DirecTV Stream has removed A&E (channel 265), History (channel 269), Lifetime (channel 252) and Vice ( channel 271) from the Entertainment package. As a result, the cheapest way to now access these channels through DirecTV Stream is the $108.99 a month Choice plan.
DirecTV appears to have made these changes today (March 1). While the company hasn’t officially announced any changes to its channel lineup yet, the DirecTV Stream website was updated today to reflect A&E, History, Lifetime and Vice are now only available with Choice and higher plans.
It currently remains unclear why DirecTV has made this change, but all four removed channels are owned by A&E Networks. Lifetime Movie Network, aka LMN, (channel 253) and FYI (channel 266) are also both owned by A&E Networks, and no changes have been made to their availability. LMN and FYI continue to only be accessible through the even more expensive Ultimate and Premier packages.
At present, it also remains unclear what this means for existing subscribers. While the channels are not available to new subscribers signing up to Entertainment, it is unknown whether existing subscribers have lost access to them as well, or whether they will retain access for as long as their subscription remains active and unchanged.
If existing Entertainment subscribers do find they have lost access to these channels, upgrading to the next cheapest plan, Choice, increases the monthly price by almost $30.
In addition to A&E, History, Lifetime and Vice, Choice subscribers get access to around 30 additional channels, including more sports networks and regional sports networks in available areas.
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