The DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT Package is DIRECTV's entry-level residential television plan, offering 90+ live streaming channels or 165+ satellite channels starting at an introductory promotional base rate of $84.99 to $89.99/mo with a 2-year price guarantee. It includes major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS), essential news channels (CNN, FOX News, MSNBC), standard sports networks (ESPN, ESPN2, FS1), and popular entertainment staples like HGTV, Disney Channel, TNT, and TBS. Its defining financial advantage over higher tiers (like CHOICE or ULTIMATE) is that it completely avoids the mandatory Regional Sports Fee ($0 to $23.99/mo), making it the most cost-effective choice for households that do not watch local in-market baseball, basketball, or hockey teams.
Navigating pay-TV tiers often leads subscribers to overpay for hundreds of channels they never watch. While higher packages cater heavily to die-hard local sports enthusiasts, the ENTERTAINMENT package focuses on general household television: prime-time dramas, daily news, kids' cartoons, lifestyle shows, and marquee national sporting events.
Below is an itemized breakdown of ENTERTAINMENT package pricing, channels included versus excluded, satellite versus streaming mechanics, real monthly billing costs, and how it compares to mid-tier cable and cord-cutting alternatives.
DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT Package at a Glance
| Feature / Detail | DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT (Satellite) | DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT (via Internet) |
| Advertised Base Price | $89.99/mo (24-Month Price Guarantee) | $84.99 – $89.99/mo |
| Channel Count | 165+ Channels (Includes audio & guide feeds) | 90+ Channels (Curated video networks) |
| Regional Sports Fee | $0.00 / mo (Not charged on ENTERTAINMENT) | $0.00 / mo (Not charged on ENTERTAINMENT) |
| Hardware / Receiver Fee | $10.00/mo (Gemini Receiver / Genie DVR) | $10.00/mo (Gemini Air) or $0 (BYO Roku/Fire TV) |
| Estimated Real Monthly Cost | ~$99.99/mo + local taxes | ~$84.99 – $99.99/mo + local taxes |
| Contract Requirement | 24-Month Agreement ($20/mo early termination) | No Annual Contract (Month-to-month) |
| DVR Capabilities | Genie DVR (200–450 hours local storage) | Unlimited Cloud DVR (9-month expiration) |
| Simultaneous Streams | Limited to wired receiver boxes | Unlimited in-home streams (plus 3 on the go) |
1. The Cost Advantage: Avoiding the Regional Sports Surcharge
The biggest financial trap in premium television is the Regional Sports Network (RSN) Fee. On DIRECTV’s higher tiers (CHOICE, ULTIMATE, and PREMIER), this mandatory surcharge adds up to $19.99 to $23.99/mo directly to your invoice to cover local team broadcasts.
The ENTERTAINMENT Exemption: Because the ENTERTAINMENT package does not carry local RSNs, DIRECTV does not assess a Regional Sports Fee.
Direct Monthly Savings: Choosing ENTERTAINMENT over the CHOICE tier saves approximately $25.00 to $40.00 every month when combining the base price difference with the waived RSN surcharge.
CHOICE Plan Real Cost: $94.99 base + $10 Gemini + $19.99 RSN = ~$124.98/mo
ENTERTAINMENT Real Cost: $89.99 base + $10 Gemini + $0.00 RSN = ~$99.99/mo
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Total Monthly Savings: ~$25.00/mo ($600 saved over 2 years)
2. Channel Lineup: What Is Included vs. Excluded?
The ENTERTAINMENT tier provides a balanced mix of basic entertainment, lifestyle, news, and family channels, while leaving out specialized sports networks and movie suites.
Essential Channels Included
- Local Broadcast Networks: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, The CW, Telemundo, Univision.
- National Sports Staples: ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports 1 (FS1), and MotorTrend.
- Cable News & Information: CNN, FOX News Channel, MSNBC, CNBC, Headline News (HLN), The Weather Channel, C-SPAN.
- Lifestyle & Entertainment: HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Discovery Channel, History Channel, TBS, TNT, USA Network, FX, AMC, Bravo, E!, Comedy Central, Paramount Network.
- Family & Children: Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Freeform, Boomerang.
What Is Missing (Requires Upgrading to CHOICE or ULTIMATE)?
Regional Sports Networks (RSNs): In-market feeds for FanDuel Sports Network (Bally), YES Network, NESN, Marquee Sports Network, and MASN.
Pro League Channels: MLB Network, NBA TV, and NFL Network.
College Conference Networks: Big Ten Network (BTN), SEC Network, and ACC Network.
Specialty Lifestyle & Movies: Cooking Channel, Science Channel, NHL Network, FS2, and premium suites (Max, Showtime, Starz).
3. Delivery Comparison: Satellite vs. Internet (Stream)
Subscribers can sign up for the ENTERTAINMENT package through either physical satellite transmission or internet streaming:
Option A: DIRECTV via Satellite
Designed For: Rural homes, off-grid locations, and areas with slow or metered broadband.
Hardware: An exterior satellite dish linked to a Genie DVR or Gemini Receiver ($10.00/mo).
Commitment: Requires a 24-month agreement.
Bandwidth Usage: Satellite television broadcasts consume zero home internet data, preserving your broadband caps for browsing and work.
Option B: DIRECTV via Internet (Stream)
Designed For: Cord-cutters with reliable high-speed broadband who want a traditional TV guide without mounting an exterior dish.
Hardware: Plug-and-play Gemini Air dongle ($10.00/mo), or download the free DIRECTV App on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, or Android TV.
Commitment: No annual contract; operates month-to-month with no cancellation penalties.
Cloud DVR & Multi-Screen: Includes unlimited cloud DVR storage (recordings are kept for 9 months) and allows you to stream on unlimited devices simultaneously inside your home Wi-Fi network.
4. DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT vs. Leading Competitors
| Provider / Service | Real Monthly Cost (w/ Fees) | Channel Count | Contract Required? | DVR Storage |
| DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT | ~$84.99 – $99.99/mo | 90+ to 165+ | No (Stream) / 2-Yr (Dish) | Unlimited Cloud or Genie DVR |
| YouTube TV | $72.99/mo (Flat) | 100+ | No (Month-to-month) | Unlimited Cloud DVR (9 Mo) |
| Hulu + Live TV | $76.99 – $89.99/mo | 95+ (w/ Disney+/ESPN+) | No (Month-to-month) | Unlimited Cloud DVR (9 Mo) |
| Spectrum TV Select | ~$105.00–$115.00/mo (w/ fees) | 150+ | No (Month-to-month) | Cloud DVR ($4.99–$9.99/mo) |
| DISH (America's Top 120) | ~$92.00 – $102.00/mo | 190 Channels | 2-Year Contract | Hopper Duo / Hopper 3 |
5. Pros and Cons of the DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT Package
Pros
- No Regional Sports Fees: Eliminates the $20+/mo surcharge assessed on higher tiers.
- 2-Year Base Price Guarantee: Baseline pricing remains stable for 24 months. Core Sports Included: Carries ESPN, ESPN2, and FS1 for major national events like Monday Night Football, college bowl games, and World Series matchups.
- Contract-Free Streaming Option: DIRECTV via Internet provides the full channel guide on personal streaming sticks with zero dish installation.
Cons
- No Local In- Market Pro Sports: Fans cannot watch home MLB, NBA, or NHL regular-season broadcasts.
- Missing College Networks: Excludes Big Ten Network, SEC Network, and ACC Network.
- Higher Cost Than Cloud Competitors: At ~$85–$100/mo, it remains slightly more expensive than YouTube TV or Sling TV.
Summary: Who Should Choose the ENTERTAINMENT Package?
- Choose DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT if: You want a traditional channel-surfing lineup with full access to local broadcast channels, national cable news, lifestyle networks, and marquee national sporting events on ESPN and FS1—without paying for expensive regional sports networks.
- Upgrade to DIRECTV CHOICE if you actively follow your local regional sports teams on networks like FanDuel Sports Network (Bally), YES Network, NESN, or Marquee, or if you require dedicated college conference channels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What channels are included in the DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT package?
The ENTERTAINMENT package includes 90+ streaming or 165+ satellite channels, featuring ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, HGTV, Food Network, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, TBS, TNT, and USA Network.
Does DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT come with ESPN?
Yes. The ENTERTAINMENT package includes both ESPN and ESPN2 in high definition, providing full access to Monday Night Football, college football matchups, tennis Grand Slams, and national sports studio programming.
Does the ENTERTAINMENT package charge a Regional Sports Fee?
No. Because the ENTERTAINMENT tier does not include Regional Sports Networks (RSNs), DIRECTV does not bill a Regional Sports Fee on this plan. The surcharge only applies to CHOICE, ULTIMATE, and PREMIER tiers.