DIRECTV STREAM Is Now DIRECTV Streaming: What It Is, Plans & Prices (Oct 2026)
By American TV ·
DIRECTV STREAM is DIRECTV's live TV service delivered over your home internet instead of a satellite dish. The DIRECTV STREAM name is retired. DIRECTV now sells it simply as DIRECTV streaming, and its own site describes it as "formerly DIRECTV STREAM." Many people still call the internet version DIRECTV via Internet, the name DIRECTV used for the Gemini-device version before it merged both streaming options in April 2025. Compare the current package and offer terms for the setup you choose; legacy plans can have different prices and channels.
Prices as of Oct 9, 2026 (ET), checked against DIRECTV's streaming package pages. Taxes are extra. Offers change often, so confirm at checkout.
| Package | Channels | List price | New-customer price, month 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENTERTAINMENT | 90+ | $89.99/mo | $59.99 |
| CHOICE | 125+ | $94.99/mo | $64.99 |
| ULTIMATE | 160+ | $129.99/mo | $94.99 with a Gemini |
| PREMIER | 185+ | $174.99/mo | $134.99 with a Gemini |
- Gemini device: optional, $10/mo lease per device. Adding one also adds Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) to your package.
- Regional Sports Fee: shown as up to $19.99/mo on the package page; some offer terms list up to $23.99. It applies to CHOICE and above and depends on your ZIP code and offer. ENTERTAINMENT has none.
- Free trial: 5 days for new customers. A card is required, and service renews monthly unless you cancel.
- Genre Packs: smaller channel bundles from $20.99/mo (MyKids).
- How to get it: no dish, no annual contract. Stream through the DIRECTV app on a Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV or similar device, or lease a Gemini. You'll need home internet.
Want to know which package and setup costs the least at your address? Call American TV at 1-855-690-9884.
What DIRECTV STREAM is, in plain terms
DIRECTV streaming gives you a cable-style lineup with local channels, ESPN and regional sports networks, delivered over the internet. You watch through the DIRECTV app or on a DIRECTV Gemini box plugged into your TV. Nothing goes on your roof. Follow the setup instructions for your device and offer.
Every package includes, per DIRECTV's package pages on Oct 9, 2026:
- Local channels like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS and The CW, where available
- ESPN Unlimited, the full ESPN streaming plan, built in
- Unlimited cloud DVR recording
- Unlimited streams at home, with up to 3 at a time away from home
- 130+ free MyFree DIRECTV channels
Compare an itemized quote for each setup. The package price, device lease, Regional Sports Fee and promotional period all affect the amount you pay.
Satellite vs Gemini vs app only: which version is right for you?
| DIRECTV via Satellite | Streaming with a Gemini | Streaming on your own device | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What you need | Dish and receivers, installed by a tech | Home internet plus a leased Gemini per TV | Home internet plus a Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, smart TV or phone |
| Contract | Qualifying offers can require 24 months | None | None |
| Monthly equipment cost | Per-device fees (see our pricing guide) | $10/mo per Gemini | $0 |
| Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) | Varies by offer | Included | Not included |
| How long the discount lasts | Varies by ZIP and offer | Through month 24 | 1 to 3 months |
| Works when the internet is down | Yes | No | No |
| Best for | Rural homes, weak internet, or wanting TV that doesn't touch your bandwidth | Main living-room TV, households who'd pay for Disney+ and Hulu anyway | Extra TVs, renters, people who move or travel, short-term sports seasons |
The Gemini adds a $10 monthly lease and includes Disney+ and Hulu with ads under the qualifying offer. Compare those benefits and the promotional terms with using a streaming device you already own.
Satellite pricing is quoted by ZIP code. For a line-by-line look at satellite fees, see our DIRECTV pricing guide.
What you'll really pay each month: our cost math
The list price is only part of the bill. We added the package list price, the $10 Gemini lease and an illustrative Regional Sports Fee of $19.99 on CHOICE and above. These examples show the components of a bill before discounts and taxes. They are not a universal maximum: some offer terms list a sports-fee cap of $23.99, so confirm your ZIP-specific fee.
| Package | List price | + Gemini lease | + Example Regional Sports Fee | Monthly total, before discounts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENTERTAINMENT | $89.99 | $10.00 | $0 | $99.99 |
| CHOICE | $94.99 | $10.00 | $19.99 | $124.98 |
| ULTIMATE | $129.99 | $10.00 | $19.99 | $159.98 |
| PREMIER | $174.99 | $10.00 | $19.99 | $204.98 |
On your own device, subtract the $10 lease. ENTERTAINMENT's $99.99 total matches the regular price DIRECTV lists for that package with a Gemini once the promotion ends. Your Regional Sports Fee may be lower than $19.99 depending on your ZIP code. Some DIRECTV offer terms list a higher cap of $23.99, so if your bill shows more than $19.99, add up to $4 a month to these figures.
Compare the full cost of a Gemini and your own device
A Gemini adds $10 a month per device, or $240 over 24 months before taxes. Qualifying Gemini offers currently include a package discount through month 24, while app-only promotions have their own terms. Prices after a promotion can change. Ask for the first-month bill, the bill during the promotion and the bill after it ends before comparing two-year costs.
Using the DIRECTV app on a compatible device you already own avoids the Gemini lease. Our DIRECTV pricing guide explains how to check the charges on your bill.
What each package adds
- ENTERTAINMENT (90+ channels): locals where available, the main cable networks, ESPN Unlimited, cloud DVR. No regional sports networks, so no sports fee.
- CHOICE (125+): adds your regional sports network for local pro teams, plus ACC Network, Big Ten Network, MLB Network, NBA TV and SEC Network. This is the package most sports households need.
- ULTIMATE (160+): adds more sports and movie channels, including CBS Sports Network, NHL Network, FX Movie Channel, Discovery Family and STARZ Encore.
- PREMIER (185+): adds the premium networks HBO Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ and Cinemax.
Channel lineups vary by market. For a side-by-side list, see our DIRECTV package channel comparison.
Genre Packs: the smaller, cheaper way in
If you only care about one kind of programming, a Genre Pack can cost far less than a full package. These are the prices DIRECTV listed on Oct 9, 2026, plus tax:
| Genre Pack | Channels | Listed price |
|---|---|---|
| MyKids | 10+ | $20.99/mo |
| MyNews | 10+ | $44.99/mo ($39.99 for the first 2 months) |
| MyEntertainment | 60+ | $42.99/mo |
| MySports | 20+ | $64.99/mo ($49.99 the first month) |
| MiEspañol | 60+ | $37.99/mo ($24.99 the first 2 months) |
At regular prices, a MySports Genre Pack at $64.99 costs $35 a month less than ENTERTAINMENT with a Gemini ($99.99), and it carries college football conference networks and ESPN Unlimited. Read our Genre Packs and Signature streaming guide, the MySports Genre Pack guide and the MyKids Genre Pack guide for channel lists.
From DIRECTV NOW to today: the name changes
The service has changed names more often than most streaming products, which is why searches for the old names still turn up confusing results.
| When | Name | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2016 | DIRECTV NOW | AT&T launches a no-contract live TV app service |
| 2019 | AT&T TV NOW | DIRECTV NOW is renamed. AT&T also starts a separate box-based service called AT&T TV |
| Jan 2021 | AT&T TV | AT&T stops selling AT&T TV NOW to new customers and moves people to AT&T TV |
| Aug 2021 | DIRECTV STREAM | DIRECTV becomes a standalone company, and AT&T TV is renamed DIRECTV STREAM |
| 2023 | DIRECTV via Internet | The version sold with DIRECTV's own streaming box starts carrying the DIRECTV via Internet name. The app-only version keeps the DIRECTV STREAM name |
| Apr 2025 | DIRECTV streaming | DIRECTV merges both streaming options under one name, drops the streaming contract and offers both Gemini and compatible-device streaming |
| Oct 2026 | DIRECTV streaming (formerly DIRECTV STREAM) | Gemini lease $10/mo with Disney+ and Hulu included. ESPN Unlimited in every package |
Searches for DIRECTV NOW, AT&T TV, DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV via Internet all lead to the same product today. If you signed up under one of the older names, your plan and price may not match the current packages above, so compare your bill with the cost tables on this page.
How to get DIRECTV streaming, step by step
- Check your internet. You need a steady home connection. Plan on more speed if several people stream at once, and run our speed test in the evening, when networks are busiest.
- Pick a package. Choose CHOICE or higher if you watch local pro teams on a regional sports network. If you don't, ENTERTAINMENT avoids the sports fee.
- Decide on a Gemini. Compare the lease and promotional terms above. Lease one for the main TV if you want Disney+ and Hulu included, and use the free app on other TVs.
- Start the 5-day free trial. New customers can try it for 5 days. A card is required, and it renews monthly unless you cancel. More detail in our DIRECTV 5-day free trial guide.
- Set reminders. One before the trial ends, and one in month 23, before the discount ends.
How it compares with other live TV services
DIRECTV's strength is regional sports networks. CHOICE and above carry RSNs that YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and Sling don't carry in many markets. The trade-off is price: CHOICE with the sports fee costs more than most rivals' base plans. Compare them in our guides:
- DIRECTV vs YouTube TV: prices and features
- YouTube TV local sports and RSNs vs DIRECTV
- DIRECTV streaming vs U-verse TV
- Sling TV passes and a DIRECTV alternative
Internet speed, 4K and on-demand viewing
DIRECTV recommends at least 8 Mbps of download speed per home stream. Leave extra bandwidth for other people, apps and devices using the connection. For a 4K stream, DIRECTV recommends at least 25 Mbps available to that device; a compatible 4K TV, streaming device and HDMI connection are also required. Selected programming is available in 4K, so a 4K setup does not make every channel 4K.
The DIRECTV app also lets you browse on-demand shows and movies and your cloud DVR recordings. Included streaming-app access depends on your package and the app: use the account activation or TV-provider sign-in instructions for each included service. Check your package and ZIP code for local channels and regional sports networks.
Frequently asked questions
What is DIRECTV STREAM called now?
DIRECTV now sells it as DIRECTV streaming and describes it as formerly DIRECTV STREAM. The version with DIRECTV's streaming box was called DIRECTV via Internet. In April 2025, DIRECTV merged both streaming options under one name, so the app is now just called DIRECTV.
How much is DIRECTV STREAM a month?
As of Oct 9, 2026, list prices are $89.99 for ENTERTAINMENT, $94.99 for CHOICE, $129.99 for ULTIMATE and $174.99 for PREMIER, plus taxes. A Gemini device is $10 a month, and CHOICE and above add a Regional Sports Fee. The package page shows up to $19.99, while some offer terms list up to $23.99; confirm your quote. New customers get a discount, starting at $59.99 for the first month of ENTERTAINMENT.
Do I need a Gemini device for DIRECTV streaming?
No. You can watch through the DIRECTV app on a Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, smart TV or phone. The Gemini is a $10-a-month lease that adds Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) and a longer new-customer discount.
Is there a DIRECTV STREAM free trial?
Yes. DIRECTV offers new residential customers a 5-day free trial. A valid card is required, a temporary hold may be placed on it, and service renews monthly unless you cancel before the trial ends.
Is there a contract for DIRECTV streaming?
No. Streaming packages have no annual contract, and you can cancel anytime. If you lease a Gemini, you must return it when you cancel. Satellite offers are different and can require a 24-month agreement.
Does DIRECTV streaming include local channels and sports?
Yes. Local channels are included where available, and every package includes ESPN Unlimited. Regional sports networks start with CHOICE and add a ZIP-specific Regional Sports Fee. The package page shows up to $19.99 a month, while some offer terms list up to $23.99.
Ready to pick a package, or want a second opinion on Gemini vs app only? Call American TV at 1-855-690-9884.
Prices and package details reviewed Oct 9, 2026 (ET) against DIRECTV's posted streaming package, Genre Pack and free trial information for new residential customers. The monthly examples are our own math, not a DIRECTV quote. Prices, promotions, fees, channel counts and availability change and vary by ZIP code. DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM, Gemini and related marks belong to their owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.