DirecTV cuts back a major service as consumers switch gears | Official Website of Louis Velazquez, entrepreneur, finance guy and tech innovator

It is no secret that consumers across the country have been ditching traditional cable TV for streaming services such as Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, and Paramount+ over the past few years. These services offer access to a wide variety of TV shows and films at significantly lower prices than cable.

According to a recent survey from digital security firm All About Cookies, only 46% of Americans still use traditional cable or satellite TV services, and only 14% of cord-cutters regret cutting their cable. Also, 76% of Americans watch shows through paid streaming services.

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Amid this growing trend, a recent report from MoffettNathanson found that traditional pay-TV providers saw a 12.6% decrease in subscribers during the second quarter of 2024. Cable providers lost 1.03 million subscribers, while satellite services, such as DirecTV and Dish, lost 495,000.

In response to this major shift, DirecTV has recently ramped up its efforts to win back customers. Last year, the cable giant leaned further into the streaming business by offering them access to over 90 channels, such as MovieSphere, Fox Weather, Court TV, etc., for free through its MyFree DirecTV app.

In January, it also launched its MySports streaming package, which offers access to over 40 sports and broadcast channels for $70 a month.

The following month, DirecTV even introduced three new streaming bundles called Genre Packs. These bundles include MyEntertainment, MiEspañol, and MyNews, which all offer customers channels for under $50 a month, a cheaper option than DirecTV’s traditional cable bundles.

DirecTV is phasing out one of its older television services while investing more in streaming.

Image source&colon; Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images

DirecTV makes unexpected change, impacting customers

While DirecTV is increasing its investment in streaming, it appears to be slowly phasing out its satellite TV service.

According to a new message on DirecTV’s website, the cable giant warns new customers looking to sign up for satellite TV that the service is no longer available in all areas. It encourages them to sign up for its paid streaming services instead.

“DIRECTV Satellite is not currently available in all areas,” said DirecTV on its website. “Check your service address by entering the ZIP Code of the address where you want DIRECTV service. Want the same package without the Satellite? Switch to DIRECTV Streaming App now by selecting that option below.”

In a statement to TheStreet, a DirecTV spokesperson said this change is a “limited-time trial.”

“In select markets, this limited-time trial will increase awareness and adoption of our satellite-free streaming service, which has quickly become the preferred solution for new customers,” said the spokesperson in the statement.

According to a recent report from Cordcutter News, the areas that appear to be impacted by this change include large cities with solid high-speed internet access, which are great areas for DirecTV to push its streaming services.

New customers in rural areas that have limited internet availability may, however, still have access to DirecTV satellite services.

Consumers are switching gears as paid streaming becomes more expensive

The move from DirecTV comes at a time when some Americans are starting to change their tune about paid streaming services, as a few recently raised their prices amid increased demand.

According to a survey from digital security firm All About Cookies, 84% of respondents have canceled a streaming subscription in the past, and 44% said price hikes pushed them to make this decision.

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Amid this budding trend, free streaming platforms are becoming more popular among consumers.

For example, Paramount, which owns PlutoTV, revealed during an earnings call in May that PlutoTV “delivered its highest consumption ever” during the first quarter of 2025.

That same month, Fox also revealed during an earnings call that its free ad-supported streaming platform Tubi faced “accelerating growth” during the same quarter.