DIRECTV: Does the New MySports Plan Have 25 Channels Or 40?

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Follow me on X

TV Answer Man, hey there. I thought DIRECTV’s new sports package had more than 40 channels, but it says 25 on their web site. What gives, Swanni? – Ben, Austin, Texas.

Ben, I can understand your confusion. DIRECTV last week introduced a new sports-specific plan called MySports which the satcaster’s press release said included more than 40 channels for $70 a month. (The first three months are available for $50 a month each in a time-limited promotion.)

DIRECTV’s release also said the lineup included such must-have national sports channels as ESPN, Fox Sports, MLB Network, NFL Network, NBA TV as well as the local network affiliates in some markets. But the release did not list the entire 40-channel lineup.

So your TV Answer Man did a little research.

At the bottom of the MySports home page, I found a listing of only 27 channels and the list included five news networks such as MSNBC, Fox News and CNN. There were only 22 channels that were all sports or carried some sports.

But in small print, there was a notation that a MySports subscriber would also get 17 sports channels that are available for free on the MyFreeDIRECTV’s free streaming service. Those are channels that can be viewed for free by anyone; you don’t need a MySports sub to watch them. But that’s how DIRECTV was arriving at the 40 plus number. The 27 channels (news networks included) combined with the 17 freebies.

After checking the MySports site, I published an article detailing how DIRECTV’s new ‘skinny’ sports plan might be skinnier than we thought.

However, since publishing the article, I’ve received several e-mails from readers who are still confused about the exact number of channels in the plan. And the MySports web site may be adding to the confusion. The site says the plan “includes 25+ sports and broadcast networks.” There is no reference to 40 plus channels which the original press release mentioned. The 17 free sports channels are mentioned as a free add-on, but the site says the plan has 25+ channels, not 40.

Bottom line: Whether the plan has 40 channels or 25 depends upon your view of whether the free channels are truly part of MySports or just an effort to pad the numbers. But either way, DIRECTV would have been wise to stick with one number, 25 or 40, in its press release, and now at its site. Confusion breeds hesitancy. If your potential subscribers aren’t exactly sure what they are getting, they are less likely to sign up.

Final note: This is not the first time that DIRECTV’s team has had difficulty with clarity in the marketplace. See our article,Why Is Subscribing to DIRECTV So Difficult?

Ben, hope that helps. Happy viewing and stay safe!

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The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered television 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.