DirecTV now operates two very different products under one name: a completely free tier with 150+ live channels, and paid plans ranging from $21 to $190+ per month. The advertised price and the actual bill can differ by 30% or more. This guide explains both, clearly.
Whether you want free TV, a 5-day trial, or the cheapest paid option — these are the questions that actually determine which path makes sense for your household.
Yes — and most people don’t know it exists. MyFree DirecTV gives you 150+ live FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) channels: news, sports analysis, entertainment, true crime, classic TV, kids programming, and more. You create a free account with just an email address — no payment information, no contract, no trial period that runs out. It runs inside the DirecTV app on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, smart TVs, phones, and tablets. The honest limitation: no local network affiliates (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS), no major cable news networks, no ESPN, no DVR. It is strong casual viewing — not a full cable replacement. Pair it with a $30–$50 over-the-air antenna for local channels and many households never need to pay anything monthly.
All new DirecTV streaming customers — on any Genre Pack or Signature Package — get a 5-day free trial with full access to everything in the plan they chose: live channels, unlimited cloud DVR, and any add-ons selected at signup. Cancel any time before day five and you pay nothing. You must enter a payment method when signing up; DirecTV transitions automatically to the paid plan if you don’t cancel. One trial per customer — if you previously had a DirecTV account, the trial offer will not appear. A temporary hold of about $1 may appear on your card to verify it’s active; this is not a real charge and disappears within a few days.
The MyKids Genre Pack at $20.99/month is the lowest-cost paid option. For general non-sports households, the MyEntertainment Genre Pack at $42.99/month is the best value — it includes 60+ entertainment channels plus Disney+, Hulu (with ads), and Max (with ads) bundled in at no extra cost. Those three streaming services purchased separately would cost over $20/month on their own, which makes the bundle price genuinely meaningful. Genre Packs have no annual contract, no satellite dish, no installation fee, and no Advanced Receiver Service fee — the stated monthly price is close to what you actually pay, which is a significant advantage over Signature Packages where mandatory fees push the real cost 20–35% higher.
The gap can be substantial, and it depends on which type of DirecTV you get. Satellite customers add a $21.99/month Broadcast TV Fee on top of every plan’s base price — that alone turns an advertised $99.99/month Entertainment plan into $121.98 before taxes. Regional Sports Network fees (up to $19.99/month) apply to Choice plans and above. Leasing a Gemini receiver adds $10/month. Streaming Signature Plans add a $15/month Advanced Receiver Service fee on top of the base price, plus the RSN fee on Choice and above. Genre Packs are the cleanest exception — no Broadcast TV Fee and no Advanced Receiver Service fee. If budget transparency matters, Genre Packs are where the stated price most closely matches what hits your bank account.
Two completely separate products operate under the DirecTV name. Traditional satellite service requires a dish mounted on your roof or building, professional installation, and a 24-month contract with a $20/month early termination fee per remaining month. Streaming service — all Genre Packs and Signature streaming packages — requires only an internet connection and a device you already own (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, smart TV). No dish, no installation, no contract, no cancellation penalty. If you saw a DirecTV ad and worried about a dish being installed on your home, streaming completely avoids that. You can be watching DirecTV today with no hardware at all beyond what you already have.
Yes, but only with specific plans. Local network affiliates are included in all four Signature Packages (Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate, Premier) and the MySports and MyNews Genre Packs in most markets. They are not in MyFree DirecTV, MyEntertainment, or MyKids. Coverage reaches about 99% of U.S. households via satellite; streaming local availability varies by market. The smartest workaround for anyone on a Genre Pack without locals: buy a one-time OTA antenna ($30–$50) to receive ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and PBS for free — permanently. That replaces a $12/month locals add-on, paying for itself within three to four months.
Yes. DirecTV implemented price increases on June 25, with premium Signature tiers seeing the largest jumps — Ultimate increased by approximately $13/month for some subscribers, Premier by approximately $14/month. Genre Pack prices also increased by several dollars per month compared to their original 2025 launch prices, with MyEntertainment moving from $34.99 to $42.99, MySports from $49.99 to $64.99, and MyNews from $39.99 to $44.99. If you signed up before June 25 and are on a locked promotional rate, your bill may not have changed yet — check your account or call 1-800-531-5000 to confirm your specific rate. Satellite customers with a 24-month price guarantee locked in before the increase have base rate protection for their contract term.
Streaming cancellation: Sign in at directv.com and select “Cancel service” in your account settings — or call 1-800-531-5000. Streaming has no contract and no cancellation fee; service ends at the close of your current billing period. Satellite cancellation: Must be done by phone at 1-800-531-5000. Satellite carries a 24-month contract — leaving early triggers a $20 per remaining month early termination fee. You keep your satellite dish and remote but must return leased receivers (Gemini or Genie). DirecTV will provide return packaging or ask you to drop the equipment at a FedEx or UPS location. Pausing service (seasonal hold) costs $7/month for up to six months instead of canceling.
Most people searching for a DirecTV free trial don’t know this tier exists. It isn’t a trial. It doesn’t expire. It’s a permanent free service with no card, no commitment, and no hidden catch.
- 150+ live FAST channels — ABC News Live, BBC News, Bloomberg TV+, C-SPAN 1–3, Cheddar News, NBC News Now (live 24/7 news); Sports Grid, Racing America, Women’s Sports Network, Fight Network, NBA FAST (sports); BUZZR, El Rey Network, Decades, and dozens of classic TV, true crime, comedy, and lifestyle channels
- On-demand movies and shows from a rotating library across multiple genres at no charge
- No credit card required — only an email address to create a free account
- Available on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android, iOS, Chromecast, and most smart TVs
- The same DirecTV app used for paid plans — seamlessly upgrade later without reinstalling
- Local broadcast networks — ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS are not on MyFree DirecTV
- Major cable news networks — Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC require a paid plan
- ESPN, NFL Network, or regional sports networks
- Cloud DVR — you cannot record content for later viewing
- Current-season primetime programming — content leans toward classic TV and older titles
MyFree DirecTV is ad-supported, which is expected and reasonable for a free service. The ad frequency is notably heavier than Tubi or Pluto TV — roughly 15–18 minutes of commercials per hour, similar to traditional broadcast television. For background news watching or casual channel surfing, this feels familiar and normal. For watching a movie straight through, the interruptions are more frequent than most streaming services. Set your expectations accordingly before settling in for a long film.
Start MyFree DirecTV at directv.com — look for the “Try MyFree DirecTV” option. No phone call required to get started. For questions or issues with any DirecTV service: 1-800-531-5000 (general customer service, 8 AM–midnight ET daily; technical support 24/7). TTY for hearing impaired: 1-800-779-4388. Live chat available at directv.com/support.
Every paid DirecTV streaming plan — both Genre Packs and Signature Packages — comes with a 5-day free trial for new customers. Five days is shorter than YouTube TV’s up-to-21-day trial, so using those days wisely matters.
The 5-day trial gives full access to everything in the plan you choose — all channels, unlimited cloud DVR, local channels (where included in the plan), and any add-on Mini Packs selected at signup. You can watch live TV, set recordings, use the app on multiple devices simultaneously (up to 20 streams at home, 3 outside your home network), and explore every feature of the service. There is no reduced access or limited-preview mode. Cancel before the end of day five and no charge is applied.
DirecTV does not send a notification before your 5-day trial converts to a paid subscription. Your payment method is charged automatically at the end of the trial period. Set a phone alarm for day 3 — not day 5 — so you have buffer time to cancel without rushing. Cancel through your account at directv.com (streaming) or call 1-800-531-5000 (satellite or if you prefer phone). Confirmation emails are sent after cancellation — save that email as proof.
- Day 1: Check local channel availability for your ZIP code — not all streaming markets carry every local affiliate. This is the most common surprise that causes cancellation.
- Day 1–2: Test every device in your household. The app experience on a Roku TV can differ noticeably from an iPad or a browser. Try all of them during the free window.
- Day 2–3: Check internet speed under normal household use. DirecTV streaming recommends at least 25 Mbps; with HD streams on multiple screens, you may need more.
- Day 3: Decide. If keeping — great. If canceling — do it now with two days of cushion before auto-billing.
Streaming: Sign in at directv.com → Account → Cancel Service. Or call 1-800-531-5000. Access continues through the end of the trial period after cancellation. If you signed up through Roku or Apple TV: those platforms control billing, and you must cancel through Roku’s subscription settings or iPhone Settings → Subscriptions → DirecTV — not through the DirecTV app or website. Always cancel through the platform where you paid. One trial per customer — it cannot be restarted on the same account.
Genre Packs launched in 2025 and prices were updated in June 2026. They are DirecTV’s most honest offering: curated channel lineups, month-to-month cancellation, no dish, no Broadcast TV Fee, and no Advanced Receiver Service fee. The price you see is close to what you pay.
The free tier is not a Genre Pack but sits alongside them as an entry point. 150+ FAST channels, on-demand content, available on all streaming devices. No credit card, no trial, no expiration. The right starting point for anyone who wants to explore DirecTV before spending a dollar. Local channels and major news networks are not included — add a one-time antenna for locals.
The lowest-cost paid DirecTV option. Designed for households with young children — animated series, educational programming, and family-safe content, with Disney+ streaming included at no extra charge. No local channels, no news, no sports. Clean single-purpose plan for homes that need reliable kid-safe programming without paying for channels the children will never choose. Month-to-month with no penalty for canceling.
The strongest value Genre Pack for most non-sports households. Sixty-plus entertainment, lifestyle, and drama channels — Food Network, HGTV, Bravo, AMC, Hallmark, FX, Discovery, and similar networks — bundled with Disney+, Hulu (with ads), and Max (with ads) at no extra cost. Those three streaming services together cost around $22/month if purchased separately, making the bundle price genuinely competitive. No local channels — pair with a $30–$50 OTA antenna if you need ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox. Unlimited cloud DVR. Up to 20 simultaneous home streams. No contract, no satellite dish, no hidden Broadcast TV Fee.
Built for households where cable news is the primary viewing habit. Includes CNN, Fox News, MSNBC (now MS Now), CNBC, Headline News, Bloomberg, Fox Business, and C-SPAN channels. Notably, local channels are included in most markets — making MyNews the only non-Sports Genre Pack that carries local ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and PBS affiliates. For seniors who rely on a combination of local news and national cable news throughout the day, this is the most focused option available without paying for a full Signature Package. Unlimited DVR. No contract.
DirecTV’s sports-specialist Genre Pack. Includes 20+ sports channels — ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, USA Network, TBS, TNT (sports), NBC Sports, and more — plus ESPN Unlimited streaming and local broadcast affiliates (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox) in most markets. The MyHome Team mini-pack ($20.99/month additional) adds regional sports networks covering your local pro teams. DirecTV’s RSN coverage is the strongest in streaming — no competitor matches the breadth of regional sports networks available, which is the main reason dedicated sports fans pay the DirecTV premium. Month-to-month, no satellite dish needed.
Three Mini Packs can be added to qualifying Genre Packs for additional content: MySports Extra ($13.99/mo) — additional sports channels layered onto MySports; MyHome Team ($20.99/mo) — regional sports networks for your local team, requires MySports base; MyCinema ($9.99/mo) — additional movie channels, adds to MyEntertainment. Duo bundles also available: MySports + MyNews Duo at $74.99/month saves $34.99 compared to subscribing separately.
Signature Packages are DirecTV’s traditional full-channel offerings — 90 to 185+ channels across every category. These are what most people picture when they think of DirecTV. They carry more fees than Genre Packs, but they include everything in one plan.
DirecTV’s entry streaming plan with 90+ channels including local ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox affiliates, ESPN, ESPN2, AMC, CNN, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, HGTV, Food Network, and Hallmark. No regional sports fee at this tier. The all-in cost before taxes is approximately $104.99/month ($89.99 + $15 Advanced Receiver Service fee). New subscribers receive three free months of HBO Max, Paramount+ Premium, STARZ, Cinemax, and MGM+ — a combined value over $180 during that window, after which those channels auto-renew at their individual rates unless canceled. Five-day free trial applies.
The plan most DirecTV streaming subscribers choose — 125+ channels including regional sports networks for your local market, ESPN Unlimited, local affiliates, and a broad general entertainment lineup. The $114.98 base price already includes the RSN fee (up to $19.99/month), making the comparison more honest than lower tiers. Add the $15 receiver fee and all-in cost before taxes is approximately $129.98/month. Disney+ and Hulu are included when paired with DirecTV’s Gemini streaming device (leased at $10/month). For households where sports viewing and general entertainment are both important — and where a specific regional team matters — Choice is the most balanced tier.
Ultimate ($144.98/month base) adds STARZ ENCORE with nine commercial-free movie channels on top of everything in Choice. Premier ($189.98/month base) goes further — it’s the only DirecTV plan where the full HBO Max is included in the base price rather than as a temporary bonus. At close to $210/month all-in before taxes, Premier appeals to households that want nothing left to add. For most people, Choice or Ultimate provides everything they actually watch at a lower all-in cost. Premier’s value is specific: full HBO Max permanently included.
Satellite plans carry the same channel lineups as their streaming equivalents but require a dish installation, a 24-month agreement, and an additional $21.99/month Broadcast TV Fee not present on streaming plans. The actual monthly cost on satellite is typically $20–$30 more than the equivalent streaming plan. Early cancellation costs $20 for each remaining month on the contract. Who satellite makes sense for: households in rural areas where reliable high-speed internet is unavailable, making streaming impractical. In those cases, satellite’s signal reliability (only disrupted by severe weather) is a genuine advantage over an internet-dependent streaming alternative. For everyone else with adequate internet, streaming is cleaner, cheaper, and contract-free.
DirecTV’s base prices are starting points. These are the specific fees that increase the actual monthly bill — and the plans that avoid them.
- Broadcast TV Fee: $21.99/month — added automatically to every satellite plan
- Regional Sports Network Fee: up to $19.99/month — applied to Choice and above; varies by ZIP code
- Gemini device lease: $10/month — optional but needed for wireless receiver and streaming app integration
- Additional TV receivers: $7/month each — each extra TV requires its own receiver
- Early termination fee: $20 × remaining months — leaving a 24-month contract at month 10 costs $280
- One-time activation fee: up to $49.95 — charged when new satellite service starts
- Advanced Receiver Service Fee: $15/month — added to all Signature streaming packages; not applied to Genre Packs
- Regional Sports Network Fee: up to $19.99/month — same as satellite; applies to Choice and above by location
- Gemini streaming device: $10/month optional — enables integrated streaming apps (Disney+, Hulu); not required to watch DirecTV streaming
- No early termination fee — streaming plans are month-to-month with no penalty
- Genre Packs avoid both the $21.99 Broadcast TV Fee and the $15 Advanced Receiver Service fee — the stated monthly price is far closer to your actual bill
- MyFree DirecTV has zero fees of any kind — it is completely free
- Autopay + paperless billing removes $10/month from Signature Plans automatically — enable it immediately after signing up
- On satellite, opting out of local channels saves $12/month — replace with a one-time $30–$50 antenna purchase
- Canceling the Gemini device lease saves $10/month — you can watch DirecTV streaming on your own Roku or Fire TV without it
Every tier compared on the factors that matter most before choosing. All prices approximate; taxes not included. Verify current pricing at directv.com before subscribing.
| Plan | Base Cost | Contract? | Local Ch. | Dish? | Sports? | DVR? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyFree DirecTV | FREE | None | No | No | FAST only | No |
| MyKids Genre Pack | $20.99/mo | None | No | No | No | Unlimited |
| MyEntertainment Pack | $42.99/mo | None | No | No | No | Unlimited |
| MyNews Pack | $44.99/mo | None | Most mkts | No | No | Unlimited |
| MySports Pack | $64.99/mo | None | Most mkts | No | ESPN + RSN avail. | Unlimited |
| Entertainment (Stream) | $89.99 + $15 fee | None | Yes | No | Basic ESPN | Unlimited |
| Choice (Stream) | $114.98 + $15 fee | None | Yes | No | RSN incl. | Unlimited |
| Ultimate (Stream) | $144.98 + $15 fee | None | Yes | No | RSN incl. | Unlimited |
| Premier (Stream) | $189.98 + $15 fee | None | Yes | No | All sports | Unlimited |
| Entertainment (Satellite) | $99.99 + $21.99 fee | 24 months | Yes | Required | Basic ESPN | Yes |
| Choice (Satellite) | $124.98 + $21.99 fee | 24 months | Yes | Required | RSN incl. | Yes |
Streaming Signature Plans add $15/mo Advanced Receiver Service fee. Satellite adds $21.99/mo Broadcast TV Fee. RSN fee up to $19.99/mo extra on Choice and above. Taxes not included. Verify current pricing at directv.com. All plans subject to 5-day free trial for new customers (paid plans only).
You do not have to take DirecTV’s standard pricing as fixed. These are the moves that reliably reduce the monthly bill without losing the channels you actually watch.
This is the simplest $10/month saving available — DirecTV removes $10 from any Signature Package automatically when you set up automatic payment and digital billing. It requires nothing beyond checking two boxes in your account settings. On a $130/month plan, that’s more than $100 saved per year with zero trade-off in service or channels. Do this before exploring any other discount.
DirecTV satellite allows you to opt out of your local network feed and save $12/month. A one-time over-the-air antenna purchase in the $30–$50 range picks up ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and PBS for free — permanently, with no monthly fee. That $12/month saving pays for the antenna within three to four months. After that, every month is pure savings. This option only applies to satellite; streaming plans include locals in the base channel count.
A month watching MyFree DirecTV plus an antenna tells you exactly which channels are missing from your daily viewing before you pay for a full Signature Package. Most people who do this find they need far less than they thought. If MyEntertainment at $42.99/month covers 90% of what you watch, there’s no reason to pay $130/month for Choice. Upgrading is always available — you can never un-pay for months spent on a plan bigger than you needed.
DirecTV retention agents have access to loyalty credits — typically $20–$50 off your base package for 12 months — that are not available through the website or at signup. Customers who call 1-800-531-5000 and mention they are considering switching to YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV often receive these credits on the spot. On a $130/month plan, a $20/month loyalty credit saves $240 over the year. The call takes 15–20 minutes. That ratio of time to savings is hard to beat elsewhere.
When comparing DirecTV to YouTube TV ($72.99/month flat, taxes included) or Hulu + Live TV ($82.99/month including Disney+), compare what you actually pay each month — not the headline. DirecTV Choice at $114.98 becomes approximately $130 after the $15 receiver fee before taxes. YouTube TV’s $72.99 is its actual all-in price with no mandatory add-on fees. Genre Packs sit in the most honest middle ground — MySports at $64.99/month and MyEntertainment at $42.99/month both come much closer to their stated prices compared to any Signature Package.
Download the DirecTV app and sign up for MyFree DirecTV with just your email. You get 150+ live channels immediately — no payment, no trial clock running out. Then spend $30–$50 once on a quality over-the-air antenna: plug it into your TV’s antenna input (most TVs have one labeled “ANT” or “RF IN”), run a channel scan in your TV settings, and you’ll receive ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and PBS for free for as long as you live there. Total monthly cost: $0. Permanent. This setup covers local news, network dramas, game shows, sports on local affiliates, and 150+ additional FAST channels. Most households that try it don’t miss what a paid plan adds.
MyEntertainment Genre Pack at $42.99/month. It includes 60+ entertainment, lifestyle, and drama channels — Food Network, HGTV, Bravo, FX, Hallmark, AMC, and similar — plus Disney+, Hulu, and Max bundled in. Those three streaming services separately cost around $22/month, making the effective cost of the TV channels themselves closer to $21/month. No local channels are included, but a one-time antenna purchase solves that. No contract. Use the 5-day free trial first to verify the specific channel lineup matches your viewing habits before paying anything.
MyNews Genre Pack at $44.99/month. It includes CNN, Fox News, MSNBC (now MS Now), CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox Business, Headline News, C-SPAN — all the major cable news networks — plus local broadcast affiliates in most markets. That combination covers both local news and national cable news in a single plan without paying for sports or entertainment channels. For seniors who spend significant time watching news throughout the day, this is the most purposeful option available. No contract, no dish. 5-day free trial available.
This is where DirecTV is genuinely hard to replace. Regional sports networks — the channels that carry your local NBA, NHL, and MLB team’s games throughout the season — are unavailable on YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and most other streaming services. DirecTV’s MySports Genre Pack ($64.99/month) plus the MyHome Team mini-pack ($20.99/month additional) provides the full sports package including RSNs. The Choice Signature Package ($114.98/month + fees) includes RSNs in the base price with a broader general entertainment lineup alongside. Verify RSN availability in your specific ZIP code before subscribing — not every market carries every team’s regional network, and coverage can change when broadcast deals expire mid-season.
DirecTV satellite remains one of the most dependable options for rural households where cable and fiber internet don’t reach — the signal comes from orbit rather than through ground infrastructure that may not exist in your area. The trade-offs are real and worth acknowledging: a 24-month contract, a dish installation, and fees that add $30–$40/month above the advertised base price. Before committing to satellite, check whether Starlink is available at your address at starlink.com — at $120/month it delivers high-speed internet that supports any DirecTV streaming plan (including Genre Packs), which avoids the satellite contract and dish entirely. If your area isn’t covered by Starlink, satellite is likely your best available option.
The path forward is almost always to start over at the free tier and add back only what you genuinely miss. If you currently pay $120–$180/month for a full satellite or streaming package, consider canceling or pausing service (satellite pause costs $7/month; call 1-800-531-5000). Spend one month watching MyFree DirecTV plus a one-time antenna purchase. Note specifically which channels you find yourself wanting and cannot find. Then choose the smallest Genre Pack that covers that gap — MyNews at $44.99/month if it’s mainly news and local channels, MyEntertainment at $42.99/month if it’s drama and lifestyle. The difference between $150/month and $0 or $43/month is $1,000–$1,800 per year that stays in your household.
This guide is for informational purposes only. DirecTV pricing, plan availability, channel lineups, Genre Pack configurations, promotional offers, and fee structures change frequently. Prices shown reflect publicly available U.S. information verified through DirecTV, CableTV.com, and The Streamable as of September 2026; prices may not include applicable taxes or reflect your specific location. Genre Pack and Signature Package prices updated following the June 25, 2026 price adjustments. The 5-day free trial is for new qualifying customers only. Early termination fees apply to satellite service contracts. Local channel availability for streaming plans varies by ZIP code — verify at directv.com before subscribing. Customer service: 1-800-531-5000. BudgetSeniors.com™ is an independent consumer information resource and is not affiliated with DirecTV, AT&T, or their parent companies.