Compare DIRECTV vs. Xfinity

Is DIRECTV or XFINITY the better TV provider for you?

In general, DIRECTV offers much better channel lineups at a much higher price. If you care about having the most TV options at your fingertips — including premium channels like HBO®, Cinemax®, SHOWTIME® and STARZ/ENCORE® — go with DIRECTV. Just know that you’ll have to commit to a two-year contract and pay almost 50% more in the second year.

Xfinity’s TV plans are a lot more modest when it comes to price and channel lineups. You’ll get almost all of the popular channels you’re used to with cable TV, but not the premium ones. (If you want those, you’ll have to subscribe to their streaming services.) But that’s not to say Xfinity TV doesn’t have its perks. Many packages include Xfinity’s 4K streaming device, and you’ll get a free subscription to Peacock Premium, a $4.99/mo, value on its own.

Take a look at how the two services compare by availability, pricing, bundle options, customer satisfaction and more. 

DIRECTV vs. XFINITY quick comparison

• Best availability: DIRECTV offers satellite TV service in all 50 states and is available virtually everywhere, while Xfinity is available in 40 states.  
• Channel selection: DIRECTV has the best channel lineups overall, with the most regional sports networks and premium channels included.
• Price: Xfinity offers the lowest introductory pricing with a starting price of $20/mo.*

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 11/12/21.

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DIRECTV vs. Xfinity TV package options and pricing

DIRECTV gives you more base package options with four total compared to Xfinity’s two. You’ll get a better channel selection with DIRECTV, but if you’re looking for a base TV package without a lot of premium channels, Xfinity’s basic TV plan is cheaper.

If you’re a sports fan, DIRECTV is probably the better option. It carries more regional sports networks, so it’s more likely you’ll be able to see your local MBL, NHL or NBA team’s games. You can also add NFL Sunday Ticket to any plan, which is the only way to watch out-of-market NFL games.

For a look at the available channels with DIRECTV and Xfinity packages, look to our DIRECTV channel guide and Xfinity channel guide.

DIRECTV pricing

¹ for 12 mos. plus taxes w/ 24-mo. agmt. Autopay & Paperless bill req’d. Pay $69.99/mo plus taxes until discounts start. Prices higher in 2nd year.*
² for 12 mos. plus taxes and RSN Fee w/ 24-mo. agmt. Autopay & Paperless bill req’d. Pay $74.99/mo plus taxes until discounts start. Prices higher in 2nd year. Regional Sports Fee up to $9.99/mo. is extra & applies.*
³ for 12 mos. plus taxes and RSN Fee w/ 24-mo. agmt. Autopay & Paperless bill req’d. Pay $89.99/mo plus taxes until discounts start. Prices higher in 2nd year. Regional Sports Fee up to $9.99/mo. is extra & applies.*
⁴ for 12 mos. plus taxes and RSN Fee w/ 24-mo. agmt. Autopay & Paperless bill req’d. Pay $139.99/mo plus taxes until discounts start. Prices higher in 2nd year. Regional Sports Fee up to $9.99/mo. is extra & applies.
*$19.95 ACTIVATION, EARLY TERMINATION FEE OF $20/MO. FOR EACH MONTH REMAINING ON AGMT., EQUIPMENT NON-RETURN & ADD’L FEES APPLY. Price after $5/mo. autopay & paperless bill discount for 12 mos. Discount starts w/in 3 bills. New approved residential customers only (equipment lease req’d). Credit card req’d (except MA & PA). Restr’s apply.

Xfinity TV pricing

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Last updated 11/12/21.

DIRECTV vs. Xfinity streaming

If you’d rather get your TV through streaming, both DIRECTV and Xfinity offer some good options. DIRECTV recently launched DIRECTV STREAM (rebranded from AT&T TV), which starts at $69.99/mo., provides 65-140+ channels and doesn’t come with equipment costs or contracts. The channel lineup isn’t quite as good as DIRECTV, but it’s still a solid option if you’re looking for more flexibility.

Xfinity doesn’t have a streaming-only option for live TV, but it does include a subscription to Peacock Premium with all TV plans, a $4.99/mo. value on its own. Xfinity also offers a streaming device free to all of its internet customers who don’t get TV service.

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DIRECTV vs. Xfinity contracts, equipment and fees

In addition to the base price with Xfinity and DIRECTV, there are a number of other costs you should take into account before choosing a provider.

Price increases

If you intend to stick with either provider for longer than the initial contract term of one year, you will incur a price increase as promotional pricing expires. For example, the Xfinity EXTRA plan will cost $49.99/mo.* for the first year then it will increase to the standard price of $59.99/mo.* (Both prices include a $10/mo. auto-pay discount.)

After 12 months with DIRECTV, the price jump is a bit higher. The ENTERTAINMENT plan would jump from $64.99/mo. to $102/mo. CHOICE increases from $69.99/mo. to $122/mo. 

Winner: Xfinity

Contracts

DIRECTV requires a two-year contract with all of its plans, while Xfinity has both month-to-month and one-year contract options. If you choose to go no-contract with Xfinity, your monthly price will be significantly higher. The Extra plan jumps from $49.99/mo. with a one-year contract to $70/mo. without one, while the Preferred+ plan goes from $59.99/mo. to $88.50/mo.

Winner: Xfinity

Hidden fees

You can expect to pay some extra fees with both providers, but Xfinity is the worse offender by far. Both charge a regional sports fee around $10 depending on where you live, but Xfinity charges a $15 self-installation fee, $5/mo. for a TV box and up to $19.45/mo. for a Broadcast TV fee. DIRECTV, on the other hand, includes all equipment, but does charge $7/mo. for each additional receiver you use.

Winner: DIRECTV

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• DIRECTV special features and offers

  • NFL SUNDAY TICKET – DIRECTV is the only TV provider that offers NFL SUNDAY TICKET, the sports package promising “every live, out-of-market game, every Sunday.” For new DIRECTV customers, one season of NFL SUNDAY TICKET is included when you order the CHOICE™ package or above.
  • Premium channels included  – Cinemax®, SHOWTIME® and STARZ/ENCORE® are included with all DIRECTV packages for first three months at no extra charge. You’ll also get HBO Max for one year with the CHOICE and ULTIMATE packages, and for the length of your contract with the PREMIER package.

• Xfinity special features and offers

  • X1 4K streaming device and DVR – The X1 lets you record up to six shows at once, access streaming services like Amazon Video, Netflix and Disney Plus in 4K HDR and use a Voice Remote to search for your favorite shows.
  • On-Demand and add-on packages – Xfinity boasts an impressive catalog of On-Demand, international and specialty add-on packages. Choose a base TV plan and add on packages dedicated to history, fitness, kids programming, karaoke and languages from around the world.
  • Peacock Premium – All Xfinity Flex customers and Xfinity X1 and video customers get a free subscription to Peacock Premium, a $4.99/mo. value. This streaming service has every season of TV shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation and Modern Family.

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DIRECTV vs. Xfinity TV and internet bundles

Bundling is one area where Xfinity and DIRECTV can differ quite a bit. What’s the difference when bundling with each provider?

• Xfinity offers traditional TV and internet bundles wherever Xfinity services are available. Bundling Xfinity internet and TV on one bill can qualify you for significant monthly discounts or equipment upgrades.
• DIRECTV does not offer internet service directly, but rather partners with leading internet providers to bring you TV and internet bundles. As part of the AT&T family, DIRECTV bundles favor AT&T internet service and often feature additional rewards or discounts when bundling with AT&T internet. However, you can also choose another internet service provider, such as CenturyLink, Frontier, HughesNet or Verizon, in AT&T non-serviceable areas.

How to put together a DIRECTV or Xfinity bundle

To create a DIRECTV bundle that is perfect for your household, select the DIRECTV channel package you prefer, plus the AT&T internet speed you need. Internet speeds vary depending on area.

To put together an Xfinity bundle that fits your needs, select from internet speeds ranging from 25 to 1,000 Mbps (where available), then add on one of Xfinity’s six TV packages, with channel counts ranging from 10 to 260+. With Xfinity, you also have the option to add home phone, home security and mobile phone plans.

Examples of popular bundle offers

• DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT + AT&T Internet

  • Starting price: $99.99/mo.*
  • Channels: 160+
  • Internet speeds: up to 300 Mbps
  • Data cap: unlimited with select bundles
  • Bundle savings: $0/mo.

• Xfinity TV Extra + Performance Pro Internet

  • Starting price: $79.99/mo.*
  • Channels: 125+
  • Internet speeds: up to 200 Mbps
  • Data cap: varies by location
  • Bundle savings: $20/mo.*

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 11/12/21.

Available DIRECTV or Xfinity bundles will vary by location. Depending on where you live, you could add internet service with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps or higher.

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DIRECTV vs. Xfinity customer satisfaction

The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) evaluates top TV providers based on feedback from actual customers. The scores are a reflection of service quality, ease of understanding bill, customer service interactions and more. Here’s how DIRECTV and Xfinity scored over the past three years.

Source: ACSI

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