Reviews Report
- Independent benchmarks place DIRECTV mid-pack on satisfaction: the ACSI Subscription TV study rates DIRECTV 66 out of 100 (ACSI), while J.D. Power’s 2024 Television Service Provider Satisfaction Study reports results that vary by region and provider.
- DIRECTV sells two products — via Internet (streaming, no dish, month-to-month with unlimited cloud DVR) and via Satellite (dish service, typically a 24‑month agreement with equipment and receiver fees). Current DIRECTV via Internet pricing is Entertainment $79.99/mo, Choice $108.99/mo (adds RSNs in eligible ZIPs), Ultimate $119.99/mo, Premier $164.99/mo before taxes/fees (DIRECTV via Internet).
- Fees and terms to know: regional sports fees can apply when RSNs are provided (amount varies by ZIP; see DIRECTV’s RSN fee explanation); satellite plans commonly see higher rates in year two and have early termination fees per the Customer Agreement. New pricing-transparency rules require clearer “all‑in” prices for cable/satellite TV (FCC).
Looking for the best television service provider for your home? DIRECTV offers both a dish‑free streaming option (via Internet) and traditional satellite TV across four tiers — Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate, and Premier. Typical channel counts for DIRECTV via Internet are approximately 75+ (Entertainment), 105+ (Choice), 140+ (Ultimate), and 150+ (Premier); Choice and above include regional sports networks in eligible ZIP codes (DIRECTV via Internet). Sports fans should note that residential NFL Sunday Ticket moved off DIRECTV and is now sold through YouTube TV; DIRECTV retains commercial distribution through its business offering.
When reviewing DIRECTV and comparing it to competitors, we considered customer satisfaction, starting price, channel breadth, RSN access/fees, and contract terms. DIRECTV via Internet is contract‑free with unlimited cloud DVR, while DIRECTV via Satellite typically requires a 24‑month agreement and may include a variable RSN fee where RSNs are carried (DIRECTV via Internet; DIRECTV Satellite; RSN fee). Independently, ACSI’s latest Subscription TV report scores DIRECTV 66/100 (ACSI), and J.D. Power 2024 highlights regional differences and industry price/value pressures.
DIRECTV Overview
DIRECTV is one of the top television service providers in the nation. The company offers a variety of plans to fit different preferences across streaming and satellite. For independent benchmarking, the American Customer Satisfaction Index rates DIRECTV 66 out of 100 in Subscription TV in its latest report (American Customer Satisfaction Index), and the most recent J.D. Power study highlights regional differences and ongoing industry price/value pressures.
Despite broad channel options and strong RSN coverage in eligible markets, there are a few things to watch out for. DIRECTV via Internet is month‑to‑month and includes unlimited cloud DVR (plan details). DIRECTV via Satellite generally involves a 24‑month contract with a higher price in year two and early termination fees if you cancel before the term ends (satellite plans; Customer Agreement). Regional sports fees can apply in markets that receive RSNs (RSN fee). Providers are also moving to clearer “all‑in” pricing for cable/satellite per recent FCC rules (FCC).
DIRECTV Highlights
DIRECTV vs. The Competition
| Provider | ACSI (0–100) | J.D. Power* | Starting Price | Available Basic Channels |
| DIRECTV | 66 | 2024 regional study | $79.99/mo. (Internet) | 75+ (Entertainment) |
| DISH Network | 70 | 2024 regional study | mid-$80s/mo. | 190+ |
| Verizon Fios | 72 | 2024 regional study | mid-$80s/mo. | 125+ |
| Cox Communications | 61 | 2024 regional study | $50–$70/mo. | 75+ |
Information accurate as of November, 2025
*J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Television Service Provider Satisfaction Study reports satisfaction on a 1,000-point scale; results vary by region and provider.
DIRECTV vs. DISH Network
DIRECTV and DISH Network are close competitors. In the latest J.D. Power study, rankings differ by region and reflect ongoing industry price/value pressures. In the most recent ACSI Subscription TV report, DISH leads DIRECTV (70 vs. 66).
Channel breadth is competitive, but sports coverage differs: DIRECTV generally offers broader regional sports network coverage (RSNs) on Choice and above, while DISH has fewer RSNs due to carriage gaps. Note: residential NFL Sunday Ticket is offered through YouTube TV; DIRECTV retains commercial rights via its business service.
| DISH Network Plan | Price |
| America’s Top 120 | Typically mid-$80s/mo. for ~190 channels |
| America’s Top 120 Plus | Varies by market; 190+ channels |
| America’s Top 200 | Often around $100+/mo. for 240+ channels |
| America’s Top 250 | Often around $110–$130+/mo. for 290+ channels |
DIRECTV vs. Verizon Fios
Verizon Fios isn’t available nationwide — it serves parts of the Northeast and Mid‑Atlantic — but customers who can get it rate it highly. Verizon’s Fios television service leads customer satisfaction in the ACSI Subscription TV report. In 2024 J.D. Power results, satisfaction varies by region, with value, reliability, and programming mix affecting sentiment.
Pricing-wise, Fios base TV plans commonly start around the mid‑$80s per month and generally do not require long‑term contracts. DIRECTV via Internet starts at $79.99/mo and is also contract‑free, while satellite plans typically involve a 2‑year agreement.
| Verizon Fios Plan | Price |
| Fios TV Test Drive | Pricing varies by ZIP; broad lineup sampling (time-limited) |
| Your Fios TV | Typically mid-$80s/mo. for ~125+ channels |
| More Fios TV | Generally ~$100+/mo. for ~300+ channels |
| The Most Fios TV | Generally ~$120+/mo. for ~425+ channels |
| YouTube TV | $72.99/mo. (source) |
DIRECTV vs. Cox Communications
Cox Communications offers fewer and more basic television tiers than DIRECTV. Cox’s Starter and Contour plans cover core channels in its footprint, but lineup depth and RSN availability vary by market. DIRECTV’s base streaming tier starts higher than some cable basics but often provides broader sports coverage; DIRECTV’s satellite service remains a strong option for RSNs.
On satisfaction, Cox trails peers. In the ACSI report, Verizon Fios leads (72), followed by DISH (70), DIRECTV (66), and Cox (61). In J.D. Power’s 2024 study, Cox ranks below segment averages in several regions.
Cox also offers bundles that include TV, internet, and phone service, but here we focus on TV‑only positioning.
| Provider Plan | Price |
| Cox TV Starter | $50–$70/mo. for ~75+ channels |
| Cox Contour TV | Often ~$90–$120/mo. for ~140+ channels |
DIRECTV FAQ
Methodology
We evaluated DIRECTV based on customer satisfaction, starting price, channel availability, RSN access/fees, and contract terms to determine Reviews.com scores and create our best TV provider reviews. We used current provider pages for November 2025 pricing and features (DIRECTV via Internet; DIRECTV Satellite) and independent benchmarks from ACSI and J.D. Power. We also tracked recent U.S. pricing-transparency rules for cable/satellite providers (FCC all‑in pricing).
- Customer Satisfaction: Reviews.com used J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Television Service Provider Satisfaction Study to gauge competitive positioning across regions.
- Starting Price: TV service providers with lower entry prices for basic packages scored higher, adjusted for features such as DVR and RSN access.
- Available Channels: We compared channel counts at the entry tier and mid-tier to balance value vs. breadth (e.g., DIRECTV via Internet Entertainment ~75+, Choice ~105+).
- ACSI Score: We used the American Consumer Satisfaction Index sector benchmarks (Subscription TV) to compare each provider’s brand score to the industry.
- Contract: We researched contract length and key fees, including RSN fees and early termination terms, favoring providers with no long-term commitments where available (see DIRECTV Customer Agreement and RSN fee documentation).
