What is cheaper, DIRECTV or DIRECTV STREAM?
In the pay TV services two giants which you will hear a lot are DIRECTV and DIRECTV STREAM. However, before we delve into these two options, let us understand what sets them apart and which is the superior value for money. Alright, let’s look at this more in detail.
DIRECTV is an old-fashioned satellite TV service operated by the AT&T company. To get it, you are required to have a satellite dish installed in your home that accesses signals from satellites above the Earth. This enables one to have many channels with some of the biggest advantages being; the availability of many channels and the fact that it is available in areas where cable television cannot reach due to geographical barriers.
On the other hand, DIRECTV STREAM is a new streaming service, and it is part of the DIRECTV brand. It does not need a satellite dish as it does with the satellite system but only an internet connection with devices such as phones, tablets, computers, and streaming boxes. This lineup is similar to the regular DIRECTV but has all its content streamed through the internet.
So when it comes to cost what usually prevails?
Upfront Costs
The first is the fix and hardware cost difference. To subscribe to DIRECTV satellite service, the satellite dish is sold at $59.99 and up and the installation of the satellite dish starts at $99 and up. Therefore, the bare minimum cost you can spend when signing up for one of these services is well over $150.
DIRECTV STREAM also does not need any additional accessories or the creation of a specialized infrastructure. Because it is broadcasted through the internet and applications, you can watch it on gadgets that you may possess without the necessity to pay any additional connection charges.
Advantage: DIRECTV STREAM
Monthly Subscription Cost
The package offers 155 + channels with the basic price of $69.99 per month for the DIRECTV satellite TV. Pricing increases from there; the Prime package costs $94.99 per month and offers 280+ channels, while the Premier package is priced at $149.99 per month and includes 340+ channels.
Like most of DIRECTV STREAM’s competitors, its monthly charges are quite comparable. It also offers its beginning Entertainment package for seventy-four dollars and ninety-nine cents for sixty-five plus channels. And, the Premier package that comes with 140+ channels will cost $149.99.
In some cases, the number of channels offered by the two internet service providers differ, but essentially, you are paying the same amount of money for the service each month. The major difference is that there is an option of signing a two-year commitment with DIRECTV and getting up to a $15 discount per month for the first year. They also revealed that DIRECTV STREAM has no contracts for their services.
All in all, the conventional pricing strategies are quite balanced, which means that there is not a significant edge of one over the other. However, if we look at the contract offers, then DIRECTV Satellite is ahead of the competition.
Advantage: DIRECTV satellite
Premium Add-Ons
DIRECTV bilingual services include optional premium movie packages including HBO, Showtime, and Starz for an additional monthly charge. These are premium channel add-ons, and their prices are identical with both Spectrum and TWC.
DIRECTV does offer one unique premium extra: It would include NFL Sunday Ticket, allowing fans to watch all the games that are not televised in their region. This is only possible with the DIRECTV satellite TV offerings, not with the new AT&T TV or any other streaming services. The rates include $293.94 per season.
Advantage: DIRECTV satellite
Number of Simultaneous Streams
DIRECTV satellite utilizes only a few receivers connected to your TVs and there are four to eight offered in an average account. This makes it possible to switch to various channels on each TV set.
At the same time, DirecTV Stream users can watch on up to twenty devices within a household but only two devices simultaneously.
Therefore, for instance, DIRECTV satellite triumphs when it comes to the use of multiple TVs at once or multiple simultaneous uses, whereas DIRECTV STREAM triumphs when it comes to the use of additional portable devices in addition to TVs.
Advantage: DIRECTV satellite
DVR and On Demand
Both packages offer digital video recording (DVR) allowing the recordings of live shows to be watched at the client’s convenience. However, the DIRECTV satellite Genie DVR has more muscle behind it with the ability to record 200 plus hours of high-definition programs while DIRECTV STREAM has 20 hours of storage space only.
In the on-demand segment, DIRECTV STREAM also comes out swinging with a catalog list of over 40,000 titles. DIRECTV satellite has on-demand content as well but has less availability of content as they do not offer streaming services.
This category is fairly similar and it is up to you to decide which one is more suitable for you. For instance, the DIRECTV satellite is likely to consider the better DVR, while the DIRECTV STREAM is likely going to have the upper hand in terms of the wealth of on-demand content.
Advantage: Tie
Which one of these DIRECTV Services is Going to be More Economical?
In total, if adding up all the categories, SHS is only slightly cheaper than the second service.
However, as for the reasons that can be potentially disadvantageous to a particular company, DIRECTV STREAM stands out with the lowest startup costs and the complete absence of contracts. DIRECTV satellite offers a better-bundled discount if customers remain under contract, NFL Sunday Ticket, more TV simultaneous usage, and greater DVR capacity.
So, if you desire powerful DVR options, superior sports options, and more great tuners for your multiple TV homes - opt for the DIRECTV satellite service. However, if you are looking for greater flexibility and a low cost of setting up, then you are better off with the DIRECTV STREAM in the long run.
The other good news is that no matter the choice between going with the traditional satellite service with DIRECTV or going with the streaming option with DIRECTV STREAM, you really can’t lose. Make a comparison between the cost and the opportunities of watching the show, as well as the overall budget and the views of your household to determine which platform is a better fit for a better value.
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