DirecTV Stream vs Spectrum TV Choice: which is better?

In the age of cord-cutting, you want to make sure you get the best possible TV streaming service. Do you go for the one with the broadest array of channels or the one with a clean and lean line-up? Do you want live TV and sports channels, or are you more of a cable and prestige show kind of person? 

DirecTV Stream and Spectrum TV Choice are great streaming options, but they're also for very different people. Below, we talk about who each service is for. This will depend on a number of factors, namely: popularity, price, device availability, channel availability, specialties, and trial options. Read on to find out which among the two is the best choice for you.

Channels on DirecTV Stream and not Spectrum TV Choice

The channels that DirecTV Stream has and which are not available on Spectrum TV Choice:

  • ABC
  • AXS TV
  • Baby First TV
  • Bloomberg Television
  • Boomerang
  • C-SPAN
  • C-SPAN2
  • CBS local channels
  • CMT
  • Disney Jr
  • Disney XD
  • E! Entertainment
  • ESPN3
  • FMC
  • FOX
  • FOX SOUL
  • Freeform
  • FXX
  • Gem Shopping Network
  • Home Shopping Network
  • MotorTrend
  • MTV2
  • NBC
  • NBC local channels
  • One America News
  • Ovation
  • PBS local channels
  • Pursuit Channel
  • QVC
  • QVC2
  • ReelzChannel
  • RFD-TV
  • RSNs
  • SundanceTV
  • TeenNick
  • Telemundo local channels
  • Univision East
  • WE tv

Channels on Spectrum TV Choice and not DirecTV Stream

The channels that Spectrum TV Choice has which are not available on DirecTV Stream:

Price: Spectrum TV Choice is cheaper than DirecTV Stream

Spectrum TV Choice's costs $53 whereas DirecTV Stream costs $80. Getting DirecTV Stream instead of Spectrum TV Choice will set you back $27 more every month.

Why get DirecTV Stream?

DirecTV Stream is a Live TV streaming platform with a twist: you can download the app on any of your existing devices, or if you choose, you can get a "Gemini Air" box with a custom remote control for the service. But without the box, DirecTV Stream functions like a Netflix or Hulu, allowing you to stream Live TV from anywhere by downloading the app. Within your home, you can stream on up to 20 devices (!), and from outside your home you can stream on up to three devices.

Go to DirecTV Stream

Why get Spectrum TV Choice?

Low price: Priced at $53.19, Spectrum TV is good value for money compared to other internet TV services (like, for example, Youtube TV which starts at $64.99).

Non-live programming: If you love sitcoms, dramas and other pre-recorded programming and are not so interested in live broadcasts, Spectrum TV offers a great array of choices.  Note: ESPN is back on Spectrum! 

Go to Spectrum TV Choice

Devices: DirecTV Stream is more widely available than Spectrum TV Choice

DirecTV Stream is available on Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Roku TV or Samsung TV.

Whereas Spectrum TV Choice is available on Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV or Xbox. That's 1 less devices than DirecTV Stream.

Channel count: DirecTV Stream has 19 channels more than Spectrum TV Choice

DirecTV Stream's lineup includes 80 channels whereas Spectrum TV Choice has only 61 channels. Getting a subscription to DirecTV Stream will give you access to 19 more channels than Spectrum TV Choice. That's quite a bit of channels.

Trial: DirecTV Stream offers a trial

DirecTV Stream has a trial. The trial duration is 5 days.

Find out more on DirecTV Stream

Trial: Spectrum TV Choice offers a trial

Spectrum TV Choice has a trial. The trial duration is 7 days.

Find out more on Spectrum TV Choice

DirecTV Stream's specialty

The specialties of DirecTV Stream are: Lifestyle, News, RSNs, Soccer, Sports.

Spectrum TV Choice's specialty

The specialties of Spectrum TV Choice are: Lifestyle, News, Sports.

Channels on both Spectrum TV Choice and DirecTV Stream

The channels that are available on both Spectrum TV Choice and DirecTV Stream are:

If you choose to subscribe to a streaming service we recommend as a result of our research, analysis, and curation, our work is sometimes (but not always) supported by an affiliate commission from the streaming service when you make a purchase.

Spectrum TV Choice allows you to completely curate your live TV package. For around $53 a month, you trim the fat and select your 15 channels of choice — no distractions, no cable box, and no annual contract. The catch: it’s only available to Spectrum internet customers.

Price: Varies depending on your location and account history.