Spectrum vs DirecTV – Which Is Better? When it comes to choosing a TV provider, Spectrum and DIRECTV are often the options that come to mind for people. They both offer a range of channels, on-demand content, and high-quality entertainment. So, How can you decide which one is right, for you? Take a look at this blog post to help you make a choice.
Furthermore, Let’s delve into what Spectrum and DIRECTV bring to the table.
DIRECTV vs Spectrum Quick Comparison
DirecTV
Available in all 50 states
TV plans begin at $69.99 per month
There are 75 to 150+ channels
You can record five shows at the same time
AT&T Internet is the best bundle to get
Needs a two-year contract
Spectrum
Available in 46 states
TV service starts at $59.99 per month
More than 125 channels
You can record two shows at the same time
Spectrum Internet bundles it the best
There is no need for a contract
DIRECTV vs Spectrum TV Packages and Pricing
Basically, Spectrum offers three base TV packages, whereas DIRECTV provides five. Both providers can also include your channels in their base packages.
DirecTV Packages
| Package | Starting Monthly Price | TV channel Count | Top channels | Premium channels | Contract |
| Entertainment | $69.99/mo. | Up to 75+ | AMC, ESPN, ESPN2, FOX Sports 1*, TBS, TLC, TNT, USA | For the first three months, DIRECTV comes with Max, SHOWTIME®, STARZ®, MGM+TM, and Cinemax®. | Yes |
| CHOICE | $84.99/mo. | Up to 105+ | MLB Network, OWN, Travel Channel, Weather Channel | For the first three months, DIRECTV comes with Max, SHOWTIME®, STARZ®, Cinemax®, and MGM+TM. | Yes |
| ULTIMATE | $114.99/mo. | Up to 140+ | Fox Sports 2*, LMN, FX Movie Channel | For the first three months, DIRECTV comes with Max, SHOWTIME®, STARZ®, Cinemax®, and MGM+TM. | Yes |
| PREMIER | $159.99/mo. | Up to 150+ | Magnolia Network, FYI, Discovery Family, Destination America | Max, SHOWTIME®, STARZ® and Cinemax® included. MGM+™ included for first three months on DIRECTV | Yes |
Spectrum TV Packages
| Package | Starting Monthly Price | TV channel Count | Contract |
| TV Select | $69.99/mo. | 150+ | No |
| TV Select Signature | $64.99/mo. | 150+ | No |
| TV Select Plus | $74.99/mo. | 150+ | No |
| Mi Plan Latino | $39.99/mo. | 145+ | No |
| Choice 15 | $29.99/mo. | 15 | No |
Spectrum vs DIRECTV Mobile Apps
In today’s world, most TV providers offer apps that allow you to stream your TV package, on-demand movies and shows DVR recordings, and more while you’re on the go. Additionally, these apps enhance your cable or satellite TV experience by providing features.
| Comparison | DIRECTV on the Go | Spectrum TV app |
| Price | Included | Included |
| Apple Store rating | 4.6 / 5.0 | 4.7 / 5.0 |
| Google Play Store rating | 4.0 / 5.0 | 4.5 / 5.0 |
| Watch live channels | ✔ | ✔ |
| Watch on-demand content | ✔ | ✔ |
| Watch DVR recordings | ✔ | ✔ |
| Downloading for offline viewing | ✔ | ✔ |
| Watch pay-per-view, rental, and purchased content | ✔ | ✔ |
| Set and manage DVR recordings and timers | ✔ | ✔ |
| Set and manage parental controls | ✔ | ✔ |
| In-home streams | Unlimited | 3 |
| On-the-go streams | 2 | 3 |
| Use phone as remote | ✔ | ✔ |
DIRECTV vs Spectrum Add-ons and Special Offers
When it comes to deals and add-on packages DIRECTV tends to outshine Spectrum.
Premium Channels
Both DIRECTV and Spectrum allow you to add Max Cinemax®, SHOWTIME®, MGM+TM, and STARZ® as premium channels. Furthermore, The Entertainment, Choice, and Ultimate packages from DIRECTV all include these channels at no cost, for three months.
Sports Deals
DIRECTV offers sports channels and packages compared to Spectrum.
Channels Around the World
DIRECTV and Spectrum also both can offer base packages that cater to Spanish-speaking customers. DIRECTV provides a range of base packages as well as international networks from various countries worldwide.
DIRECTV vs Spectrum Equipment, Specs, and Features
DIRECTV Equipment and DVR
| Device | Price | DVR Storage | Simultaneous Recordings or Streams | Supported TVs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genie DVR | $15.00/mo. | 200 hrs. | 5 recordings | N/A |
| Genie 2 DVR | $15.00/mo.* | 450 hrs. | 7 recordings | N/A |
| Genie Mini | $7.00/mo. each | N/A | N/A | Up to 6 |
| Genie Mini Wireless | $7.00/mo. each | N/A | N/A | Up to 8 |
| DIRECTV app | Free | N/A | 5 streams | N/A |
Furthermore, DirecTV Genie and Genie 2 DVRs are devices that do not rely on cloud storage for data. These DVRs are included in your TV plan, also there is a $99 fee to connect the Genie 2 to Wi-Fi.
Additionally, The Genie provides 200 hours of storage, which is similar to Spectrum’s Cloud DVR Plus if all your Spectrum recordings were two-hour movies. In comparison, the Genie 2 can store data for up to 450 hours, which is significantly more than what the standard Genie or Spectrum can handle.
Spectrum Equipment and Cloud DVR
| Device | Price | Additional devices | DVR Storage | Simultaneous Recordings or Streams | Supported TVs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD TV Box | $9.99/mo. | $9.99/mo. | N/A | Unlimited | 4 |
| Apple TV 4K (rent-to-own) | $9.99/mo. | N/A* | N/A | Unlimited | 1 |
| Apple TV 4K (purchase) | $180.00 | N/A* | N/A | Unlimited | 1 |
| Cloud DVR | $4.99/mo. | N/A | Up to 50 shows | Unlimited | N/A |
| Cloud DVR Plus** | $9.99/mo. | N/A | Up to 100 shows | Unlimited | N/A |
* Limit one per account
* Requires Apple TV 4K
Additionally, Spectrum offers two options for your devices. If you prefer a receiver or DVR unit you can opt for the HD TV Box at $9.99 per month for each box, which supports up to four TVs. It’s important to note that this choice does not include DVR storage, which needs to be paid for separately.
Furthermore, For those recording shows, there is a cloud DVR option at $4.99 per month that allows you to record up to 50 shows. However, please keep in mind that this DVR plan works specifically with the HD TV Box. On the other hand, if you choose Apple TV 4K as your Spectrum TV box, you have access to Cloud DVR. At $9.99 per month, double your storage capacity to accommodate up to 100 shows.
By the way, selecting Apple TV 4K has benefits; it offers a rent-to-own deal where the device becomes yours once you complete all 20 payments. Alternatively, you have the option to purchase it directly for a price of $180.
Compare DIRECTV and Spectrum TV Internet Bundles
The cheapest bundle deals for internet and TV are shown below.
DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT + AT&T 300 Internet
- Price starts at $124.99 a month
- Over 165 channels
- Internet speeds: Up to 300 Mbps
- No limit on data with some bundles
- Bundle savings: $0/mo.
Spectrum Internet + TV Select
- Price starts at $109.98 a month
- Over 125 channels
- It can go as fast as 300 Mbps
- No limits on data
- Save $10 a month when you buy everything together
If Spectrum TV is accessible, you can also expect Spectrum Internet services to be readily available. This allows for a bundle of Spectrum Internet and TV.
Moreover, Spectrum provides four packages that encompass internet, TV, and home phone services. Each plan offers internet speeds of, up to 300 Mbps (though wireless speeds may vary). Moreover, certain areas offer bundle packages with speeds.
Moreover, The availability of DIRECTV and internet bundles depends on the internet service providers in your area. Since AT&T owns both DIRECTV and AT&T Internet, they frequently come as a package. However, in areas where AT&T is not available, other providers like CenturyLink, Frontier, HughesNet, Verizon, or others may be included in the DIRECTV bundles.
Combining DIRECTV with AT&T Internet does not result in cost savings. The channel lineup remains the same whether you purchase them together or separately. The AT&T internet plan with these bundle deals starts at $35 per month. It is considered an affordable option. However, if you opt for a Premier, Entertainment, Choice, or Ultimate DIRECTV package, the price of the bundle deal will increase.
DIRECTV vs Spectrum Customer Satisfaction
The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Ranks TV and internet providers based on service quality, cost-effectiveness, and customer service interactions. So, How do DIRECTV and Spectrum compare according to these rankings?
| Provider | 2022 score | 2021 score | 2020 score | Avg. past three years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DirectTV | 66/100 | 66/100 | 64/100 | 65.3/100 |
| Spectrum | 63/100 | 64/100 | 61/100 | 62.6/100 |
Spectrum vs DIRECTV Pros and Cons
DirecTV
✓ Wide availability
✓ 2-year price guarantee
✓Genie DVRs
✗ 2-year contract
✗ Expensive plans
✗ Hidden fees
Spectrum
✓ Affordability
✓ No contract
✓ Spectrum TV app
✗ Limited availability
✗ DVR fee
Spectrum vs DIRECTV Fees and Extra Charges
DIRECTV Fees and Extra Charges
| Fees | Amount |
|---|---|
| TV access fee (per receiver) | $12.00/mo. |
| Advanced Receiver Service Fee | $15.00/mo. |
| Regional sports fee | Up to $13.99/mo. (depends on location) |
| Returned check/electronic funds transfer (EFT) | Up to $30.00 (as permitted by law) |
| Phone payment fee | Up to $5.00 per payment |
| Order assistance fee | Up to $5.00 per payment |
| Late payment fee | Up to $6.25 |
| Payment extension | $15.00 |
| Duplicate statement fee | Up to $1.75 |
| Ledger request | Up to $2.75 |
| Minimum service fee | Up to $9.99/mo. |
| Early termination fee | $20.00/mo. per remaining month |
| Restoral fee | Up to $20 per restoral |
| Dispatch fee | $99.00 |
| Leased equipment fees (due at sign-up) | $0.00–$50.00, depending on the device |
| Bridge fee (for wireless setup with Genie 2 and Genie Mini Wireless) | $99.00 is due at signup |
| Activation fee (main service) | $19.95 |
| Activation fee (Genie Mini) | $49.00 per device over 4 |
| Activation fee (Genie Mini Wireless) | $49.00 per device over 4 |
When it comes to broadcast TV access, fees charged by DIRECTV compared to Spectrum’s fee for the service category show a significant difference of 75% less. However, it’s worth noting that Spectrum surpasses this advantage with a sports fee of $13.99 per month. Additionally, extra fees for activation and “payment assistance” tend to be higher with DIRECTV.
Spectrum Fees and Extra Charges
| Fees | Amount |
|---|---|
| Broadcast TV fee | Up to $21.00/mo. |
| Professional installation | $59.99 |
| Self-installation activation | $24.99 |
| HD TV box | $9.99/mo. each |
| Apple TV 4K (rent-to-own) | Starting at $9.99/mo.** |
| Apple TV 4K (purchase) | $180.00** |
| Cloud DVR (records up to 50 shows) | $4.99/mo. |
| Cloud DVR Plus (record up to 100 shows) | $9.99/mo.* |
| Late payment fee | $8.95 |
| Reconnection fee | $4.99 |
Most cable and satellite TV providers often have hidden fees that may catch you by surprise. This is true, for both Spectrum and DIRECTV. However, Spectrum charges a broadcast TV fee, which can go as high as $21 per month, making it one of the highest in the industry.
The “self-installation activation fee” is also pretty gross. Paying Spectrum to install it ourselves doesn’t seem like an option to us.
DIRECTV vs Spectrum FAQs
Q: Which is the choice between DIRECTV and Spectrum?
When it comes to television shows and DVRs, DIRECTV outperforms Spectrum. However, one advantage of Spectrum is that it does not require a contract, whereas DIRECTV guarantees a price for two years. Additionally, Spectrum price increases after a year are typically smaller compared to those of DIRECTV.
Q: Can I have both DIRECTV and Spectrum services simultaneously?
Many people opt for internet and home phone services from Spectrum in areas where AT&T Internet is unavailable. However, combining both DIRECTV and Spectrum services does not result in any cost savings or additional perks.
Q: Is it possible to get internet through DIRECTV in my location?
it is not possible to obtain internet service through DIRECTV. Instead, DIRECTV collaborates with top-notch internet service providers. Furthermore, you may find bundled packages that include AT&T Internet along with your DIRECTV subscription. Additionally, some packages include CenturyLink Frontier, HughesNet, Verizon, or other providers.
Conclusion
In summary, each provider Spectrum and DIRECTV has its strengths. If having access to a range of channels is important to you, then DIRECTV offers package options.
Spectrum’s convenient, on-demand options and mobile application, however, make it an ideal choice for individuals who enjoy watching television even while traveling. When deciding on the service provider, for your specific needs, it is essential to consider your personal preferences and top priorities. Regardless of the option you choose, there is a plethora of experiences awaiting you!
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