DirecTV and DirecTV Stream are two services which are provided by the company AT&T but they are not the same. Although they sound similar, they are two distinct services that provide customers with different channel packages, hardware specifications, costs, etc. In this article, each of the services will be described, and it will also be mentioned whether having a DirecTV satellite subscription grants access to DirecTV Stream.
What is DirecTV?
DirecTV is one of the satellite television services owned by the American telecommunications conglomerate AT&T. DirecTV customers also need a satellite dish at their home and DirecTV set-top boxes or DVRs to connect to their television sets. DirecTV boasts of providing customers with over 200 channels covering movies, sports, news, and kids programming among others. They offer different packages from the simplest with few channels to the most complex with all the channels they provide. Customers can also request additional channels like HBO, Showtime, as well as extra packages that include sports. One advantage of satellite TV is that you get a lot of channel options and you do not necessarily have to live in a metropolitan area. Nevertheless, sometimes the working of satellites depends on weather conditions and can affect signal and picture.
What is DirecTV Stream?
Formerly known as AT&T TV and AT&T TV NOW, DirecTV Stream is a live TV streaming service provided by AT&T. It provides many favorite channels over the internet connection instead of satellite dish. DirecTV Stream has packages that are similar to the cable TV service packages. There are no contracts, equipment rental, or installation appointments involved in this form of business. For customers to access DirecTV Stream, they don’t need a satellite dish but instead, they require an internet-connected smart TV, media player, mobile device, or computer. Picture quality depends on the internet connection, whether fast or slow, and other restrictions. They are similar to channel packages but distinct from DirecTV satellite service lineups.
Does a DirecTV Subscription Allow You to Use DirecTV Stream?
No, a subscription to the satellite, DirecTV does not come with a subscription to DirecTV Stream. They are two distinct services and if someone wants to use both, he or she has to pay for both separately. Sometimes, if you take both options, it is bundled and this will mean a higher monthly bill.
To be specific, it means if you are a DirecTV satellite subscriber, you cannot watch the DirecTV channels through their app or web portal even if you are a subscriber with them. You are only allowed to view programs from DirecTV through your satellite set-top boxes.
The same goes for DirecTV Stream users – that subscription only enables users to stream via compatible devices. It also does not allow you to subscribe to DirecTV satellite services and equipment and still not pay for it as well.
If you want to have the functionality of the usual satellite service and the streaming option at the same time, you will need to subscribe and pay for both services. While there may be some special offers for bundled packages, you are more or less paying for two TV services in one.
Channels of DirecTV and DirecTV Stream Comparison
There is also a difference in the channel line-up between DirecTV satellite and DirecTV Stream. Though, they both have many similar popular channels the options are not identical.
Some of the channels that you can access with DirecTV satellite but cannot access with DirecTV Stream include MLB Network, NFL Sunday Ticket, Longhorn Network, most of the regional sports networks, and others.
On the other hand, with DirecTV Stream, you’ll see some channels and packages available only if you are streaming and not through satellite. For example, their Entertainment Package has AMC+, which is not offered with a standard DirecTV subscription.
What this means is that when you are comparing the two services, you will not be able to get similar channel list. There might be some networks you need that must be carried by one but not the other. It is always important to visit each platform’s website to find out more about the channels available to make a right decision.
Conclusion
If you think that DirecTV and DirecTV Stream are two names for the same service you would be partially right but the ways they deliver your TV programming are quite different. DirecTV needs satellite terminality while DirecTV Stream is an internet streaming service. And subscriptions do not intertwine – one cannot use HBO and Netflix at the same time without paying for both. Determine the channels, the hardware requirements, and the prices to decide whether one or both are right for your home.
