Before I get into today’s post, I first want to say that this is in no way sponsored by DirectTV. They don’t even know I exist! Now that we have that out of the way…If you know me, then you know I love television – it’s the way I like to relax, my happy place is most definitely on my couch watching TV. I’ve never not had cable and the thought of “cutting the cord” was so foreign to me that every time Gary tried to bring it up I told him it wasn’t an option.
A few months ago Gary convinced me to try Playstation Vue. We would still have our regular cable, but he urged me to use the Playstation exclusively so that I could see how it felt not having “regular” cable. For the most part I did like the Playstation option, but, and this is a huge but – they didn’t have ABC live. They only had ABC on demand and that just wasn’t going to work for me. Perhaps not a deal breaker for most, but for me it definitely was as an avid TGIT watcher and Bachelor / Bachelorette fan! So after the week was up, we went back to our cable and resumed life.
Gary wasn’t done with trying to convince me that not only could I have all the channels I wanted to watch, but we could reduce our bill by so much! He found this website comparing all other non cable providers and you could pick and choose your must have channels. After telling him all my must have channels, we came out with DirectTV Now as being a really great option. I was still really skeptical, but we had just received our latest cable and internet bill and it was just becoming ludicrous the amount we were paying for channels we didn’t even watch and these weren’t even the premium channels like HBO or Showtime – this is just regular cable.
How DirectTV Now works ||
How DirectTV Now works ||
After signing up on the website, we downloaded the app through the Apple TV. When I say that we started watching regularly televised programming immediately, I mean it was instantaneous! We went with the “Live a Little Package” for only $35 and it includes 60 channels – all of which include my must haves like Bravo, TLC, HGTV and here’s the big one – ABC live! They also have an option to add on HBO and other premium channels for $5-$8 / month.
^last viewed channels when you swipe up^
- You can cancel at any time so there aren’t any annual contracts
- There are no extra fees – you aren’t paying “specialty taxes” that show up out of nowhere on your bill and can’t be explained. We pay $35 and that’s it!
- You aren’t waiting for someone to come and install your television for you
- You can stream on two different devices at the same time
- Create favorite stations so you can easily access them
Why I love it ||
^the view of the guide^
After a little over a month, I don’t even remember why we had cable TV for as long as we did! This option gives me everything I need & more. We still get local programming and news. If you need DVR apparently there is a plan for an update sometime before the end of the year to bring that into the system. I personally don’t use DVR so it wasn’t a deal breaker for me. I’ve mentioned before that we don’t have a TV in our bedroom, but I have the app on my iPad and I’m able to watch a little tv before bed if I really want to! Between Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV and now DirectTV I think we’re all set with our viewing options!
The obvious thing here – we couldn’t cut ties with our cable provider completely because we still need internet to stream Netflix, DirectTV and to do work! Our motivating factor for going this route was cutting this unnecessary bill down as much as possible. I don’t feel like I gave anything up, in fact scrolling through channels now I know that I have access to all of them and it’s not overwhelming!
I’d love to know if you have a service like this that you also really love? Have you toyed with the idea of getting rid of cable?
EDIT: To clarify because a lot of people have been asking – we don’t have Direct TV – we have Direct TV NOW which is an app that we have on our apple tv via our internet – we do not have a dish or anything like that.
I can't tell you how helpful this post is, Biana! We have been talking about getting rid of our cable for awhile now. We have Comcast and the prices just keep going up and up. We are not tech savvy so we don't really know where to start, but I will definitely have to check into this DirectTV Now option. I didn't even know that it existed! Thanks for sharing your experience!
xo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
We are with you Biana, LOVE our DirectTV!! You look so cute all curled up too!
I didn't know that is how direct TV worked! Thank you for sharing all about it. I'm with you, I like to have the basic channels to watch live and don't need much else, maybe just sports channels. Like everyone, I'm trying to figure out what to do about TV bills and the changing viewing options. I do use the DVR though, so good to know about their upcoming option!
xo
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
All I have right now is Netflix and I'm really happy with that. I don't watch a lot of current TV. I love old movies (anything from the late 30's to the late 60's) and I'm watching a lot of 80's dramas, which I get on DVD from the library.
I've heard great things about DirectTV now! Glad it's working for you guys. It feels so good to save that money every month!
We totally are toying with the idea except for abc honestly! I wonder if they have direct tv in canada?!
Sounds great! We don't have anything except for hulu/netflix! Honestly, it isn't missed in our house but I know everyone's different! This package sounds cool!
Katherine | oneswainkycouple.com
I have thought about it, too, but I just feel like it would be a hassle. I may have to give it a little more thought, though!
We have been thinking about taking the plunge and going with Direct TV as well. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. At this point I would do anything to lower our HUGE cable bill.
xo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
I used to have full on DirecTv but recently got rid of it for Sling and it's been great! I love not having a crazy expensive cable bill any more. The only thing I miss is the DVR so maybe when DirecTV Now gets that feature, I'll switch!
I've been hearing about this!! The only thing is we need DVR because we record so much and watch it at a later time. But I am totally looking into this, thanks for sharing!!
i love this. i have totally toyed around with it and am actually debating youtube tv – it's really similar but has that dvr option and i think 6 devices at a time. i love that i can watch live tv too – a huge deal! and it's the same price – $35. which is the selling point! anyway, you're motivating me to finally do it – it's worth it to save the money!
xoxo cheshire kat
Thanks so much for sharing this! We're currently in a contract with DirectTV, but we'll definitely be switching after! My biggest issue has been not being able to watch UK games, and Jason has to have Sunday Ticket for football. LOL! But we're paying a TON for channels we don't even watch! It's crazy!
1000% looking into this. Paying for our (crappy) cable service makes me crazy! this is such a great option, thank you for sharing!
This is awesome! We actually just got rid of normal DirectTV because we were paying nearly $180 a month. We just use our Fire Stick now, and we have Prime, Hulu, and Netflix, so we never feel like we're missing out. I love that there are so many better options these days 🙂
We've been talking about cutting the cord for years now, and it's definitely time! Our bill just keeps going up for no reason, and it's ridiculous. We have hundreds of channels we don't even watch. All we need is ABC, NBC (because Olympics and This is Us), HGTV, Bravo, TruTv (because Impractical Jokers), and I need my Nick at Nite for bedtime. We already have Netflix and Amazon, so we've looked into Hulu. But now I need to look into DirectTv Now, especially since we currently have Direct Tv. I think in the coming years, no one will have cable/satellite anymore and these streaming services will rule all <3
Green Fashionista
We’ve toyed with the idea of giving up cable to, but I was always unsure about now having DVR or all of my channels. It’s sounds like the Directv Now would be a good option though!
I had no idea DirectTv offered this since they’re also our cable provider. We do love our DVR because of Ryan’s work schedule, so maybe we will look into this more once that option is available. The cost of cable is getting so ridiculous!
Do you not have issues with weather? I heard from many of its rainy or snowing, they can't get a signal.
I've heard of so many people cutting cable and sticking to Netflix or other options. We have DirectTV and love it — but it's costly. I will have to see if we can find something that will work for my husband and I — we can't say no to football.
Very interesting post,beautiful photos <3
What a helpful post! I used to have Direct TV when I lived in Seattle. I don't know if they offer it here though, I'll have to check!
aikocunanan.com
We've talked about this quite a bit but our big hang-ups are the DVR and the Sunday Ticket. I could care less about the NFL channel but Jared loves it. So you don't have the options to record shows with your package if you're not home to watch?
Kelsey
kelseypeacock.com
I cut my cable last year for similar reasons. I have RCN (a local NE provider) and use Sling, Hulu, and Netflix. It's more than enough! Also, you get Amazon Video if you have Prime which surprisingly has some really good shows. I don't watch much TV and honestly, I got Sling to watch Hallmark Christmas movies – lol) and it's awesome. More than enough for me!
we cut the cord and I can't stand watching regular tv now. I mean, commercials?! Who's got time for that?! XOXO, R
OH, and p.s.– I LOVE this pic of you on the couch!! You look so cozy, yet so stunning. I don't understand how this is possible!!! XOXO, R
Ha your husband sounds like my husband! I had told him that I wanted something that had Bravo, TLC, HGTV, Food TV, and all the local channels live and, if they didn't, then we would be getting cable at our new house. He found Direct TV Now, and it's been our compromise as well. It's so great!
I was wondering how this worked, thanks for the review! I had a terrible customer
service experience with regular Direc TV but I can get behind this! I haven't had cable since 2015 and miss some channels a lot, especially food network and HGTV!
I love that this worked for you! I am always thinking about ways to cut down on these crazy phone and tv bills. We don't have a smart tv but as soon as we do we will be looking into options like this. Sierra~Beautifully Candid
I know my husband has been wanting to change to Direct TV, so it's helpful to know they don't have contracts anymore. I got screwed by that a few years ago when I couldn't even have Direct TV in my new place, so I've been pushing back hard. It's ridiculous how much cable is charging right now. Thanks for all this info as we try and decide what to do!
I got rid of my cable almost a year ago and I've never looked back. I use Hulu for Network TV and Netflix, Amazon Prime & the Bravo app for everything else! It's so nice not having a huge bill each month!
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only person who loves TV! I live in a rural area, and we don't even have access to cable. So we have to use satellite (we have directv) and use a hotspot for internet. It's sad! lol – we are still able to stream a little with our hotspot but never enough to totally replace the satellite.
Brooke
pumps and push-ups
We have Comcast and it is so expensive. My in-laws gave us a Roku but it doesn't work with our T.V. because its older so we will eventually have to get a new television. This sounds great but I would want the DVR. Mostly because obviously Chris is not going to want to watch the Real Housewives or The Bachelor with me haha. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing!!
This is such a great option for Apple TV! I've honestly never considered this before, but I definitely want to look into it.
Meg, Borrowed Heaven
I was so glad to see this post today! We have been batting around the idea of non traditional TV, but like you there are a few channels that are non negotiables for me. We have discussed DirectTV NOW because we have DTV currently and it would probably be an easy transition for us. I'm still not sold on the no DVR though because I'm bad about coming into a show 10 minutes late and picking up on the DVR instead of live!
Such a good post- people always talk about how expensive cable and internet can be! We used Vue for about a year and then switched to Direct Tv Now when they offered the Apple TV complimentary. So we use it in the living room and bedroom and it’s so awesome. Glad someone else we know is taking advantage of this awesome service!
Totally agree! We're all about basic tv and Netflix, hulu etc. now!
Chelsea
Chow Down USA
We've had Direct TV for years now and I can't say I love it but K insists. I need him to read this post about Direct TV NOW with all the options it offers and the money savings. I never knew about this before! xo Emily @ Martinis & Bikinis
woow I like the shows!
alessabernal.com/
Alessa Bernal
We just cut our cable for Sling TV, but this sounds even better than Sling! I'm telling B about it now!
My husband and I talk about this ALL the time! We talked about Sling, etc. This sounds like a great option and for $35 that's pretty awesome!! I'd definitely need the DVR option though so maybe Ill wait until that's a thing and see what it comes down to. I think in the near future this a la carte option will be more of a thing for cable since everyone agrees the prices are absurd!
I phone internet and cable bill is $184 a month. So crazy. I would love to pay less but I DO watch a TON of TV and use DVR for almost every show that I watch. Do they have all the normal channels like CW, TNT, FOX, E! etc? I can email you if you would prefer to answer questions that way.
This sounds great! We actually cancelled our cable a while ago and have just had Netflix, HBOGO etc. plus we tried out Sling TV for a bit! The cable prices are just INSANE!!
Rosy Outlook
sounds like a good idea! thanks for sharing!
kelseybang.com
I have to look into this! Eddie and I have been talking about cutting the cord for a while because our bill is just too much. It's the other way around in my house, I'm not really into t.v., but he is! He needs to watch seven games at once, lol. I'm all for Netflix and movies, not so much t.v. Though with all the publicity around The Bachelor, I'm tempted to watch; it's been YEARS since I've watched it. Anyway, thanks for sharing this, girl. I hope you have a great weekend!
XO,
Jalisa
THE STYLE CONTOUR
So glad this works for you, friend!!!
We do have direct TV but I'm sure curious about this DT Now option. We actually bundled with our phone service to receive unlimited data but that 2 year contract is about to expire. Definitely looking into this!
We did the exact same thing you did, started with Playstation and then moved to Direct TV Now. We still haven't looked back!
I am so happy to read this post, I love love your style!! I think you will like to look more from here.
Nice Blog and beautiful layout may looks good also your style of siting is awesome..
Regards
Upcoming IPO | IPl 2018 Live Streaming | IPl 2018 Online | IPl 2018 Live