The DIRECTV ULTIMATE Package is DIRECTV's high-tier entertainment and sports plan, offering 160+ live streaming channels or 270+ satellite channels, with an introductory promotional base rate of $114.99 to $124.99/mo and a 2-year price guarantee. Designed for multi-sport enthusiasts and movie lovers, ULTIMATE includes everything in the CHOICE tier—notably in-market Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) like FanDuel Sports Network, YES Network, NESN, and Marquee—while adding key specialty networks absent from CHOICE: NHL Network, CBS Sports Network, FOX Sports 2 (FS2), FXM, and the STARZ ENCORE suite. Accounting for the mandatory Regional Sports Fee (up to $19.99 to $23.99/mo) and a $10.00/mo Gemini hardware lease, real out-of-pocket costs average ~$154.98/mo plus local taxes.
While budget plans like ENTERTAINMENT skip local regional sports and mid-tier CHOICE targets everyday local fans, the ULTIMATE Package serves viewers who won't miss secondary sports broadcasts, collegiate athletics, or classic cinema multiplexes.
Below is an itemized breakdown of DIRECTV ULTIMATE channels, real monthly costs including surcharges, satellite versus streaming features, and a comparison with the CHOICE and PREMIER tiers.
| Feature / Metric | DIRECTV ULTIMATE (Satellite) | DIRECTV ULTIMATE (via Internet) |
| Advertised Base Price | $124.99/mo (2-Year Price Guarantee) | $114.99 – $124.99/mo |
| Real Out-of-Pocket Cost | ~$154.98/mo (Base + RSN Fee + Gemini) | ~$154.98/mo (Or lower in $0 RSN ZIPs) |
| Channel Count | 270+ Channels (Includes audio & guide feeds) | 160+ Channels (Curated video networks) |
| Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) | Included (Subject to Regional Sports Fee) | Included (Subject to Regional Sports Fee) |
| Contract Requirement | 24-Month Agreement ($20/mo remaining ETF) | No Annual Contract (Month-to-month) |
| Cloud DVR / Storage | Genie DVR (200–450 hours local storage) | Unlimited Cloud DVR (9-month expiration) |
| Simultaneous Streams | Wired receiver boxes throughout home | Unlimited in-home screens (+ 3 on the go) |
| Core Hardware | Genie 2 / Gemini Receiver ($10–$15/mo) | Gemini Air dongle ($10/mo) or BYOD |
1. Channel Lineup: What ULTIMATE Adds Over CHOICE
The ULTIMATE package builds directly upon the CHOICE foundation. It retains all essential news, family programming, and core sports networks (ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, MLB Network, NBA TV, NFL Network, SEC Network, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, and local RSNs) while adding high-value channels:
Sports Channels Added on ULTIMATE
- NHL Network: Daily live games, studio analysis, and international tournament coverage (missing from CHOICE).
- CBS Sports Network (CBSSN): NCAA football, college basketball conference tournaments, service academy matchups, and PBR bull riding.
- FOX Sports 2 (FS2): International soccer, horse racing (NYRA feeds), motorsport qualifiers, and overflow live events.
- Sportsman Channel: Dedicated hunting, archery, and outdoor recreation programming.
Movie & Entertainment Networks Added
- STARZ ENCORE Multi-Channel Suite: Includes 8 dedicated commercial-free thematic movie channels: STARZ ENCORE, STARZ ENCORE Action, STARZ ENCORE Classic, STARZ ENCORE Westerns, STARZ ENCORE Suspense, STARZ ENCORE Black, STARZ ENCORE Family, and STARZ ENCORE Español.
- FXM (FX Movie Channel): Contemporary blockbuster films and classic Hollywood cinema.
- Universal Kids & Boomerang: Expanded children's entertainment, legacy Hanna-Barbera cartoons, and commercial-free family animation.
- BBC News & Oxygen True Crime: Expanded international investigative journalism and round-the-clock procedural crime documentaries.
2. Real Monthly Cost: The Surcharge Breakdown
To calculate your actual out-of-pocket payment, audit the mandatory surcharges assessed on the ULTIMATE tier:
Advertised Promotional Base (ULTIMATE): $124.99/mo
+ Gemini TV Box Lease: $10.00/mo
+ Regional Sports Network (RSN) Fee: +$19.99/mo (Variable by ZIP, up to $23.99)
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Estimated Real Monthly Total: ~$154.98/mo + local taxes
- Regional Sports Fee ($0.00 to $23.99/mo): Mandated on CHOICE, ULTIMATE, and PREMIER tiers to pay for localized pro baseball, basketball, and hockey feeds. In markets with no local RSNs, this surcharge drops to $0.00/mo.
- First Gemini Box ($10.00/mo): Leased Android TV interface receiver. On satellite, this is charged as the Advanced Receiver Service ($15.00/mo) covering whole-home HD/DVR service.
- Two-Year Base Guarantee: Under active promotions, your $124.99 base programming rate is protected from annual price hikes for 24 consecutive billing cycles.
3. DIRECTV Tier Comparison: CHOICE vs. ULTIMATE vs. PREMIER
| Package Tier | Base Price | Real Cost (w/ Fees) | Key Sports Networks | Included Movie Suites |
| CHOICE | $84.99 – $94.99/mo | ~$124.98/mo | RSNs, MLB Net, NBA TV, SEC, ACC, Big Ten | Basic cable movie channels |
| ULTIMATE | $114.99 – $124.99/mo | ~$154.98/mo | Adds NHL Network, CBS Sports Network, FS2 | Adds STARZ ENCORE Suite (8 channels), FXM |
| PREMIER | $159.99 – $169.99/mo | ~$199.98/mo | Adds DIRECTV Sports Pack (40+ feeds, RedZone) | Adds Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, Starz, Cinemax |
4. Delivery Methods: Satellite vs. Internet (Stream)
Subscribers can access the ULTIMATE tier through two delivery formats:
[DIRECTV ULTIMATE Lineup]
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├──► DIRECTV via Satellite ──► Dedicated Dish + 24-Mo Contract (Uses 0 GB Broadband)
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└──► DIRECTV via Internet ──► Home Wi-Fi + No Annual Contract (Unlimited Cloud DVR)
DIRECTV via Internet (Stream): Ideal for homes with high-speed broadband (100+ Mbps). It requires no satellite dish installation, operates month-to-month without annual contracts, provides unlimited cloud DVR storage (recordings hold for 9 months), and supports unlimited simultaneous screens on your home Wi-Fi network.
DIRECTV via Satellite: Best for rural properties, cabins, and homes with metered or slow broadband. Satellite broadcasts arrive directly from orbital slots, consuming zero home internet data while recording to a centralized 2 TB Genie 2 server. It requires a 24-month agreement.
5. Pros and Cons of DIRECTV ULTIMATE
Pros
Complete Hockey Coverage: Includes NHL Network alongside local RSN team broadcasts.
Built-in STARZ ENCORE: Delivers 8 commercial-free premium movie channels without needing a separate standalone subscription.
College & Niche Sports Depth: Carries CBS Sports Network, FS2, and major conference channels for comprehensive NCAA coverage.
Two-Year Price Lock: Guards against unexpected rate hikes during the initial 24 months.
Cons
Significant Monthly Investment: Real recurring out-of-pocket costs average over $150/mo.
Lacks Flagship Premium Suites: Premium networks like Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, and regular Starz require upgrading to PREMIER or purchasing individual add-ons.
NFL RedZone Not Included: Requires adding the standalone DIRECTV Sports Pack ($14.99/mo) or upgrading to PREMIER.
Summary Verdict: Is DIRECTV ULTIMATE Worth It?
- Choose DIRECTV ULTIMATE if: You are an avid hockey fan who needs NHL Network, you regularly watch college athletics on CBS Sports Network, or you want the complete STARZ ENCORE movie collection bundled directly into your television guide alongside local Regional Sports Networks.
- Stick to DIRECTV CHOICE if: You primarily want your local MLB, NBA, or college conference games and rarely watch NHL Network, CBSSN, or classic movie multiplexes—saving ~$30.00 every month.
- Upgrade to DIRECTV PREMIER if you plan on adding Max, SHOWTIME, Starz, and the Sports Pack anyway; bundling them into PREMIER is more economical than paying for individual add-ons on top of ULTIMATE.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What channels are added on DIRECTV ULTIMATE compared to CHOICE?
The ULTIMATE package adds key sports and entertainment networks not found on CHOICE, including NHL Network, CBS Sports Network, FOX Sports 2 (FS2), Sportsman Channel, the full STARZ ENCORE suite (8 channels), FXM (FX Movie Channel), Boomerang, Universal Kids, and BBC News.
Does DIRECTV ULTIMATE include NFL RedZone?
No. NFL RedZone is not part of the standard ULTIMATE channel lineup. To get NFL RedZone, you must add the DIRECTV Sports Pack ($14.99/mo) or step up to the top-tier DIRECTV PREMIER package, which includes the Sports Pack at no extra charge.
Does DIRECTV ULTIMATE require a 2-year contract?
If you select DIRECTV via Satellite, a 24-month agreement is mandatory. However, if you choose DIRECTV via Internet, the ULTIMATE plan is available month-to-month with no annual contract and no early termination fees.