Overview
Is DirecTV Safe and Reliable?
DirecTV has a rating of 1.1 out of 5 on Trustpilot, with 94% of users rating it as bad. Of those who rate the company highly, some were enthusiastic about the high levels of customer service. Those who were less satisfied mentioned difficulties in contacting a real person on customer service and issues with payment.
Although DirecTV has a rating of A- with the Better Business Bureau, it isn’t accredited by the body and has a score of 1.03 out of 5 based on customer reviews.
How DirecTV Works
Once you’ve signed up to DirecTV, you can create an account by entering information such as your account number, phone number, or the last 4 digits of your credit card. Once your account is up and running, you can pay bills, view your subscription, and upgrade your plan.
New customers can stream the service on an unlimited number of devices from home and watch up to 3 streams on the go via compatible devices. However, you may be limited to 3 streams if you subscribed to the service when it was DirecTV Now or AT&T Now.
You can also record up to 3 channels at same time, which could prove invaluable if you and other members of your household can’t agree on what to watch.
The company also provides unlimited cloud storage for DVR and, in another particularly nifty feature, it offers a voice-controlled remote with a virtual assistant.
Overall, we found the website extremely user friendly and did not encounter any difficulties when researching the various packages available.
DirecTV Customer Support
You can contact DirecTV via phone, online chat, or social media. Support hours for billing and accounts are 8am-12am, Monday to Sunday (ET), while you can receive 24/7 technical support.
When we contacted DirecTV via live chat, we received an immediate and very helpful response.
If your query is more general, you could consult the extensive selection of FAQs on the company’s website, which provided most of the information we needed.
DirecTV also has a blog that covers general entertainment topics such as TV, movies, and gaming.
Is There a DirecTV App?
You can download DirecTV’s app from the App Store or Google Play. It allows you to:
Watch movies and shows live or on demand
Stream or download home DVR recordings to your device
Record movies and shows from any location
Pause, play, and rewind your TV via your mobile device
Search for TV and movies using voice commands
Set parental controls
DirecTV Pricing
Although DirecTV fees are higher than some competitors, it offers several perks that could justify the price tag, such as the freedom to watch unlimited streams simultaneously.
How Much Does DirecTV Cost?
Determining which plan provides the best value for your needs will, of course, depend on the amount of time you spend watching TV and which channels you prefer. You can find a full list of the channels available on each plan here.
If you’re a fan of premium channels, it could be worth investing in a Premier subscription, which includes HBO Max, Showtime, and Cinemax. In contrast, the Entertainment plan may not be ideal for sports fans as it doesn’t include regional sports channels.
If you’d like to purchase a DirecTV streaming device and you pass the company’s credit check, you’ll pay an additional $5 per month for this equipment. Otherwise, there is an up-front fee of $120. This device allows you to integrate your live, recorded, and on-demand TV into a single platform. Be aware, you can also watch DirecTV via other streaming equipment, such as Amazon Fire TV, Roku, iPads, iPhones, and Chromecast, which means purchase of DirecTV’s equipment is optional.
As DirecTV is part of the AT&T group, you can bundle your entertainment package with your internet plan. Packages begin at $124.99 per month, and you can find more information here.
Overall, DirecTV’s fees are at the higher end of the market, although these plans do offer several attractive perks that may make the fee worthwhile in certain cases. While some customers may prefer a more budget-friendly solution, others may, for example, believe the fact that DirecTV has the highest number of regional sports plans of any provider justifies its cost.
DirecTV also offers a 5-day free trial on all its streaming packages.
DirecTV offers 4 streaming plans. We’ve summed them up in this table:
Entertainment
Best for covering all the essentials
Choice
Best for sports fans
Ultimate
Best for sports, news, and movie fans
Premier
Best for those who want the widest range of options available
Cost per month
$69.99 *
$89.99 *
$104.99 *
$149.99 *
Number of channels
65+
90+
130+
140+
On-demand titles
40,000+
45,000+
55,000+
65,000+
Unlimited cloud storage for DVR
X
X
X
X
Regional sports networks
X
X
X
Premium channels
Showtime, EPIX, and Cinemax included for first 3 months
HBO Max, Showtime, Epix, and Cinemax included for first 3 months
HBO Max, Showtime, Epix, and Cinemax included for first 3 months
HBO Max, Showtime, and Cinemax included
Epix included for first 3 months
*Prices do not include taxes and may be subject to change
Optional Add-Ons
In addition to your main TV package, you can add several premium channels to your plan.
HBO Max ($14.99 per month): includes all of HBO, plus Max Originals
Starz ($11 per month): includes all 17 Starz and Starz Encore channels
Showtime ($11 per month): includes entertainment, movies, contact sports, and documentaries
Movies Extra ($5 per month): includes classic movies, originals, and documentaries
Cinemax: ($11 per month on Stream): includes series such as Strike Back and new movies every week
Epix ($6 per month on Stream): includes original series and thousands of ad-free Hollywood movies
Note that all plans include access to certain premium channels during the initial 3-month period. And with the Premier service, you’ll receive free access to HBO Max, Showtime, and Cinemax as part of your plan.
DirecTV also offers several Spanish-language upgrades and add-ons.
Deportes ($5 per month): Spanish-language sports
Español ($15 per month): Entertainment favorites and must-have sports
Bottom Line
If you spend a lot of time watching TV and movies at home, DirecTV could be a worthwhile investment. Although it comes with relatively high fees, it offers an impressive choice of streaming plans and includes perks such as unlimited DVR recording and voice-controlled remote control. Perhaps the most significant downside we identified is the high number of negative customer reviews on Trustpilot.
Deciding whether the service is worth your time and money will depend on your budget and how much use you would get out of the service. While it may not be ideal for those looking for an affordable solution, high-usage viewers may appreciate the vast array and perks and high-tech features.
