DIRECTV STREAM is a live TV streaming service used by cord-cutters that carries local broadcast channels such as NBC along with popular regional sports networks.
Local PBS and PBS Kids are included in all channel packages. There are popular sub-channels as well such as Bounce TV, Cozi TV, Heroes & Icons, Get TV, GRIT, ionTV, and Oxygen True Crime Network.
In this guide, I will show you an online tool that DIRECTV STREAM provides so that you can find out what kind of local broadcast and sports channels are available in your area. Your lineup of local channels and local regional sports networks depend on where you live, and whether you are using DIRECTV STREAM or DIRECTV.
DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) is a part of DIRECTV, which has operated a digital satellite service since 1994.
To be clear, DIRECTV STREAM doesn’t rely on satellite service. It streams cable and broadcast TV networks live over the internet.
DIRECTV STREAM has apps that work on Samsung Smart TVs, and Smart TVs running on Android TV or Google TV. You can use your own streaming device such as a Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast with Google TV or Apple TV.
iPhones and iPads (running current iOS) and Android phones and tablets support the DIRECTV app.
You can get a streaming device from DIRECTV called Gemini. But it comes at a cost. There is a $15 per month “advanced receiver fee” so you are better off using your own streaming device.
When it comes to watching local channels, there are some differences between DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV.
Yes. But it’s a good idea to check exactly what is available. There is an easy way to look up your local channel lineup on the DIRECTV website.
The listing has every local ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX station, independently-owned TV stations and regional sports channels. The listing includes a local network’s call sign, or affiliate name.
You will notice that the four major broadcasters ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX along with PBS are available on DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV.
Regional sports networks are likewise available on DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV. In my case, that’s NBC Sports Boston, NESN and NESN+.
I can see that some local channels are only available “Exclusively on the Internet” or “Exclusively on Satellite.”
For example, where I live, I can get the local MyTV channel exclusively on the internet, or DIRECTV STREAM. But the local ion TV, CW and Univision stations are designated exclusively on satellite.
So your channel lineup may help you decide whether you want to sign up for DIRECTV or a 5-day free trial of DIRECTV STREAM.
Yes. DIRECTV subscribers have local, in-market MLB, NBA and NHL games through a long roster of regional sports networks. You can get local regional sports networks through three different packages — Choice, Ultimate and Premier.
To start getting local channels with DIRECTV STREAM, you just need to pick a channel bundle, and sign up for a 5-day free trial.
Billing at the monthly rate will kick in if you don’t cancel before the end of the free trial. All channel bundles include unlimited Cloud DVR storage for recordings, and you can stream live TV on unlimited screens within your home.
DIRECTV STREAM has four main channel bundles called Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate and Premier.
The Entertainment package has the four big local broadcast networks, ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX.
A subscription is $79.99 per month.
You get 75 live TV channels, including popular cable networks such as HGTV, Discovery and ESPN.
AMC, Comedy Central, Food Network, Hallmark Channel, Nickelodeon, Lifetime, National Geographic, TBS, TLC, and TNT are among the entertainment networks.
There are cable news channels such as CNN, Fox News and MSNBC. The Entertainment package comes with a 5-day free trial.
The Choice package includes local NBC and FOX stations, MLB Network, NBA TV, ESPNU, ESPNews, Fox Sports 1, Travel Channel, and Tennis Channel.
A subscription costs $108.99 per month. Regional sports networks (RSNs) include AT&T SportsNet, Bally Sports, NBC Sports, YES Network. Getting RSNs depends on where you live.
Note: DIRECTV STREAM recently adopted a regional sports fee. But for now, it is not in every part of the U.S. You can check for the RSN fee on the DIRECTV website by typing in your zip code.
The Ultimate package costs $119.99 per month. Ultimate subscribers get over 140 channels, including locals and sought-after sports channels such as NHL Network.
It adds every live STARZ and ENCORE channel to the lineup. A subscription costs $109.99 per month. The Ultimate package comes with a 5-day free trial.
The Premier package has more than 150 channels. It combines local channels, news, entertainment and sports networks that are in the less expensive packages.
Premier subscribers get Max, STARZ, Showtime and Cinemax along with other premium channels. A subscription is $164.99 per month. The Premier package comes with a 5-day free trial.
Yes. DIRECTV satellite subscribers are able to stream their local channels and other networks in their subscription through the DIRECTV app. The DIRECTV app is available on tablets, Android smartphones and iPhones.
You can use the DIRECTV app on popular streaming devices such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Smart TVs running Google TV or Android TV.
| PLAN | PRICE | CHANNELS |
|---|---|---|
| Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads) | $76.99/month | 90+ |
| Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (No Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads) | $89.99/month | 90+ |
Simultaneous Streams: 2
Cloud DVR Storage: Unlimited
Exclusive Content: Yes
Local Channels: Yes
Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, VIZIO SmartCast, Sony Bravia, PlayStation, XBox, Xfinity Flex and Xumo TV.
Sling TV has local ABC, NBC and FOX stations in a small number of cities across the U.S.
To get locals, you need to subscribe to the Sling Blue package. Sling Blue costs $40 per month.
Keep in mind that some customers will pay a little more to get local channels. Customers in Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and San Francisco will pay $5 more per month for local stations. Those five markets have local NBC and FOX stations.
Sling Blue has NFL Network, A&E, MTV and USA Network as part of the channel lineup.
The Sling Orange package carries 31 live TV channels, including Cartoon Network, ESPN, HGTV and A&E. Sling Orange does not have local channels. You do have the option to combine Sling Blue and Sling Orange together for $55 per month.
Sling TV offers 50 hours of free Cloud DVR to all subscribers. All Sling Blue subscribers can watch live TV on three screens at once.
Sling TV works on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Apple TV (4th generation). When you sign up for Sling TV, there are no contracts, or extra fees like cable TV.
If you prepay for a brief subscription, you can get a free streaming device. You can read my article about the Sling TV channel lineup for more details.
YouTube TV has 128 channels, including local ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS and PBS Kids stations.
A subscription to the Base plan costs $72.99 per month.
The YouTube TV base plan carries other key sports channels for fans such as TNT, TBS, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNews, FS1, FS2, NFL Network, and MLB Network. YouTube TV carries regional NBC Sports networks across the U.S., but is missing others such as Bally Sports and YES Network.
You’ll be able to watch CNN, Golf Channel and FX. Unlimited Cloud DVR is included with a subscription. And you can create up to 6 profiles for a household per account.
The nice thing about YouTube TV is that you can watch ESPN online at home, or on your smartphone when you are traveling.
The service works with Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV, NVIDIA Shield TV, Apple TV and Chromecast. Try out YouTube TV free 7-day trial without any obligation. Just be sure to cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want to get billed.
You can read my article about the YouTube TV channel lineup for more information.
I spend hundreds of hours throughout the year conducting hands-on testing of streaming services, including Peacock, DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV. I do the same rigorous testing for TV antennas and TV-related hardware. Check out the review policy to see how I compare products and services. The Cord Cutting Report is a reader-supported publication, and may earn affiliate commissions when you pick a streaming service through a recommendation. Read our affiliate policy for more information.
Jim Kimble is a seasoned industry expert with over two decades of journalism experience. He has been at the forefront of the cord-cutting movement since 2016, testing and writing about TV-related products and services. He founded The Cord Cutting Report in 2016, and serves as the editor.
Major publications, including MarketWatch, Forbes, and South Florida Sun Sentinel, have interviewed Kimble for his years of expertise. He gives advice on the complexities consumers are navigating with streaming options, and over-the-air TV. Kimble has been a staff writer or correspondent for several award-winning, daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe.
