AT&T TV Now vs Sling TV

When choosing a live streaming cable alternative service, today’s viewers have a plethora of options. It can take some time to sort through all the differences. We’ve compared all the leading live TV streaming services on the market. Now we set each company head-to-head to see who comes out on top.

Launched in 2015, Sling is a branch of the Dish Network, but primarily functions as its an over-the-top content provider, and is a popular cable alternative for cord-cutters. The service offers several price points, with numerous choices in channel add-ons. 

As more and more cable alternatives entered the market, the big-name cable companies also entered the arena with commitment-free options. In 2016, AT&T launched DirectTV Now, a branch of its traditional DirecTV service, but aimed at the streaming market. Since then, the streaming service rebranded as DIRECTV STREAM.

The service offers access to cable networks, live streaming, local channels, and a variety of price-tiers with a month-to-month pricing model and no cable box or cords.

DIRECTV STREAM Now vs. Sling

Price comparison

Given its a la carte nature, Sling can add up when building a custom “menu” of channels. However, it is the more affordable option, starting with two package choices at $25 each, Sling Orange and Sling Blue, each with a slightly different combination of channels. Alternatively, subscribers can combine Blue and Orange for $40. That’s about 50 total channels before add ons (a current special includes a 40% discount, making it only $25 for your first month). After that, themed packages of five to eight channels each, ranging from comedy to entertainment or sports, can be added for $5 to $10 a month. 

DIRECTV STREAM Now’s ‘Plus’ package has 45 channels and starts at $65, after a 7-day free trial (plus free HBO), making it more expensive than Sling and with fewer options. The second tier, Max, comes with around 60 channels for $85. DIRECTV STREAM Now has a total of six packages, with the biggest one running $135. Even with multiple add ons adding up, most people can get all the same channels that they want from Sling for less than the average DIRECTV STREAM Now package.

Streaming and DVR features

DIRECTV STREAM Now comes out in front here, at least on the base model, having recently added a cloud DVR feature to all their subscription plans. However, it is limited to 20 hours of storage, and programs are only saved for 30 days. Meanwhile, Sling doesn’t include a DVR option as standard, but the cloud DVR add on offers 50 hours of storage for as long as you’re a customer for just $5 a month. 

Similarly, the base level DIRECTV STREAM Now appears to offers more in streaming screens, with two simultaneous streams included, and a third being added for $5 a month. With Sling Orange, viewers only get one screen. However, you get three with Sling Blue, and when getting the combined plan, up to four simultaneous screens are available, making it overall the better deal. 

Cable Channel Comparison

Given the multiple package options and add ons available, for ease of cable channel comparison, we’re starting with the Sling Blue and Orange combined, and the lowest tier DIRECTV STREAM Now package, Plus. 

Overall, Sling comes out on top in most comparisons here. It has more of the big-name cable networks, including Discovery, AMD, HGTV, BBC America, A&E, and Lifetime, which are not included in the first two tiers of DIRECTV STREAM Now’s offerings. Most of the more popular channels are not available until the $93 price point. DIRECTV STREAM Now does have Nickelodeon and Fox News, but that’s about it of the top cable networks that they have, and Sling doesn’t. 

Sling offers a decent channel search page to help potential customers see what package and add ons will give them the channels they prefer. Overall, Sling provides more than 50 cable channels in add-on packages that aren’t in either of DIRECTV STREAM Now’s first two tiers of channels. Look here for a full comparison of DIRECTV STREAM Now’s channels in each package. 

Local TV

DIRECTV STREAM Now offers live streaming of local networks as part of any subscription, although like most services, it is dependent on region. Currently, for example, you can get live access to ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC, as well as CW in Baltimore, Maryland. However, constant fee disputes between AT&T and local station owners clouds which channels appear on DirecTV Now.

While Sling offers local channels in some regions, major markets like Baltimore or Washington, DC, are not among those with accessibility. Given their limited availability, however, Sling does have several promotions to help bridge the gap with local broadcasting. First, subscribers willing to pay the first two months upfront can get a free indoor antenna, which broadcasts local networks to the TV. For three months paid upfront, Sling offers a free antenna and Air TV player combination. The Air TV player integrates the local broadcasts into the Sling app for viewing on mobile devices as well. 

Premium Channels and Sports

Perhaps the main area that DIRECTV STREAM Now has a real advantage is in premiums. The service offers free HBO on its base tier, and HBO and Cinemax included in the next level. All four of the big four, HBO, Cinemas, Showtime, and Starz are available as add ons for $11 each on any tier. Sling doesn’t offer HBO or Cinemax but does have Showtime ($10) and Starz ($9), as well as Curiosity Stream and Epix among its add-ons.

Sling does, however, have a few more sports channels that DIRECTV STREAM Now in their comparable base packages, as well as a sports package add-on with 12 more channels. Also, Sling offers individual NBA Team League Passes for $17.99 per team. 

Device Compatibility and User Interface

Here is a quick summary of all of the devices compatible with each service.

Sling: 

• Mac & PC computers
• Roku (select models)*
• Apple TV (4th Generation)*
• Apple/IOS devices
• Android phones and tablets
• Amazon Fire TV and stick
• Chromecast
• Xbox One
• Samsung & LG smart TVs
• AirTV Player
• Xiaomi Mi TVs
• Oculus

DIRECTV STREAM Now:

• Mac & PCs – specifically Chrome and Safari browsers
• Roku
• Apple TV (4th Generation or newer)
• Apple/IOS devices
• Android phones and tablets
• Amazon Fire TV and stick
• Chromecast
• Samsung Smart TVs

Each site offers a detailed list of device models and technology compatibility against which to check your favorite device. Overall, Sling is more flexible in the types of systems that can run it (although older models of Rokus and Apple TVs cannot download the app).

Summary

Unfortunately for DIRECTV STREAM Now, it just can’t keep up with the newer online services as long as it stays attached to a cable-driven model. Having overpriced packages and limited streaming flexibility makes it ungainly compared to Sling and similar cable-alternative models.