By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow on X.
Former editor of Satellite DIRECT magazine. Reported on DIRECTV for 30 years.

TV Answer Man, I was interested in getting DIRECTV Stream from DIRECTV for MASN and the Nationals but I am totally confused when I go to DIRECTV.com. There’s something on satellite and streaming but they have a two year agreement. I thought DIRECTV Stream didn’t have contracts. And I couldn’t figure out the difference between DIRECTV satellite and streaming. Seemed like it was the same but I thought satellite had more channels. It’s just so frustrating! I wound up getting Fubo for MASN! — Rod, Bowie, Maryland. 

Rod, I feel your pain. I have been covering the cable and satellite industry for decades now and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more confusing marketing offer from a TV provider than DIRECTV.com. (And, believe me, I’ve seen a few.)

When you first go to DIRECTV.com, there’s a pitch to get DIRECTV “satellite free.” Now you might think that is for DIRECTV Stream, the company’s multi-channel, live streaming service that does not require two-year agreements or added fees, but you would be wrong.

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DIRECTV.com is actually pushing a different streaming service that does require a two-year contract and a regional sports fee and an advanced receiver fee. Once the fees are totaled, your DIRECTV streaming programming package could be as much as $31 a month higher — and you will be penalized $20 a month for every month left in your agreement if you cancel early!

The fees and early termination penalty are not included with DIRECTV Stream so you are probably a bit confused (if not outright frightened) if you came looking for that service. DIRECTV.com could add some clarity here by noting there’s another service called DIRECTV Stream that does not include the extra fees. But, of course, it does not.

However, let’s assume that you are aware that DIRECTV is promoting a different streaming offering with the fees. When you click on ‘Shop Packages,’ you get four different plans to choose from, ranging in price from $69.99 a month to $159.99 a month. Well, hold on. Those are actually not the prices. Below those large-type prices are the real prices in smaller print. Yes, the $31 a month in added fees so the real price for the Choice plan (the cheapest one including regional sports channels) is actually $115.98 a month. (The FCC just passed a rule to end hidden fees. You can decide for yourself whether DIRECTV’s current offer complies.)

But let’s get off streaming. What if you came to DIRECTV.com to get satellite? You have to scroll down a bit to get to the header, ‘What if I want a satellite dish?’ Click on that and you’re taken to a new page with four more packages, again with one price in big print and the real price with the fees in smaller print.

I have no doubt that plenty of prospective customers get sticker shock when they learn the real price, most likely when they get their first bill.

But I’ve saved the best for last. DIRECTV today said it would allow satellite customers to opt-out of including local channels in their plans, a savings of $12 a month. (An idea first used by Dish.) However, when you go to DIRECTV.com today, there’s no mention of the local channel opt-out feature. Anyone who read about it today will likely be, yes, confused.

And by the way, where is DIRECTV Stream if it’s not at DIRECTV.com? You can find it here. Don’t forget to thank me later.

DIRECTV has lost more than 14 million subscribers in the last eight plus years and cord-cutting is a major reason. But it’s not the only one, is it?

Happy viewing, everyone. And stay safe!

Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com Please include your first name and hometown in your message.

The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.