Following the release of its $70 MySports package and its free streaming service, DirecTV is launching a slate of new streaming-only bundles, the company said Thursday. Priced between $35 and $40 per month, Genre Packs are available to customers as standalone options or together, without the need for a satellite TV subscription. The satellite service will also roll out smaller add-ons dubbed Mini Packs. The company's move aims to give consumers more choice and convenience when watching live TV cord-free.
Beginning Thursday, you can choose from three main Genre Pack options: MyEntertainment, MyNews and MiEspañol. For $35 per month, MyEntertainment subscribers not only get access to more than 40 channels, such as Bravo, FX, E!, Food Network and Syfy but also basic Disney Plus and Hulu for no extra charge. (Disney's Duo Basic bundle typically costs $11 monthly.) In the future, DirecTV plans to tack on the ad-based Max subscription to this bundle at no cost.
If you want live news feeds, the $40 MyNews package streams 10-plus channels from networks like Fox, CNN and CNBC for nationwide and international coverage and a selection of local stations (where available). Customers seeking Spanish-language content can get more than 60 channels, including ESPN Deportes, Fox Deportes, Telemundo and Univision, in the MiEspañol bundle for $35 a month. The ad-supported ViX Premium plan will be part of this package in the coming weeks.
As an added perk for MySports subscribers, access to ESPN Plus is now included without having to pay an extra $12-a-month subscription fee. You can sign up for any of the new DirecTV streaming packs at directvstream.com.
Mini Packs offer a small selection of channels and are limited to specific bundles. MyCinema costs $10 monthly and can be added to MyEntertainment, MyNews and MySports packages. The seven-channel lineup features family-friendly and classic movies from Great American Family, Turner Classic Movies and more. Only MySports subscribers can get the $13 MySports Extra mini offering, which gives you programming from MotorTrend, NFL Red Zone and a few other networks. But sports fans should also stay tuned for an upcoming RSN pack later this month that will arrive ahead of Major League Baseball's new season.
DirecTV's rollout comes during a time when more skinny bundles are coming to market to entice cord-cutters and cord-nevers. Pricing is competitive -- and often less expensive -- when compared with traditional TV, and in some cases, it's on par with live TV streaming services. In early January, Disney announced the merging of Hulu's live streaming business with Fubo, with plans for a sports-only offering. Next came the demise of Venu Sports, and DirecTV dropped its MySports bundle in late January with programming from NBC, Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery. Comcast then launched its $70 bundle for Xfinity customers that has live sports, news and Peacock Premium.
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