DIRECTV Packages and Prices 2026: Every Plan, Channel, and Add-On Explained

How Much Is DIRECTV Streaming in 2026?

Here's what each streaming tier actually costs and delivers.

Entertainment: $89.99/mo. (First month $59.99)

Channels: 90+

The starter tier. Entertainment covers the essentials: Fox News, MS Now (formerly MSNBC), CNN, HGTV, Food Network, Hallmark, USA, TNT, TBS, plus the sports basics like ESPN, ESPN2, and FS1. ESPN Unlimited is included (adds ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, SEC Network, ACC Network via the ESPN app), and a Gemini device unlocks Disney+ and Hulu (with ads).

What's missing: Regional Sports Networks, MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, NFL Network. If you follow a local pro team, start at Choice.

Best for: Cord-cutters focused on news and general entertainment with light sports.

Choice: $94.99/mo. (First month $64.99)

Channels: 125+

The tier most sports fans should look at. Choice adds ESPNU, ESPNEWS, MLB Network, NBA TV, Golf Channel, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, ACC Network, Tennis Channel, and NFL Network. You also get your local Regional Sports Network, which carries the majority of your home MLB, NBA, and NHL team's regular-season games.

The all-in bill with RSN fee runs about $114.98/mo. in high-RSN markets. If sports is why you're subscribing, that fee is buying you games you can't watch on most other streaming services.

Best for: Local pro team fans, college sports viewers, mixed-interest households.

Ultimate: $124.99/mo. (First month $89.99)

Channels: 160+

Ultimate builds on Choice with NHL Network, CBS Sports Network, FS2, Sportsman Channel, plus STARZ Encore multiplex, FX Movie Channel, Nat Geo Wild, Discovery Family, Smithsonian Channel, and Magnolia Network.

Best for: Hockey fans (adds NHL Network) and viewers who want more movie channels without paying for full premiums.

DIRECTV Premier Package: $169.99/mo. (First month $129.99)

Channels: 185+

Premier is everything DIRECTV carries in one bill. Everything in Ultimate plus HBO Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ, and Cinemax. Those four premium networks run roughly $50/mo. combined when purchased separately. NFL RedZone is included (not an add-on here).

Premier is the best value in the lineup if you'd otherwise pay for those premium networks separately. If you wouldn't, save the money with Choice or Ultimate.

Best for: All-in-one households, movie fans, and NFL RedZone viewers.

DIRECTV Sports Coverage: What You Get and What Costs Extra

Regional Sports Networks (RSNs)

Available on: Choice, Ultimate, Premier | Cost: Up to $19.99/mo. by ZIP code

RSNs carry the majority of your local MLB, NBA, and NHL team's regular-season games. Coverage includes FanDuel Sports Network (formerly Bally Sports), YES Network, MSG, NESN, SNY, and more depending on market.

National Sports Channels by Package

DIRECTV Sports Pack: $14.99/mo.

An add-on for any Signature Package. Adds NFL RedZone, all major college networks (ACC, Big Ten, SEC), CBS Sports Network, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, FanDuel TV, FS2, MLB Network, MLB Strike Zone, NBA TV, NFL Network, NHL Network, Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, Tennis Channel, Willow (cricket), plus 30+ out-of-market RSNs.

For Entertainment subscribers, the Sports Pack is the cheapest route to NFL RedZone.

League-Specific Out-of-Market Packages

Pro out-of-market games your local RSN doesn't carry:

• MLB Extra Innings: ~$199 early-bird for the season; 60+ games/week in 1080p HD
• NBA League Pass: ~$110 early-bird; up to 40 out-of-market games/week
• NHL Center Ice: up to 40 out-of-market games/week
• FOX Soccer Plus: international soccer

Note: NFL Sunday Ticket left DIRECTV for YouTube TV in 2023 and remains exclusive there.

DIRECTV Genre Packs and Premium Add-Ons

Genre Packs are curated bundles for viewers who don't need a full Signature Package. Current pricing:

• MySports ($69.99/mo.): regional and national sports; includes ESPN Unlimited
• MyEntertainment ($34.99/mo.): general entertainment; includes HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu
• MyNews ($39.99/mo.): cable news channels
• MyKids: family and children's programming; includes Disney+
• MiEspañol ($34.99/mo.): Spanish-language channels

Premium add-ons can be layered onto any Signature Package or Genre Pack: HBO Max, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, AMC+, Discovery+, Hallmark+, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ, Cinemax, and MGM+.

DIRECTV Full Channel List by Category (2026)

Tier availability shown as: Entertainment (E), Choice (C), Ultimate (U), Premier (P). Sports channels covered in the table above.

News

CNN, HLN, MS Now (formerly MSNBC), Fox News, Fox Business, Newsmax, NewsNation, Fox Weather, Weather Channel, CNBC, BBC America, and BBC News are available across all Signature Packages.

General Entertainment

Available on all tiers: USA Network, TNT, TBS, FX, FXX, AMC, IFC, SundanceTV, Bravo, E!, Paramount Network, Comedy Central, Hallmark Channel, Great American Family, Lifetime, Freeform, WE tv, and TV Land. Choice+ adds LMN, Pop TV, and Ovation. Ultimate+ adds Hallmark Mystery and fyi.

Movies

Family Movie Classics is on all tiers. Choice+ adds TCM and ShortsTV. Ultimate+ adds FX Movie Channel. Premier only: HBO Max suite, Cinemax suite, STARZ suite, SHOWTIME multiplex, FLIX, and The Movie Channel. MGM+ and MOVIES EXTRA PACK are separate add-ons on any package.

Kids and Family

Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, TeenNick, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, PBS Kids, and Freeform on all tiers. Nick Jr. requires Choice+.

Lifestyle and Reality

HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Discovery, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery, National Geographic, and History Channel on all tiers. Choice+ adds Cooking Channel, OWN, Travel Channel, and Science Channel. Ultimate+ adds Nat Geo Wild and Magnolia Network.

Music

MTV, MTV2, VH1, CMT, and BET on all tiers. Choice+ adds Revolt and Fuse. Ultimate+ adds MTV Classic and BET Her.

Spanish-Language

Signature packages include Univision, UniMás, Galavisión, Telemundo (varies by market), and TUDN. ÓPTIMO MÁS™ is DIRECTV's dedicated Spanish plan with CNN En Español, ESPN Deportes, FOX Deportes, Nat Geo Mundo, Enlace, HITN TV, ONCE MEXICO, NTN24, and more. Optional ESPAÑOL and DEPORTES add-on packs work with any Signature Package.

For the complete channel list with numbers, use DIRECTV's channel lookup tool with your ZIP. Availability varies by market.

DIRECTV Free Trial and Current Deals

5-Day Free Trial with full access to any streaming plan for new customers. Cancel before day 5 to avoid billing.

Promotional pricing :

Other current offers:

• 3 months of premium channels free for Entertainment, Choice, and Ultimate subscribers (HBO Max, Paramount+ Premium, STARZ, Cinemax, and MGM+, a ~$175 value)
• ESPN Unlimited included on every Signature Package; Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) included with a Gemini device
• 4 months of Spotify Premium for new DIRECTV customers new to Spotify
• Referral rewards: up to $100 in eGift cards per friend who signs up

Start Your 5-Day Free Trial Now

DIRECTV vs. Competitors: How the Pricing Compares

The verdict: DIRECTV Choice competes head-to-head with Fubo and Hulu + Live TV once RSNs are factored in, and Premier separates itself by bundling all four major premium networks in one bill. 

FAQs

How much is DIRECTV streaming per month in 2026?

Base streaming prices: Entertainment $89.99/mo., Choice $94.99/mo., Ultimate $124.99/mo., Premier $169.99/mo. Choice and higher add a Regional Sports Fee up to $19.99/mo. by ZIP. First-month promo pricing starts as low as $59.99, and every Signature Package now includes ESPN Unlimited (plus Disney+ and Hulu with a Gemini device).

What is the difference between DIRECTV Choice and Premier packages?

Choice ($94.99 base, 125+ channels) adds Regional Sports Networks, MLB Network, NBA TV, NFL Network, and the major college networks (ESPN, Big Ten, SEC, ACC). Premier ($169.99 base, 185+ channels) stacks HBO Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ, Cinemax, and NFL RedZone on top of everything in Ultimate. The $75/mo. gap roughly equals what those four premium networks cost separately.

Does DIRECTV still have NFL Sunday Ticket?

No. NFL Sunday Ticket moved to YouTube TV in 2023 and remains exclusive there. DIRECTV subscribers still get NFL Network in Choice and above, and NFL RedZone through the $14.99/mo. Sports Pack or included with Premier.

Do I need a Gemini device to stream DIRECTV?

No. The DIRECTV Streaming App works on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, smart TVs, and mobile. But Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) are only included with a Gemini device. ESPN Unlimited comes with any Signature Package regardless. The Gemini lease is $10/mo.