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DIRECTV Sling TV

DIRECTV vs. Sling TV genre-specific packages: Which gives you more?

DIRECTV vs. Sling TV genre-specific packages: Which gives you more?

DIRECTV challenges Sling TV’s inexpensive live TV streaming plans with its own skinny bundles. We’ve compared them head-to-head.

Bill Frost
Bill Frost is a journalist and TV reviewer with a career dating back to the 4:3-aspect-ratio 1990s. His work has been featured in The Salt Lake Tribune, Inlander, Coachella Valley Independent, Las Vegas Weekly, and many other publications. In addition to his role as a writer for The Streamable, Frost was a senior staff writer at CableTV.com and a syndicated streaming TV columnist for Salt Lake City Weekly and other alternative weekly papers. He is also the host and producer of the TV Tan Podcast, where he shares insights on television and streaming trends.
Read full bio ›
Bill Frost
•
A TV critic since the 4:3 era, he brings decades of experience and sharp analysis to The Streamable. When he’s not writing, he’s playing his Flying V guitar at local bars.
A TV critic since the 4:3 era, he brings decades of experience and sharp analysis to The Streamable. When he’s not writing, he’s playing his Flying V guitar at local bars.

Sling TV has long been a streaming leader in add-on channel bundles, offering several genre-specific packs to supplement its basic channel lineups. But now DIRECTV is getting in on the action with Genre Packs, which are essentially skinny bundles focused on sports, entertainment, news, and Spanish channels — and they’re all less expensive than DIRECTV’s standard plans.

Sling TV and DIRECTV’s channel add-on packages aren’t quite the same beast, but if you’re looking for a thriftier live TV streaming alternative to the more expensive options like YouTube TV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV (which are all great, but those higher monthly price tags sting), these cost-concious options are worth checking out.

So to help you save some money, The Streamable is diving into checked DIRECTV and Sling TV’s genre pack add-ons — here’s what we found.

DIRECTV Genre Packs

DIRECTV now offers four Base Packs: MySports, MyEntertainment, MyNews, and MiEspanol. There are also three Mini Packs that can be added to the Base Packs: MyCinema (for MyEntertainment, My News, or MySports), MySports Extra (for MySports), and MyHome Team (also for My Sports).

MyEntertainment comes with the Disney Bundle Duo Basic, which is made up of ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu, and MySports includes ESPN+ at no extra cost. As with DIRECTV’s standard plans, premium streamers like Max and Paramount+ can be added to any of the Genre Packs.

DIRECTV MySports (Base Pack, $70 per month)

Additional Free Channels Included with DIRECTV MySports

DIRECTV MyEntertainment (Base Pack, $35 per month)

DIRECTV MiEspanol (Base Pack, $35 per month)

  • A3Series
  • Antena 3
  • Atres Cine
  • Baby TV
  • Bandamax
  • Canal 22 Mexico
  • Caracol TV
  • Centroamerica TV
  • Cine Estelar
  • Cine Mexico
  • Cine Nostalgia
  • Cinelatino
  • Cinema Dinamita
  • CNN En Espanol
  • Daystar Espanol
  • De Pelicula
  • De Pelicula Clasico
  • Discovery En Espanol
  • Discovery Famila
  • Ecuavisa Internacional
  • Enlace
  • ESPN Deportes
  • Estrella News
  • Estrella TV
  • EWTN Espanol
  • FOROtv
  • Fox Deportes
  • Galavision
  • GolTV
  • History En Espanol
  • HITN TV
  • Hogar De HCTV
  • Hola TV
  • MEGA TV
  • Meganoticias
  • Multimedios
  • NatGeo Mundo
  • NTN24
  • Nuestra Tele
  • Once Mexico
  • Pasiones
  • Peru Magico
  • Sony Cine
  • SUR Peru
  • TC Internacional
  • TeleCentro
  • Telefe
  • Telemundo (Local)
  • Telemundo (Este)
  • Telemundo (Deste)
  • TUDN
  • TV Chile
  • TVE
  • TyC Sports
  • UniMas
  • Universo
  • Univision (Este)
  • Univision Tlnovelas
  • VePlus
  • Videorola
  • Vme
  • WAPA America
  • ZooMoo

DIRECTV MyCinema (Mini Pack, $10 per month)

DIRECTV MySports Extra (Mini Pack, $13 per month)

DIRECTV MyHome Team (Mini Pack, $20 per month; availability varies by market)

DIRECTV Premium Add-On Packages

(columns…)

DIRECTV MyNews (Base Pack, $40 per month)

Sling TV Add-On Packs

Sling TV offers three base plans: Sling Orange (30 channels for $46 per month), Sling Blue (40 channels for $46per month), and the combined Sling Orange + Blue (50 channels for $61 per month). Sling Orange’s channel lineup is weighted toward sports and kids’ channels, while Sling Blue leans toward entertainment and news, with some channels overlapping between the two. With Sling Orange + Blue, you get the whole TV enchilada.

Sling Orange and Sling Blue’s add-on packs differ slightly due to their respective channel lineups, as they’re designed to complement whichever one you’re using. The Sling Orange + Blue plan combines add-on packs just as it does channel lineups — Sling TV isn’t simple, but it is definitely versatile.

Sling Orange Sports Extra ($11 per month)

Sling Blue Sports Extra ($11 per month)

Sling Orange Comedy Extra ($6 per month)

Sling Blue Comedy Extra ($6 per month)

Sling Orange Kids Extra ($6 per month)

Sling Blue Kids Extra ($6 per month)

Sling Orange News Extra ($6 per month)

Sling Blue New Extra ($6 per month)

Sling Orange Lifestyle Extra ($6 per month)

Sling Blue Lifestyle Extra ($6 per month)

Sling Orange Hollywood Extra ($6 per month)

Sling Blue Hollywood Extra ($6 per month)

Sling Orange Heartland Extra ($6 per month)

Sling Blue Heartland Extra ($6 per month)

Sling Orange or Blue Four Extras Deal ($13 per month)

  • Comedy Extra
  • Kids Extra
  • Lifestyle Extra
  • News Extra

Sling Orange or Blue Total TV Deal ($21 per month)

  • Comedy Extra
  • Heartland Extra
  • Hollywood Extra
  • Kids Extra
  • Lifestyle Extra
  • News Extra
  • Sports Extra

Sling TV Premium Add-Ons

Which is Right for You?

Sling TV is The Streamable’s pick for the best budget live TV streamer, but DIRECTV’s new Genre Packs can also get you the channels you want on the cheap — although the word “cheap” is obviously relative.

If you want more viewing choices, Sling TV has almost every channel option available, but your monthly streaming bill can balloon quickly as the add-ons pile up. DIRECTV’s Genre Packs are more straightforward and thoughtfully delineated, especially for sports fans with little interest in general entertainment TV.

One big sports factor: DIRECTV has regional sports networks (RSNs) that you can choose to add to your lineup; Sling TV does not carry any RSNs. If you want to cheer on your home team from the couch, DIRECTV is the easy choice.

  • 5-Day Trial
    directv.com

    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.

    …

    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.

    5-Day Trial
    $59.99+ / month
    directv.com

    Start streaming DIRECTV & save up to $30 off your 1st mo. of service! Learn how.

  • Save with Sling
    sling.com

    Sling TV

    Sling TV is The Streamable’s choice for cord-cutters on a budget. Sling is a live TV streaming service with multiple channel packages. The $45.99/month Sling Orange plan offers about 30 channels, including Disney Channel and ESPN. The $45.99/month Sling Blue plan offers about 40 channels, including ABC, Fox, and NBC in major markets.

    You can combine Orange+Blue for a total of $60.99 / month. Sling also offers many channel add-on packages starting at $6/month.

    Save with Sling
    $19.99+ / month
    sling.com
Bill Frost
Bill Frost is a journalist and TV reviewer with a career dating back to the 4:3-aspect-ratio 1990s. His work has been featured in The Salt Lake Tribune, Inlander, Coachella Valley Independent, Las Vegas Weekly, and many other publications. In addition to his role as a writer for The Streamable, Frost was a senior staff writer at CableTV.com and a syndicated streaming TV columnist for Salt Lake City Weekly and other alternative weekly papers. He is also the host and producer of the TV Tan Podcast, where he shares insights on television and streaming trends.
Read full bio ›
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DIRECTV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $50 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for DIRECTV STREAM.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new DIRECTV STREAM subscribers.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • Purchase must be completed on the DIRECTV STREAM website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.

Sling TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $25 Uber Eats Gift Card when you sign up for Sling TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new Sling TV subscribers to Sling Orange, Blue, or Sling Orange + Blue.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • You must click from The Streamable and complete your purchase on the Sling TV website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.

Hulu Live TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $35 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for Hulu Live TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new Hulu Live TV subscribers.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • You must click from The Streamable and complete your purchase on the Hulu Live TV website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.