GET DIRECTV

DIRECTV vs. Spectrum: Packages, Pricing & More

DIRECTV vs. Spectrum: Packages, Pricing & More

We get it. Choosing a live television service provider is no easy task. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to choose the best package for your needs.

To help you make the right entertainment decision for you and your family, we’ve laid out some key areas to consider. Find our comparison of DIRECTV vs. Spectrum below to determine which option is the best fit for you.

Spectrum TV vs. DIRECTV Comparison

The most basic difference between DIRECTV and Spectrum is how TV gets to your home. Spectrum delivers TV via cable alone, but DIRECTV lets you choose between DIRECTV satellite or DIRECTV Streaming App w/Device.

Wondering what this means? Basically, DIRECTV connected via satellite provides an amazing channel lineup and features available through satellite. DIRECTV connected via internet is similar to streaming and gives you great content online with no satellite dish required.

Depending on your home’s location, access to quality internet and a variety of other factors, one option may be better than the other.

Related Resource: How to Watch DIRECTV

This article will focus on DIRECTV packages and offers for customers connecting to our Streaming App with device. For more information on DIRECTV with a satellite, check out the related resource above.


When it comes to DIRECTV vs Spectrum, here’s a quick comparison of the main factors you should know:

Package Options & Pricing

Once you know how you want to connect, another of the key factors to consider is the package options and pricing.

DIRECTV via internet has four base packages to choose from (ENTERTAINMENT, CHOICE™, ULTIMATE and PREMIER) with several different ways to customize your experience, plus one Spanish-language plan. Spectrum, on the other hand, has three packages and one Spanish-language plan.

Here we will compare the two most popular DIRECTV packages against Spectrum’s top two plans.

Package DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT Streaming App w/Device DIRECTV CHOICE™ Streaming App w/Device Spectrum TV Select Signature Spectrum TV Select Plus
Price

$79.99/mo.* for 24 months + taxes & fees

($94.99/mo. w/$10/mo. Gemini lease fee.) Cancel anytime. 

$89.99/mo.* for 24 months + taxes & fees ($107.98/mo.  & $10/mo. Gemini lease fee.) Price reflects $10 off for 24 mos. Cancel anytime. 

$95.00/month for 12 months

$105.00/month for 12 months

Feature Highlights

90+ channels

Local channels included, where available

Unlimited Cloud DVR recording

125+ channels

Local channels included, where available

Regional & Specialty sports networks

Unlimited cloud DVR

150+ channels

DVR (with extra charge)

Premium channels add-on option

4 sports networks

Sports View channels add-on option

160+ channels

Regional Sports Networks

Special Offer

3-months included*: Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, MGM+, Cinemax**

*Must select offers. Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ, MGM+ and Cinemax are included for first 3 months and auto-renew monthly thereafter at then-prevailing rates (currently $15.99/mo. for Max, $11.99/mo. for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, $10.99/mo. each for STARZ and Cinemax, and $5.99/mo. for MGM+), unless cancelled. See DIRECTV Legal Policy Center for details.

$10 off for 24 months

3-months included*: Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, MGM+, Cinemax**

*Must select offers. Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ, MGM+ and Cinemax are included for first 3 months and auto-renew monthly thereafter at then-prevailing rates (currently $15.99/mo. for Max, $11.99/mo. for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, $10.99/mo. each for STARZ and Cinemax, and $5.99/mo. for MGM+), unless cancelled. See DIRECTV Legal Policy Center for details.

Disney+ Basic, included

availability varies by location

Disney+ Basic, included

ESPN+, included

*New approved residential customers only. Service renews monthly unless you cancel. Cancel anytime by calling 844-600-1442 or online. Add’l fees may apply to non-qualified customers. Device subject to Equipment Lease agmt. Add’l fee(s) apply if equip. Not returned. Credit card req’d. Restr’s apply. 

**Access Max only through Max app or max.com. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscription includes access to the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME streaming plan, available via the Paramount+ app or paramountplus.com/link. Online account registration may be required. Offer not available to DIRECTV and U-verse TV customers switching to DIRECTV via Internet. Cancel online or by phone. Offer subj. to change.

For more information into all four DIRECTV packages, check this out!

Genre Packs

And now, DIRECTV has even more options for customers to personalize their entertainment experience with the all-new Genre Packs.

These curated packages provide customers with the channels they want, without having to pay for all the extra ones they don’t want. Currently, the following Genre Packs are available to purchase:

MySports: 20 sports-specific channels (plus ESPN+ as no additional cost) for just $69.99/mo. + tax

MyEntertainment: 40+ entertainment-specific channels (plus Disney+ & Hulu Bundle Basic for no additional cost) for just $34.99/mo. + tax

MyNews: 10+ news-specific channels (including locals where available) for just $39.99/mo. + tax

MiEspañol: 60+ Spanish-language channels (plus Vix+ for no additional cost) for just $34.99/mo. + tax

Wondering how Spectrum stacks up against DIRECTV’s new Genre Packs? It’s easy, it doesn’t! After all, Genre Packs give customers more of the channels they want, and less of the ones they don’t want, whereas Spectrum top two base packages start at 150+ channels (whether you want them or not) for $95/mo. for one year. Spectrum does have a smaller TV Stream package option with 85+ channels for $40/mo., but that offer is only available to Spectrum Internet customers.

MyFree DIRECTV

But that’s not all! DIRECTV also has a wide array of free ad-supported TV channels (FAST) available to anyone, anytime with MyFree DIRECTV!

All you need to do is sign up with your email (no credit card required) and get immediate access to 90+ channels and On Demand content. That’s true for anyone, whether you have an additional paid DIRECTV subscription or not. With Spectrum, the only way to access these types of channels is through its Xumo Stream Box, which is only provided to paying customers.


Spanish Language Plans & Add-Ons

DIRECTV via internet and Spectrum both offer one Spanish-language TV package. Check out the similarities and differences below:

Package DIRECTV ÓPTIMO MÁS™ SPECTRUM MI PLAN LATINO
Cost

$69.99/mo. for 24 months + taxes & fees

($79.99/mo. w/optional $10/mo. Gemini lease fee). Cancel anytime.

$70.00/mo. for 12 months

Number of Channels

Up to 80+ Spanish channels; 125+ English channels

75+ Spanish channels; 70+ English channels

Package Highlights

Local channels included, where available

Sports Channels: FS1, FS2, ESPN, FOX Deportes, ESPN Deportes, etc.

Entertainment Channels: A&E, Food Network, Discovery, E!, History en Espanol, etc.

News Channels: CNN/CNN International, Telemundo, Univision, etc.

ViX Premium w/ Ads, included

Includes Univision, Telemundo, ESPN Deportes, HITN

Along with DIRECTV’s Spanish-language package, there are also two Spanish-language add-ons that can be purchased along with a base package. Those add-ons are laid out below:

DIRECTV Deportes: An extra 5 Spanish-language channels for international sports like soccer, baseball and more for $4.99/mo. + tax

DIRECTV En Español: 60+ Spanish-language channels (includes channels in Deportes) for $14.99/mo. + tax

Spectrum, however, only has the full Spanish plan, and one Spanish add-on for English base channels.

Latino View: 70+ Hispanic channels for $15/mo.


Channel Availability

In the Packages & Pricing section we went over the number of channels available and the monthly costs for both DIRECTV and Spectrum. But it’s also important to look at the individual channels to ensure the streaming service you choose has the channels you’re interested in.

Get an overview of both providers’ channel availability here.

Package ENTERTAINMENT CHOICE™ Spectrum TV Select Signature Spectrum TV Select Plus
Number of Channels

90+

125+

150+

160+

Popular Channels

ESPN

ESPN 2

FX

Disney Channel

CNN

HGTV

FOX News

Featured ENTERTAINMENT Channels +

MLB NETWORK

NBA TV

NFL Network

Cooking Channel

FanDuel Sports Networks

NBC Sports

A&E

ACC Network

AMC

ESPN

ESPN 2

SEC Network

TNT

USA

NFL Network

NBA TV

MLB Network

HGTV

FS1

ESPN

Local Channels

Yes, where available (including PBS)

Yes, where available (including PBS)

Yes, where available (including PBS)

Yes, where available (including PBS)

Local Regional Sports Networks

No

Yes*

*Not all RSNs avail in all areas. Limited by zip code

No

Yes*

*availability varies by location

Regional Sports Networks

Yes, 30+ channels w/ Sports Pack for $14.99/mo. + taxes & fees

Yes, 30+ channels w/ Sports Pack for $14.99/mo. + taxes & fees

?

?

Premium Channels & Add-Ons

Depending on your needs, there are countless premium channels for entertainment and sports you may be interested in. Let’s look at how premium channels compare between DIRECTV and Spectrum.

Entertainment Add-Ons

When it comes to specialty channels, there are some live TV providers that are better than others.

These are networks that customers can add to their base TV package for an extra cost. Let’s compare DIRECTV and Spectrum and their add-ons below.

Channel DIRECTV Spectrum
AMC+

includes access to Shudder, Sundance Now, IFC Films Unlimited

$7.99/mo. + tax & $2 off monthly DIRECTV bill

$3.00/mo.

ALLBLK

$6.99/mo. + tax

Not available

ACORN TV

$7.99/mo. + tax

Not available

Apple TV+

$9.99/mo. + tax

Not Available

A&E Crime Central*

$4.99/mo. + tax

Not available

BET+

$10.99/mo. + tax

Not Available

Cinemax

3 months included then $10.99/mo.

$10/mo.

discovery+

includes HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel

$5.99/mo. + tax & $2 off monthly DIRECTV bill

Not available

FOX Nation

$7.99/mo. + tax

Not available

History Vault

$5.99/mo. + tax

Not available

Hallmark +*

$7.99/mo. + tax

Not available

Lifetime Movie Club*

$4.99/mo. + tax

Not available

Max

3 months included then $16.99/mo.

Streaming App Included in TV Select Signature Package

MGM+

3 months included then $6.99/mo.

$7/mo.

Movies Extra Pack

Includes: Crime+Investigation; Hallmark Family; Hallmark Mystery; HDNet Movies; INSP HD; MTV Live; ShortsTV; Smithsonian Channel; Sony Movies

3 months included then $4.99/mo.

Not available

THE MOVIE CHANNEL

Not available

$5/mo.

PARAMOUNT+ WITH SHOWTIME

3 months included then $12.99/mo.

$10/mo.

Peacock*

$4.99/mo. + tax

Streaming App Included in TV Select Signature Package

STARZ

3 months included $10.99/mo.

$11/mo.

UP Faith & Family** $5.99/mo. + tax Not available

*May only be accessed on internet-connected HD DVR/Gemini and the DIRECTV app. Subscription not valid for streaming using the provider app or website.

**Only available to satellite customers

While Spectrum has far fewer premium add-ons compared to DIRECTV, the platform does have an Entertainment View add-on that provides customers with 70+ additional channels, for an extra $15/mo., which includes the following channels:

ACC**

Crime & Investigation

GSN**

MTV2*

Smithsonian Channel

American Heroes

Destination America

Hallmark*

NBA TV**

Sundance*

AXS TV*

Discovery Family

HDNetMovies

NBC Universo

TCM**

BabyFirstTV*

Discovery Life

i24

Newsmax*

TeenNick*

BBC World News

Discovery Science

IFC*

NFL Network**

Tennis Channel**

BET Her

ESPN Deportes

Indieplex

Nick Jr**

The Africa Channel

BET Jams

ESPN News**

Jewish Life TV

Nick Music

The Cowboy Channel

BET Soul

ESPNU**

Justice Central*

Nicktoons**

The Impact Network

Boomerang*

Flix

Lifetime Movie Network

Olympic Channel

Tr3s

BYU TV

FM*

Lifetime Real Women

Ovation TV*

TUDN

Cars.TV

Fox Deportes

Logo

OWN**

Universal Kids

CBS Sports Network

Fox Sports2

Military History Channel

Pets.TV

Up**

Cheddar**

Fuse**

MLB Network**

Recipe.TV**

Viceland

CNBC World**

FYI

Movieplex

Reelz*

Comedy.TV**

GAC

MTV Classic

Retroplex

Cooking Channel**

Golf**

MTV Live

RFD TV

*Channels available in DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT package or above
**Channels available in DIRECTV CHOICE™ package or above


Premium Sports Channels

For sports fans, it’s important to have access to most networks so you can watch the most games. But these days, with broadcast rights for sports spanning networks and streaming services, it can be difficult.

Let’s look at the different sports packages available to customers for DIRECTV and Spectrum.

DIRECTV Sports Pack Spectrum Sports View
Cost

$14.99/mo. + tax

$10/mo.

Number of Channels

22 additional channels for ENTERTAINMENT customers); 12 additional channels for CHOICE™ customers

18 total channels

Channel List

ACC Network

Big Ten Network

CBS Sports Network

ESPNEWS

ESPNU

FanDuel TV

FOX Sports 2

Golf Channel

MLB Network

MLB Strike Zone

NBA TV

Next Level Sports

NFL Network

NFL RedZone

NHL Network

Outdoor Channel

SEC Network

Sportsman Channel

Tennis Channel

TUDN

Willow HD

Willow Xtra &…30+ Regional Sports Networks (also included in PREMIER package)

BeIN en Español

BeIN Sports

ESPN News

Fox Sports 2

Golf

Mav TV

MLB Network

MLB Strike Zone

NBA TV

NFL Network

NFL Redzone

NHL Network

Olympic Channel

Outdoor

Tennis Channel

The Cowboy Channel

TVG

Willow

All in all, the choice between DIRECTV and Spectrum largely depends on your viewing preferences, especially when it comes to sports. Keep in mind, depending on the base package you choose some of these networks may be included already, so make sure to check out the full channel lineup of the package you want!

DIRECTV also allows customers to purchase premium sports add-ons like MLS Season PassNBA League Pass. Plus, DIRECTV is one of the few providers with access to Willow TV, the exclusive cricket broadcast network in the US.


Entertainment Experience

You deserve a relaxing, uncomplicated entertainment experience, where you get the best content of the highest quality in a way that works best for you. Below are some considerations to think about before choosing a live TV service.

With our DIRECTV App, you can easily view all your DIRECTV package content, including live sports or On Demand content, wherever you are. As long as you have a high-speed internet connection, you’re good to go.

Content Aggregation

DIRECTV wants you to watch your favorite movies, sports and shows in the way that works best for you. And with so many disparate entertainment apps and networks these days, it can be difficult to stay organized. DIRECTV gives customers the opportunity to house all their video streaming services on the DIRECTV interface, so you never have to switch inputs again.

*Req’s separate paid subscriptions for 3rd party apps. Internet-connected Gemini device required.

That’s right, with a Gemini box, DIRECTV Streaming App w/Device customers can enjoy an enhanced viewing experience. You’ll be able to view all content included in your package, plus access the Google Play Store to add additional streaming apps to your device. And self-installation is fast and easy, so you can connect right away.

For Spectrum, you need a TV and a receiver. Spectrum offers cable TV, which means you won’t need a satellite dish, but you’ll still need a cable connection to view content through your TV system without their app. The Spectrum TV App comes free with a Spectrum TV package, so you can also use a supported device to stream live and On Demand content.

DVR

You want to be able to record your favorite shows and movies when you’re not around to watch them – and you shouldn’t be punished for that! With DIRECTV Streaming App w/Device customers get unlimited Cloud DVR storage for no extra cost when ordered online. Spectrum, however, requires purchasing the DVR add-on, starting at $13.99/mo.

Picture Quality & 4K Content

DIRECTV provides exclusively 4K Ultra HD channels to internet or stream customers for watching TV series, movies, live sports and more for no additional cost to customers*. The following three channels are always playing great content in the best quality.

105 (LIVE4K) – occasional live sporting events

106 (LIVE4K2) – occasional live sporting events

Spectrum offers an Apple TV 4K add-on, which allows customers to stream content with Apple TV and the Spectrum TV App for an additional $9.99/mo. This is another example of how DIRECTV’s entertainment experience is unrivaled by Spectrum!

*4K TV required

Simultaneous Streams

Within the home, DIRECTV allows for unlimited devices to stream at the same time. Out of the home, three devices are permitted for use at the same time**.

Spectrum also allows for unlimited streams when connected to your home internet. While outside the home, only two simultaneous streams are permitted.

DIRECTV comes out on top here, as customers can have one more stream outside of the home.

**Minimum internet speed of 8Mbps per stream recommended for optimal viewing. All DIRECTV streams must be on the same home network and a compatible router is required. Certain channels are excluded. Limit 3 concurrent out-of-home DIRECTV streams. Restrictions apply. See directv.com/unlimitedstreams for details.


Compare DIRECTV vs. the Competition

With all the information above comparing DIRECTV and Spectrum, you should be able to make a smart choice about the live TV provider that’s right for you. If you’re also looking to compare DIRECTV to other competitors, we’ve got you covered there, too!

Check out our DIRECTV vs. the Competition hub to find out what other competitors DIRECTV beats out.

Or, if you’re ready to start watching, sign up today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have Spectrum internet and DIRECTV?

This question is essentially asking, “Can I have DIRECTV and Spectrum at the same time?” Yes, you can pair DIRECTV with whatever internet service you like best. As long as you have high-speed internet access, you can use the DIRECTV Gemini receiver to watch all your favorite channels. And, if you’d rather not worry about internet, our DIRECTV SATELLITE packages will work on your TV without any internet connection required.

How much is DIRECTV monthly?

The price of DIRECTV each month depends on the plan you choose. We have four plan options via satellite or internet: ENTERTAINMENT, CHOICE™, ULTIMATE and PREMIER as well as our Genre Packs™. Depending on which you choose, you’ll pay between $34.99 and $154.99 per month (not including add-on channel fees).

DIRECTV Insider brings you our views on what’s happening in streaming, t.v., movies and sports. Companies and persons mentioned are not necessarily associated with and do not necessarily endorse DIRECTV. We will disclose sponsored content on our site when we show it to you, and some of the links on the site may be ads or affiliate links which means DIRECTV may earn compensation from your purchases.