The Costs of DIRECTV Streaming
DIRECTV Stream was previously called AT&T TV and it is one of the most famous cable-alternative streaming services. DIRECTV Stream offers both variable packages and relatively affordable pricing, making it especially attractive for cord-cutters who are ready to save money while accessing the desired channels. But what does it cost to use the service every month? Now let’s take a look at the monthly fees for DIRECTV Stream and see what they are in detail.
Base Packages
DIRECTV Stream provides its customers with various base channel packages to fit various preferences and costs. The starter packages include:
- Entertainment package – $69. 99/month with access to 65+ channels.
- Choice – $89. 99/month – 90 plus channels
- Premium – 104. 99 USD per month (130+ channels)
- Premier – $149. 99 per month (140+ channels)
The Entertainment package provides a good combination of the most popular channels including ESPN, TNT, Nickelodeon, and many others at the most reasonable monthly price. Choice further adds that with more sports, movie channels, and local programming. Ultimate and Premier are offered for those who would like to have more movie, sports channels, and more total desired channels respectively.
Premium Add-Ons
For additional fees, you can enrich your programming with premium channel add-ons: For additional fees, you can enrich your programming with premium channel add-ons:
- HBO Max – 15$ per month
- Cinemax - $11/month
- Showtime - $11/month
- Starz - $9/month
- Epix - $6/month
Thus, if you wish to get the whole package of movies, originals, and an array of others, you will have to shell out an additional $40-$60 monthly depending on your choice of add-ons.
Regional Sports Fees
There is one more additional cost that should be mentioned: the Regional Sports Fee that may be applied depending on the customer’s location in the United States. It addresses the high costs of some local sports channels and transfers them to the consumers. Regional Sports Fees are usually in the range of $7-$12 per month usually.
Streaming Device Fees
The cable, on the other hand, has certain disadvantages such as being bound by contracts, and equipment charges which do not apply to DIRECTV Stream. But you will need compatible streaming devices to watch them on your TVs. Most of its subscribers employ media players they possess such as Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and so on.
But DIRECTV Stream also offers leased streaming boxes:
- First Box: Device Lease – $5/month
- Extra Boxes – $7-$10 per box
Okay, so having multiple DIRECTV Stream boxes can cost you an additional $10-$20+. This is a cost that can be avoided if you provide your own.
Cloud DVR Service
An interesting bonus of DIRECTV Stream is unlimited cloud DVR storage that users may get for free. However, the DVR itself comes at an added cost: However, the DVR itself comes at an added cost:
- 20 hours DVR – $10 per month
- DVR Any Show, Anytime – $15/month
If you desire complete flexibility to record sports, shows, and movies to watch whenever you feel like it, then prepare to part with $10+ each month.
Simultaneous Streams
Another benefit over cable is that DIRECTV Stream allows streaming on multiple devices at the same time. The base packages allow:
- Entertainment Package – 2 streams
- All Other Packages – 3 streams
You can buy additional streams for $7 – $10 per month each on a subscription basis. And if your family watches on multiple screens often, be prepared for a possible extra fee for streaming at the same time.
Taxes and Fees
Finally, there are the Broadcast TV fees that DIRECTV Stream marks up at $16. 45/month as well as taxes. It is suggested that an additional $20 for taxes and fees should be considered when setting a monthly budget. Your actual charges are going to differ with locations.
Adding It All Up
If you add the costs of base packages, premiums, DVR, devices, and so on, then DIRECTV Stream is $85- $ 225+ monthly depending on the configuration. For fully flexible services and all the channels, one must be ready to pay well over $125+ per month.
But you can also build a solid DIRECTV Stream package for under $100 per month if you:
- Select a lower starting offer
- Skip premium channels
- Note that you should use your own streaming devices
- Reduce the amount of DVR & stream
Despite being one of the more expensive streaming services, DIRECTV Stream allows you to build your TV package around your streaming habits at an affordable price. Awareness of all the possible costs helps you construct the needed package for your household and calculate the necessary sum.