DIRECTV vs. Spectrum TV Review | Packages, Pricing, DVR, Contracts, and More

DIRECTV is one of the most popular TV services out there. So, the question becomes, can Spectrum TV compete? We'll talk about the packages, channels, contracts, and more for each of these brands.
We'll also touch on the DVR options and premium channel add-ons for DIRECTV and Spectrum TV.

----------
If you're looking at cutting the cord, consider these reviews -

Spectrum Review:

DIRECTV Review:

Best Live TV Streaming Service Providers:

Best Alternatives to Cable:

[maille]

DirecTV..has gone way downhill since ATT&T...has taken over..lost some local channels, customer service is terrible and they keep jacking up the prices ...been with them over 10 yrs...dropping them at end of contract next month

[trex]

DirecTV is great if you don’t wanna watch tv when it’s too cloudy out.

[christysnider]

Any chance you can update your comparison of Spectrum and Directv to current packages and value (4/23)? I have Spectrum Internet. Directv offers their service over the internet rather than a satellite dish. Would this work?

[greghull]

We stream Spectrum Silver with two Apple TV’s saving rental fees on the boxes. Both HBO & Showtime are included with the Silver plan. Plus all the locals and RSN’s.

[kencampbell]

What about the HD quality of Spetrum vs DirecTV? I currently have DirecTV and thinking about getting Spectrum due to so many devices sharing the internet. Spectrum is also offering the double-play silver at $99.99 with 400Mbps internet with a price guarantee for 24 months. My only concern is whether I'll see a drop in picture quality on HD.

[jonathankuelske]

AT&T customers service sucks direct tv was great before the joined each other

[OCDRUMGUY]

A huge disappointment with Spectrum is that (at least with my setup) their HD channels don't start till 700. So, to watch NBC4 or ABC7HD, we gotta use channel 704, or 707. Any channels that aren't HD (under 700), show up in a tiny box in the middle of our TV screen, requiring us to tab through the picture settings to stretch out the resolution in efforts of making it look somewhat better. The overall UI/menu system looks completely out-dated and has a color scheme comparable to that of Windows 95/98. (I've heard rumor they've updated the UI/menu system on other receivers, but whenever I've called Spectrum to inquire, they say there are no other receivers that we can switch to.

*EDIT: (09/14/19): Spectrum switched out my receiver upon request, in-person. My cable box no longer looks like it’s stuck in 1998. Some HD channels are also now viewable, pre-700.

[edwardhayes]

after having Direct TV for 5 yrs I can tell you that the weather plays a big part on your TV reception, also a bonus to Direct TV is you must shut it down a few times a week so it can resend the TV guide to your box. If not you will get a phone call reminding you to do so, also as a extra you get AT&T customer service which by any standard is low, but you also get to listen to horrible music why they place you on hold for 20 minutes or more. I had no DVR because of the price, but that did not matter because they raise the price every year as long as you have a contract. I can go on but why?

[oldarkie]

I've had Direct TV for about 8 years now. It takes a really bad storm to knock it out. Only happens about 2 or 3 times per year. The DVR records up to 5 things at the same time. I have never been out of space or had a conflict If a really bad storm takes it out you can still watch the recordings. No other DVR even comes close. I watch everything delayed. Support went down when AT&T took over.

[vincentjr]

AT&T Destroyed Direct TV, I had 7 technicians come out, they bedrooms DRV keep pausing and freeing. Even the techs say their software is garbage.

[iamconan]

I remember the day's prior to the AT&T takeover of Directv. I could call in and complain about channels, shows, etc. and the Customer Service people would give out a FREE 1 year use of HBO, etc. I tried that AFTER the takeover, and now the foreign accent customer service person told me to ---- "go buy a cheaper plan on Directv if you want to save money or do not like the channels". Wow.

[edsullivan]

one he did not mention about spectrum if u have roku or another streaming service u can download the spectrum app use your login and u can save a few dollars by sending back the cable box as long u have internet and you still get a online DVR library on demand and you have store u can rent movies direct tv ok but I dont like contracts cause every time u make a change to ur account they restart ur contract so I'll either cut the cord all the way or stick with spectrum right now iam happy with spectrum I get all channels I need o dont 300 channels I have a life and dont plan on watching tv day and night also what like about spectrum if u have unlimited data plan on tablet you bought thur ur cell carrier u can watch spectrum when u travel as long u have internet

[atlantasauvage]

Streaming shows on demand with Spectrum is horrible whenever commercial breaks end the show freezes or completely loses sound. Often you have to restart shows half way through. Spectrum needs to include free DVR & better experience with streaming shows from various networks. Spectrum was a completely dissatisfying experience.

[gustoxyz]

im here because my friend wants me to join him at spectrum. since i dont know anything i wanted to see what people are saying. one benefit i like so far is the mobile plan thats a super deal. now let me see the whole video

[PackardBelltoll]

IF u want to save money go with spectrum cause directv is highly pricey. I pay 124 for both tv and internet . Cant do that with directv Its 81 dollar directv lowest package after 1 yr time that a yr that over 980 bucks vs spectrum 45 x12 about 530 a yr on spectrum year 1 saving u over 450 bucks with spectrum . yearly 1st yr year after it 64 a month cheaper. If your on a budget spectrum is better directv charges for there service .Ive looked at what u get bettween them its not that different .Mostly on directv u get alot sports tiers and music stuff boring if u just want to watch tv.

[SplatZS]

DVR hours for Spectrum is incorrect here. ITS 200+ hours

[MetalGearMk]

No ones watching TV anymore, this is going to do the way of the dinosaurs. They are watching everything online. The channel packages are BS, most of the bundle channels are crap - let people pick only the channels they want to watch or die like myspace.

[dJ.kNiGhT]

What is better Direct TV or Dish Network?

[rrhodesrr]

Spectrum now has no fees, contracts & your able to get up to 4 DVR services for $10

[jrwheeler]

DirecTV is total garbage since AT&T bought them several years ago. We were DirecTV customers since 2010 and we never had any problems until AT&T came into the picture and then it all started going downhill. We've especially had problems since we moved into our new home last year and they allegedly "upgraded" our equipment and then went and changed our plan to a much more expensive one behind our backs without our knowledge or consent. We've been having terrible picture and sound quality for the past year and our bill has gone WAY up to nearly $200 per month for crap service. We've had service calls and they keep telling us that our signal is great and that they don't see any issues. Okay, so then why is the picture on all of our 4K TVs so grainy??? Their customer service is a complete joke and you always get some foreign idiot who has no clue how to do their job and you usually end up being transferred to 4 or 5 different departments. I called them last week to try to negotiate our bill down to a lower price and the most they could offer us was a $4/month discount for 6 months. Seriously?! Obviously our nearly 12 years of loyalty means zilch to them. We have now switched back to cable (Spectrum), who we have our internet and home phone with, and the picture and sound quality are lightyears better than what we were getting with DirecTV! We got a great package deal by bundling our TV with our internet and phone and we will only be paying about $220/month for everything. That even includes HBO, Showtime, and Starz. We were paying almost that much JUST for TV alone with DirecTV! Spectrum may not always be perfect, but they sure as hell are a lot better than DirecTV!