DIRECTV for Seniors: Review and Pricing
|
June 11, 2025
|
The average U.S. adult age 60 and older spent over 27 more minutes a day on screens from 2005 to 2015.1 TV is a fun pastime, but not one you want to spend a ton of money on. In comparison to cable TV, which costs an average of about $89 a month, streaming is cheaper, costing only around $42 per month, according to a report from Amazon.2 DIRECTV offers both streaming and satellite service, meaning a dish isn’t required.
DIRECTV delivers robust television packages for seniors, with or without a satellite dish. Our team of experts has thoroughly evaluated DIRECTV’s offerings, from channel lineups to contract requirements and hidden fees. While DIRECTV doesn’t offer specific senior discounts, its packages provide considerable value through extensive sports coverage, streaming capabilities, and premium channel access. We’ve analyzed the true costs and benefits with plans starting at $79.99 monthly and increasing after promotional periods.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for affordable streaming and cable TV service, then check out our rundown of this year’s best TV packages for seniors, or our guide to streaming services for seniors.
DIRECTV’s Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free app for streaming: With the DIRECTV app, you can stream shows and movies on up to five screens, including phones, computers, tablets and televisions. That’s a great thing, as as of April 2025, 44 percent of TV watching is through streaming, according to Nielsen.3
- Wide range of sports channels: DIRECTV provides live sports coverage and access to 70,000 to 100,000 on-demand shows and movies, including ESPN, ESPN 2, Fox Sports 1, and other sports channels.
- Bundled savings: You can save by bundling both your DIRECTV service with various internet providers including AT&T, Frontier internet, Earthlink, Kinetic internet, Viasat internet, and others.
Cons
- Minimum two-year contract: Every DIRECTV plan requires you to sign a two-year contract, meaning that if you don’t like your service, you’ll be subject to cancellation fees of up to $20 per month for the remainder of your term agreement for a total of up to $480, a pretty steep early termination fee.
- Price increases: After the first year of your service, the cost of your plan will increase from the promotional rate in every plan except the ENTERTAINMENT plan. For example, their CHOICE package will cost $89.99 for the first year, then $107.98 afterward.
DIRECTV Packages
| Plan Name | Monthly Price | Number of Channels | Popular Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT |
|
90+ |
|
| DIRECTV CHOICE |
|
125+ |
|
| DIRECTV ULTIMATE |
|
160+ |
|
| DIRECTV PREMIER |
|
185+ |
|
Which DIRECTV Plan Is Best for Seniors?
While DIRECTV doesn’t offer a senior discount or a specific plan for seniors, our favorite option would have to be DIRECTV CHOICE, which is just a few dollars more per month than their basic DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT package. Considered a step up from the ENTERTAINMENT package, CHOICE is affordably priced at $89.99 per month with a 24-month term agreement and over 125 channels.
For those who don’t have time to watch live shows, you can still record your favorite shows using cloud DVR recording at no extra cost. Fans of quality programming and live sports can enjoy everything from regional sports networks to the Big Ten Network, ensuring you won’t miss the big game.
DIRECTV Internet
Currently, DIRECTV doesn’t sell their internet service separately; instead, you can choose from several internet bundle options for both TV and AT&T Internet. Depending on your location, the most affordable internet and TV package (DIRECTV Entertainment with AT&T Internet 50) starts at $139.99 per month and features over 160 channels. With unlimited streaming and browsing features, there are no internet usage caps, and HD DVR is included with your DIRECTV subscription.
DIRECTV Extra Features
DIRECTV offers extra features and add-ons such as DVR, access to NFL SUNDAY TICKET at no additional cost for some satellite TV plans, and additional channels. We’ll detail these below.
- DVR: Currently, DIRECTV is offering unlimited Cloud DVR storage (valued at $10) for new DIRECTV STREAM customers.
- DIRECTV STREAM App: DIRECTV offers a free DIRECTV STREAM app for download. With this app, you can start watching your favorite live shows and movies on compatible devices after you sign up for a DIRECTV STREAM plan. A few examples of compatible devices include iPads, iPhones, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast.
- Add-on channels option: If you want to stick with your current satellite TV plan but want more channels, you can easily add more channels to your plan during online checkout. Some of the channels include HBO Max or NBA League Pass Premium.
- Spanish-language shows: DIRECTV offers both English and Spanish-language programming options for customers starting at $34.99 per month with over 60 channels. You can also add on specific Spanish-language channels to your existing DIRECTV plans such as DIRECTV Deportes for $4.99 per month or En Español for $14.99 per month.
DIRECTV Contracts and Fees
If you purchase a DIRECTV plan, I’d recommend going over all of the fine print to make sure you understand any additional fees or costs you may incur. DIRECTV offers 24-month programming commitments for their services. Additionally, you may incur early termination fees if you cancel your service early, as detailed below.
Extra Fees
Here’s the breakdown on extra fees from DIRECTV (pricing depends on location and satellite or specific TV plan):
- Early termination fee: Up to $20 for each month left in your plan for a maximum of $480.
- Regional Sports fee: Network availability and costs vary by service area, but they can go up to $17.99 per month.
- TV access or lease fee: Leasing your equipment costs $7 to $10 a month.
- Advanced receiver service fee: Using advanced features like HD DVR, for satellite customers, could cost up to $25 a month.
- Damaged equipment fee: If your DIRECTV equipment is damaged, you may incur this $120 fee.
- Non-return equipment fee: If DIRECTV doesn’t receive your equipment within 14 days, you may incur this fee, which ranges from $45 to $135.
- Activation fees: You may incur activation fees for select DIRECTV satellite TV plans. The cost is $19.95 for activation.
- Late payment fee: Turn on autopay to avoid late fees of up to $6.25 per payment.
- Add-on channels: Additional fees vary from $4.99 per month to as high as $16.99 per month for premium channels like STARZ and HBO as well as sports packages like the MLS Season Pass. Additionally, you could pay $30 a month for two Brazilian or ten Korean channels, $20 for nine Vietnamese channels, or $15 a month for 14 Spanish channels.
Let’s say I purchased the CHOICE package, originally $89.99 for the first month then $107.98 for every month after. With that, I got my first month down to $59.99 with the following discounts:
- 24 month contract: $10 off
- Streaming: $20 off
I opted out of adding any premium channels, sports packages, or international packages, but I still had to pay $10 to lease the Gemini Air device, making my subtotal $69.99. Because I didn’t get the satellite dish, only the streaming app and equipment, I didn’t have to pay the activation fee, so my total to get started was just shy of $70.
FYI: For more internet discounts, check out my article on senior internet discounts.
DIRECTV Compared to Other Television Providers
While DIRECTV is one of the best satellite providers, there are also alternatives to consider like Xfinity, which offers a contract-free entertainment experience for older adults. If you’re not big on sports or don’t mind skipping out on more premium channels, Cox starts at just $71 per month and still features over 75-plus channels, slightly more expensive than DIRECTV but without that pesky two-year contract. Additionally, Cox offers plenty of bundles for the internet, cable television, and a Homelife smart device kit for an extra layer of security on top of quality entertainment and internet services.
| Provider | Minimum cost per month | Features | Contracts |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV
ENTERTAINMENT |
$84.99 |
|
2 years |
| Xfinity CHOICE TV | $53.35 |
|
Monthly |
| Cox Contour TV Starter | $71 |
|
Monthly |
Bottom Line
Overall, DIRECTV is a great option for older adults who want an alternative to cable and more channels to watch. Their customer service has always been prompt and courteous, addressing each of our issues in a timely manner.
The only downside of DIRECTV is the cost. Its most affordable package is still more expensive than those of Xfinity TV. With that said, these providers won’t offer you as many channels (including premium ones) for a similar cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Does DIRECTV give senior discounts?
No, DIRECTV doesn’t currently offer senior discounts, but you can visit their website to check for ongoing promotions and deals.
-
Does DIRECTV have a loyalty discount?
No, DIRECTV does not have a loyalty discount. On the contrary, after your first month, prices for your TV package will increase for the remainder of your two-year contract.
-
Is there a discount for having DIRECTV and AT&T?
Yes, you may be able to qualify for a discount if you have both DIRECTV and AT&T internet, with bundles available for $139.99 total.
-
What is the cheapest package on DIRECTV?
Currently, the cheapest package is the ENTERTAINMENT package, which starts at $84.99 per month for 12 months with a 24-month agreement. This package includes over 90 channels.