Why is this service garbage in almost every way?

Not for me. Actually performs very well. Perhaps you need to re-evaluate your environment for issues. If you are not satisfied then perhaps you should look at other options.

Every other streaming service (4 others) works fine on my current equipment. I have tested my Internet speed routinely and it is fine. I previously had another live TV stream provider and buffering rarely happened and certainly nothing like this (switched to Direct because of channel options, not quality). My Smart TV is a Samsung, only about 2 years old, mid-level price-point. Again, works for everything else.

And, as for looking at other options if I am not satisfied, thanks for that pearl. If the chat feature on this site actually worked (I know... it is probably a problem with my computer and/or phone and/or Internet provider; certainly not AT&T) I wouldn't have had to post here. I'm sorry everyone had to see this complaint meant for customer service.

I appreciate that advice. I had it running through a separate Roku device and had similar issues and then hooked it up straight to the TV instead. Perhaps an updated Roku device will do the trick (it is older than the TV, maybe five years old now). It was the top device Roku sold at the time but that's been a while. 

Thank you for the help, much appreciated...

Wish you good luck.

Hello @mchartz, Thank you for reaching us. We are here to help! 

We want the service to work in the best way for you. Let's try checking the compatible devices Here to make sure that you are using the correct ones. 

Let us know how it goes. 

Catalina, DIRECTV Community Specialist. 

I have discovered that (unlike under AT&T) the chat now seems to work only with Chrome, not with Firefox (I didn't check any other browsers).  No clue as to why they (DirecTV) would have imposed that restriction.  ("We" are other customers, not DirecTV.  Aside from the occasional - and almost always useless - DIRECTVhelp rep appearance, there's no one from DirecTV here...)

As far as the problems you are having - most subscribers seem to have good service these days.  But the apps seem overly sensitive to Internet issues (they likely don't do enough internal buffering ahead, possibly other issues), so if there are problems (anywhere between the servers that source the program stream and your device), you are possibly going to be subject to video issues (though I haven't heard of cases as bad as you report).  Speed is almost never the issue - it's usually link jitter, error rates, etc. - things that are harder to measure.  And unfortunately, they don't seem to have diagnostics built into the apps (at least, if they're there, Support never seems to take advantage of them) to help figure out the issue.

Are you running wired or over WiFi?  If the latter, is there a way you could try wired?  (That would probably also depend on the model Roku you have.)

I switched to Fubo and it has had zero if these issues. I think the picture quality may be very slightly lesser, but better in every other way. And I have the same TV and the same internet as with Direct. Hmmm...

Serious thanks to all who replied.

Direct: Close my account please. Your chat and cancel options WILL NOT WORK.

Fubo has fewer channels than Dtv stream. 

Not sports

and it works on my TV so even if it had fewer channels, I can actually watch them. Of all the channels I regularly watch, only one was not available and it was one I watched least. I also got NFL Red Zone, all of the major sports' networks and ESPN 2 and News and all the major college conferences' networks all for about $8 a month more.

If Direct works for you - sincerely, I am happy for you. Keep on loving it. But, for me, it constantly bound up. I was told to change my TV and/or internet to fix it. Changing services fixed it. Same equipment. Oh, and when I need to communicate with Fubo, I actually can do so...

Thanks and have an excellent day...

Thanks!

Fubo doesn't carry Bally's Sports rsn's. I need Bally's to see Cardinals and Blues games. Besides NFL, what sports channels aren't on Dtv Stream that are on Fubo? Plus stream has their own box I use--instead of having to use an app. 

NHL Network so you can watch a better team 😉

Directv Stream has NHL network. NHL network is not dedicated to one team. Also, you failed to prove Fubo has more channels that Dtv Stream---and--if you weren't so cheap you could have just bought a Dtv Stream box and your experience would have been 1000x better.

It does not matter. If the service is bot for you then move on and don't look back. Enjoy your next adventure.

Fubo will be my next choice as well. I may have to just sacrifice the channel selection cuz Im paying a higher price for the same product I've always had. The only difference is my shows stay on my DVD 90 days. That's not worth a $35 mark up!