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DirecTV Review

, Editor | Updated November 8, 2018
My3cents Rating: 3.75/5.0

DirecTV is a satellite television service that lets you get television delivered to your home over the air. You can choose from a wide variety of DirecTV packages to get exactly the channels and services that you need. You can also sign up for the company’s streaming service, DirecTV now, which lets you watch your favorite channels from anywhere that has an internet connection.

DirecTV reviews from sources like Yelp and the Better Business Bureau are generally positive, citing the company’s good customer service and fair prices.

We maintain strict standards of editorial integrity when writing our guides & reviews to help you make decisions with confidence. To help support our site, some of the products we highlight are from our partners and we may receive compensation when you visit their sites.

DirecTV Plans, Bundles, and Costs

What everyone cares about with their TV service is whether they’ll have the channels they want and how much they’ll pay. DirecTV’s cost varies with the bundle that you sign up for.

What are the packages offered by DirecTV?

DirecTV’s bundle options include six satellite bundles and five streaming bundles for a total of eleven packages that you can choose from.

Select Entertainment Choice Xtra Ultimate Premier
Cost per month (first year) $35 $40 $45 $55 $60 $110
Channels 155+ 160+ 185+ 235+ 250+ 330+
Premium channels None Sports (ESPN, ESPN2, FS1) Travel Channel, Game Show Network, Weather Channel Universal Kids, American Heroes Network, Oxygen Encore, Boomerang, The Movie Channel HBO, Starz, Showtime, Cinemax

What DirecTV Package Should I Get?

The package that you should choose depends on what you’re looking for from your TV service.

Start by deciding whether you want to get satellite service to watch on your TV or a streaming service that you can watch on the go. Then, take the time to go through the DirecTV channel listings for each package to find the best cost-to-value ratio for you.

You might find that you only want to watch local channels, so a basic package is sufficient. If you want a premium channel like HBO or the NFL network, you’ll need a more expensive bundle.

Does DirecTV Have 4K Channels?

Yes, DirecTV offers 4K channels. In fact, it offers a special channel that only shows 4K content.

What is Included in DirecTV Bundles?

Different bundles offer different channels and services. For example, DirecTV Select does not offer premium sports channels. Only DirecTV Premier offers channels like HBO and ShowTime.

The DirecTV internet service, DirecTV Now, includes access to the DirecTV DVR cloud service. Every package also includes access to the DirecTV App.

You can view the DirecTV guide to see what channels are included in each package.

How Much Does DirecTV Cost?

DirecTV’s costs range from $35 per month to $110 per month in the first year. After the first year ends, your monthly bill will increase by as much as $60, so be prepared for a more expensive second year with the service.

Our Review: The Deep Dive

DirecTV provides great service for people who like to watch live TV. If you enjoy channel surfing or like having access to premium channels, it’s hard to go wrong with DirecTV’s services. People who are more interested in just basic channels might want to settle for a basic cable package or over the air antenna.

DirecTV reviews from industry partners are generally good. The Better Business Bureau gives DirecTV an A- rating, which is good for a TV provider.

Customer reviews from sources like Yelp are less complimentary. Customers complain about poor DirecTV customer service. Many customers who are going through the DirecTV cancellation process are annoyed by the steps required. One of the most common DirecTV complaints surrounds the increased rates for service in the second year.

How Does DirecTV’s Television Service Rate?

All in all, DirecTV can be a good deal for people who like TV a lot, or who want the freedom offered by DirecTV’s streaming service.

Benefits:

Choose your channel package and stream live TV anywhere that you have access to the internet.

Drawbacks:

Service can get expensive after the first-year discount ends.

Bottom Line:

DirecTV is a good choice if you really like TV and need access to a variety of channels. Otherwise, you’re probably better off with a different TV service.

Consumer Reviews

Posted on 06/22/2019

MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA -- Don't go with DirecTV. Terrible company. I was a loyal customer for 14 years. In February I called. I had no service again. If it rains, storms or snows you lose service. The representative tried to fix it on the phone. She couldn't so she said someone will have to come out. I said I am tired of this happening and thinking of canceling. She said someone will call me back in a little bit to let me know when they would be coming out.

I waited for hours and never heard anything. So I called back and he said, "Oh didn't she tell you that it is scheduled for the 24th?" I said, "What? That is 21 days away. Do you realize that?" I said my dad is here all day by himself and he can't watch TV. And for 21 days we can't watch TV? That's not acceptable. He said he is sorry there is nothing he can do. That is the soonest someone can come out.

I said if I was signing up I bet you would be here tomorrow or sooner. I told him I would be cancelling. I called Comcast and they came out the next day. I called DirecTV back that night again and cancelled the service call and said I would be cancelling. Several people warned me when I call to cancel they will say I have a contract and I have to pay a cancellation fee. Guess what that's exactly what happened. They said I will have to pay $250.00. I said, "No I don't have a contract and why wasn't I told this the other day /night when I talked to 3 representatives?"

I have called many many times. Wrote many letters. Many of the employees I talked to can't believe I am being treated like this after being a loyal customer for 14 years. Now they have turned me into collection. Many of my neighbors have switched. I have turned them into Better Business Bureau. The motto is you have to pay even if you don't have service!! I would never recommend them to anyone. Since I have switched I have not lost service and we have had many snowy days and storms.

Posted on 06/15/2019

MR.SURWIN, CALIFORNIA -- Over 2 months of erratic, service and repeated calls. Constant error code "721" sometimes TV off for the entire Week-end. Seven calls to DirecTV have not resolved the constant problem! And no credit for all the lost service. Truly DirecTV is just 3rd rate service at first rate prices. Alfred & Mary ** in Ventura Calif.

Posted on 02/10/2019

HIALEAH, FLORIDA -- This is the worst carrier I have dealt with all my life!!! Services are horrible, spent about 2 months speaking to the Customer Service Department for up to 4-8 hours a day. Transferred around numerous amount of times.

Posted on 02/03/2019

TEXAS -- I advise people that are wanting to get DIRECTV. Don't. I did not. I was not aware. I should say that if you cancel your subscription and then you go to turn it back on a day and a half later then you're charged $99 as a reconnect fee and their customer service did not explain that to me at all. I spent from 11 when I went and paid my internet and cable bill I spent from 11 yesterday morning which was to 2 until 9 last night trying to get my service turned back on and they kept giving me one hellacious runaround.

So I advise people that are out there wanting to get DIRECTV or whatever. Don't. They are a sucky ** company. All they're out for us to get the buck from the customer. They kept telling me one person would tell me it was $99. The other person would tell me now it's $79. It was just a big hassle and I have heart conditions. I have high blood pressure and that's the outcome that I got I got nowhere with these people they're just out there to get the almighty Buck that's all it is. So please be aware that do not cancel your DirecTV. Let them suspended their customer loyalty center. It's like **. It's crap and I just want you to make sure that you would do the right thing because in my opinion it's not worth it. Believe me. I found out first-hand about it.

Posted on 01/25/2019

NORTH CAROLINA -- Tried to disconnect my service due to price doubling. Was told I would have to pay for the 18 days left in this month. I could not cancel service during the month even though I'm no longer using their service.

Posted on 11/30/2018

CHICAGO -- Stay away, their service isn't worth the free television they provide to my building, I'm currently trying to get another service. Want the NFL Sunday ticket? Me neither, but they signed me up for it and are nice enough to NOT tell me but STILL charge me for it. And getting a refund, somehow these scam artists refuse to return the money the stole from you even when you catch them in the act. Their excuse “if you went to the help section for the service you didn't sign up for and weren't aware you had to, go 12 pages into the help section on our awful website, and you'll see that we have the right to steal from you” thanks direcTV.

Here's the basic, stream everything because this is why television providers are becoming obsolete. We finally have the ability to tell them to get lost.

Posted on 11/01/2018

GLENDIVE, MONTANTA -- DirecTV has yet to install any equipment in my home and it is already a disaster. First and foremost, I made it very clear the first time I scheduled an appointment that I would not be home until after 3 pm. They scheduled me for the next day from 8 am to 12 pm. Had to call and reschedule. They informed me that my installation would have to happen the next day. I agreed and they scheduled me for 12 pm to 4pm the following day, with a note for the tech that I would not be home before 3 pm. I get home that day and the tech never shows. I call and after jumping through hoops for about 20 minutes I talk to a person who informs me that the tech showed up at 12:30 pm...for those of you unacquainted with how time works, that is not after 3 pm.

They tell me they must again reschedule me for the next day. Again, I ask them to put a note for the tech to show up after 3 pm due to my work schedule. We will see what happens tomorrow. Regardless I already hate this company. These people are a joke. None of them know what's going on, none of them care, and they are the absolutely the worst with customer care. Also, don't expect your DirecTV app to work. And when it doesn't, don't expect them to help. I have spent about three hours on the phone with people whose best attempt at troubleshooting my problem was having me download the app again. Don't expect any help from these folks. The only reason they got one star is because -5 wasn't an option.

Posted on 10/28/2018

SPRINGFIELD, OHIO -- Having been a DirecTV customer on and off for the past several years, I wouldn't say they're the worst based on my past experiences with TimeWarner, now Spectrum. However, our recent experience has been less than satisfying. We have the system with a main receiver, a modem and wireless receivers at each of our other TVs. Initially the service was great with the normal exception of weather interruptions. For the past 2 months, we have been experiencing screens freezing up, slow to respond boxes and other obvious software issues. During our initial call for technical support, we were instructed to re-set the main receiver. Unfortunately the reset didn't solve the issue. The technician advised that if the reset didn't work after a few days that we could call and they would send a technician out to our home. After a week of continuous freezing screens we called back. This time (after several transfers) we were advised there would be a charge for a service technician to come out. After advising we wouldn't pay for a technician to come to our home to fix their problem, they stated we could either sign up for their “insurance” at $8/month (then cancel after 6 months) or pay the $69-99 service charge, we simply stated we would then cancel our service. We were transferred yet again and upon discovering the reason for our dissatisfaction, were promptly given a $99 credit and advised that they could send out the technician at no cost. Again, poor overall customer service experience in that we had to threaten to cancel to get a sastifactory response. Upon agreeing to the credit, we were transferred yet again to the technical department where we were told the the issue we've been experiencing is a known issue with our type of receiver and that sending a technician wouldn't help as it is a known software issue. After asking what the fix is several times the technician admitted that there wasn't a fix at this time. So basically, we had to spend a total of 2.5 hours on the phone telling them about a problem we're having that they clearly know about but cannot resolve. They cannot replace my receiver because they don't have a fix. They cannot update my receiver because they don't have a fix. Obviously, this should be a high priority issue at DirecTV, but apparently, it is not. My next request was a bill review because, obviously, I'm not receiving the quality of service I've been paying for. That fell on deaf ears, but I will continue to complain about this issue until it gets resolved. If we keep our service if and when the issue is resolved I will update my review. For now suffice it to say, as of 10/28/18 I remain a very dissatisfied DirecTV consumer.

Posted on 10/25/2018

FLORIDA -- Customer Service: arrogant, rude, disrespectful. I called twice for the NBA League Pass and both times was completely ignored while they insisted on selling me a protection service. Talked over me while ignoring my questions about NBA League channels. Who the HECK needs a protection service? Of course, I hung up and they missed my request for the $199 NBA League Pass. Rude idiots. AT&T buyout of DirecTV has resulted in one totally ** up company with hundreds of thousands of miserable customers.

Posted on 10/23/2018

I checked online to confirm they offer all services. After going through the process of obtaining cable, I was advised that internet is not available in my area unless I purchase a hotspot device costing $199. I called to cancel the service on the phone for thirty minutes. After yelling & screaming & cursing on the phone because they do not understand I DO NOT WANT THE SERVICE finally it was cancelled.

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