What Are the Channels on DirecTV, and What Do You Get?

There's no single DirecTV channel list that applies to every customer. It comes down to which package you pick, since DirecTV runs four separate tiers instead of one shared lineup. Two people down the street from each other, both on DirecTV, could be watching completely different channels.

So what channels are on DirecTV? Start with the package name: ENTERTAINMENT, CHOICE, ULTIMATE, or PREMIER. Each one builds on the tier below it. Go up a level and you gain DirecTV channels; you don't trade anything away. Here's what's actually inside each package, where local channels fit, and how the channel numbers work.

What Channels Come with Each DirecTV Package?

ENTERTAINMENT sits at the bottom, with around 175 channels. Local networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX are in there, alongside ESPN, CNN, and HGTV. Every higher tier is built on top of this one. Nothing gets stripped out later.

CHOICE tacks on regional sports networks, pushing the count closer to 200. ULTIMATE adds more movie channels and lands past 270. PREMIER caps things off around 340 channels, with premium networks like HBO Max, STARZ, and SHOWTIME thrown in. Think of DirecTV packages and channels less as a menu you build yourself, and more as a set you buy whole.

What Popular Channels Require a Higher DirecTV Package?

Not every channel is available at every tier. Want NFL Network? You'll need CHOICE or above. NFL RedZone only shows up with PREMIER, or by adding the Sports Pack separately. It's possible for two "DirecTV customers" to have almost nothing in common on their sports lineup.

The DirecTV channel lineup by package also gates smaller networks, Tennis Channel and SEC Network among them, both sitting above the base ENTERTAINMENT tier. Got a channel you can't do without? Check its tier first. Finding out after your bill arrives is the wrong time, and switching packages mid-cycle isn't always as simple as flipping a switch.

What Local Channels Does DirecTV Include?

Local channels ship standard with every DirecTV package. No add-on fee just to catch the evening news or a network's prime-time block. These DirecTV local channels typically include ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and sometimes The CW, depending on your market and how close you sit to a broadcast hub.

Don't want them? DirecTV will actually let you opt out for a small discount, which most providers won't do. Makes sense if you're already streaming local news somewhere else and don't need a second copy of it cluttering your guide. It's a small line item, but it adds up over a year.

How to Find the DirecTV Channel Guide

Pulling up your full lineup only takes a few steps.

1. Turn on your receiver, or open the DirecTV app.
2. Hit the guide button on your remote, or tap the guide icon in the app.
3. Browse by category, or just search for a channel by name.
4. Note the number listed next to it. HD versions sometimes live on a separate number.
5. Prefer browsing before you sign up? DirecTV's official DirecTV channel guide page online works fine for that too.

What Are DirecTV's Common Channel Numbers?

A few networks land on roughly the same DirecTV channel numbers no matter whose account you're looking at. Sports and specialty channels move around more, depending on your package. NFL Network usually lands at 212. Tennis Channel sits at 217. SEC Network runs 611. DirecTV can shuffle these during a lineup update, often with little warning.

Conclusion

Know your package, and everything else about DirecTV's channels gets easier. Pull up the DirecTV TV guide for your specific tier and you'll see exactly what's included before you go hunting for anything. After that, finding one channel is a minute's work, remote or app, no repeat guessing required. Bookmark the page if you switch tiers often, since it saves you from starting from scratch each time.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many total channels does DirecTV offer at the highest package tier?

It has around 340. That's PREMIER, DirecTV's biggest lineup.

2. Is NFL Sunday Ticket still available on DirecTV?

Nope, it moved to YouTube TV back in 2023 and never came back.

3. Can I get DirecTV without a full Signature Package?

Yes you can, Genre Packs like My Sports and My Entertainment cover just one category instead of the whole lineup.

4. Can I add premium channels to a lower-tier package?

Yes, you can, like HBO Max and STARZ can be tacked onto ENTERTAINMENT, CHOICE, or ULTIMATE for a bit more each month, no full upgrade needed.

5. Does the DirecTV channel lineup differ between satellite and streaming?

It does. Satellite usually carries more total channels than the streaming version, even under the same tier name, so double-check before assuming they match.

6. Can I watch DirecTV channels through an app?

You can, through the DirecTV app on a phone, tablet, or smart TV. No need to stay glued to the main receiver.

7. Is there a free version of DirecTV available?

There is. My Free DIRECTV skips the cost entirely, ad-supported, though the channel selection runs smaller than a paid tier.