DIRECTV STREAM Just Launched a New Sports Bundle! Is It Worth It?

[@richardsmith1161]

Might be worth it, if it included Regional sports. I'll stick with Sling basic, Antenna and add-ons when needed.

[@danram247]

Yeah I'll definitely consider it if it includes regional sports networks.

[@joemientus676]

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Disney, Fox, and WBD must be blushing right now because this is pretty much Venu with a few cable news channels included. Still, I would try this out if it was available in my area. I’ve said that news and sports are the only reasons to subscribe to a live TV service these days, and here we are for the most part. I wish the price was lower but at least most of the channels deliver fresh content daily. Better than paying the same price or higher for channels whose entire lineup consists of two or three shows that are rerun into the ground.

[@fahszybear92]

These greedy streaming companies are out of control with there prices

[@ducmark1205]

The streaming companies do have high prices, but a large portion of the cost are the networks prices. This bundle is not worth the price.

[@vince0896]

Give me the missing channels for $49.99 regular price, let me watch 4 games at the same time and we are all set.

[@JAW3Tube]

I’m currently with YTTV but this has most of the channels I watch on a regular basis: NBC, MSNBC, MLB, CNN, NBA and a few others. I’m going to wait until February to see what other channels they add in the interim and then take advantage of the $49.99 introductory price for the first 3 months. It will be more cost-effective than YTTV during those 3 months. If they add RSNs, even for $10-15 more on top of the regular $70 pricing, I’ll stick with it. It will be a better value, in my view, for the channels I want compared to any of the other platforms. Plus, DirecTV Stream has the best video and audio quality of any of the streamers and their DVR is more flexible than YTTV.

[@thewcvb5fan319]

That package is available in the entire state of New Jersey, because that state is covered in the New York City Media Market, and the Philadelphia Media Market.

[@SurfCityBill]

Seems like the bulk of those sports channels are already on YT TV. I did notice CBS Sportsnet is missing. That's one I rely on for certain college football and basketball programming.

[@music-radios]

If the price was cheaper I’d consider it but I’ll wait & see what the ESPN package offers later.

[@mabguy1659]

Since it does not include RSN's, and does not include local channels for Seattle except FOX, I think I would pass on this, especially since the "after promo" price would go up to $70 anyways; at that point, I may as well just get one of the "regular" packages and be able to access everything...

[@brianpace7866]

It shows just how much Sports makes up the price on TV channel bundles. 📺

[@matthewcarey7323]

I am in Phoenix, so I would just say it would be highly dependent on the RSNs, locals and whatever is going to get added. That said, I really think this is only worth it for the initial 3 month trial price of $50, after that, I don't see the real value in it because you know it will not be long before the price goes up. Then you may as well just stick with something else where you getting more bang for that buck. I feel like they are trying to jump the shark with the Venu fallout and reel those prospective streamers in, but I would rather wait and see what Fubo does as part of the Hulu acquisition. At $70, I think it is a no for me unless something changes down the road.

[@MichaelSaves]

Well said.It's a no for me too, beyond the trial price.

[@music-radios]

I agree with you on this.

[@kjktex]

Do you get regional sports networks for MLB?

[@MichaelSaves]

Sounds like RSNs will be an add-on at some point.

[@RayLabs]

$70 is too expensive. Won't be touching this. Will wait to see what the ESPN standalone offering is.

[@MichaelSaves]

Agree with you. May be some takers for the introductory price, but hard to see $70/month moving a lot of people.

[@DQWallace]

I believe they recently cancelled the standalone ESPN app. I believe this was going to be called Venu Sports.

[@joe10117]

if you want those channels for MLB NFL you gotta pay the price or. $300 a month on cable. ones no better than the other

[@ameershalab7780]

Not only that, but the my sports beta has ABC local affiliated I check it and it's true​@@MichaelSaves

[@franklinrobinson]

In this bundle there are at least two channels I just never watch. it's probably unrealistic, but I still wish there was a "cafeteria" style bundle, where I could pick and choose my channels

[@MickF04]

A "sport" programming bundle that includes FIVE cable news channels. By hook or by crook, they are making the dedicated TV sports fan pay for channels they don't want. Of course, this is probably being directed by the content providers.

[@TheRealLaughingGravy]

CNBC is sometimes used for Olympics coverage, but other than that, no sports on any of them.

[@TheRealLaughingGravy]

I hate it when they treat people like toddlers with these "introductory rates." _ONLY 50$ (for the first three months, then $70)._ As if we have no concept of the future, like a two-year-old. "Wow! Three months! That's like, forever!" If I think $70 is too much, I'm not going to sign up just so I have to switch in three months.

[@TheWuPigPodcast]

They can kick rocks with this one

[@manny4491]

This is a great beginning! Can't wait to see the new channel packages like The Kids Package or News Package! We could be at a Game Changing moment!

[@MichaelSaves]

I will keep you updated

[@TheRealLaughingGravy]

Game changing? Not at $70/month. You might as well pay the extra $12 for KZbinTV and get everything. If this were $19.99/month, THAT would be game changing.

[@manny4491]

@@TheRealLaughingGravy This is the first time you can just buy what you want without the filler! I would call that game changing.

[@danram247]

I wonder if TNT, TBS, and USA networks will black out regular shows and just show sports when airing?

[@davidlyttle5749]

i will stick to youtube tv and free apps along with my am & fm radio for baseball.

[@Ronald_Long1]

I don't watch anything but sports so I'll take any savings i can get even if it's not a whole lot. Thanks for the update, ill be looking into this later today.

[@doru19285]

When you will make a review to this bundle?

[@MichaelSaves]

I am not sure yet. I want to see if there is an interest.

[@danram247]

It could be worth it if includes regional sports too...im paying $115 right now that includes regional sports. So if im able to cut down $45 for just sports networks that will include regional sports I'll definitely get it.

[@MichaelSaves]

I read RSNs will be an add-on at some point

[@ricosanchez3432]

Most RSNs have a direct to consumer option and a lot of them cost as much as $30, I don’t see them ever being included on the $70 package.

[@shackdaddy7106]

My first impression is this. Sling is $45.99 a month for at least the next year or so. And DIRECTV my sports as a three month deal for $49.99 a month. And then it will go up to its normal price of $69.99 a month. Which is $24 more than Sling. No thank you I will keep Sling. And just move back-and-forth between orange and blue when needed. Which during football season is at least once a week.

[@JAW3Tube]

To get the same channels as MySports, you’d pay $85-90/month on Sling.

[@chumbawumba1959]

The **RIGHT BUNDLE AT THE WRONG - WAY TOO HIGH - PRICE** ... if it was $39.99, I would be all in. At the set price, why would I dump KZbinTV???

[@ericrivera8275]

$70 and no RSNs is wild

[@charlespatrick8650]

that's pretty much all I watched when I subscribed to Sling, $70 is too much, but I'd take it if the standard price was $50

[@biblebelter9772]

I like "skinny" bundles so I have Sling Orange. As you said Michael, this may be a "skinny" bundle but the price is hardly "skinny". As a sports fan, who has been chasing sports on television my entire lifetime starting with a C-Band dish in the early eighties, I am burnt out. Burnt out chasing and burnt out watching. I no longer watch college basketball. I don't understand the conferences and the one and done players have made following one team over a period of years rather meaningless. Just wait until the NCAAB tournament which still is a good watch. I still watch the NFL but there are too many games on too many different streams. The coaching and the QB play is only good on a third of the teams at most. This wild card weekend had a bunch of dud games. I don't think the twelve team NCAAF playoff system increased my interest but probably diminished it. Again a lot of dud games. Ending the college football season on Jan. 20 rather than New Year's Day is not a good idea. I have subscribed to NBA league pass since it started. This year I subscribed to two months and then dropped it. TOO BORING and this comes from a lifelong pro basketball fan who loved the ABA as well as the NBA. I haven't even tuned in to the NBA games that I get on Sling Orange. I'm looking forward to baseball season expecting to get the MLB package again compliments of my T-Mobile subscription. In short, they are OVERPRICING the availability of lives sports content while diminishing the value of live sports content by over saturation. They are slowly killing the goose that laid the golden eggs by a thousand cuts.

[@ceddycedchin]

They basically want fans to subsidize sports leagues. Advertising & tickets are not enough, I guess. $70 a month is way too much for this. And the price will only go higher from there (streaming & cable). Tough times could loom on the horizon for media companies, subscribers & some sports leagues.

[@MSDOGS1976]

We’re all like different channels and content. For me Sling Orange is good enough with a couple of add on services. A lot of those sports channels in DTV’s sports package I wouldn’t watch. Plus living in a rural area it probably won’t be available anytime soon anyway.

[@kingnole7540]

No live CBS channels - so no CBS NFL games or CBS local news. I'm out.

[@JOELTILSON]

More Sports packages are coming by other streaming services. $70 per month too expensive for just sports.

[@admirals818]

Price point is too high, at least for me. I'd rather pay just a little more and get a lot more with the traditional live streaming services.

[@paulblack9931]

Price is less than KZbin TV base plan and its sports focus. You can say it’s a remake of Venu Sports but with Direct Tv name on it 🏈

[@MichaelSaves]

Venu with some additions, plus a higher price

[@onehitsword6800]

This show's they may kill off Sling when they merge

[@MichaelSaves]

That deal was called off, but I do think it could come back.

[@rohanb-ef2xh]

Directv never seems to learn that most people can’t afford to pay that much just for sports😂

[@davidaz6622]

When are the sports channels going to learn. We are subscribing to your service to watch the game because it’s a good game or it’s our team playing. We aren’t subscribing to see Tom Brady, SAS, Pat McAfee etc. they could save their subscribers some money if they didn’t pay the “talent” $25-$45M a year. We’re still going to watch the games we want regardless of who is calling the game.

[@MichaelSaves]

That is definitely one component of it

[@kenyattaclay7666]

I think you’re talking about two different things. I agree with you on the content that is only sports related such as shows like First Take or Speak. However it’s actually been proven that the announcer for a game is an important component in bringing in viewers. For example, I’m a White Sox fan specifically because Harry Carey was their announcer. There are others that are my age that became Cubs fans because of Jack Brickhouse. Also, I can’t remember the exact year but NBC tried broadcasting the first half of a game without broadcasters and it was an unmitigated disaster. Lastly, as a kid who grew up in the late 70’s & 80’s Howard Cosell, John Madden & Keith Jackson became pop culture icons and whether someone loved or hated them people watched in part to hear what they had to say. So yes all the other nonsense that aren’t the highlights and are only sports related aren’t that important but the actual announcers really are.

[@matthewcarey7323]

So many times I would just rather mute the game and put the radio broadcast on so I dont have to listen to all the TV nonsense. Radio is not perfect, but much less nonsense and sometimes the talent is so much better!

[@jimmyholland1424]

If it’s stays at $50 I would not $70

[@paulolson]

What about an affordable "NoSports" package? I think Sling has something similar to that.

[@MichaelSaves]

Philo and Frndly TV, but also DTV says it has plans for these packages in the future.

[@admirals818]

Sounds like you want Philo.

[@paulolson]

@ Very interesting. Thanks for the heads-up. Love your channel.

[@paulolson]

@ Appreciate the suggestion!

[@levil4012]

Nope i may as well go the KZbin tv route. This is 86.98!!

[@jeffreyswanson2207]

Did anybody really think that this would be $25-30/month ? People are their own worst enemy sometimes.

[@MichaelSaves]

That’s not exactly what I’m hearing. But I think $70 feels too steep from the early feedback.

[@PAUL-uk1le]

@@MichaelSaves 49.99 yes higher no but, needs local channels

[@OneEye-m4u]

No chance they get my business. After football season is over I won't watch live sports until the NCAA tournament. Baseball is a mess with the RSNs.

[@Cotelw8345]

Why does it include news networks. We want just sports. We don’t want politics. It is like they are trying to force political stuff on us. Networks are fine. But it is missing all of them, the Boston market would only get nbc.

[@movieman46]

no

[@PaulSmith-gb3ke]

No I'm looking for an entertainment package no sports and cheaper Than what I usually pay for KZbin TV

[@MichaelSaves]

I will keep you posted on the new genre-specific bundles as they launch.

[@shanna1518]

Have you checked into Philo? It has no sports it's entertainment only and has over 70 channels unlimited DVR to it's only 28 dollars a month so check into it..

[@stephenhines2795]

No would not touch it too expensive