Should You Get DIRECTV Satellite Or DIRECTV Streaming?
By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Follow me on X.
TV Answer Man, we are LONG time users of DIRECTV satellite and do not use streaming very often. Our current viewing habits are watching a lot of sports, frequently going back and forth between several events; recording many games and watching on delay without commercials. We don’t watch TV series regularly. We were recently visiting family who uses DirecTV stream and it feels more like the satellite service, being able to switch back and forth between channels. There is frustration with the satellite service in that we have to move boxes around to different TV’s and our master box reboots in the middle of programs every other day or so. I am curious if you have a recommendation on if we should stay put with our current satellite or switch to streaming. Pros and cons of each? – Penny, Phoenix.
Penny, that is a great question. DIRECTV does offer both satellite and streaming plans and the prices and picture are roughly the same. But there are some notable differences between the two:
– DIRECTV streaming does not require a contract. As you know, DIRECTV satellite requires new users to sign a two-year agreement with a penalty of $20 a month if you cancel early.
– DIRECTV streaming allows you to watch wherever you are – so long as you have a reliable Internet service. DIRECTV satellite requires you to have a set-top that is connected to a dish which has an unobstructed view of the southern sky.
– DIRECTV streaming has a smaller channel lineup than satellite. For example, DIRECTV’s streaming Premier plan has roughly 185 channels while DIRECTV satellite Premier plan has more than 340 channels.
– DIRECTV streaming has the new genre packs while satellite does not. The genre packs offer smaller channel bundles by subject (sports, news etc.) at lower prices than the traditional satellite programming plan.
– DIRECTV streaming customers now get free and full access to the new ESPN Unlimited app; the company says DIRECTV satellite subscribers won’t get it until sometime in the fall.
It’s the last two differences why I would recommend that someone interested in DIRECTV get streaming over satellite. The company has publicly acknowledged that it believes streaming is the future and, consequently, it will invest more time and money in streaming. (The company has even stopped selling satellite in some markets.) Satellite customers will often have to wait before getting a new benefit – or perhaps never get it at all.
And I see that trend escalating in the coming months as DIRECTV increases its focus on streaming.
Penny, I hope that answers your question. Happy viewing and stay safe!
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I appreciate all you do! I think you are underselling the ability to skip commercials with satellite. There is no other option I am aware of that allows me to record a football game or TV series when I am away and then watch by skipping through commercials. Some streaming services 1/2 offer it when you can watch later, but it seems most of the time they are previewing scores even if you select the hide scores option, or they have shorts of great plays or ……… I do this with MLS or MBL. Also, I am able to stream when away from home and watch recordings remotely. For sure DirectTv satellite is on its way out. But for now I am able to ride the sinking ship despite lessening service for a higher price seemingly each day.
Thinking of cutting the cord? Here’s why I’m sticking with DirecTV Satellite, and why you might want to as well:
✅ No need for a box on every TV. I can still stream on Fire Stick, Roku, etc.
✅ I get true local recording on my DVR, not just cloud storage that disappears when the internet does.
✅ And the big one: when the internet goes out, I can still watch TV.
If the power goes out, my generator keeps my DirecTV running. In a major outage, power AND internet, guess where the neighbors come for news and updates? My house.
Streaming is great… until the grid goes down. With satellite, I’m not just watching TV, I’m staying informed and prepared when it matters most.
I have been with DirecTV for over 30 years with 7 receivers. About 3 years ago I discovered DirecTV’s upgraded streaming app that is flawless. I then bought 4 ROKU streaming devices to replace 4 receivers. I have the best of both worlds. We watch a handful DVR recordings but not our main viewing source along with our live news and sports. Saving $196 per year in receiver fees.
I too have been a Satellite Directv customer practically since inception in the 90’s. I have reduced my boxes from 6 to 3 with the introduction of Direct Srreaming which comes with my satellite package, free. Biggest diff, MLB Extra Innings, NBA pack etc… you cannot receive it through the stream. Also the 1 pet peeve I have with all internet, immediate and exact channels. The time it takes for the channel to appear.
With the dish set top box it’s almost immediate when you change channels and you can go to each by just touching the numbers.
Internet, Directv you can not go from channel 631 to 4 to 7 to 202 to 362 just by Channel number. It reminds me of the early days of Big Dish Satelitte switching from satellite to satellite. Just time consuming. Sure, stupid peeve but???