Our TV experts show you the true cost of DIRECTV, including installation fees, equipment charges, and more.
By Rachel OaksApr 30, 2024 | Share
5-day free trial: Tired of cable and satellite TV but not quite sure if you want to cut the cord? DIRECTV STREAM is a good streaming alternative for folks who want the look and feel of old-school TV without the installation requirements, equipment fees, and other headaches that come with cable. And it comes with all the same channels and pricing as traditional DIRECTV.
Budgeting for a DIRECTV package can be intimidating when you’re afraid extra fees lurk around every corner. But don’t fret—we’ve got all the insider knowledge on DIRECTV’s hidden fees. From contracts to equipment to cancellation costs, we’ll give you a clear look at all your options before you sign up.
DIRECTV requires a two-year contract but offers a two-year price guarantee. After those two years, you’ll pay whatever amount DIRECTV has raised its package prices to since you signed up, which it calls “the current prevailing prices.”
The one bonus is that DIRECTV’s deals and promotions usually include a nice freebie on top of your plan. Currently, you can get three free months of Max™ (formerly HBO Max), CINEMAX®, MGM+™, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®, and STARZ® when you sign up for the ENTERTAINMENT All Included package and higher.
Just don’t forget to cancel those offers at the end of your promo period, or your DIRECTV monthly cost will go way, way up. The auto-renew prices for all those premium channels total $54.95 monthly.
| Package | Price | Channel count | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT All Included | $69.99/mo.* | 165+ channels | View plan |
| DIRECTV CHOICE™ All Included | $79.99/mo.* | 200+ channels | View plan |
| DIRECTV ULTIMATE All Included | $114.99/mo.* | 270+ channels | View plan |
| DIRECTV PREMIER All Included | $159.99/mo. † | 340+ channels | View plan |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*for 24 months plus taxes and fees w/ 24-mo. agmt.
AutoPay and Paperless Bill req’d. Advanced Receiver Service Fee $15/mo. is extra and applies.
DIRECTV used to raise its prices sharply in the second year of your two-year contract, but it’s since done away with that misleading pricing.
After your two-year price guarantee, DIRECTV will charge you its latest package prices. If you don’t like those prices, your two-year agreement will be over, so you can switch to another TV provider like DISH.
| Fee | Price | What it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| TV Access Fee | $7.00/receiver | Connecting each receiver |
| Advanced Receiver Service Fee | $15.00/mo. | HD, DVR, and whole-home services |
| Regional Sports Fee | Up to $15.99/mo. | Including regional sports networks |
| Late Payment Fee | Up to $6.25 | Paying your bill late |
| Vacation Hold | Up to $7.00/mo. | Holding your service for 2–6 months while you’re on vacation |
| Returned Payment Fee | Up to $30.00 (as permitted by law) | Making payments that get declined |
| Minimum Service | Up to $9.99/mo. | Placing your account in minimum service status because of non-payment |
| Restoral Fee | Up to $20.00 per restoral | Reinstating your regular service after it changed to minimum service |
| Dispatch Fee | $99.00 | Dispatching a technician for requested repairs |
| Phone Payment Fee | Up to $5.00 per payment | Talking to an agent to make a payment |
| Order Assistance Fee | Up to $5.00 per payment | Speaking to an agent to order Pay Per View |
| Duplicate Statement Fee | Up to $1.75 | Sending a duplicate written statement at your request |
| Ledger Request | Up to $2.75 | Posting an itemized ledger of past payments at your request |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
There are a few DIRECTV’s hidden fees you get each month.
You’ve got your taxes, which are determined by where you live. And while DIRECTV advertises the Genie DVR device as included, you’ll still have to pay the advanced receiver service fee. Then there’s the regional sports fee, which DIRECTV charges customers with CHOICE All Included and higher-tier plans for regional sports channels.
For the most part, everything else that isn’t equipment or premium channels is incidental stuff you can avoid. We suggest using your online account to check statements and make payments, because talking to an agent on the phone can cost you extra.
| Fee | Price | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Activation fee | $19.95 | Activating your DIRECTV service |
| Additional activation fee | $49.00 per TV connection | Activating DIRECTV on 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th TVs |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Installing your satellite dish requires a professional technician, but luckily DIRECTV doesn’t charge for that. Instead, you’ll pay only a small activation fee. But this is waived for online orders.
The exception is the additional activation fee that DIRECTV charges folks with lots of TVs at home. After your third TV, every additional hookup will cost you a $49 onetime charge. Yikes!
| Fee | Price | What it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Receiver Service Fee | Up to $25.00/mo. | Receiving HD, DVR, and whole-home services |
| Genie Mini receiver | $7.00/mo. ea. | Adding 1+ receivers to your package |
| Genie 2 bridge fee | $99.00 onetime charge | Upgrading to the new Genie 2 |
| Equipment non-return fee | $45.00–$135.00 | Fee for not returning equipment (varies by device) |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
DIRECTV says all its packages come with a $15 monthly advanced receiver service fee, which covers your DVR and HD service. But DIRECTV’s fees page says that fee can reach as high as $25 monthly, so keep an eye out for price hikes on this fee.
And if you want to zone out in front of more than one TV, it will cost you $7 per month for each additional Genie Mini or Genie Mini Wireless receiver.
If you want to go wireless, you can try out the new Genie 2. There is a one-time bridge fee (for wireless setup) of $99. The Genie 2 isn’t available everywhere yet, and users have complained it’s still buggy, but it has more recording time and you won’t have to go drilling holes all over your house.
To give it a shot, ask your customer service rep if Genie 2 is available in your area.
Want to learn more about DIRECTV’s equipment? Check out our review of the Genie.