DIRECTV

DIRECTV

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Overall Rating3.9 out of 5
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About DIRECTV

DIRECTV is a direct broadcast satellite provider that transmits to homes throughout the United States and the Caribbean. There are many different packages to choose from, each offering a variety of features, channels and DVR options. It's important to note that DIRECTV requires a two-year contract, and most customers experience an increase in prices after the first year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Various programming options
  • Easy to relocate with
  • Multiple packages available

Cons

  • Costly to cancel
  • Price increases after first year

Bottom Line

DIRECTV is a leader in satellite broadcasting. The company’s services are ideal for people who want a lot of options for TV channels, features and packages.

Featured Reviews

Verified
Austin, TX

I did a lot of research and finally decided to try AT&T DirecTV. From the very beginning, signing on, installation of equipment, and answering any question I had, the service I re...

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Verified
Warsaw, MN

We have been with DirecTV for many years and we on occasion will need a DirecTV service tech to help us out. We contacted DirecTV and they sent a Service Tech out to us named Pat ...

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DIRECTV packages

DIRECTV has many different channels but understands that customers have very specific wants and needs when it comes to programming options. The company offers a variety of packages with multiple features, channels and DVR options. DIRECTV has six different plans:

  • Select: A budget-friendly option with basic channels. Customers can access 155 channels.
  • Choice: A great option for families that has a variety of different program preferences. Customers can access 185 channels.
  • Entertainment: A good choice for sports lovers. Customers can access 160 channels.
  • Xtra: The company’s most popular package. Customers can access 235 channels.
  • Ultimate: Ideal for movie lovers. This comprehensive package gives customers access to 250 channels.
  • Premier: Gives you every option you need for an all-inclusive TV watching experience. Customers can access 330 channels.

DIRECTV has multiple extras and add-ons you can add to your plan. This includes premium channels like HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, The Outdoor Channel, NBA League Pass, NFL Sunday Ticket and DogTV.

DIRECTV prices

The six plans come in at different price points. Installation and DVR hookups are included in your package, but you pay $7 a month and a $99 installation fee if you want additional receivers. There is also a $9.99 a month regional sports fee.

Prices for individual packages are:

  • Select: Plans start at $59 a month
  • Choice: Plans start at $69 a month
  • Entertainment: Plans start at $64 a month
  • Xtra: Plans start at $79 a month
  • Ultimate: Plans start at $84 a month
  • Premier: Plans start at $134 a month

While DIRECTV offers great introductory offers, you must sign a two-year contract, and rates increase in the second year. Be sure to ask about second-year pricing before signing a contract. If you want to cancel your plan early, you must pay $20 per month for every month left on the contract.

Other fees to be aware of include a $99 fee when a technician must be dispatched to make repairs. You can put your streaming services on hold until you return home if you’re going on vacation, but there's a $7 a month charge. There is also a $19.95 activation fee.

The company charges $4.25 if you are late paying your bill. You must return your equipment if you cancel your service — if you choose to keep it, you'll end up paying anywhere between $45 and $135 to cover the costs.

DIRECTV FAQ

Can you get internet through DIRECTV?

DIRECTV doesn’t provide internet service directly, but it offers internet services through AT&T.

How much does DIRECTV really cost?

DIRECTV plans range from $49 to $125 a month, plus service fees and installation.

Is DIRECTV better than cable?

DIRECTV has better equipment and technology than many basic cable providers, and it tends to offer more channels.

What is the best DIRECTV package?

It depends on how much TV you watch and what channels you want. The Entertainment package is best for sports lovers, while the Choice option has a lot of family-friendly options. The best package for you varies based on your budget and your TV preferences.

Is DIRECTV good?

In 2019, over 16 million people across the country subscribed to DIRECTV. While channel options and DVR capabilities are a plus, the significant price increase after the first year and challenging cancellation process may discourage people from committing to DIRECTV. Be sure you completely understand your contract before committing to DIRECTV’s services.

DIRECTV Reviews

Over 10k reviews since 2012

ConsumerAffairs has collected 17,826 reviews and 7,778 ratings.

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Page 1 Reviews 0 - 10

Reviewed Sept. 12, 2023

This is the second time this year I have found these people stealing money out of my account through automatic Draft. Never Trust this company because they just blame someone else in another Department.

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Customer Service

Reviewed Aug. 20, 2023

I canceled my Directv due to overcharging me by $5.00 plus taxes every month for 20 months for a device I never ordered, never received and was never activated. I asked them to review the recorded call when I set up the account. I was told that was not possible. They said they had confirmed the device was delivered and wouldn’t refund the overcharging and said I still owed them $20 for the device I never received. I blocked them from charging my bank card. Well that didn’t work because a little over a week later the charged my bank card $20. My bank said they somehow changed their ID in the opinions to charge my account that had been blocked from Directv charges. The bank also said that Directv had committed fraud in doing this. Directv is a corrupt criminal element, do not use auto pay with this company, they will rip you off.

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    Customer Service

    Reviewed Aug. 14, 2023

    In February 2023 the AMC+ channel was added to our account without our knowledge or permission. When we requested in August to have the charges reimbursed they said they would only be able to credit two months of charges. We escalated the issue and was told the supervisor would call us back when free. We waited until the next business day with no returned phone call. The second call they finally credited our account.

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    Punctuality & Speed

    Reviewed Aug. 10, 2023

    I had DIRECTV for five years. Was always on time with my payments. The house that I lived in sold so I had to move in with a family member. I returned my equipment and they said I’d get a refund. Every time I asked about the refund they came had a different excuse each time. They said I had to wait 90 days and I did not receive the refund, then they said because of the billing cycle date blah blah blah, I will not get a refund. I received a statement saying -71.52 and they’ll pay to you on a Visa card. They even took a payment out of my account the next month. They did take care of that. I would not recommend DIRECTV because it goes up every year and you will not I get a refund from them because of the billing cycle!

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    Customer Service

    Reviewed Aug. 7, 2023

    If I could give zero stars I would. These con artist charged me 200$ for three days of service. I canceled on July 31 thinking end of month and was told it ended on July 27 and was charged for entire month for 3 days and was never told at cancelation that I was 3 days into new charges. They also turned tv off on July 31. So I didn’t even use the service for what they wanted me to pay for. I will turning them into consumer affairs and will provide negative feedback on all social media. Stay away from them. Customer service you need 2 hours to get a human on the phone and you can’t understand what they are saying.

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    Customer ServiceInstallation & Setup

    Reviewed Aug. 7, 2023

    I have been a Directv customer for years. Home DVR equipment constantly fails. You record some shows, wait to watch them, and then every couple of months it fails. Recently, I had problems with equipment off and on for a while. When I called to send it back they said recycle it (put it in the garbage where it belongs). I looked at the underside and it said - reconditioned. All their stuff that I have had was reconditioned. Installer said it wasn't good and should last a limited time.

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    Installation & SetupContract & Terms

    Reviewed July 21, 2023

    I signed up for DirecTV. At the AT&T store, where I signed up I was told that the remote would have voice (to change channels). They came out and installed the DirecTV and no voice. They came back the following day and they installed the parts so I would have voice. When they were through the voice didn't work and as they were leaving they told me that I would need to leave the cabinet door open, so the equipment would get air. You don't leave a door open in the middle of a room. I called DirecTV and cancelled within 24 hours of their installation. I returned their equipment the next day. They didn't live up to their contract. They are sending me a bill for $667.67 for early termination.

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    Price

    Reviewed July 17, 2023

    Expensive for barely any channels and now they are having a war with CBS. I don’t care what y’all have going on. Both companies are huge and make plenty of Money. Give the customers CBS back before you lose a lot of customers. It’s one of the 5 channels they offer that’s worth anything!!! It’s ridiculous!

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    Customer ServicePrice

    Reviewed June 27, 2023

    First, I would like to say they offer me a three month free trial, and when the trial was over with, they raised my price and the reason they said they raised it was because I was on a bundle plan with AT&T phone service, which I’ve never had AT&T phone service so that right there was a lie. They offered me that so that they could raise my price, when they wouldn’t go back to my original price. I canceled the service which was in April, now I have called five times to send back equipment.

    The first time they sent the equipment to an old address that I haven’t had in eight years, now they have been out here to service my service twice in those eight years so they have the correct address. And I see it all the time come in through my workplace where they have sent it to the old address instead of sending it to people‘s current address and when we have to call the customer to ask them that they say this an old address so I have called five times today to send this equipment back and each time they come up with some excuse that they will send it out again. Give it 5 to 7 business days but no response. Nothing has come to me yet. To me that is very poor service. Poor service. I will not ever suggest anyone use DIRECTV.

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    Customer ServiceContract & TermsStaff

    Reviewed June 19, 2023

    When signing up with Directv AT&T beware that your rate will double after the initial 12 months and will continue to increase every couple of months. They have the absolute WORST customer service I’ve ever experienced! When you finally get someone in their call center on the phone the background noise is so loud you can’t hear anything the customer service rep is saying. Then they’ll ask you the same question 5 times to authenticate your account. Beyond ** frustrating! I’m canceling as soon as my contract is up Oct 2023.

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    DIRECTV Company Information

    Company Name:
    DIRECTV
    Company Type:
    Public
    Ticker Symbol:
    DTV
    Address:
    2230 East Imperial Highway
    City:
    El Segundo
    State/Province:
    CA
    Postal Code:
    90245
    Country:
    United States
    Website:
    www.directvbundles.com