Hey there! If you‘re weighing AT&T‘s streaming TV service and traditional satellite DIRECTV option as an alternative your current cable provider, this comprehensive guide will break down how the two stack up. My goal is to arm you with everything needed to determine the right fit based on your household‘s viewing habits, tech needs, and budget.
Overview: Internet Streaming vs Satellite Delivery Both from AT&T
First, what exactly are we comparing? AT&T TV offers live TV, DVR and on-demand programming delivered over broadband internet directly to devices in your home. No satellite dish required!
By contrast, DIRECTV relies on satellites in space broadcasting signals down to dishes mounted at customer homes. This tried-and-true technology has some advantages but lacks the mobility of streaming.
Now owned by the same AT&T parent company, both AT&T TV and DIRECTV aim to make cord cutting from cable more seamless. But with different delivery methods in play, how exactly do these two services stack up when it comes to channel availability, hardware, streaming quality and costs?
I’ll tackle all facets of the AT&T TV vs DIRECTV decision across the sections below. My recommendations at the end aim to help you confidently determine which provider best aligns with your household’s needs. Let’s dive in!
Channel Lineup Comparison: DIRECTV Offers Greater Breadth of Networks
First up, probably my most frequent question: “How many channels can I get?" DIRECTVwins this battle with more overall channels spread across its packages as shown in the table below:
Some key notes on the numbers:
- Entry-level DIRECTV Entertainment still beats AT&T Premier by 15 or more channels
- Stepping up to DIRECTV Premier costs the same as AT&T Premier but gets you over 190 additional networks
- HBO and Cinemax are only available on the top Premier tier for each
- DIRECTV also tacks on an extra $4-14/month in regional sports fees, depending where you live
With so many channels, it can seem like overkill. But households of 4 or more viewers actually utilize close to 200 channels on average based on research by Leichtman Research Group.
So if you have a house full of competing TV interests, DIRECTV delivers superior diversity of entertainment options. But for smaller households, AT&T may still bring adequate variety at a cheaper price.
Package Pricing Shakes Out as a Short-Term vs Long-Term Tradeoff
Speaking of price tags, AT&T TV and DIRECTV take very different approaches to how they charge subscribers. Here‘s a breakdown of how pricing works with each provider:
The stand out trade-off here comes down to flexibility vs long-term savings:
- AT&T TV caters to short term subscribers with contract-free packages. This carries a hefty $10 to $20 per month premium over their 2-year locked-in rates.
- DIRECTV offers more savings but exclusively ties customers to 2-year agreements. Their advertised rates do require sticking around at least 24 months.
Determining the true long run costs comes down to a simple formula I built for projecting total fees over time:
Total 2 Year Cost = Monthly Package Rate x 24 months
Plugging real numbers in, here is how the costs look for the entry-level Entertainment package on both AT&T and DIRECTV:
Based on this math for the starter package:
- AT&T TV no contract works out to $1,679 over 2 years
- But the AT&T TV 2-year contract costs $350 less at $1,329 for that same period
- The cheapest option is still DIRECTV at just $1,158 over 24 months
The savings DIRECTV provides are clear when making a longer commitment. But AT&T TV offers the unique perk of dodging contracts entirely at the expense of higher short term rates.
Depending how long you think you’ll subscribe, weigh that incremental flexibility against the higher fees incurred.
Next let’s shift gears to the technology and installation requirements powering these two TV providers. This marks another major point of difference.
DIRECTV Satellite Dishes vs AT&T TV Streaming Boxes
DIRECT and AT&T take vastly different approaches when it comes to delivering services into your home.
DIRECTV requires professional installation of an 18-inch satellite dish mounted with a clear direct sight line to the sky. Technicians ensure positioning allows unobstructed access to capture signals from DIRECTV’s orbiting fleet of satellites.
Hooking up the dish links to your provided DIRECTV Genie receiver box via coaxial cables. The Genie handles channel tuning, DVR recording capabilities and pushing video content to your television.
By comparison, AT&T TV gives you everything needed in one small piece of hardware – the AT&T TV device. About the size of an Apple TV or Roku streaming box, it plugs directly into your TV’s HDMI input without any fancy wiring or drilling.
Setting up this stand-alone device just requires connecting it to your home WiFi network. The built-in Android smart TV platform even supports popular apps like Netflix and Hulu right out of the box.
Given you can self-install in minutes without a technician, AT&T TV offers greater simplicity. But there are some hardware capability tradeoffs to consider around video resolution support:
A few important notes on streaming quality:
- DIRECTV satellite boxes consistently maintain 1080p HD resolution with a higher bitrate signal less vulnerable to packet loss
- AT&T TV maxes out at 720p HD resolution for its live channel streams which is considered Standard Definition by today’s metrics
- For internet streams, actual quality depends on your home broadband speeds and WiFi signal strength
So while AT&T TV offers quicker setup and built-in smart TV features, DIRECTV satellite still beats it on technical streaming quality metrics.
How Viewing Requirements and Location Impact Availability
Since AT&T TV solely utilizes internet for delivery while DIRECT relies on satellites, determining what’s available to you also depends on these factors:
AT&T TV: Requires minimum 8 Mbps broadband speeds for smooth streaming. Restricted by your home internet data plan caps which can limit monthly viewing time before overages occur. Functions anywhere with solid WiFi signal like hotels or even planes!
DIRECTV: Requires clear “line of sight” to the sky in the southern direction for satellite dish positioning. Trees, buildings or extreme weather can interrupt reception. Won‘t work certain dense urban high rise locations. But brings robust availability to over 99% of households nationwide.
In essence, DIRECTV gives you an always-available “just press play” experience. AT&T TV gives you the flexibility to take your subscription anywhere with good internet access.
Consider how these factors impact your personal needs as you weigh options. Frequent travelers or those lacking satellite dish mounting options may find streaming more practical despite some technical drawbacks on video quality.
Alright, let’s round out this tech battle by looking at DVR and on-demand differences giving you control over when you watch programs.
DVR & On-Demand Libraries: Quantifying Storage Limits and Channel Choice
Having access to a DVR for recording live television plus an on-demand library for playing past episodes and movies on your terms has become table stakes in 2022. But how much can you store and access across AT&T TV and DIRECTV?
Here’s a breakdown:
Analyzing the numbers closer:
- DIRECTV’s 200 hour Genie DVR storage beats AT&T’s 20 hours of cloud DVR including in base packages
- But AT&T does offer unlimited storage for additional $10/month fee
- DIRECTV claims over 40,000 titles in their on-demand catalog compared to just 10,000+ for AT&T
- Lots of DIRECTV’s back catalog content comes from parent company Warner Media properties like HBO and the Warner Bros studio
Based on this data, DIRECTV appears superior for recording tons of shows thanks to that hefty 200 hour DVR. The expansive on-demand catalogue could keep movie marathoners perpetually entertained for months too!
But don’t underestimate AT&T’s unlimited cloud DVR if you’re willing to pay the add-on price. For situation comedy reruns and drama catch up, 10,000 hours should sufficiently scratch that binge itch.
Bottom Line TV Recommendations for Sports Fans vs Casual Viewers
We’ve now compared everything from channel availability to streaming quality to DVR storage capacity between AT&T TV and DIRECTV. With all factors assessed, here is my bottom line verdict tailored to different viewer needs:
For Sports Fans: DIRECTV can’t be beat thanks to their exclusive NFL Sunday Ticket package plus massive regional sports network lineup. Avid NBA, MLB and NHL fans need this service!
For Film & TV Diehards: Again I have to endorse DIRECTV with its unrivaled on-demand library spanning new releases, classics, HBO & more. Over 40,000 titles mean endless entertainment.
For Occasional & Travel Viewers: AT&T TV better suits those looking for basic news and network channels. The contract-free plans provide short term flexibility plus portability to hotels and flights.
For Tech & Budget Minded Households: Leaning towards AT&T TV with its simpler streaming hardware, built-in Android apps and lower regular pricing. Lack of contracts and 4 package tiers simplify options.
Now you’ve got the full scoop on navigating the AT&T TV vs DIRECTV decision as a cord cutter. My goal was to provide an insider tech enthusiast’s perspective without overwhelming. Don’t hesitate to reach out if any other questions come up! Happy streaming (or satellite dish positioning).
