Everything You Need to Know About DIRECTV NOW’s Discontinued Live a Little, Just Right, Go Big, & Even More Plans
DIRECTV NOW - Previous Plans & Pricing
DIRECTV NOW recently updated their plans and discontinued their 4 previous plans, Live a Little, Just Right, Go Big, and Even More. Existing subscribers were able to keep the plans with a $10 price hike.
The $50/month “Live a Little” base plan offers more than 60 channels, including local channels and 34 of the top 35 cable channels. The $65/month “Just Right” plan adds your local RSN and many other sports channels.
They recently launched a brand new app and released their much anticipated True Cloud DVR which is included with your service.
With the price hike, there are now many better options for customers looking for a cheaper way to stream your favorite channels and sports online. Here are the 5 Best Alternatives for DIRECTV NOW customers.
Want a Cheaper Option?
Philo
If you want to save, Philo is a more affordable plan that includes top entertainment channels like A&E, AMC, BET, HGTV, MTV, Discovery, Comedy Central, & Nickelodeon.
Features
TBD
Tech Specs
TBD
Optional Add-Ons
TBD
Review
We tested DIRECTV NOW and five other live TV streaming services for more than 100 hours. DIRECTV NOW is compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, and Roku TV devices; Android, iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch mobile devices; and computer browsers.
Features
20 hrs Cloud DVR
DIRECTV NOW includes a cloud DVR that can store 20 hours of recording time for 30 days — which is less than most services. You can record individual episodes, all new episodes, or all episodes of a series. The recording starts when you hit record, not when you tuned in.
Unlike some services, you can skip commercials on recorded shows by either fast forwarding or skipping ahead 15 seconds.
You can start watching recorded content while the the show is still recording. There is no way to pad recordings, so make sure you extend your recordings to include the next episode so you don’t miss anything.
You will be able to upgrade to 100 hours of recording time for $10/mo. later this year.
Very Finicky On Demand
Almost all of the channels offer on demand content, with just a few exceptions (like Animal Planet) having no VOD content.
You won’t be able to fast-forward through on demand content, but you can continue watching where you left off.
We had lots of playback issues with DIRECTV NOW’s on demand content: videos would often fail to load or freeze during playback. It seems to have improved a bit with their latest app update.
3 streams Simultaneous Viewing
This service allows for two simultaneous streams (among TV devices, smartphones, tablets, and computers).
For an additional $5 / month, you can increase the maximum simultaneous streams to 3 devices.
37 apps TV Everywhere
Similar to traditional cable and satellite subscriptions, DIRECTV NOW includes “TV Everywhere” logins for various channels’ apps (including AMC, CNBC, Disney XD, WatchESPN, Fox Now, NBC, and USA).
Mind the Kids No Parental Controls
There are no parental controls for DIRECTV NOW. Only Hulu Live TV and Sling have parental controls.
DIRECTV NOW offers two unique features: “72-Hour Rewind” and “Channel Surfing”.
72-Hour Rewind
72-Hour Rewind allows you to access shows that aired in the last 72 hours. It is available on over 30 channels (mostly cable networks). However, it has similar restrictions as on demand content (you cannot rewind or fast-forward).
Channel Surfing
Channel Surfing allows you to flip through channels with your remote. DIRECTV NOW is the only streaming service that made it easy to change channels like you are watching traditional cable/satellite TV. It takes about 2.5 seconds to switch channels, which is slightly better than average.
Tech Specs
- High definition video is similar to other streaming services.
- Live streaming works fine, but on demand content can have trouble loading.
- Live content is about 20 seconds behind cable TV, which is faster than half of the other services.
1080p / 60 FPS HD Video
Most video streams are 1080p 60 fps, which is the best to expect with live TV streaming services. Some channels like ESPN stream at 720p due to the max resolution of the source.
When you are streaming on your smartphone or tablet, streams are limited to 480p (standard definition) on cellular and 720p on Wi-Fi. Since the device sizes are relatively small, the stream quality still looks good.
To reduce playback interruptions, DIRECTV NOW will adapt the stream quality to match your network connection.
Average Connection Reliability
DIRECTV NOW’s live stream stability has dramatically improved since their initial launch. While we occasionally had issues starting a stream, once a channel started streaming there was rarely an interruption.
Their on demand content still has playback problems. On demand video would sometimes freeze (with just audio playing) until stopping and re-playing the video.
Stereo/Surround Audio
Most live, DVR, and on demand content has Dolby Digital 5.1 on Amazon Fire and Apple TV devices. On other devices, most live TV content has standard stereo audio.
20 SECS Live Delay
Live content is about 20 seconds behind cable TV, which is faster than half of the other services.
2.5 SECS Channel Switching
It takes about 2.5 seconds to switch between channels, which is faster than half of the other services.
Devices and Apps
Device Compatibility
DIRECTV NOW Legacy Plans 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.
All Compatible Devices
DIRECTV NOW Legacy Plans is not compatible with PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo.
TBD
Channels
Local Channels
All DIRECTV NOW plans offer the same set of local channels, including CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC, Telemundo, and Univision.
| AT&T TV NOW | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Live a Little” | “Just Right” | “Go Big” | “Gotta Have It” | ||
| Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | ||
| $59.99 | $74.99 | $84.99 | $94.99 | ||
| ABC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| CBS | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Fox | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| NBC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Telemundo | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| The CW | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Univision | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Live local channels are available only in certain markets. However, on demand content is available in all areas the following day.
Local Channel Restrictions
You can only access local channels and regional sports networks 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 any local channels or RSNs.
Popular Local Markets
These popular markets have live local channels on DIRECTV NOW.
TBD
For complete local availability, check the DIRECTV NOW Channel Lookup tool.
Top Cable Channels
DIRECTV NOW offers the most comprehensive selection of top cable channels. The “Live a Little” base plan offers 34 of top 35 cable channels (one exception, OWN, is available on all of tiers).
The top 35 cable channels are listed below. For a list of channels in each tier, look at DIRECTV NOW’s full channel lineup.
| AT&T TV NOW | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Live a Little” | “Just Right” | “Go Big” | “Gotta Have It” | ||
| Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | ||
| $59.99 | $74.99 | $84.99 | $94.99 | ||
| A&E | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| History | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Investigation Discovery | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Lifetime | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| MSNBC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| MTV | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Nickelodeon | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Paramount Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Syfy | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| TBS | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| TLC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| TNT | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Travel Channel | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| truTV | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| USA Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| VH1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| WE tv | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
View the DIRECTV NOW full channel lineup for a list of all channels in each tier.
Sports Channels
National Sports Channels
Even on the base tier, DIRECTV NOW includes national sports channels like ESPN, FS1, NBCSN, TBS, and TNT.
| AT&T TV NOW | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Live a Little” | “Just Right” | “Go Big” | “Gotta Have It” | ||
| Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | ||
| $59.99 | $74.99 | $84.99 | $94.99 | ||
| ESPN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| ESPN2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| FS1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Fox Sports 2 | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| TBS | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| TNT | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| USA Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Regional Sports Networks (RSNs)
You will need to upgrade to at least the $55 “Just Right” plan to get access to regional sports networks (RSNs), which are generally from Fox and NBC/Comcast.
They are one of the only providers that offer streaming of MSG & MSG+ for New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders and Buffalo Sabres games.
You should check the DIRECTV NOW RSN lookup tool before subscribing to make sure it has the regional networks you need.
Pro Sports
MLB Network is available on the $55 “Just Right” plan and above. NBA TV and NHL Network are only available on the top two plans: $65 “Go Big” and $75 “Gotta Have It”.
Unlike DIRECTV’s satellite service, the DIRECTV NOW streaming service does not offer NFL Network, NFL Sunday Ticket, or RedZone Channel.
| AT&T TV NOW | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Live a Little” | “Just Right” | “Go Big” | “Gotta Have It” | ||
| Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | ||
| $59.99 | $74.99 | $84.99 | $94.99 | ||
| MLB Network | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| NBA TV | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| NFL Network | - | - | - | - | |
| NFL RedZone | - | - | - | - | |
| NHL Network | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
College Sports
Big Ten Network, ESPNU, and SEC Network are available on the $55 “Just Right” plan and above. DIRECTV NOW does not offer Pac-12 Network.
| AT&T TV NOW | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Live a Little” | “Just Right” | “Go Big” | “Gotta Have It” | ||
| Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | ||
| $59.99 | $74.99 | $84.99 | $94.99 | ||
| ACC Network | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| ACC Network Extra | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Big Ten Network | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| CBS Sports Network | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| ESPNU | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Longhorn Network | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Pac-12 Network | - | - | - | - | |
| SEC Network | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| truTV | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Other Sports Channels
ESPNEWS and Tennis Channel are available on the $55 “Just Right” plan and above, whereas Golf Channel and Olympic Channel are on the $65 “Go Big” plan and above.
| AT&T TV NOW | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Live a Little” | “Just Right” | “Go Big” | “Gotta Have It” | ||
| Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | ||
| $59.99 | $74.99 | $84.99 | $94.99 | ||
| beIN Sports | - | - | - | - | |
| Next Level Sports | - | - | - | - | |
| ESPNEWS | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| FanDuel TV | - | - | - | - | |
| Fox Soccer Plus | - | - | - | - | |
| Golf Channel | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Tennis Channel | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Premium Channels
You can add HBO $15, Cinemax $11, Showtime $11, or Starz $11 to any DIRECTV NOW plan. Existing subscribers can keep their currently discounted pricing like HBO for $5.