Cox TV Vs DIRECTV: Which is a Better TV Provider?

Television has been one of the most easily accessible sources of entertainment for nearly a century?with its consumption rising consistently over time. Up until the advent of streaming platforms in recent years, few things if any rivaled TV?and even now it plays an instrumental part in keeping the average American family entertained. Not only  that, it still holds the power to draw a family together and allow everyone a chance to reconnect at the end of the day.

The therapeutic effect of TV entertainment was particularly highlighted during the long months of the pandemic?when pay-tv remained a crowd-favorite option for in-home entertainment alongside on-demand and livestreaming services?and literally saved the day for millions as far as coping with the unprecedented fallout of the then prevalent circumstance.

Choosing the right TV provider can however be a tricky business, especially if you are new to the local market and have little idea of how available services compare. And if you’re looking to pick  between Cox TV and DIRECTV, there may be quite a bit that you’ll find different?making it necessary to compare well before making the call. Both Cox and DIRECTV are notable industry names, and each offers a unique set of features?our today’s article talks about these in detail, so you can see which fits your needs better.

Cox TV Vs DIRECTV: A General Comparison of Services

When we compare pay-tv services, there are quite a few bases to judge upon?channel lineup, TV equipment and features such as HD programming, On Demand, add-ons, TV Everywhere, DVR, and of course the price point.

Cox Contour TV service is today’s pepped up Cable for your home; while DIRECTV is the top satellite TV provider in the U.S., and “the king of content” so to speak with many a specialty to its credit. Which is why it really comes down to what you are looking for, and how much are you willing to spend on TV every month. Here is a head-to-head general comparison before we look at things in detail?

Cox Contour TV Vs DIRECTV: Pros and Cons

Whether it is satellite or cable TV, each comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. What is a pro for your may be a con for another user?because the ultimate benchmark a service must meet is that of your preferences.

For instance if you are located in an area where Cable does not reach, coast-to-coast availability of DIRECTV makes it a no-brainer choice. But if you’re on a budget, and Cox TV network covers your area, the service will get you cheaper options. Similarly, if you are an entertainment buff or a sports fanatic, nothing will satiate your needs better than a DIRECTV channel lineup. But if you prefer to stick to popular TV essentials, Cox again cuts a better deal.

Here is a quick look at the pros and cons of each service?  

DIRECTV Vs Cox TV: Packages & Pricing

Cox and DIRECTV both offer a variety of service tiers?with 4 options each.

Cox Contour Starter is the basic package with 75+ channels at a budget price of $53/mo. There are 2 mid-tier lineups?Preferred and Preferred Plus?and the top-tier Ultimate package which includes premium networks as well. Cox includes the Starter DVR for the term of the promotion, but its an add-on thereafter. The first set-top box however comes included in the price. Cox TV packages are not cheap, but competitively priced, and the good thing is none carries a term agreement. You pay on a month-to-month basis, and stay free to opt out at any time.

Conversely, DIRECTV offers 160+ channels in its starting package, i.e. Entertainment, at the first-year price of $74.99/mo. Mid-tier DIRECTV packages, Choice and Ultimate, bring you more sports and movie channels. And the top tier Premier includes unlimited access to premium entertainment networks as well. Value added perks include limited time FREE access to premium networks with plans below Premier, season’s NFL Sunday Ticket with Choice and higher packages, and Genie HD DVR with all plans.  

All of that adds great value to a DIRECTV subscription?even with the second year price hike, a cost comparison based on the channel count alone indicates the seemingly higher price tag for DIRECTV plans does not make it more expensive than Cox?and it remains the more value packed option, especially if you get your hands on a promo deal that offers a discount for the first year. Current promotional offers let you enjoy a saving of $120 during your first 12 months. The only thing that may be a deal-breaker is the 2-year contract?if you’re not in for a long-time commitment.

Cox Vs DIRECTV: Compare the Channel lineups

Cox and DIRECTV offer an array of channels when it comes to diversity of genres. Local broadcast TV and public access networks are included in all plans, however the variety of popular cable networks and premium sports and entertainment channels is not the same.

The DIRECTV channel lineup is huge with 160+ offered in the starting plan. Mid-tier Choice and Ultimate carry 185+ and 250+ networks respectively while Premier has over 330?family and kids, lifestyle, news, entertainment, sports and more?it is all part of DIRECTV packages.

On the other hand, the Cox Contour channel lineup offers 75+ channels in its starter plan, and then goes to 140+ and 250+ in higher tiers?popular and premium networks get added on as you move up the tier ladder?expanding the scope for families with diverse interests and TV enthusiasts.

Here is a quick look at the popular networks included in Cox and DIRECTV channel lists:

Here its worth mentioning, Cox TV also offers an expanded version of the Contour Preferred plan which gets you 170+ channels and includes premium networks such as HBO Max and STARZ on top of the Preferred lineup?Cox calls it Contour Preferred Plus and it costs $118/mo.  

Cox TV Vs DIRECTV: More Service Features

Cox Contour TV

DIRECTV (Satellite)

Cox Vs DIRECTV: Equipment

As we said, the first Cox Contour TV box is free of cost with all plans, however the Cox DVR service comes at an extra charge. It is quite an impressive add-on that gives you up to 1000 hours of HD storage, and has the capacity to record up to 24 shows at once?with the top tier Ultimate DVR. The Cox DVR charges range from $13.50/mo. to $30.00/mo.  

On the other hand, Genie HD DVR from DIRECTV brings you 200 hours worth of HD storage and the ability to record 5 shows at a time. Its one of the top most DVR systems in the market?and you get it at no added cost with all plans across the board. If you wish you can upgrade to Genie 2 at an added cost or include one or more Genie Mini in the setup for whole-home DVR.

Cox TV Vs DIRECTV: Installation

Cox installation comes with options?self-install or professional. Self-installation is free of cost and easy to work out, so you can save in this are if you are tech savvy. As for professional installation, it is better to go for it if techy stuff makes you nervous. Of course, it comes at an added cost?which could be up to $100.   

On the other hand, DIRECTV offers Standard professional installation included in the cost of the package. There is however a one-time activation fee of $19.95 for the service.  

Cox Vs DIRECTV: Internet & TV Bundles

Cox internet and TV bundles are a good way to get better value for your money?access to high-speed internet and a contemporary cable TV service?both under the same roof and on one bill means great convenience. High-speed Internet is a must in this day and age, so if you are looking for a pay-tv service, it is only prudent to pair it up with the internet from the same provider. Cox high-speed Internet is ranked at the top for video streaming, and you can count on it for to meet your family’s digital needs with reliability.

The biggest plus of bundling services with Cox is the freedom to mix and match any speed tier with any channel lineup that is available in your area. Cox Internet and TV bundles are not the cheapest out there, but you get great quality at a competitive rate.  

When we talk of DIRECTV, things are slightly different. The top satellite TV service in the U.S. can be paired with services from a variety of internet providers such as CenturyLink, HughesNet, and Windstream. However, the most popular combo is that of DIRECTV with internet from AT&T?the two services complement each other perfectly. Here are a couple of popular AT&T Internet and DIRECTV packages?

Cox TV Vs DIRECTV: Which Is Better?

Whether to get Cox TV or DIRECTV, the discussion really boils down to what you are looking for in a TV service.

For people who want to go for the bare minimum, Cox has a budget option with its starter plan. Moreover, there are no contracts to worry about with Cox TV?you pay on a month-to-month basis so you can cancel anytime without an early termination fee.

However, if you are looking for a bigger and more diverse channel lineup, DIRECTV is definitely the one to get. Not only you enjoy a curated list of TV networks starting at a whopping 160+ channels, each plan includes a number of value perks. The only downside may be the 2-year agreement?but then you save with the promotional price for one full year?so if you don’t mind the commitment, DIRECTV is a great choice that keeps an entire family happy.

Pick a service that best resonates with your needs! And if you need to learn more about either, speak to representatives at 1-855-349-9328 anytime. Spanish users can visit Cox en Español for further details. 

FAQs

What do you get with Cox TV packages?

Cox TV plans are a good place to start especially if you are looking for a basic TV plan. The starter plan offers 75+ channels for $53/mo. Higher plans offer 140+ and 250+ channels. Features such as TV Everywhere, On Demand, etc. are included in all plans. And as part of current promotions you also get to enjoy the Starter DVR without an added cost. To check if Cox TV service is available in your area call at 1-855-349-9316 anytime.

What do you get with DIRECTV plans?

DIRECTV offers 4 plans, and the starter gets you 160+ channels while the top tier includes over 330. You also get access to thousands of on-demand titles. Plus there are perks such as the NFL Sunday Ticket when you get Choice or a higher package. For details about DIRECTV offers call at 1-855-925-2541 anytime.

Does a DIRECTV plan have an early termination fee (ETF)?

Yes. DIRECTV plans have a 24-month agreement and if you cancel before the end of the contractual term you can expect to pay $20/mo. for each month left on your contract.

How can I order a TV plan for my house?

Speak to experts at 1-855-349-9328 anytime of the day. Our experts can guide you about the top providers in your area, and help you through the process of ordering should you wish to do so.