[ZQRZY]

DirecTV PREFERRED XTRA Channels as of Oct 2017

The “PREFERRED XTRA” is the perfect DirecTV package for those who have a low to moderate interest in sports. You DO get 2 ESPN channels, a baseball channel, hockey channel, and a couple of others. As far as I can tell, it is NFL Free! (Except for certain ESPN games.)

I asked DirecTV why this package is NOT on their website, I was told it is because they are “pushing” sports. As an AT&T shareholder, I think this is a huge mistake. Why not offer packages for BOTH sports fans, and non-sports fans.

As of Oct 2017, this package, nor the list below is on the DirecTV website. You may need to speak to someone in “Customer Loyalty”. They are very familiar with his package. I had it going on my DirecTV system within 3 minutes of initiating my phone call. After I switched to the PREFERRED XTRA package I could then see all the PREFERRED XTRA channels on the DirecTV website after I signed into my account. Prior to switching, this great package did not exist as an option.

265 A&E
254 AMC HD
324 America's Auction Network
287 American Heroes Channel
282 Animal Planet HD
401 Aqui
2095 Arirang TV
381 ASPiRE HD
500 AUDIENCE Network HD
334 AUDIENCE Network HD
239 AUDIENCE Network HD
101 AUDIENCE Network HD
387 AWE A Wealth of Entertainment
340 AXS TV HD
293 BabyFirst TV
264 BBC America HD
346 BBC World News HD
329 BET HD
353 Bloomberg Television HD
298 Boomerang
237 Bravo HD
374 BYU TV
350 C-SPAN
351 C-SPAN 2
296 Cartoon Network (East) HD
297 Cartoon Network (West)
2053 CCTV News
2119 CCTV News
223 Celebrity Shopping TV
95 Celebrity Shopping TV
330 Centric
257 Chiller
376 Christian Television Network
308 Cloo
355 CNBC HD
357 CNBC World
202 CNN HD
249 Comedy Central HD
382 Comedy TV HD
232 Cooking Channel HD
327 Country Music Television (CMT) HD
369 Daystar
286 Destination America HD
103 DIRECTV Cinema 3D HD
125 DIRECTV Cinema Screening Room
200 DIRECTV Cinema Screening Room
201 DIRECTV Cinema Screening Room
100 DIRECTV Cinema Screening Room
278 Discovery Channel HD
294 Discovery Family Channel
261 Discovery Life
290 Disney Channel (East) HD
291 Disney Channel (West)
289 Disney Junior HD
292 Disney XD HD
230 DIY Network HD
104 DTV4K HD
236 E! Entertainment Television HD
341 El Rey
448 Enlace Christian Television
209 ESPN 2 HD
206 ESPN HD
370 Eternal World Television Network (EWTN)
316 EVINE
231 Food Network HD
359 FOX Business Network HD
360 FOX News Channel HD
219 Fox Sports 1 HD
348 Free Speech TV
311 Freeform HD
339 Fuse HD
342 Fusion HD
248 FX HD
258 FX Movie Channel
259 FXX HD
266 FYI HD
404 Galavision HD
228 GEM Shopping Network
365 GOD TV
363 Golden Eagle Broadcasting
326 Great American Country
233 GSN HD
312 Hallmark Channel HD
565 Hallmark Movies & Mysteries HD
204 Headline News HD
269 History Channel, The HD
229 Home & Garden Television (HGTV) HD
240 Home Shopping Network (HSN)
368 Hope Channel
380 Impact
333 Independent Film Channel (IFC) HD
364 Inspiration Network
285 Investigation Discovery HD
305 ION Television East HD
306 ION Television West
313 Jewelry Television
388 Jewish Broadcasting Center
366 Jewish Life Television
383 Justice Central HD
280 Learning Channel, The (TLC) HD
252 Lifetime HD
375 Link TV
226 Liquidation Channel
253 LMN HD
272 Logo
203 Look Network
78 Look Network
214 Mav TV
85 Mercury Media
222 Mercury Media
356 MSNBC HD
336 MTV Classic
331 MTV HD
332 MTV2 HD
352 NASA TV
283 Nat Geo WILD HD
276 National Geographic HD
410 NBC Universo HD
301 Nick Jr. HD
299 Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite (East) HD
300 Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite (West)
302 Nicktoons Network
378 NRB Network
347 OAN One America News
447 ONCE
279 Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) HD
274 Ovation HD
251 Oxygen HD
273 Pop
604 Pursuit TV
275 QVC HD
317 QVC HD
315 QVC Plus
238 ReelzChannel HD
384 Revolt HD
345 RFD TV
284 Science Channel, The HD
344 SonLife Network
241 Spike TV HD
295 Sprout
557 SundanceTV HD
244 Syfy HD
247 TBS Superstation HD
377 TCT Network
303 TeenNick
371 The Hillsong Channel
245 TNT HD
277 Travel Channel HD
372 Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN)
246 TruTV HD
256 Turner Classic Movies HD
304 TV Land HD
328 TV One
408 UniMas HD
402 Univision HD
338 UP
379 UplifTV
242 USA Network HD
281 Velocity HD
335 VH1 HD
271 Viceland HD
260 WE tv HD
362 Weather Channel, The HD
361 WeatherNation HD
307 WGN America HD
373 Word Network
367 World Harvest Televisio


Thanks to cpalmer2k for starting this list.

 

[KyL416]

That list is missing several changes that have happened since cpalmer2k posted it in another thread back in March. Like NBCSN being added to it to bring it on par with ESPN and FS1 package wise, and some other additions, rebrands and removals.

 

[ZQRZY]

That list is missing several changes that have happened since cpalmer2k posted it in another thread back in March.

Thanks KyL416,

I have the list in a TextEdit file. If I learn of any corrections or additions I will re-post an updated / more accurate list.
It's just shocking that DirecTV keeps this a secret.

 

[KyL416]

It's not actually. Many of the other sports channels like NFL Network and BTN have penetration clauses, if too many people switch to it, some of those channels would have to be added to the package too. So CSRs are instructed to only mention this package in specific instances like someone complaining about the RSN fee and the offer to switch to Entertainment isn't enough for them. But if you already know about it you can ask for it by name.

If I have time later I'll get an updated list.

 

[cpalmer2k]

I'll try to update my original post tomorrow. I do know they've added ESPNU, ESPNNews, as well as NFL Network. The package is a great value, it saves us almost $30 a month

Edit: Here is the official DirecTV lineup link. It is outdated, but a starting point

www.directv.com/DTVAPP/compare/printablePackageChannels.jsp?packageId=1400004&skuId=P000103252&noPrint=true

 

[KyL416]

Not all of those channels are actually part of the package. They frequently open up additional channels in free preview mode for random customers. There's no rhyme or reason why people are chosen or what channels they're given, it's probably a combo of accounts being in good standing, viewing data collection and/or what you entered as your viewing interests in your online profile.


That link is the one with a bunch of errors that is missing many channels that are part of the package like FX and HLN, and includes channels that are not part of the package like FM, Olympic Channel and VMe (which became ad supported earlier this year and is no longer a P/I channel)

EDIT: Here's the current list, edited to remove some duplicate mirrors for channels like Audience and the infomercial channels
265 A&E HD
254 AMC HD
324 America's Auction Network
287 American Heroes Channel HD
282 Animal Planet HD
2095 Arirang TV
381 ASPiRE HD
239 AUDIENCE Network HD
387 A Wealth of Entertainment HD
340 AXS TV HD
293 BabyFirst TV
264 BBC America HD
346 BBC World News HD
318 Beauty iQ
329 BET HD
330 BET Her
353 Bloomberg Television HD
298 Boomerang
237 Bravo HD
374 BYU TV
350 C-SPAN
351 C-SPAN 2
296 Cartoon Network (East) HD
297 Cartoon Network (West)
2053 CGTN
2119 CGTN
223 Celebrity Shopping TV
257 Chiller
376 Christian Television Network
355 CNBC HD
357 CNBC World
202 CNN HD
249 Comedy Central HD
382 Comedy TV HD
232 Cooking Channel HD
327 Country Music Television (CMT) HD
369 Daystar
286 Destination America HD
103 DIRECTV Cinema 3D HD
125 DIRECTV Cinema Screening Room HD
278 Discovery Channel HD
294 Discovery Family Channel HD
261 Discovery Life
290 Disney Channel (East) HD
291 Disney Channel (West)
289 Disney Junior HD
292 Disney XD HD
230 DIY Network HD
104 DTV4K HD
236 E! Entertainment Television HD
341 El Rey HD
448 Enlace Christian Television
209 ESPN 2 HD
206 ESPN HD
370 Eternal World Television Network (EWTN)
316 EVINE
323 Family Entertainment Television
231 Food Network HD
359 FOX Business Network HD
360 FOX News Channel HD
219 Fox Sports 1 HD
348 Free Speech TV
311 Freeform HD
339 Fuse HD
342 Fusion HD
248 FX HD
258 FX Movie Channel HD
259 FXX HD
266 FYI HD
404 Galavision HD
228 GEM Shopping Network
365 GOD TV
363 Golden Eagle Broadcasting
326 Great American Country
233 GSN HD
312 Hallmark Channel HD
565 Hallmark Movies & Mysteries HD
229 HGTV HD
269 History HD
461 HITN TV
204 HLN HD
240 HSN
368 Hope Channel
333 IFC HD
380 Impact
2068 INCTV
364 Inspiration Network
285 Investigation Discovery HD
305 ION Television East HD
306 ION Television West
388 JBS
313 Jewelry Television
366 Jewish Life Television
383 Justice Central HD
252 Lifetime HD
253 Lifetime Movies HD
375 Link TV
272 Logo
214 Mav TV
2183 MHz Worldview
356 MSNBC HD
336 MTV Classic
331 MTV HD
332 MTV2 HD
352 NASA TV
283 Nat Geo WILD HD
276 National Geographic HD
220 NBCSN HD
349 NewsMax
301 Nick Jr. HD
299 Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite (East) HD
300 Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite (West)
302 Nicktoons Network
378 NRB Network
447 ONCE
347 One America News Network HD
279 Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) HD
274 Ovation HD
251 Oxygen HD
273 Pop
604 Pursuit Channel HD
275 QVC HD
315 QVC2
238 ReelzChannel HD
384 Revolt HD
345 RFD TV HD
321 Russia Today TV
284 Science Channel, The HD
226 Shop LC
344 SonLife Network
241 Spike TV HD
557 SundanceTV HD
244 Syfy HD
247 TBS Superstation HD
377 TCT Network
303 TeenNick
371 The Hillsong Channel
280 TLC HD
245 TNT HD
277 Travel Channel HD
372 Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN)
246 TruTV HD
256 Turner Classic Movies HD
304 TV Land HD
328 TV One
408 UniMas HD
295 Universal Kids HD
410 Universo HD
402 Univision HD
338 UP
379 UplifTV
242 USA Network HD
281 Velocity HD
335 VH1 HD
271 Viceland HD
260 WE tv HD
362 Weather Channel, The HD
361 WeatherNation HD
307 WGN America HD
373 Word Network
367 World Harvest Television

 

[ZQRZY]

I'll try to update my original post tomorrow. I do know they've added ESPNU, ESPNNews, as well as NFL Network.

NOT having the NFL Network is what drives many people to the PREFERRED XTRA package. The link that you sent me looks pretty good. It must be reasonably up-to-date because it contains the recently added OAN channel (347). Happily, I cannot find the NFL Network on the PREFERRED XTRA Channel list on the DirecTV website, or on my DirecTV Tivo unit.

Searching for "NFL" in my TiVo only results in games televised by local terrestrial channels.

 

[KyL416]

The link that you sent me looks pretty good.

It's not, read my reply. The DirecTV.com listing is full of errors.

 

[cpalmer2k]

Not sure the rationale or reasoning but as I said I get NFL, ESPNU and ESPN News with the package too. I thought it was some sort of preview but it has been on since August 1. My billing statement just says preferred xtra with no strange add ons or anything.

 

[techguy88]

Not sure the rationale or reasoning but as I said I get NFL, ESPNU and ESPN News with the package too. I thought it was some sort of preview but it has been on since August 1. My billing statement just says preferred xtra with no strange add ons or anything.

I double checked my mother's lineup for Preferred Xtra yesterday and also talked with my friend that works in loyalty and he explained it as such:

If you are receiving channels that are known not to be in a base package then the billing system has added them onto your account as "complimentary" services. He said 95% of the time once the "complimentary" services have been added they stay with you until you either make a change to your programming (i.e. remove or add Starz) or upgrade to a base package with those channels (i.e. switch to Xtra). He said if you are receiving any sports channels outside of ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports 1 and NBC Sports in Preferred Xtra then the system has added them as "complimentary" services.

Like in the case of my mother she panicked and thought an agent changed her from Preferred Xtra to Ultimate because she was getting both Big Ten Network and Sportsman Channel since Friday. I looked at her online account today and found she was still in Preferred Xtra but found under recent activity:

Date Access Card Description Price Tax
10/06/2017 XXXXXXXX**** SPORTSMAN Channel - Charge $0.00 $0.00
10/05/2017 XXXXXXXX**** Big Ten Network HD - Charge $0.00 $0.00
10/05/2017 XXXXXXXX**** Big Ten Network - Charge $0.00 $0.00

Recent Activity was the only place I saw these changes on D* website. My friend confirmed these are "complimentary" services and won't appear anywhere even on the bill only under "Recent Activity" will you see these and only on the date they were added. He told me it was even possible for someone in Select & Entertainment to end up with the majority of the sports channels including their RSNs as "complimentary" services.

Again the addition of "complimentary" services is completely random but he said usually customers in good standing that tends to stick with their base package will see these services being added.

He said no CSRs (even loyalty and supervisors) have the ability to remove them on their own, add other channels as a "complimentary" service, re-add the "complimentary" services if the system removes them at random or if you change your programming resulting in one or more of the "complimentary" services being removed.

My aunt actually had NFL Network, ESPN News, Golf Channel, TV One, Lifetime Movie Network, Chiller, El Ray, Universal Kids & Fox Sports Ohio added to her Select package as complimentary services until last Monday when she switched to Preferred Xtra then she lost all of the free sports channels.

 

[cpalmer2k]

I checked Recent Activity and see some new listings like that for Fox Sports Southeast, Sportsman Channel & Big Ten Network this month. I guess the ESPN's, etc would have shown up earlier in Recent and are now gone.

It looks like I'm getting everything I use to get as far as sports channels go now except for the MLB Network & SEC Network.

 

[sbl]

Fascinating. I switched to Preferred XTRA a few months ago as I have zero (or even below that) interest in sports. Yet I look at Recent Activity and I also see NESN and Big Ten added just a few of days ago. Not that I care one whit.

 

[jimmie57]

I checked Recent Activity and see some new listings like that for Fox Sports Southeast, Sportsman Channel & Big Ten Network this month. I guess the ESPN's, etc would have shown up earlier in Recent and are now gone.

It looks like I'm getting everything I use to get as far as sports channels go now except for the MLB Network & SEC Network.

You are missing 217, 218, 221 and 618 channels from the Preferred package.
That is Tennis on 217, Golf on 218, Car Racing, etc on 221 and more Racing on 618.
I watch all of those channels and my son watches the 217 Tennis and that is why I can not switch. I still do not think we should have to pay an RSN fee.

 

[wxman]

Not sure about this, but I am on Preferred Xtra and this morning QVC2 is no longer available to me. Not a big deal, but it used to be part of it.

 

[inkahauts]

You are missing 217, 218, 221 and 618 channels from the Preferred package.
That is Tennis on 217, Golf on 218, Car Racing, etc on 221 and more Racing on 618.
I watch all of those channels and my son watches the 217 Tennis and that is why I can not switch. I still do not think we should have to pay an RSN fee.

If they didn't have an RSN fee then they would just have different base prices for different areas and it'd be included in the base price for your area. That is how it used to be, before some areas started to have drastically higher RSN fees than others, that's when they broke it out.

 

[jimmie57]

If they didn't have an RSN fee then they would just have different base prices for different areas and it'd be included in the base price for your area. That is how it used to be, before some areas started to have drastically higher RSN fees than others, that's when they broke it out.

I am aware of that. I just am a firm believer that if something is listed separate I should have the option to remove it if I do not want it. Changing to the new package does away with channels that have nothing to do with the RSN fee.

 

[inkahauts]

I am aware of that. I just am a firm believer that if something is listed separate I should have the option to remove it if I do not want it. Changing to the new package does away with channels that have nothing to do with the RSN fee.

I wish that was true for taxes...

 

[reubenray]

What is the cost of this package and will I still get my local channels?

 

[jimmie57]

What is the cost of this package and will I still get my local channels?

From what I have read it is $5 less than the Xtra package plus it drops the RSN fee from your bill. Both of these then also reduce your Sales Tax a little bit.

 

[reubenray]

I currently have the Choice plan for $79 plus the RSN fee of $5.83 which I do not watch at all. The Choice plan does not have some of my wife's favorite channels such as Destination HD and Hallmark Mysteries. I read on another thread that the cost of this package is $85 so it will be a few dollars cheaper. Having the Hallmark Mysteries at this time of the year is a plus for my wife being she loves all of the Christmas shows.

But I need to make sure I will still get my local channels.