But which one is best for you and your family? We’ll start off by saying that both DIRECTV and Xfinity are on our list of best TV providers. But to compare the two, we look at price, contracts, channel lineups, user experience, and customer service to find the winner of this epic battle. We hope our research will make your choice easier. So without further adieu, let’s get into the details. DIRECTV requires a one to a two-year contract, and Xfinity has loads of tacked-on fees. (Scroll down a little further to find those.) And here’s the best news: if you get the CHOICE package or above, you’ll get your first season of NFL SUNDAY TICKET included (after that, the current rate will apply at about $300 per season). If you don’t know what NFL SUNDAY TICKET is and you’re an NFL fan … prepare to get your life turned upside down (in a good way). NFL SUNDAY TICKET will give you all out-of-market games straight to your TV every Sunday. Having options gives you a lot more flexibility in your planning, especially if you’re only signing a one-year lease on your new apartment. If you go with Xfinity, you’ll likely be paying an additional $69 per month for two TV boxes, DVR storage, news channels, and sports channels. If you get DIRECTV’s ENTERTAINMENT package, it’s just $65 per month. So … you could actually save money in the long run with DIRECTV. DIRECTV includes your first Genie DVR, but each additional set-top box adds $7 per month. There are no DVR or HD service fees with DIRECTV. Phew. That’s creepin’ very close to an extra $40 on top of your package price for a single TV with DVR (eye roll). If you’re considering additional TVs and DVRs, Xfinity’s price can get out of hand. DIRECTV charges a regional sports fee of up to $13.99 per month. Yes, the fee is a bit of a bummer, but it’s how local broadcast networks recoup their distribution costs and we don’t see many (if any) TV companies dropping this fee. Both DIRECTV and AT&T internet options vary based on your area, so you’ll have to put in your zip code to find out what’s available. By combining services, you’ll get one bill and even save $25–$35 per month in some cases. Compare that to DIRECTV’s lack of savings and you can see that Xfinity’s discount might make up for its additional TV fees for DVR and HD fans. And you can get download speeds of 400 Mbps with your 125+ channels for $30 more than if you were to get Xfinity’s TV service alone. Not bad at all. Xfinity has some of the fastest internet speeds out there though (up to 2,000 Mbps in some cases). And it comes with a high data cap (1.2 TB). Besides, the Xfinity X1 DVR—which we recommend getting—requires you to sign up for internet anyway. One of our favorite things about Xfinity is accessing shows from anywhere. As long as you have internet access, Xfinity makes train trips, waiting rooms, or chillin’ in line to get the Taylor Swift CD for yourself your daughter decidedly less miserable. After you take a look at this comparison table, you’re going to wonder why you even considered Xfinity’s more expensive Ultimate tV Package when Xfinity’s cheaper Choice TV and Popular TV packages are the two packages with the best channels. But scroll down a little further for the sports channels. Check DIRECTV’s network availabilityCheck Xfinity’s available networks Xfinity gets points here for offering a lower rate on its premium channels, and while it’s only a couple bucks difference with DIRECTV, those savings can add up if you’re a fan of Succession and Shameless and need both HBO and SHOWTIME. But mega sports fans will benefit the most with the PREMIER package. Xfinity may not have something similar to NFL SUNDAY TICKET, but you can still get lots of popular sports networks with the Extra and Starter packages. To put it in perspective, the highest score of 73 is held by Verizon Fios. Besides, most issues revolve around billing misunderstandings, so be mindful of what your contract actually entails in terms of costs over two years. Xfinity is a good choice if you’re looking to get both TV and internet. Its TV service and X1 DVR are nothing to scoff at, but you’ve gotta account for additional HD fees, equipment costs, and broadcast fees.
