A breakdown of DIRECTV's genre-based channel packages: what's included, what they cost, and if it beats a traditional TV bundle.
September 3, 2026
According to The Motley Fool's State of Streaming research, 62% of streaming subscribers say there are simply too many options to sort through, up from 53% in 2022. Genre-based packages are one of the most direct industry responses to that fatigue: instead of asking you to sort through hundreds of channels, they ask you to pick a category and start there.
If you've ever scrolled through a 200-channel guide looking for the six channels you actually watch (I literally spent 1 hour yesterday trying to figure out which movie to watch), you already understand the problem DIRECTV® Genre Packs® are trying to solve. Traditional pay-TV bundles are designed to appeal to the broadest possible audience, so most subscribers end up paying for channels they never watch.
DIRECTV's Genre Packs flip that model: rather than one all-purpose bundle, you choose a base package built around the type of content you watch most—sports, entertainment, kids' programming, Spanish-language content, or news—and if you want, add a Mini pack from there.
You can also combine multiple Base Packs simultaneously. To make stacking more cost-effective, DIRECTV offers official Duo Bundles:
MyEntertainment + MyNews Duo: Combines 70+ channels for $74.99/mo, giving you entertainment and local news for less than buying both separately.
MySports + MyNews Duo: Combines live sports and local coverage for $79.99/mo.
Before you decide whether a genre-based approach fits your household, it's worth seeing how it stacks up against full-bundle and streaming-only options on Top10's TV streaming service comparison, since the right answer depends heavily on how many different types of content your household actually watches.
DIRECTV isn't alone in making this bet. Industry leaders have increasingly moved toward skinny, category-based packaging to combat subscriber fatigue. As YouTube TV rolled out its own genre-specific options, executive commentary framed the shift simply: viewers want greater control over what they watch without paying for bloated channel packages. It's a clear sign that targeted packaging is becoming an industry standard rather than a temporary experiment.
The short answer: You pick as many Base Packs as you like, optionally add a Mini Pack for deeper coverage, and pay monthly with no annual contract.
Base Pack | Starting Price | What's Included | Best For |
MyEntertainment® | $42.99/mo | 60+ entertainment channels, plus bundled Disney+, Hulu, AMC+ and HBO Max Basic with Ads | General entertainment households wanting streaming apps on one bill |
MySports® | $64.99/mo | 20+ sports networks plus an ESPN Unlimited Plan subscription; local affiliates included in most markets (Blackout restrictions apply) | Sports-first households and multi-sport fans |
MyNews® | $44.99/mo | 10+ news channels, plus local ABC/CBS/FOX/NBC channels where available | News-focused viewers who still want local coverage |
MyKids® | $20.99/mo | 10+ kid-focused channels and family programming, including Disney+ | Families prioritizing children's content |
MiEspañol® | $37.99/mo | 60+ Spanish-language entertainment, news, and family channels plus Vix Premium with ads | Bilingual and Spanish-speaking households |
Once you have an active Base Pack, you can add Mini Packs, such as MyHome Team®, MySports Extra®, or MyCinema®, starting at $10.99/month.
The tradeoff for lower prices is a narrower channel list. Local broadcast channels, ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX, are generally excluded from MyEntertainment, MyKids, and MiEspañol to keep those plans' prices down. That's different from MyNews and MySports, both of which generally include local affiliates depending on your market. If live local news, network primetime, or local sports broadcasts matter to you and you're leaning toward MySports specifically, check availability for your ZIP code first, Top10's guide to streaming services with local channels is a useful next stop if that's a dealbreaker.
How much a Genre Pack saves you depends on how specialized your viewing habits actually are:
Single-category households: If you watch mostly one type of content (e.g., live sports or kids' shows), a single Base Pack with a Mini Pack add-on will almost always undercut a full traditional cable tier.
Dual-category households: If one person wants sports and another wants general entertainment, choosing a Duo Bundle (or stacking two Base Packs) might be cheaper than full Signature packages.
Broad-interest households: If your home regularly watches a wide blend of sports, news, dramas, and movies, stacking three or more Genre Packs can quickly approach the cost of a traditional all-in package. At that point, a standard Signature package may provide better overall value and content offering.
Before subscribing, track what your household actually watched over the last 30 days. It's easy to assume you need sports, news, and entertainment, but if 80% of your viewing is centered on general entertainment, start with a single Base Pack like MyEntertainment. Since there are no long-term contracts, you can easily add a Mini Pack or a second Base Pack later if you find something missing.
Across verified customer sentiment and independent industry coverage, a few recurring realities stand out:
Promotional step-ups: Be aware that offers that provide a discounted price for the first month or two auto-renew at the regular rates after the promo period ends. Always check the renewal disclosures during checkout.
Regional coverage rollouts: Local affiliate access on sports and news packs can vary depending on market negotiations in your specific city. Check local ZIP code availability on DIRECTV's lookup tool before ordering.
Account management support: Reviewers on platforms like Trustpilot frequently note that while the streaming tech itself works smoothly, navigating account changes or support line holds can take time.
Yes. Genre Packs are designed to be stacked, and DIRECTV offers pre-paired Duo Bundles (like MyEntertainment + MyNews) at a discount compared to buying them individually.
MyNews and MySports generally include local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC affiliates where available in your market. MyEntertainment, MyKids, and MiEspañol do not include local broadcast channels.
Yes. Mini Packs (like MyCinema or MySports Extra) are add-ons that require an active qualifying Base Pack or Duo plan.
No. Genre Packs operate on a monthly contract-free model, allowing you to alter or cancel your selections at any time.
Genre Packs are exclusive to DIRECTV's streaming service.
This article is based on DIRECTV's official documentation, current published rates, and independent streaming adoption data from The Motley Fool.
DIRECTV Genre Packs Official Page — Official plan structure, channel lineups, and current pricing
DIRECTV MyEntertainment Pack — Official MyEntertainment specs and app bundle terms
DIRECTV MyNews Pack — Official MyNews details and local channel market disclosures
The Motley Fool State of Streaming — Third-party streaming subscriber fatigue research data
CableTV.com DIRECTV Genre Packs Review — Independent packaging and pricing verification
Trustpilot DIRECTV Reviews — Customer experience and service sentiment data
Lucía Román Canivell is a New York City-based content producer and editor with a background in film, digital media, social strategy, and video production. She has developed and produced content for brands and organizations across digital platforms, overseeing projects from research and editorial development through production, editing, and publication. Her multidisciplinary background allows her to bring a research-driven, audience-focused perspective to consumer and media content.