DirecTV Stream: The Premium Cable Alternative
DirecTV Stream (formerly known as AT&T TV and AT&T TV NOW) has positioned itself as a premium live TV streaming service designed for "cord-cutters" who want a channel lineup and viewing experience that closely mirrors traditional cable or satellite television, but delivered over the internet without a dish or long-term contracts.
While often considered one of the more expensive options in the live TV streaming market, DirecTV Stream justifies its price with a vast channel selection, including robust regional sports network (RSN) coverage, extensive simultaneous streams, and a powerful cloud DVR.
What DirecTV Stream Offers
DirecTV Stream's offerings are built around a tiered package structure, giving subscribers multiple options to choose from based on their channel preferences and budget:
Comprehensive Channel Lineups: DirecTV Stream provides several core packages, each building upon the last with an increasing number of channels. These typically include:
Entertainment: The base package, offering over 90 channels, including major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CW where available), and popular cable channels like CNN, ESPN, FS1, TNT, TBS, HGTV, Food Network, AMC, and more.
Choice: The most popular tier, expanding to over 125 channels. This package is crucial for sports fans as it adds essential channels like ACC Network, Big Ten Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, SEC Network, and, importantly, Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) like Bally Sports, NBC Sports networks, and YES Network in applicable areas (an RSN fee may apply).
Ultimate: Moving up to over 160 channels, this tier includes everything in Choice, plus additional entertainment and sports channels such as CBS Sports Network, Discovery Family, FX Movie Channel, NHL Network, and STARZ Encore.
Premier: The top-tier package, offering over 185 channels. This comprehensive bundle includes everything in Ultimate, along with a suite of premium movie channels like Max (formerly HBO Max), Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ, and Cinemax.
Unlimited Cloud DVR: A standout feature, DirecTV Stream includes unlimited Cloud DVR storage for all its paid plans. You can record as many shows, movies, and sports events as you want, and your recordings are saved for nine months. This allows for flexible viewing, including the ability to fast-forward through commercials on recorded content.
Extensive Simultaneous Streams: DirecTV Stream is incredibly generous with its multi-device viewing. Subscribers can enjoy unlimited simultaneous streams while on their home network, and up to three concurrent streams when outside the home (e.g., on a mobile device). This is ideal for large households with diverse viewing habits.
Local Channels: DirecTV Stream boasts strong local channel coverage, offering ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and The CW affiliates in most markets across the United States.
Device Compatibility: The service is widely accessible across a broad range of streaming devices, including smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Vizio), streaming media players (Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast), smartphones, tablets, and web browsers. DirecTV also offers its own Gemini streaming device (an Android TV-based box) as an optional purchase or lease, which provides a familiar user experience akin to traditional cable boxes.
On-Demand Library: In addition to live TV, DirecTV Stream provides a robust on-demand library featuring thousands of titles from the channels included in your package.
Pricing and Plans (as of mid-2025)
DirecTV Stream's pricing structure reflects its premium offering, with monthly costs generally higher than some competitors.
Entertainment: Typically starts around $85/month.
Choice: Starts around $90/month.
Ultimate: Starts around $120/month.
Premier: Starts around $165/month.
Note: Pricing is subject to change, and specific promotions for new subscribers are common. An additional Regional Sports Network (RSN) fee (typically up to $17.99/month, depending on your location) often applies to the Choice package and higher. There may also be an "Advanced Receiver Service Fee" of $15/month, depending on the specific offer or if you opt for the Gemini device with certain promotions.
Add-Ons & International Packages: Subscribers can further customize their experience with various add-ons, including niche sports packages (like NBA League Pass), premium movie channels (if not included in their base package), and a wide selection of international language packages (e.g., Spanish, Vietnamese, Brazilian, Korean).
Who is DirecTV Stream For?
DirecTV Stream is an excellent choice for:
Sports Fans, especially Regional Sports: Its unparalleled RSN coverage is a significant differentiator for fans who want to watch their local MLB, NBA, or NHL teams.
Large Households: The generous unlimited in-home simultaneous streams are ideal for families with multiple viewers.
Former Cable/Satellite Subscribers: The channel lineups and familiar user experience (especially with the Gemini device) provide a smooth transition for those used to traditional TV.
Viewers Seeking Extensive Channel Variety: With hundreds of channels across its tiers, DirecTV Stream offers a breadth of content.
Potential Considerations
Price: It is one of the more expensive live TV streaming services on the market.
RSN Fees: The additional RSN fee, while providing valuable access, adds to the monthly cost.
No Free Trial: While some short promotional trials may be available, a standard lengthy free trial is less common.
For viewers who prioritize comprehensive channel access, particularly for live sports and regional teams, and are willing to pay a premium for a robust and reliable streaming experience that closely resembles traditional TV, DirecTV Stream remains a top-tier option.
