DirecTV Now has officially launched two new live TV streaming packages and hiked up the cost of its existing packages.
DirecTV Now, the online alternative to the satellite service, is in the process of rolling out DirecTV Now Plus and DirecTV Now Max, costing $50 and $70 per month, respectively. The packages are notably thinner than what DirecTV Now currently offers, with roughly 50 channels in Plus and more than 60 in Max. Considering DirecTV Now’s Gotta Have It package offers more than 125 channels, “Max” is a misnomer. Both packages lack channels from Viacom (MTV, Comedy Central), AMC Networks (AMC, BBC America), and A+E Networks (History, Lifetime). Chances are those networks are the reason you want to sign up for cable, to begin with.
Skinny bundles are supposed to be less expansive—not more. These packages effectively price DirecTV Now out of the market. Sling TV packages start at $25 per month. YouTube TV runs $40 per month. PlayStation Vue, FuboTV, and Hulu with Live TV cost $44.95 per month, and all of those options offer a more compelling collection of channels in their core packages. Only DirecTV Now, however, can boast HBO as a standard channel. (It costs $15 per month as a standalone service or as an add-on if it’s available at all.)
If you’re already a DirecTV Now customer, you’ll soon see a $10-per-month price increase, regardless of which of the service’s five packages you subscribe to. On the plus side, you’ll retain all of your current channels and can still receive HBO for just $5 per month. Even with the price increase, those packages offer a far better value and a more comprehensive channel selection. The new prices, which are set to take effect April 12, are as follows:
DirecTV Now cost:
- Live a Little: $50 per month*
- Just Right: $65 per month*
- Go Big: $75 per month*
- Gotta Have It: $85 per month*
- Todos y Mas: $55 per month*
- Plus: $50 per month
- Max: $75 per month
* Only available to existing customers
DirecTV Now packages
So what exactly will you get with these two new packages? Here’s the complete list of DirecTV Now Plus and DirecTV Now Max channels, according to Cord Cutters News, which first reported the changes. We’ll update this list once DirecTV Now’s website confirms the channel listings.
DirecTV Now Plus channels
- ABC
- AccuWeather
- Audience
- Boomerang
- Bravo
- Cartoon Network
- CBS
- CNBC
- CNBC World
- CNN
- CW
- Disney Channel
- Disney Junior
- Disney XD
- E!
- ESPN
- ESPN2
- FOX
- FOX Business Network
- FOX News Channel
- FS1
- Freeform
- FX
- FX Movie Channel
- FXX
- Hallmark Channel
- HBO
- HBO Family
- HBO Latino
- HLN
- MSNBC
- My Network TV
- Nat Geo World
- National Geographic Channel
- NBC
- NBCSN
- Ovation
- Oxygen
- Pop
- Revolt
- SYFY
- TBS
- TCM
- Telemundo
- TNT
- TruTV
- Universal Kids
- Universo
- USA Network
- VME
DirecTV Now Max
- ABC
- AccuWeather
- Audience
- Big Ten Network
- Boomerang
- Bravo
- Cartoon Network
- CBS
- CBS Sports Network
- Cinemax
- CNBC
- CNBC World
- CNN
- CW
- Disney Channel
- Disney Junior
- Disney XD
- E!
- ESPN
- ESPN2
- ESPNews
- ESPNU
- FOX
- FOX Business Network
- FOX News Channel
- FS1
- FS2
- Freeform
- FX
- FX Movie Channel
- FXX
- Golf Channel
- Hallmark Channel
- HBO
- HBO Family
- HBO Latino
- HLN
- Longhorn Network
- MSG
- MSG+
- MSNBC
- My Network TV
- Nat Geo World
- National Geographic Channel
- NBC
- NBCSN
- Olympic Channel
- Ovation
- Oxygen
- Pop
- Revolt
- SEC Network
- SNY
- SYFY
- TBS
- TCM
- Telemundo
- TNT
- TruTV
- Universal Kids
- Universo
- USA Network
- VME
- Yes Network
As you can see, there’s not much that separates the Plus and Max packages. You’ll receive Cinemax, a couple of smaller ESPN channels, and a few other niche sports options, but it’s hard to justify the upgrade when you can be getting considerably more channels with other services.