Cutting the cord on traditional cable in favor of streaming is becoming increasingly popular, with services like DirecTV Stream and YouTube TV offering cable-like channel bundles without contracts or equipment rentals. But which internet TV provider should you choose? This in-depth, 2000+ word guide compares every aspect of DirecTV Stream and YouTube TV to help you decide.
A Brief Background
First, let‘s briefly introduce both services before diving into the details.
DirecTV Stream, previously known as AT&T TV, is owned by AT&T. First launched in 2015 as DirecTV Now, the service was rebranded in 2021. As of Q3 2022, DirecTV Stream has around 926,000 subscribers according to AT&T‘s latest earnings release.
YouTube TV, owned by Google, launched in 2017. As per YouTube‘s 2022 BrandConnect report, YouTube TV surpassed 5 million subscribers globally as of June 2022.
Both services have enjoyed steady growth by offering a cable-like experience without contracts, allowing subscribers to stream live TV and access cloud DVR storage. Now let‘s explore how their features, channels, pricing and performance compare.
Channel Lineups
The number and variety of channels are usually the first thing prospective subscribers evaluate when choosing a live TV streaming provider.
DirecTV Stream packages start with 65+ channels in the Entertainment plan, over 100 in Choice and Ultimate has 130+. In contrast, YouTube TV offers 115+ channels in its sole base package.
Here is a sampling of popular channels available on both services:
- AMC
- Bravo
- Cartoon Network
- CNN
- Disney Channel
- ESPN, ESPN2
- Food Network
- Fox News
- FX
- Hallmark
- HGTV
- History Channel
- Lifetime
- MSNBC
- MTV
- Nickelodeon
- TBS
- TLC
- USA Network
When examining the fine print however, several differences emerge:
Regional sports: YouTube TV offers more regional sports networks (RSNs) like Fox Sports Ohio/Sun, NBC Sports Boston and AT&T SportsNet than DirecTV Stream‘s entry packages. Fans may need to upgrade DirecTV packages to ensure coverage.
Locals: YouTube TV has agreements with ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC in over 98% of US markets for local affiliate access. DirecTV Stream also carries the big 4 major local channels but availability varies more by location.
Premium channels: YouTube TV has optional Showtime, Starz, Paramount+ and more starting at $7/month. For premiums like HBO Max or Cinemax on DirecTV Stream, the $99 Choice package or higher tiers are required.
So while both provide popular entertainment and news channels, sports fans and premium channel subscribers may prefer YouTube TV‘s more inclusive base package. Next, let‘s explore some extra features.
Features and Functionality
Beyond just channels, YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream add useful capabilities to enhance the live TV experience:
Cloud DVR: Both offer unlimited storage for recordings. YouTube TV keeps titles for 9 months, while DirecTV Stream extends this to 90 days.
Simultaneous streams: YouTube TV allows 3 concurrent streams, DirecTV Stream offers unlimited streams on the home network. For larger households, this makes DirecTV Stream more accommodating.
Profiles: YouTube TV supports up to 6 user profiles for personalized watch history and recommendations. DirecTV Stream lacks profiles currently.
Devices: These services support streaming on computers, iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast and more. Unique to DirecTV Stream, there is a dedicated streaming box for $120 enabling advanced voice controls.
So while the core functionality is quite similar, YouTube TV‘s user profiles and bigger DVR make it better suited for households with diverse viewing preferences. But DirecTV Stream removes device constraints.
Sports
For sports-lovers, channel availability can make or break live TV service selection. Here‘s how the sports offerings compare:
YouTube TV
- NBA League Pass ($40/month extra)
- MLB TV ($25/month)
- Sports Plus add-on with NFL RedZone, Fox College Sports, Fox Soccer Plus etc. ($11/month)
- Channels like ESPN, FS1, TBS, TNT in base package
DirecTV Stream
- NBA League Pass only in higher Choice/Ultimate packages
- MLB Extra Innings ($89/season)
- Sports Pack add-on with NFL RedZone, Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel etc. ($9/month)
- Entry-level package misses many sports networks
A key differentiator – starting 2023, YouTube TV has exclusive rights to air NFL Sunday Ticket, a must-have for football fans. This gives YouTube TV an edge among sports enthusiasts. Baseball, basketball and other sports are mostly on par.
Premium Channels
Accessing premium networks like HBO, Showtime, Cinemax without cable is a motivating factor behind cord-cutting. Here is the premium channel pricing on both platforms:
YouTube TV
- HBO Max – $15/month
- SHOWTIME – $11/month
- STARZ – $9/month
- EPIX – $7/month
- AMC+ – $7/month
- NBA League Pass – $40/month
DirecTV Stream
- HBO Max & Cinemax – $15/month
- Showtime – $11/month
- STARZ – $9/month
- EPIX – $6/month
The costs of premium add-ons are almost identical on both, with YouTube TV having slightly more niche options like AMC+ available. HBO Max, Showtime and Starz pricing matches on both.
Pricing Plans
Budget is a key aspect that can dictate choice between DirecTV Stream vs YouTube TV. Here is how their pricing compares across packages:
YouTube TV (All prices exclude taxes/fees)
- Base Plan – $64.99/month
- Sports Plus Add-on – $11/month
- 4K Plus Add-on – $10/month
There are no contract or equipment costs with YouTube TV. You only pay monthly as you go.
DirecTV Stream
- Basic Entertainment – $74.99/month
- Choice – $99.99/month
- Ultimate – $104.99/month
- Premier – $149.99/month
Additional fees with DirecTV Stream include:
- $120 one-time cost for new DIRECTV Stream device
- $10/month Regional Sports Fee added to Choice and above
- $15/month combined Broadcast TV and Sports Fee for top 2 packages
So YouTube TV offers more value at their flat $65 entry point. As packages increase on DirecTV Stream, the pricing difference becomes more glaring when various fees are factored in.
Pros and Cons
To summarize the key advantages and limitations:
YouTube TV
Pros:
- Generally cheaper, especially for premium channels
- Stream on 3 devices simultaneously
- Lots of regional/local sports included
- Unlimited DVR storage up to 9 months
- NFL Sunday Ticket access
Cons:
- Max 3 concurrent streams may pose limits
- Missing some niche channels like History, Lifetime
DirecTV Stream
Pros:
- Stream on unlimited home devices
- Dedicated streaming box available
- Slightly better DVR at 90 day storage
Cons:
- Price jumps significantly in higher packages once fees added
- Requires pricier packages for full sports/premiums
- No user profiles currently
Looking at the pros and cons holistically, YouTube TV clearly seems ahead as the overall better value pick for most mainstream users.
Verdict
Based on this detailed side-by-side breakdown spanning channels, features, sports offerings, pricing and more – I believe YouTube TV is the superior live TV streaming choice for cord cutters compared to DirecTV Stream.
YouTube TV provides a great selection of sports and entertainment at their entry $65 price point. Regional sports coverage is solid, and the upcoming NFL Sunday Ticket deal cements their value for sports fans.
Meanwhile DirecTV Stream‘s packages beyond the basic tier get considerably more expensive once various fees are incorporated. And their channel gaps like missing Lifetime or History in lower tiers may be frustrating to subscribers. Lack of user profiles is another constraint.
The unlimited in-home streams on DirecTV Stream are the only major benefit over YouTube TV‘s 3-stream limit. But for an extra $20+ a month, that alone may not be compelling enough for most consumers to warrant choosing DirecTV Stream over the cheaper, fuller-featured YouTube TV.
So in the battle between two cable alternatives – YouTube TV takes the crown with better content, pricing and flexibility. DirecTV Stream puts up a fair fight but falls short in the final verdict. For cord cutters seeking the optimal balance of cost and programming – YouTube TV currently leads the pack as 2023‘s top live TV streaming provider.
