DIRECTV’s Gemini is my favorite feature of the streamer
DIRECTV’s Gemini is my favorite feature of the streamer
The Gemini is an incredibly convenient way to receive your DIRECTV channel package, but if you don’t want one, you don’t have to take it!
There are tons of things to like about a DIRECTV subscription; it’s one of our favorite live TV streaming services for a reason. It has a great selection of channel packages, and is one of the first streamers to begin offering genre-based plans, which cost less than what you’ve come to expect from a pay-TV company. Many of these plans also come with free on-demand streaming access, like Disney+, Hulu, and other services when you sign up.
But one choice you get to make when signing up for a DIRECTV subscription stands out above the rest as the best in my mind: the choice of whether or not to receive your channel package through a Gemini Air device, or to use your own smart TV or streaming device and watch directly through the DIRECTV app.
If you do choose to pick up a Gemini Air device with which to stream your DIRECTV channel package, you’ll get something akin to a hybrid between a set-top cable box and a streaming player like an Apple TV. First, you can use your Gemini Air to stream any DIRECTV Signature or Genre Pack, delivering your favorite channels just like the old cable box used to do — though its compact design won’t remind you much of the clunky boxes of old.
But as modern streaming devices do, the Gemini can also download apps for on-demand streamers like Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and more. You can watch your cable channels and on-demand content all on the same device with a Gemini Air; no need to flip around inputs and worry about keeping track of eight different remotes to stream your DIRECTV channels and separate on-demand subscriptions on one device.
The Gemini Air is also packed with features, including the ability to stream content offered in Ultra-High-Definition 4K on compatible TVs, surround sound for a home theater-like experience, and a universal remote with voice search powered by Google that works with many smart home devices. The Gemini Air has all the features your favorite streaming players have, and you can get them as part of your DIRECTV channel plan for $10 per month on top of your subscription price.
But you might also say, “Wait. Didn’t I cut the cord to get away from things like device fees and set-top boxes? Can’t I stream a DIRECTV channel plan from the service’s app using my own streaming player instead?”
The answer is, of course you can. DIRECTV lets you choose how you want to receive an internet-based channel package; if you want a Gemini Air to stream it through, just make sure you pick that option when initially subscribing. If you don’t, you can choose that you want zero Gemini Air players and just watch on your Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, Apple TV, or Roku player that you already have at home — not to mention various other models of smart TV and streaming device that the DIRECTV app is compatible with.
That’s probably my favorite thing about the Gemini Air: DIRECTV doesn’t force it on you. Previously, it seemed that linear cable always came with a laundry list of hidden fees that you couldn’t get around or opt out of if you wanted the channel plan you selected. But now, DIRECTV puts the power of choice in your hands to either pay a little extra to get a great quality streaming player, or skip it and go with your own equipment. Those are the reasons that the Gemini Air is my favorite feature of a DIRECTV subscription.
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.