DirecTV Now Logo
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4.2

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: September 12th, 2023

DIRECTV NOW is a streaming service owned by AT&T that offers 120+ live TV channels, premium programming options and access to more than 40,000 On Demand shows* live sports channels, and on-demand movies. A cheaper alternative to cable, DIRECTV NOW offers a free trial, no annual contract and no TV satellite needed. New subscribers can receive a Roku streaming stick when prepaying for 1 month of service or prepay for 4 months of service and get an Apple 4k TV.  

DIRECTV NOW suggests these internet speeds for optimal streaming service:

  • 150 Kbps - 2.5 Mbps - Minimum broadband connection speed for mobile devices
  • 2.5 - 7.5 Mbps - For HD quality

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The Good

  • Enhanced DIRECTV NOW
  • Compatible Streaming Devices
  • Plans and Pricing
  • Premium Channels

Enhanced DIRECTV NOW

Recently, DIRECTV NOW improved navigation and added a few new features. DIRECTV NOW subscribers can add a third simultaneous steam for just $5/mo, watch local channels when traveling out of market, and bookmark shows to find later. There is also the ability to record their favorite shows through the DIRECTV NOW True Cloud DVR. 

Compatible Streaming Devices

DIRECTV NOW is compatible with several devices including PC and Mac computers, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV,  TV Chromecast, Roku TV, Samsung Smart TVs, Android phones and tablets, iPads, iPhones, and iPod Touch. On these devices, subscribers can stream On-Demand shows and movies, as well as stream live TV in English and Spanish. Users can also download the DIRECTV NOW app on the iPhone app store or Android’s Google Play. 

Plans and Pricing

DIRECTV NOW offer five plans starting at $40/month; although the company has offered several deals to entice people to use its streaming services.

Live A Little

  • $40/month
  • 65+ Channels

Just Right

  • $55/month
  • 85+ Channels

Go Big

  • $65/month
  • 105+ Channels

Gotta Have It

  • $75/month
  • 125+ Channels

Todo Y Más

  • $45/month
  • 90+ Channels

Premium Channels

DIRECTV NOW offers select premium channels:

  • HBO for $5/mo
  • CINEMAX for $5/mo
  • SHOWTIME for $8/mo
  • STARZ for $8/mo
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The Bad

  • Auto Billing
  • Limitations of Services
  • Help Center

Auto Billing

DIRECTV NOW offers new subscribers a free 7-day trial to test out its service. However, at the end of the trial subscribers will be enrolled in the Live A Little package for $40/mo. Subscribers not wanting to enroll in the package will need to cancel their subscription before the end of the trial period.   

Limitations of Services

DIRECTV NOW only allows subscribers to stream what is aired on their television service. This includes live television and On-Demand TV shows and movies. Since DirecTV is not a traditional streaming service, they do not show:

  • Exclusive original series - DirecTV does not create any of their own content.
  • Subscription shows - If subscribers want to enjoy HBO or Showtime content, they have to purchase them separately.
  • Movie Restrictions - The movie library is always shifting, so movies will not be available for long.

Help Center

 Located on the website is the DIRECTV NOW Help Center. Subscribers can look for answers to basic questions about billing and account management, troubleshooting, or watching DIRECTV NOW. However, the support link on the DIRECTV NOW page leads to the support center on the AT&T site. This can be frustrating for those who wanted to stay on the DIRECTV NOW site as they are directed to another webpage. 

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The Bottom Line

DIRECTV NOW offers live TV streaming services that allow subscribers to watch on-demand shows and movies and participate in on-demand video streaming. Customers looking to replace their cable or satellite tv, DIRECTV NOW is a decent option. With a number of streaming packages and over 40,000 channels, users can find something that fits their streaming service needs. Subscribers can watch their favorite shows on a multitude of platforms, just download the app, TV app or watch from a smart TV. Potential customers should be aware that when signing up for the 7-day free trial it will automatically enroll customers in the Live A Little package. At this time, NFL Sunday Ticket isn't available as a premium option for DIRECTV NOW.

 

*Requires subscription to top package and all premium channels.

**Local Channels: Limited availability. Channels vary by package & billing region

We recommend reviewing the top rated companies before making a final decision.

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Star Rating

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3.7

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31 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

39%

4 grade

23%

3 grade

19%

2 grade

3%

1 grade

16%

Sentiment Criteria

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Review Source

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Ashley Pleasant Grove, UT

This is an amazing way to watch with your Direct TV subscription! We went on a beach vacation and were able to set our home recorder to tape our favorite shows that we forgot to set before we left. If there is a show on Direct TV and you missed it you can usually find it through streaming through the app. Whoever developed this app did a fantastic job because it is easy to navigate and find what you are looking for.

5 years ago

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Robert Horn II Pahrump, NV

DirecTV Now is a good streaming service with a lot to offer. It has a wide range of channels, high-quality picture and sound, and a generous cloud DVR. I would recommend DirecTV Now to people who are looking for a streaming service with a large selection of channels and high-quality video.

1 year ago

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Gina Donofrio Lafayette, TN

I've had DirecTV Now, for several months. The App is easy to install and follow along. The programming, movies and Series' are so easy to pull up and view, literally anywhere, including remote places.

1 year ago

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Zac Cannon Long Beach, MS

I used DirecTV Now as a promotion for a couple months. I loved the service and thought it was great, but I couldn't keep using it as it was too pricy and I honestly didn't need the amount of content it had. I would definitely recommend it to anyone, but I just could not afford it at this time in my life.

4 years ago

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Reese Pleasant Grove, UT

DirecTV Now is great because I can stream anytime, anywhere. There are no annual contracts and no satellite required. So many titles available and you can record and playback shows.

5 years ago

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Madalyn Johnson Provo, UT

DirecTV Now is a great TV streaming provider! I love that because i have DirecTV Now i can watch the sporting games on my app wherever i am and not miss a thing! Highly recommend.

5 years ago

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Starski Cene Vienna, VA

Still some room to improve. Pros: - DVR - Good value for what you get - Local channels - The guide is easy to navigate Cons: - Issues with the app freezing (using it on Apple TV) - Issues with outages - The guide is easy to navigate(vertically by channel) but horizontally (by the time) is not intuitive. There is no way to go back to current time unless you scroll all the way left and you can't select the channel unless your cursor is at the current time

6 years ago

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Carlos Agosto

I have Direct TV by a year and never see any problem at all I have Latin Channels and the price is the best !!! I paid only $39.99 is soo cheap highly recommended!!!

1 year ago

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Eric M Boulder, CO

Worst disservice ever. Can’t pause-skips like crazy if you pause. “DVR” is 50/50 if it will record. ZERO customer service. Impossible to cancel service. And it’s now more expensive than bundled cable. They locked me out and told me I had to sign up for new plan. Still cheerfully billing me the new $50/m rate. If you have someone you really hate with a passion, recommend they sign up. Otherwise avoid this like the plague.

5 years ago

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Cindy Elliott Clearwater Beach, FL

DirecTV makes it very difficult to cancel your account. Although they publicize that you can simply go to your account settings and click to cancel your subscription, when you do that, it gives you a phone number you need to call instead. I was at work and couldn't make a phone call so went into the live chat section and wrote the representative that I wanted to cancel my account. She told me I'd have to call.

6 years ago

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Jesse Murph Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Good channel selection. But still working the kinks out with their interface. Loading and connection issues at times. Even when internet is good and other streaming devices are working fine.

6 years ago

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Nick Hansen Eagle Mountain, UT

We first started using Direct Now based on a promo through AT&T. The DVR functionality has nothing but improved over the years unfortunately the price has incrementally increased over the years.

4 years ago

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Amanda Montebello, CA

When using DirectTV to stream shows, I’ve had good experiences because they work really fast. Also, I’m sometimes able to watch and download shows soon after they’ve premiered.

4 years ago

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Adam Hellewell Orem, UT

Signed up pretty early on in the service's history and was happy at first. Now it seems like all the internet-based TV streaming services are becoming just like the cable companies, raising their prices and making more channels available only as add-on packages.

5 years ago

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Amber Gilbert, AZ

Easy to use and free anywhere I go. I've been with Direct TV for 10 years. NFL ticket and customer services keeps me with them. It is expensive though.

6 years ago

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Jazmine von Holzrand Knoxville, TN

Awful. They want to restrict your bandwidth and will wreck your experience to do it. Prepare for a blue line running thru your screen; frozen pics; and what looks like terrible lip syncing. They will boot you out entirely after a few hours of viewing. We quit. Not worth it. Trying Philo; not great, but free.

5 years ago

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Dwhoush New Orleans, LA

I had DirecTV Now and it was great at first. It had good shows at the price was decent at first. It became not worth it to me in the end because of the price. The customer service rep tried their hardest but it wasn’t enough m.

4 years ago

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Matthew Carbaugh Herndon, VA

There is usually a delay between when a show airs and when you can watch it online. This is slightly annoying when I forget to record a show and have to keep checking back to the site to see if it is finally up.

5 years ago

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Sadie Scoville Pleasant Grove, UT

Sometimes DirecTV can be really confusing and hard to use. It took me like 15 minutes to record something for my friend.

6 years ago

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Misty Peoples Independence, MO

Love the wide variety to choose from. One of my family favorite for movies and more. Favorite way to watch tv

1 year ago Edited July 3, 2023

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Mirna Hanna Tallahassee, FL

Great movie collection for all ages! It is perfect for family movie nights or binge watching. We enjoy using it

4 years ago

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April aphe8493 Castle Rock, CO

Direct TV Now was nice to use. It was nice being able to watch it on my phone when I couldn't watch on my tv. It was very user friendly.

4 years ago

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Joy Hill Pleasant Grove, UT

DirecTV is really hard to use for me. There are a lot of confusing buttons and it is just confusing.

5 years ago

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Anonymous

My mother is an avid news junky and DirectTV now provides her with live news to her hearts content.

5 years ago

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Tracy Womack Cedar City, UT

DirectTV is super easy to use. Their prices are the best in the business and they have great shows.

5 years ago

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Darius Williams Alexandria, VA

very good cable tv substitute! I used this for a whole year when i was on a budget

5 years ago

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Kathie Bowman Lakeside, CA

DirectTV Now is awesome. I have it on my phone and it is so easy to watch tv anywhere I go

6 years ago

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Kevin Beard Waldorf, MD

If you live in a weather channel area with windstorms, rain or cloudy area your direct TV will not work or your channels are very fuzzy.

1 year ago

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Dean Young

Sound is very low when streaming from the app. Channels go in and out from time to time

6 years ago

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Amanda Hellewell Orem, UT

I wish more live sports were available with the minimal package. It used to be better than it is now.

5 years ago

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Diane Doss Jonesboro, GA

Not able to connect even afterr downloading the app and requested player to stream

6 years ago