Still, you’d get 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and an unlimited DVR.
Choosing YouTube TV over DIRECTV STREAM would mean losing A&E, History, and Lifetime.
The only regional sports channels on YouTube TV are Monumental Sports Network, NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports California, NBC Sports Philadelphia, and NBC Sports Philadelphia+.
YouTube TV makes you pay extra for 4K, unlike DIRECTV STREAM.
Full comparison: DIRECTV STREAM vs. YouTube TV ►
Why Might You Want to Stick With DIRECTV STREAM?
As I discovered when I tried the service for the first time, DIRECTV STREAM is probably the best live TV streamer available. It has more channels than every other streamer, the interface is fantastic, and the picture quality is top-notch.
If I were to switch, Hulu Live TV would be my next option, but their incoming price hike nullifies some of that advantage. By the end of the month, your choice is to pay the higher rate for a premium product or drop to Sling TV to save money and adjust to a smaller channel lineup.
With the NHL underway and the NBA coming in a few weeks, those regional sports networks on DIRECTV STREAM are going to be important to sports fans like me. DIRECTV STREAM is the only one to carry the new Chicago Sports Network, and your only other option for the Bally networks (Fubo) is laughably expensive. YouTube TV and Hulu have a couple regional sports networks, but the lineup is weak.
As live TV goes, DIRECTV STREAM is still the king, even with the price increase. No one wants to pay more, but you really are getting value for that price. Dropping to another service means losing several channels, dealing with a worse user interface, or having to pay more for 4K.
DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM is The Streamable’s choice for the best live TV streaming service for users who want the most channels. With an unbeatable lineup of local, news, sports, and entertainment channels, four main channel packages, an unlimited DVR, and 20 simultaneous streams at home, DIRECTV STREAM is a great choice for any cord-cutter.