DirecTV is the most popular satellite television system in the United States. It provides countless programming choices for millions of viewers. With close to over 2000 channels, there needs to be some amount of organization for the television viewer. This is done with the creation of the DirecTV Channel Guide. This on screen guide allows the viewer to navigate, choose and watch the channel of their choice. This makes for a much easier viewing process, especially with so many channels.



The DirecTV Channel Guide is broken down into different sections. This grouping of channels makes it much easier to find channels with the same theme. The channel listings are broken down accordingly.

Channels 2 – 69 are local channels. You receive the local channels according to your zip code. If you live in Los Angeles, you will receive your Los Angeles local stations. If you live in Nevada, you will receive the local channels for that region.

Channels 70 – 99 are your High Definition channels. DirecTV carries a wide range of high definition programming. The amount of channels carried will eventually rise as more and more people get on the HD train.

Channels 100 – 116 contain the Direct TV Informational

Channels 117 - 189: Pay-Per-View Get access to the latest movies, concerts and specials. Pay and watch with ease with your pay-per-view channels.

Channels 201 – 379 DirecTV Basics. Basic channels. Get everything from ESPN to MTV.

Channels 380 - 389: Distant Network Channels. These channels are for subscribers who cannot receive ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, CW, or PBS stations locally.

Channels 501-549: Premium Channels. The premium channels consist of the HBO, Cinemax and Starz (to name a few). All the movie channels are included in this channel range.

Channels 586 - 599: Adult video. This section is strictly for adults. You are able to access the premium channels or the adult pay-per-view channels all for a cost.

Channels 601 - 670: Sports Package. All the sports channels are grouped together in this channel range. Up to 70 channels of pure sports excitement.

Channels 700 - 799: Sports Pay-per-view/Season Packages. For the true sports lover, who subscribes to a season pass of Basketball, Football or Baseball.

Channels 801 - 879: XM Satellite Radio. Have access to the same stations that are available on the XM Satellite radio.

Channels 900 - 999: Local Channels. This is for receivers from the 1990’s that could not receive channel numbers below 100.

Channels 2000-2999: International programming. This channel set contains all the international channel available on DirecTV. Programming from various countries are available in one location.

The grouping of channels for the DirecTV is process that is emulated by their competitor Dish Network. The Dish Network Channel Guide, does the same thing as DirecTV, showing you how important satellite television programming is.

The grouping of channels by the different sections allows for easier navigation. It allows sports, movie and pay-per-view fiends to have their channels in one place. This helps reduce the confusion if all the channels were jumbled together. This helps make a seamless, enjoyable viewing experience.