DIRECTV Packages for Seniors

DIRECTV Packages at a Glance

*Price with autopay

Note for seniors: These prices don’t include taxes, installation, or equipment rental fees on some plans, and require autopay.

DIRECTV (Satellite) or DIRECTV Streaming: What’s the Difference?

If you live in a rural area or your internet connection isn’t strong enough (DIRECTV recommends speeds of at least 24 Mbps for streaming packages), you’ll want to explore DIRECTV’s satellite option. Otherwise, you may get a jangly viewing experience, especially if you’re streaming two programs at the same time.

Just keep in mind that if you go with the beam (satellite), you’ll need to sign a two-year contract. That’s because they’re installing some pretty big equipment on your roof. DIRECTV streaming is pay-as-you-go, and you can stop your service at any time without any cancellation fees. If you live in an area where DIRECTV streaming packages are available, your internet is fast, you want to avoid long-term contracts, and it fits your budget, streaming is the way to go.

Which DIRECTV Package Is Best for You?

Price is a huge factor when we’re settling on any kind of digital service, especially when contracts are involved.

Still, choosing your TV provider isn’t as simple as going with the cheapest offer. Maybe you can say no to local sports on demand, but take away your Sopranos reruns? Never. With that in mind, here’s a look at what our three top DIRECTV packages look like: who they’re for, how much they cost, and how they compare to close competitors.

There are some semi-hidden costs that mostly apply to satellite plans, but don’t worry about those. I’ll cover them in detail below.

The Entertainment Plan for Seniors Who Aren’t Picky

Is 40,000 programs enough for you? Then the Entertainment plan will probably be a good fit. If you go with DIRECTV’s starter package, just be aware that you won’t get any regional sports on demand. However, you will get ESPN, ESPN2, NBC Sports Network, and TNT, plus plenty of your old favorites: CNBC, CNN, Animal Planet, Discovery, and the Disney Channel, to name only a few.

I think you get the picture — a lot of stuff, but maybe not the stuff you’re looking for. If you’re addicted to your favorite HBO series, you may consider upgrading to a Choice plan or higher (see below).

In terms of value for money, starting at $64.99 per month, DIRECTV’s starter plan is around $15 more expensive than an Xfinity TV plan that offers even more channels than DIRECTV. You will notice a $10 difference between DIRECTV’s entry-level plan and a basic plan from Cox TV, which costs around $56 per month for a similar number of channels.

The Choice Plan for Older Sport Fans Who Want Variety

The big perk with DIRECTV’s Choice plan, which starts at $84.99 per month, is regional sports. This is a plan for serious sports fans who want complete coverage of their local teams, plus a little more variety in channels and on-demand titles. The Choice package also includes three free months of premium channels like HBO Max and STARZ, and one season of NFL Sunday Ticket, but you won’t have any premium channels after that.

The Premier Plan for Golden-Age Cinephiles Who Want It All

This is the package for golden-agers who want the TV equivalent of a Shoney’s breakfast buffet. With 65,000 on-demand titles, the best RSNs, HBO Max, Cinemax, SHOWTIME, and STARZ, DIRECTV’s Premier package for $154.99 per month offers a tremendous selection for households that see a lot of traffic and want to make sure there’s something for everyone.

If sports are your thing, DIRECTV is the king of regional sports coverage. Since we’re on the subject of deals, I’ll also suggest DIRECTV’s Choice package + AT&T Fiber 1 GIG bundle if you can make do with HBO alone. For about the same price as their TV plan, you’d be getting lightning-fast internet too. Scroll down for the full story on that.

DIRECTV DVR Equipment and On-Demand Content

DIRECTV has oodles of on-demand content — up to 65,000 titles, in fact, including the big three RSNs (SportsNet, NBC Sports, and Bally Sports), and a nearly unlimited selection of new releases, TV shows, and network offerings.

Some of that on-demand content will require extra subscriptions. DIRECTV throws in three free months of HBO Max, Showtime, Epix, and Cinemax with their premium packages, for example, but after that, you’ll be paying by the month.

Whatever extra entertainment you decide to bundle in with your DIRECTV plan, you won’t be able to watch it all at the same time, which is where DIRECTV’s DVR storage comes in handy.

DVR With DIRECTV Satellite

DIRECTV offers a pretty generous 200 hours of storage. That’s over 500 GB of content, watchable on up to five screens at once. (You can record up to five programs simultaneously too.) Even better, unlike some competitors, DIRECTV doesn’t charge for their Genie DVR. Just keep in mind that if you want to watch the content you record on multiple TVs, you’ll need a receiver for each extra TV. Those receivers run $7 per month.

DVR With DIRECTV Streaming

If you’re streaming, DIRECTV gives you a slightly subpar 20 hours of content in the cloud for up to 90 days. For comparison, Spectrum TV offers 30 hours, and Cox offers up to 50 with its starter package. For unlimited cloud DVR storage, DIRECTV charges $10 per month.

Lookback and Restart

We all miss live shows we’ve been dying to see from time to time. DIRECTV’s Lookback feature lets you watch any live programming you missed for up to three days after. Family sports fans will definitely dig this. Just check on channel compatibility first, as Lookback is a fresh rollout.

DIRECTV’s Restart feature is also pretty great. Imagine you’re 10 minutes into a live program when your buddy walks in and wants to know what’s going on. Instead of pausing and delivering a verbal recap (ugh!), you can just hit Restart and play the show from the beginning. Again, this feature may not be available for every channel you watch. Check DIRECTV’s list before you get your hopes of “no more verbal recaps ever again” dashed.

DIRECTV Bundles to Help You Save

If you like what DIRECTV has to offer, it makes sense to bundle in your internet and save. Here’s a quick breakdown of our favorite DIRECTV bundles for older adults. (You’ll notice there’s no phone service here. That’s because AT&T’s “triple” bundle, which includes a phone, is only for landlines.)

If you’re looking for the best cell phone plans for seniors, AT&T does have a few sensible options. Check out our AT&T senior plan review for a complete breakdown of the top AT&T packages for older Americans.

*Prices for satellite bundles don’t include the Regional Sports Fee (up to $9.99 per month).

Streaming and Satellite Bundles Breakdown

One thing you probably noticed is that DIRECTV’s streaming bundles are a little more expensive. That’s because you get regional sports networks and HBO (with the Choice plan) at no extra cost. Other than that, it’s just a question of speed and budget.

I’ll break down my two favorite bundles below.

Entertainment Package + AT&T Fiber 300 Mbps for Fast Internet Without Regional Sports

Don’t turn up your nose at 300 Mbps. You can do pretty much anything you want on the internet with that kind of speed. The big gap here is local sports programming and the premium HBO subscription you get with DIRECTV’s Choice plan. Otherwise, the Entertainment bundle gives you high-speed internet for an extra $55 per month.

Choice Package + AT&T Fiber 300 Mbps for Fast Internet With Regional Sports

This is the right package for you if you haven’t missed your favorite team play in … ever. Because with coverage from the three big RSNs, you won’t. Plus, you get special discounts on premium networks as well.

The only downside to the Choice package is a lighter wallet — your lighter wallet. AT&T’s 300 Mbps internet and TV bundle will set you back $1399.99 per month, which is an extra $50 per month compared to the cost of the Choice TV package on its own.

Does DIRECTV Offer a Senior Discount?

DIRECTV isn’t offering any discounts for seniors at the moment. This can be frustrating for older customers who aren’t looking for handouts but are simply juggling increased healthcare bills1 and property taxes, along with the ever-increasing costs of quality entertainment. Still, there are a few ways you can trim your DIRECTV bill down, including a price lock that’s good for at least a year.

1. Save With Your Own Streaming Device (for Streaming Plans Only).

You can make DIRECTV’s streaming device fee disappear by using your own device. Remember, leasing DIRECTV’s device is $5 per month. Google Chromecast, which is fully compatible with DIRECTV, costs about $30. Google TV, which gives you a remote control, is about $50. You’ll start saving money after a few months if you decide to purchase your own equipment!

2. Order Online.

DIRECTV charges a reasonable one-off $19.95 activation fee. But they’ll waive that for you if you order online. If you’re more of a phone person, I hear you, but in this case, it makes sense to fire up your laptop.

3. Autopay to Save an Additional $5 per Month.

Another way you can economize with DIRECTV is to let them deduct your monthly payment automatically. This is a small compromise to make for five extra bucks in your wallet at the end of every month.

The Fine Print With DIRECTV

DIRECTV touts “no hidden fees” loud and clear, and while most of them aren’t technically hidden, when it comes to paying fees, it’s better to be aware of even the “mildly camouflaged” ones.

Activation and Equipment Fees

Whichever DIRECTV service you choose, you’ll have to pay a one-time $19.95 activation fee (see above for a trick to get that fee waived).

Your satellite subscription comes with an HD DVR, but that device only covers one TV. So, if your DVR is in the TV room and you want to watch in the bedroom, you’ll need a second receiver in the bedroom. Those will run you $7 per month.

Regional Sports Fee (for Satellite Plans Only)

DIRECTV’s Regional Sports Fee can be up to $11.99 per month, depending on where you live. The good news is, this is a satellite-only fee. Streaming local sports is free with DIRECTV’s premium streaming plans. So, if sports are your thing and you’ve got a strong AT&T signal, this may be a great incentive to ditch the dish.

Cancellation Fees (for Satellite Plans Only)

If you cancel before your two-year contract ends, there’s a pretty stiff early cancellation fee of $20 per month for every month left on your DIRECTV contract. Keep that in mind. You can avoid the contracts and early termination fees altogether by signing up for a streaming package, but those cost a bit more per month.

The Bottom Line on DIRECTV

Starting at $64.99 per month, DIRECTV is a tough carrot to refuse for sports fans looking for complete local sports coverage. DVR features like Restart and Lookback, and a free Genie HD video recorder with 200 hours of storage, give you even more control over your live viewing. As you move up in pricing tiers, you’ll be tempted by premium entertainment channels that will eventually bump you up into some pricey terrain — until you consider those attractive AT&T TV and internet bundles.

AT&T (DIRECTV’s parent company) offers blazing-fast internet. Even its slower (300 Mbps) connections sail past close cable competitors, and they positively blow competing satellite internet services out of the water. So bundling in your TV and internet really does make sense with DIRECTV. Couple that speed with DIRECTV’s streaming service, and you’re going to see crisp, bufferless programming wherever and whenever you want it.

Just keep an eye on your statements, especially at the beginning, to avoid “bill shock.” (I’m thinking particularly of the regional sports fee on satellite plans.) And don’t forget that, while streaming is going to be seamless with a fast internet plan, you’ll still need streaming devices or receivers to connect to each TV you want to stream on. Those cost money.

Other than that, I’m pretty sure you’re going to have a lot of fun with your DIRECTV plan. In fact, with all that programming, you may never want to leave your couch again.