Cable TV costs continue to rise, with the average monthly cable package costing roughly $217, according to Allconnect. High prices are likely why many Americans are ditching cable and opting for streaming services; however, most streaming services require high-speed internet, and they lack live programming––a major issue for sports fans.
DIRECTV, however, addresses all of these issues. Starting at $69.99 per month, the company offers live sports, local channels, premium channels, and ample on-demand programming — with or without a satellite dish. While the company does not offer a specific deal for seniors, we think DIRECTV will be one of the most affordable options available, particularly for those who want live programming.
FYI: While DIRECTV is on the more affordable end, if you’re looking for cable for under $50 per month, read our guide to the best TV packages for seniors.
DIRECTV’s Pros and Cons
Pros
- No dish required: While DIRECTV is synonymous with satellite dishes, they no longer require users to use this equipment. Subscribers can utilize an existing internet connection to get the same DIRECTV programming.
- Free app for streaming: With the DIRECTV app, you can stream shows and movies on up to five screens, including phones, computers, tablets and televisions. Additionally, you can download DVR recordings to watch shows when you don’t have an internet connection.
- Wide range of sports channels: DIRECTV provides live sports coverage and access to 65,000-plus on-demand shows, including ESPN and NBC Sports. For no extra charge, you’ll also get access to every live football game with the NFL SUNDAY TICKET.
- Bundled savings: You can save by bundling your DIRECTV service with . When you bundle, you’ll get three months of HBO Max, access to live sports coverage, and help from a trained expert to set up your Gemini HD DVR to record all your favorite shows and movies.
Cons
- Minimum two-year contract: Every DIRECTV plan requires you to sign a two-year contract, meaning that if you don’t like your service, you’ll be subject to cancellation fees of up to $20 per month for the remainder of your term agreement.
- Hidden fees: DIRECTV has many hidden fees — advanced receiver service fees, regional sports fees, and extra connection fees — all of which add to your monthly bill.
- Price increases: DIRECTV prices are guaranteed to increase after the first two years of service.
DIRECTV Packages Compared
Whether you connect to DIRECTV service via satellite dish or your home internet connection, your options will include four different packages. The higher-tier packages include additional channels, as well as free trials of premium channels like Paramount+, SHOWTIME, and STARZ.
| Plan Name | Monthly Price* | Number of Channels |
|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV Entertainment | $69.99 | 75+ channels |
| DIRECTV Choice | $84.99 | 105+ channels |
| DIRECTV Ultimate | $114.99 | 140+ channels |
| DIRECTV Premier | $159.99 | 150+ channels |
*Monthly price includes a $10 discount for enrolling in automatic payments and paperless billing.
DIRECTV Packages for Seniors
As of 2024, DIRECTV does not offer a specific plan or discount for seniors. That said, our favorite option would have to be DIRECTV Entertainment. At $69.99 per month, it’s their most affordable plan, dodging the $15 monthly regional sports fee that’s added to all other plans.
DIRECTV Contract Requirements
Whether you opt for satellite or internet to connect with your DIRECTV service, you’ll have to sign a two-year service agreement. On the positive side, this guarantees your monthly price won’t increase for two years. On the downside, you can’t cancel your service without incurring potentially hefty charges.
If you cancel your service within your first two years, you’ll be subject to an early termination fee of up to $20 per month for the remainder of your service. For example, if a person canceled his service after six months, they would stand to pay $360 ($20 for each of the eighteen remaining months).
DIRECTV Hidden Fees
In addition to early termination fees, DIRECTV also adds a $15 Advanced Receiver Service (ARS) fee to each of its plans. This fee applies to satellite and internet connections, and, according to DIRECTV, allows customers to access HD DVR and other features included in their plans.
In addition to this fee, DIRECTV has numerous other fees that may apply to your service. See the chart below for a list of the most common charges.
DIRECTV Fee Schedule
| Fee | Amount | What It’s For | Applies To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Receiver Service Fee | $15 per month | Access to HD DVR, Google Assistant, and other features | All packages |
| Regional Sports Fee | Up to $15.99 per month | Plans with regional sports | Choice, Ultimate, and Premier packages |
| TV Access Fee | $7 per month, per additional TV | Providing service to more than one television | All packages |
| Activation Fee | $19.95 (one time) | Starting new service | All packages |
DIRECTV Internet
Currently, DIRECTV doesn’t sell their internet service separately; instead, you can choose from several internet bundle options for both TV and AT&T Internet. Depending on your location, the most affordable internet and TV package (DIRECTV Entertainment with AT&T Internet 50) starts at $129.99 per month and features over 160 channels. With unlimited streaming and browsing features, there are no internet usage caps, and HD DVR is included with your DIRECTV subscription.
There are a total of three internet and TV bundle options to choose from, ranging from $129.99 to $154.99 per month, depending on the availability of service in your area:
- DIRECTV Entertainment PACKAGE + INTERNET (AT&T FIBER, 300 Mbps)
- DIRECTV Choice PACKAGE + INTERNET (AT&T FIBER, 300 Mbps)
- DIRECTV Choice PACKAGE + INTERNET (AT&T FIBER, 1 Gig)
DIRECTV Extra Features
DIRECTV offers extra features and add-ons such as DVR, access to NFL SUNDAY TICKET at no additional cost for some satellite TV plans, and additional channels. We’ll detail these below.
NFL SUNDAY TICKET: If you purchase a Choice, Ultimate, or Premier DIRECTV satellite TV package, you’ll get access to NFL SUNDAY TICKET at no extra cost.
Voice Remote: DIRECTV offers a smart voice remote that features voice control with Google Assistant and access to your DVR library. The remote also lets you access apps and doesn’t require additional remotes.
DVR: Currently, DIRECTV is offering unlimited Cloud DVR storage (valued at $10) for new DIRECTV Stream customers.
DIRECTV Stream App: DIRECTV offers a free DIRECTV Stream app for download. After signing up for a DIRECTV Stream plan, you can start watching your favorite live shows and movies on compatible devices. Some examples of compatible devices include iPads, iPhones, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast.
First TV connection included: When you purchase a DIRECTV plan, the first TV connection and one free Gemini HD DVR will be included. Additional TV connections start at $7 per month each.
Add-on channels option: If you want to stick with your current satellite TV plan but want more channels, you can easily add more channels to your plan during online checkout. Some of the channels include HBO Max or NBA League Pass Premium for $30 per month during the season.
Spanish-language shows: DIRECTV offers both English and Spanish-language programming options for customers starting at $69.99 per month with over 120 channels. You can also add specific Spanish-language channels to your existing DIRECTV plans, such as DIRECTV Deportes for $4.99 per month or Mexico Plus for $7.99 per month.
Pro Tip: For more internet discounts, check out my article, Senior Discounts on the Internet.
DIRECTV Compared to Other Television Providers
While DIRECTV is one of the best satellite providers, there are also alternatives to consider like Xfinity, which offers a contract-free entertainment experience for older adults. If you’re not big on sports or don’t mind skipping out on more premium channels, Cox starts at just $53 per month and still features over 75-plus channels. Additionally, Cox offers plenty of bundles for the internet, cable television, and a Homelife smart device kit for an extra layer of security on top of quality entertainment and internet services.
| Provider | Price | Features | Contracts |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV Entertainment | Starts at $69.99 per month |
| 2-year contract |
| Xfinity Limited Basic/Choice TV | Starts at $30.00 per month |
| None required |
| Cox Contour TV Starter | Starts at $53 per month |
included
| 1-year contract |
Bottom Line
Overall, DIRECTV is a great option for older adults who want an alternative to cable and more channels to watch. Their customer service has always been prompt and courteous, addressing each of our issues in a timely manner.
The only downside of DIRECTV is the cost. Even its most affordable package is more expensive than those of Xfinity and Cox. That said, these providers won’t offer as many channels (including premium ones) for a similar cost.
DIRECTV for Seniors Frequently Asked Questions
- Does DIRECTV give senior discounts?
No, DIRECTV doesn’t currently offer senior discounts, but you can visit their website to check for ongoing promotions and deals.
- Does DIRECTV have a loyalty discount?
DIRECTV is top-ranked for customer satisfaction. If you’ve been a loyal customer for many years, there might be some incentives that you can inquire about by calling customer service.
-
Yes, you may be able to qualify for a discount if you have both DIRECTV and AT&T. Talk to your service provider to inquire about discounts or promotions. In our experience, you can get up to a $15 discount on DIRECTV if you have an AT&T Unlimited Plus Enhanced Plan.
- What is the cheapest package on DIRECTV?
Currently, the cheapest package is the Entertainment package, which starts at $69.99 per month for 12 months with a 24-month agreement. This package includes 160-plus channels and features Gemini HD DVR and three months of premium entertainment.
