- The DIRECTV Stream trial at a glance
- What you won't see during the five days
- Signature packages or a Genre Pack?
- How to start a DIRECTV Stream free trial
- Already a DIRECTV satellite customer?
- The free option that never ends
- Getting the most from five days
- Mini packs and premium channels during the trial
- My verdict on the DIRECTV Stream free trial
- Frequently asked questions
Yes, DIRECTV Stream has a free trial: DIRECTV says all of its streaming plans come with a 5-day free trial, and nothing is taken during those five days. It's for new qualifying users only, and the plan renews monthly after the trial unless you cancel. One detail catches people out: some extras, including HBO Max on plans that include it, only start after the 5-day trial.
DIRECTV's streaming service used to be called DIRECTV STREAM and now sits under the DIRECTV name, but the trial works the same way. Here's what DIRECTV's own pages say about it, and the free option most people miss.
The DIRECTV Stream trial at a glance
| Question | What DIRECTV says |
|---|---|
| How long? | 5 days |
| Which plans? | All DIRECTV streaming plans |
| Who qualifies? | New qualifying users only |
| What happens after? | Renews monthly after any trial or promo period unless you cancel |
| Contract? | No annual contract and no satellite dish needed |
What you won't see during the five days
This is the bit that matters most for planning. DIRECTV's plans page says HBO Max is included in some plans and begins after the DIRECTV 5-day trial. It says the same about select other content. So if HBO Max is the reason you're looking at DIRECTV, the trial won't show you it. Use the five days to judge the live channels, the app and the guide instead.
Signature packages or a Genre Pack?
DIRECTV now offers two kinds of streaming plan, and both come with the trial:
- Signature packages are the big channel line-ups, up to 185+ channels according to DIRECTV.
- Genre Packs are smaller themed plans: MyEntertainment, MySports, MyNews, MyKids and the Spanish-language MiEspanol. DIRECTV says they're completely standalone, so you don't need a Signature plan to have one.
- Some Genre Packs come with streaming apps included. DIRECTV lists Disney+, the Hulu bundle and HBO Max Basic With Ads among them.
If you only watch sport or only want news, a Genre Pack is the easier trial, because you're testing exactly what you'd keep.
How to start a DIRECTV Stream free trial
DIRECTV's sign-up help page lays out the Genre Pack route like this:
- Go to DIRECTV's streaming page or open the DIRECTV app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Choose your Genre Pack and select Start your free trial.
- Add any extra base packs or mini packs you want.
- Add any optional premium channels.
- Enter your account details and create a user ID, or use your existing one.
- Follow the final checkout steps to finish.
For a Signature package, the steps are the same except you pick the package first rather than a Genre Pack.
Already a DIRECTV satellite customer?
DIRECTV's sign-up page has a separate note for existing customers: if you want to move to streaming, you can keep your tenure and DIRECTV Perks rewards by calling DIRECTV rather than signing up online. Because the trial is for new users, an existing customer shouldn't expect to get five free days on top.
The free option that never ends
If five days isn't enough, DIRECTV has a free tier that isn't a trial at all. MyFree DIRECTV gives you a selection of popular channels and on-demand content in the DIRECTV app. DIRECTV's plans page says it has 150+ free ad-supported channels, and its help page says no plan or credit card is needed.
To join, DIRECTV says you go to directv.com/myfree-directv, enter a valid email address and your name, and create a password. Some devices also let you sign up by scanning a QR code on the TV screen. It's a sensible place to start if you're not sure you need live TV at all.
Getting the most from five days
Five days goes quickly, so plan it. Start the trial on a day when the sport or shows you care about are on, test the app on every screen you'd use, and try recording something. If you're comparing services, my guides on how to record on YouTube TV and using multiview on YouTube TV show what DIRECTV's closest rival does.
Mini packs and premium channels during the trial
DIRECTV's sign-up steps let you add base packs, mini packs and premium channels before you finish. DIRECTV describes mini packs as small, optional add-ons that let you tailor select Genre Packs to your interests. Anything you add becomes part of the plan that renews when the five days are up, so if you're adding extras just to try them, put a note in your calendar to remove the ones you won't keep.
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DIRECTV also says its streaming plans renew monthly after any applicable trial and any promo periods. If your sign-up includes a promo on top of the trial, the trial ends first and the promo runs after it, so check both end dates in your account.
My verdict on the DIRECTV Stream free trial
It's short but clean: five days on any plan, nothing taken in that time, and no contract. Start with MyFree DIRECTV if you're unsure, pick a Genre Pack if your viewing is narrow, and set a reminder for day four. Just don't judge the HBO Max side of things during the trial, because DIRECTV says it doesn't switch on until the five days are up.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the DIRECTV Stream free trial?
DIRECTV says all of its streaming plans come with a 5-day free trial, and nothing is taken during those five days.
Who can get the DIRECTV Stream free trial?
DIRECTV says the trial is for new qualifying users only.
Does the DIRECTV free trial include HBO Max?
No. DIRECTV says HBO Max is included in some plans but begins after the 5-day trial.
What happens when the DIRECTV trial ends?
DIRECTV says your plan renews monthly after any trial or promo period unless you cancel.
Is there a free version of DIRECTV?
Yes. MyFree DIRECTV offers 150+ free ad-supported channels in the DIRECTV app, and DIRECTV says no credit card is needed to sign up.
Can I get a Genre Pack on its own?
Yes. DIRECTV says its Genre Packs are completely standalone, so you don't need a Signature package.
Do I need a contract or a dish for DIRECTV streaming?
No. DIRECTV says its streaming plans have no annual contract and don't need a satellite dish, and you can cancel any time.
