How to Watch Sports Online With DIRECTV STREAM
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
Millions of Americans are cutting the cord on traditional live TV, but, for sports fans, it’s still a tough call. Cable and satellite can seem like the only way to get regional and national TV channels, which are still the sole broadcasters of most live sports — be it baseball, basketball, football, or hockey. But there is another option: live TV streaming services, such as DIRECTV STREAM.
More from Rolling Stone
Yes, Chef! You Can Actually Order Your Own 'Original Berf' T-Shirt Like the One in 'The Bear'
The Best Body Groomers for Men (and Why Everyone Should Have One, Too)
These Air Conditioner Deals Well Help You Keep Cool For Less
Live TV streaming services let you watch live TV channels on any streaming-enabled device without a cable box or roof dish. This is of course a boon for sports fans: You can follow your favorite leagues without cable, and you can do so from your smart TV, your laptop, your tablet, or your phone.
One such live TV streaming service is DIRECTV STREAM, which carries a massive number of popular channels — and some great subscriber perks to boot.
If you’ve been thinking of getting a live TV streaming service (maybe for the new MLB season or the NBA playoffs), check out DIRECTV STREAM here and see our full rundown of the service below.
DIRECTV STREAM Sign-Up
What Channels Does DIRECTV STREAM Carry?
DIRECTV STREAM carries up to 150+ channels, which is more than competitors such as Sling (48 channels) and Hulu + Live TV (85+).
While some other live TV streaming services carry a couple of national sports channels, DIRECTV STREAM carries many of the major national sports networks including ESPN, TNT, FS1, and TBS. This gets you nationally broadcast sports such as NFL games and Formula 1 races.
But, perhaps more importantly, DIRECTV STREAM also carries over 30 regional sports networks (RSNs), like NBC Sports and Bally Sports1. These regional channels are exclusive broadcasters for a large chunk of games,2 making them necessary if you want to follow MLB, NBA, and NHL seasons.
Besides the RSNs and national sports channels, DIRECTV STREAM also carries many national channels from CNN and MSNBC to HGTV and Discovery Channel. All told, you can watch anywhere from 75+ to 150+ channels with DIRECTV STREAM, depending on what package you chose (more on these packages below). See DIRECTV STREAM’s full channel lineup here.
DIRECTV STREAM Pricing
DIRECTV STREAM offers four different packages, but we suggest the $109.99/month ULTIMATE package for sports fans. This package is the best way to get the regional sports networks and major national channels (including CBS Sports Network) in a lineup of more than 140 channels.
DIRECTV STREAM ULTIMATE Sign-Up
Here’s a breakdown of the four DIRECTV STREAM packages.
(Worth noting: All of these packages include unlimited cloud DVR storage, and let you stream on unlimited devices at once.3)
1. DIRECTV STREAM ENTERTAINMENT Package
At $74.99 a month, the ENTERTAINMENT package is the most affordable DIRECTV STREAM plan. The package carries over 75 channels, including popular national channels such as ESPN and FS1, but you’ll need to upgrade to one of the other plans below for access to regional sports networks.
DIRECTV STREAM ENTERTAINMENT Sign-Up
2. DIRECTV STREAM CHOICE Package
DIRECTV STREAM’s CHOICE package offers some great value for sports fans. You get RSNs and national sports channels, as well as HBO Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, and MGM+ for three months.4 This package costs $99.99 a month.
DIRECTV STREAM CHOICE Sign-Up
3. DIRECTV STREAM ULTIMATE Package
For $10 more a month than the CHOICE package, the ULTIMATE package bumps up your channel count to more than 140, and brings some new channels such as Golf channel and — most importantly — CBS Sports Network. This makes the ULTIMATE package a good option for sports fans.
DIRECTV STREAM ULTIMATE Sign-Up
4. DIRECTV STREAM PREMIER Package
At the top of DIRECTV STREAM’s offerings is the PREMIER package, which delivers everything in the ULTIMATE package, as well as more channels (150+), and HBO Max, SHOWTIME, and STARZ included with your subscription. It’s pricey at $154.99 a month, but the number of channels and the included premium streaming services make the PREMIER package a good all-in-one option if you can afford it.
DIRECTV STREAM PREMIER Sign-Up
Head here to shop DIRECTV STREAM’s packages.
1RSNs only included in CHOICE Package or higher. Additional fees may apply. Blackout restrictions apply. Availability of RSNs varies by zip code and package.
2RSNs accounted for 23% of MLB revenue, 13% of NBA revenue, and 12% of NHL revenue during the 2021-2022 seasons (Sportico research).
3All DIRECTV streams must be on the same home network and compatible device(s) required. Limit 3 concurrent out-of-home DIRECTV streams. Certain networks limit total number of simultaneous streams. Restrictions apply. See directv.com/unlimitedstreams for details.
4HBO Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, MGM+ and Cinemax auto-renew after 3 months at then prevailing rates (currently $14.99/mo. for HBO Max, $11.00/mo. each for SHOWTIME, STARZ and Cinemax, and $6.00/mo. for MGM+), unless you change or cancel. Req’s you to select offer. Offer subject to change & may be modified or discontinued at any time without notice.
Best of Rolling Stone
