How DirecTV Now compares to other online TV services
How DirecTV Now compares to other online TV services
DirecTV Now is the latest online TV service to offer an alternative to cable or satellite packages that can easily cost about $100 a month.
Typical cable deals get you hundreds of channels, including the major networks, sports channels, niche options like the horror-focused Chiller and premium channels like HBO.
DirecTV Now joins Sling and PlayStation Vue as an online cable replacement.
They're not as complete, as they don't provide broadcast networks ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC in all locations and sometimes lack a DVR.
Add-on packs tailored to interests like kids and sports and premium channels like HBO cost extra.
Live offering: A core bundle of roughly 45 general-interest networks; bigger packages offer more sports, movies and some other channels.
No Viacom networks like Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central or MTV.
On demand: A DVR so you can fast-forward through commercials, but shows expire after 28 days.
Not all channels are available when you leave your home; neither are recorded shows.
The bigger packages offer more sports, movies and some other channels.
Only people in some cities can get ABC, NBC and Fox live, and you can't watch NBC live on a TV set.
There are also apps that are the digital version of a cable channel, although they aren't equivalents.
The CBS feed is available in about 150 markets, and includes NFL football games that air on CBS starting on Dec. 4.
Current and past seasons for many shows, although some, like the hit "The Big Bang Theory" and "Criminal Minds," only have the most recent episodes available.
Current and past seasons of most HBO shows, including Games of Thrones, ''Girls and The Sopranos.
All Major League Baseball games, subject to hometown blackouts.
Some services eschew any live content, focusing on the "binge" experience — the addictive pleasure of watching one episode after another — for TV as well as movies.
Apart from original shows such as "Transparent," offerings tend toward past seasons of network shows, plus movies.