DIRECTV STREAM Review
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.
DIRECTV STREAM starts at $86.99 / month for their Entertainment package. You can access your local regional sports network with the Choice package, which begins at $114.99 / month They also have an Ultimate ($129.99) for 215 channels and Premier ($169.99) for 220 channels. There is no contract, no extra RSN fees, and no broadcast TV fees.
The service was previously called AT&T TV.
Tiers
The Entertainment ($86.99 / month) plan includes local channels and 31 of the top 35 cable channels. DIRECTV STREAM Choice ($114.99 / month) plan adds your local RSN, OWN, NFL Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, Travel Channel, and College Sports Networks like BTN and SEC Network.
The more expensive DIRECTV STREAM Ultimate plan adds Fox Sports 2, NHL Network, Golf Channel, Lifetime Movie Channel, and additional Discovery Networks, and a few Spanish-Language networks like ESPN Deportes.
All four plans include ability to stream across a wide variety of devices like Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, iOS, Android, and your Computer.
With all plans, you get an Unlimited DVR, which keeps recordings for 9 months.
Review
We tested DIRECTV STREAM and other live TV streaming services for more than 100 hours. DIRECTV STREAM is compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV.
PROS
- Best channel variety of any live TV streamer
- Offers many hard-to-find regional sports networks
- All local channels
- Free trial
- Unlimited DVR
- 20 simultaneous streams
CONS
- Price can escalate quickly, depending on your needs
- Not available on as many devices as some other streamers
Features
Unlimited Cloud DVR
DIRECTV STREAM offers unlimited cloud DVR storage. Recordings can be saved up to nine months.
Up to 20 Devices
You can use DIRECTV STREAM on up to 20 simultaneous devices on the same home network, or up to three devices while traveling outside your home.
38 TV Everywhere Apps
DIRECTV STREAM gives you access to 38 different TV Everywhere apps.
List of Compatible Apps
- A&E App
- AMC App
- BBC America App
- BET NOW
- Bravo Now
- BTN2GO
- CBS Sports App
- CMT App
- CNBC App
- Comedy Central App
- DisneyNow
- E! Now
- FOX Now
- Fox Sports Go
- Freeform App
- FX Now
- FYI App
- Max
- MAX Go
- MLB At Bat
- MSG Go
- MSNBC Now
- Nat Geo TV App
- NBC App
- NBC Sports App
- NFL Mobile
- Oxygen Now
- Showtime Anytime
- Syfy Now
- Telemundo Now
- Universal Kids App
- Universo Now
- USA Now
- Watch ABC
- Watch Cooking Channel
- Watch DIY
- Watch ESPN
- Watch TCM
On Demand
There is a variety of on demand content to stream within the DIRECTV STREAM app.
Parental Controls
DIRECTV STREAM has some parental controls to help restrict content.
Hulu Live TV and Sling TV also have parental control features.
Compatible Devices
DIRECTV STREAM is compatible with these devices:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- Google Chromecast
- Roku
- Android TV
- iPhone/iPad (iOS 12+)
- Android Phone/Tablet (4.4+)
- Mac
- Windows
- LG Smart TV (AirPlay)
- Samsung Smart TV (2017+)
- Sony Smart TV
- VIZIO Smart TV (AirPlay/Google Cast)
DIRECTV STREAM is not compatible with PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, or onn devices.
Channels
Local Channels
All DIRECTV STREAM packages offer a full lineup of local channels, including CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC, and Telemundo.
Local Channel Restrictions
You can only access your home local channels when you are in your home market. For example, if you live in San Francisco and travel to New York, you will not be able to stream your local San Francisco channels. Instead, you will receive the local channels of the market you are traveling to (New York).
You can access your local RSNs no matter whether you are home or away from your local market.
Top Cable Channels
The top 35 cable channels are listed below. For a list of channels in each tier, look at DIRECTV STREAM’s full channel lineup.
- AMC
- BET
- Bravo
- Cartoon Network
- CNN
- Comedy Central
- Discovery
- Disney Channel
- Disney Junior
- E!
- ESPN
- Food Network
- Fox News
- Freeform
- FX
- FXX
- Hallmark Channel
- HGTV
- Investigation Discovery
- MSNBC
- MTV
- Nickelodeon
- Paramount Network
- Syfy
- TBS
- TLC
- TNT
- truTV
- USA Network
- VH1
- WE tv
-
A&E -
History -
Lifetime -
Travel Channel
- AMC
- BET
- Bravo
- Cartoon Network
- CNN
- Comedy Central
- Discovery
- Disney Channel
- Disney Junior
- E!
- ESPN
- Food Network
- Fox News
- Freeform
- FX
- FXX
- Hallmark Channel
- HGTV
- Investigation Discovery
- MSNBC
- MTV
- Nickelodeon
- Paramount Network
- Syfy
- TBS
- TLC
- TNT
- truTV
- USA Network
- VH1
- WE tv
- A&E
- History
- Lifetime
- Travel Channel
- AMC
- BET
- Bravo
- Cartoon Network
- CNN
- Comedy Central
- Discovery
- Disney Channel
- Disney Junior
- E!
- ESPN
- Food Network
- Fox News
- Freeform
- FX
- FXX
- Hallmark Channel
- HGTV
- Investigation Discovery
- MSNBC
- MTV
- Nickelodeon
- Paramount Network
- Syfy
- TBS
- TLC
- TNT
- truTV
- USA Network
- VH1
- WE tv
- A&E
- History
- Lifetime
- Travel Channel
- AMC
- BET
- Bravo
- Cartoon Network
- CNN
- Comedy Central
- Discovery
- Disney Channel
- Disney Junior
- E!
- ESPN
- Food Network
- Fox News
- Freeform
- FX
- FXX
- Hallmark Channel
- HGTV
- Investigation Discovery
- MSNBC
- MTV
- Nickelodeon
- Paramount Network
- Syfy
- TBS
- TLC
- TNT
- truTV
- USA Network
- VH1
- WE tv
- A&E
- History
- Lifetime
- Travel Channel
Sports Channels
National Sports Channels
Across all tiers DIRECTV STREAM includes national sports channels like ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, Fox Sports 2, TBS, TNT, and USA Network.
Regional Sports Networks (RSNs)
You will need to upgrade to at least the DIRECTV STREAM “Choice” ($114.99) plan to get access to regional sports networks (RSNs), which include Bally Sports RSNs, NBC Sports RSNs, MSG, NESN, and more.
RSNs in Other Markets
- Utah 16 (KUPX)
-
Altitude -
SportsNet Pittsburgh -
Chicago Sports Network -
FanDuel Sports Network Detroit -
FanDuel Sports Network Florida -
FanDuel Sports Network Great Lakes -
FanDuel Sports Network Indiana -
FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City -
FanDuel Sports Network Midwest -
FanDuel Sports Network North -
FanDuel Sports Network Ohio -
FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma -
FanDuel Sports Network SoCal -
FanDuel Sports Network South -
FanDuel Sports Network Southeast -
FanDuel Sports Network Southwest -
FanDuel Sports Network Sun -
FanDuel Sports Network West -
FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin -
Marquee Sports Network -
MASN -
MASN2 -
Monumental Sports Network -
MSG -
MSG Sportsnet -
NBC Sports Bay Area -
NBC Sports Boston -
NBC Sports California -
NESN -
Rockies.TV Channel -
Root Sports Northwest -
Space City Home Network -
Spectrum SportsNet -
Spectrum SportsNet LA -
SportsNet NY -
YES Network -
Arizona's Family Sports -
NBC Sports Philadelphia -
NBC Sports Philadelphia+
- Utah 16 (KUPX)
- Altitude
- SportsNet Pittsburgh
- Chicago Sports Network
- FanDuel Sports Network Detroit
- FanDuel Sports Network Florida
- FanDuel Sports Network Great Lakes
- FanDuel Sports Network Indiana
- FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City
- FanDuel Sports Network Midwest
- FanDuel Sports Network North
- FanDuel Sports Network Ohio
- FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma
- FanDuel Sports Network SoCal
- FanDuel Sports Network South
- FanDuel Sports Network Southeast
- FanDuel Sports Network Southwest
- FanDuel Sports Network Sun
- FanDuel Sports Network West
- FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin
- Marquee Sports Network
- MASN
- MASN2
- Monumental Sports Network
- MSG
- MSG Sportsnet
- NBC Sports Bay Area
- NBC Sports Boston
- NBC Sports California
- NESN
- Rockies.TV Channel
- Root Sports Northwest
- Space City Home Network
- Spectrum SportsNet
- Spectrum SportsNet LA
- SportsNet NY
- YES Network
-
Arizona's Family Sports -
NBC Sports Philadelphia -
NBC Sports Philadelphia+
- Utah 16 (KUPX)
- Altitude
- SportsNet Pittsburgh
- Chicago Sports Network
- FanDuel Sports Network Detroit
- FanDuel Sports Network Florida
- FanDuel Sports Network Great Lakes
- FanDuel Sports Network Indiana
- FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City
- FanDuel Sports Network Midwest
- FanDuel Sports Network North
- FanDuel Sports Network Ohio
- FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma
- FanDuel Sports Network SoCal
- FanDuel Sports Network South
- FanDuel Sports Network Southeast
- FanDuel Sports Network Southwest
- FanDuel Sports Network Sun
- FanDuel Sports Network West
- FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin
- Marquee Sports Network
- MASN
- MASN2
- Monumental Sports Network
- MSG
- MSG Sportsnet
- NBC Sports Bay Area
- NBC Sports Boston
- NBC Sports California
- NESN
- Rockies.TV Channel
- Root Sports Northwest
- Space City Home Network
- Spectrum SportsNet
- Spectrum SportsNet LA
- SportsNet NY
- YES Network
-
Arizona's Family Sports -
NBC Sports Philadelphia -
NBC Sports Philadelphia+
- Utah 16 (KUPX)
- Altitude
- SportsNet Pittsburgh
- Chicago Sports Network
- FanDuel Sports Network Detroit
- FanDuel Sports Network Florida
- FanDuel Sports Network Great Lakes
- FanDuel Sports Network Indiana
- FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City
- FanDuel Sports Network Midwest
- FanDuel Sports Network North
- FanDuel Sports Network Ohio
- FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma
- FanDuel Sports Network SoCal
- FanDuel Sports Network South
- FanDuel Sports Network Southeast
- FanDuel Sports Network Southwest
- FanDuel Sports Network Sun
- FanDuel Sports Network West
- FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin
- Marquee Sports Network
- MASN
- MASN2
- Monumental Sports Network
- MSG
- MSG Sportsnet
- NBC Sports Bay Area
- NBC Sports Boston
- NBC Sports California
- NESN
- Rockies.TV Channel
- Root Sports Northwest
- Space City Home Network
- Spectrum SportsNet
- Spectrum SportsNet LA
- SportsNet NY
- YES Network
-
Arizona's Family Sports -
NBC Sports Philadelphia -
NBC Sports Philadelphia+
Pro Sports
Pro Sports channels available include MLB Network, NBA TV, NFL Network, NFL RedZone, and NHL Network.
College Sports
ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPNU, and SEC Network are available on the DIRECTV STREAM “Choice” ($114.99) plan.
Other Sports Channels
ESPNEWS, FanDuel TV, Golf Channel, and Tennis Channel are available on the DIRECTV STREAM “Choice” ($114.99) plan.
Premium Channels
You can add HBO, Cinemax, Paramount+ with Showtime, STARZ, and MGM+ to any of the plans. The Premier plan includes HBO, Cinemax, Paramount+ with Showtime, and STARZ.
Add-Ons
Español
$15 Add-On- Antena 3
- Atres Cine
- Atres Series
- Baby TV Español
- Bandamax
- Canal 22 Internacional
- Caracol TV
- Centroamérica TV
- Cine Estelar
- Cine Mexicano
- Cine Nostalgia
- Cine Sony
- Cinelatino
- CNN En Español
- Daystar Español
- De Pelicula
- De Pelicula Clásico
- Discovery en Español
- Discovery Familia
- Ecuador TV
- Ecuavisa Internacional
- Enlace
- Estrella TV
- Estrella News
- FOROtv
- FOX Deportes
- Galavision
- GOLTV
- History En Español
- HLN
- Hogar de HGTV
- Hola TV
- Meganoticias
- MegaTV
- Multimedios
- NTN24
- Nuestra Tele
- Nuestra Vision
- Once Mexico
- Pasiones
- Perú Mágico
- SUR Perú
- TeleCentro
- Telefe
- Telemundo
- TUDN
- TV Chile
- TVE
- TyCSports
- UniMás
- Universo
- Univision
- Univision tlnovelas
- VePlus
- VideoRola
- ViendoMovies
- Vme
- Nat Geo Mundo
Tech Specs
720p HD
(Up to 4K UHD)
Select events are available on DIRECTV STREAM’s 4K channels.
60 FPS
Most video streams in 60 FPS.
Some Surround
Stereo/Surround Sound
Most content has stereo audio, with some content available in surround sound.
Reliability
DIRECTV STREAM has unreliable on demand performance.
Live Delay
Live Delay
Live content is about 20 seconds behind cable TV.
Channel Switching
Channel Switching
It takes about 3 seconds seconds to switch between channels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does DIRECTV STREAM cost?
DIRECTV STREAM is available starting at $86.99 / month. See the full list: DIRECTV STREAM Pricing & Plans
Does DIRECTV STREAM have a free trial?
Yes, DIRECTV STREAM has a 5-Day Free Trial.
Does DIRECTV STREAM have a DVR?
DIRECTV STREAM includes Unlimited of Cloud DVR storage.
What channels are on DIRECTV STREAM?
DIRECTV STREAM includes 91 channels including 31 top cable channels. See the full list: DIRECTV STREAM Channels.
How many streams are allowed at once on DIRECTV STREAM?
DIRECTV STREAM allows up to 20 devices at the same time. See more details: DIRECTV STREAM Simultaneous Streams
Does DIRECTV STREAM have local channels?
DIRECTV STREAM includes ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Telemundo, The CW, and Univision in most, but not all markets. See the full list: DIRECTV STREAM Local Channels.
Does DIRECTV STREAM have live sports?
DIRECTV STREAM includes live sports from ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, Fox Sports 2, MLB Network, NBA TV, NFL Network, NHL Network, TBS, TNT, and USA Network. See the full list: DIRECTV STREAM Sports Channels.
Does DIRECTV STREAM offer premium channels?
DIRECTV STREAM offers premium channels like Cinemax, HBO, MGM+, Parmount+ with SHOWTIME, and Starz for an additional fee. See the full list: DIRECTV STREAM Premium Channels.
Does DIRECTV STREAM offer on demand content?
DIRECTV STREAM includes on demand content from most of the channels they offer. Unlike content on your DVR, you won’t be able to skip ads.
Does DIRECTV STREAM support TV Everywhere apps?
DIRECTV STREAM includes access to many TV Eveywhere Apps with your DIRECTV STREAM credentials. See the full list: DIRECTV STREAM TV Everywhere Apps.
Does DIRECTV STREAM have a TV Guide?
DIRECTV STREAM includes a TV Guide similar to what you would get with your cable or satellite set-top box.
Does DIRECTV STREAM have ads?
DIRECTV STREAM includes ads during live viewing of shows, as well on all on-demand content. You can skip ads when you watch shows recorded to your DVR.
Does DIRECTV STREAM offer 4K streaming?
DIRECTV STREAM includes select 4K content as part of the service. A compatible device would be required.
Does DIRECTV STREAM offer Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound?
DIRECTV STREAM includes select content with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound as part of the service. It may only work on certain devices.