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.

What Are the Best DIRECTV STREAM Alternatives?

Hulu + Live TV

In addition to 32 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, The CW, and Univision.

Hulu also has a handful of regional sports networks including NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports California, NBC Sports Philadelphia, and SportsNet NY.

Switching to Hulu + Live TV would mean losing AMC, Hallmark Channel, 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 144 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 18 of the top 35 cable channels. If you max it out, you can watch as many as 241 channels.

Unfortunately, switching to Fubo means losing A&E, AMC, Cartoon Network, CNN, Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, The History Channel, Investigation Discovery, Lifetime, TBS, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, USA Network, 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, The History Channel, 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.

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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 $64.99 / month for its Entertainment package. You can access your local regional sports network with the Choice package, which begins at $69.99 / month, as well as the MySports Pack $44.99 / month. At the top end, they also have an Ultimate ($99.99) for 218 channels. Slimmer Genre Packs for entertainment and news are MyEntertainment for $34.99 / 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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