AT&T Now (formerly DirecTV Now) -- News and Updates
#1
DVD Talk God
Thread Starter
AT&T Now (formerly DirecTV Now) -- News and Updates
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...ource=facebook
Three new streaming services will launch before the end of the year.
AT&T wants to take DirecTV over the top.
The telecom company, which acquired cable giant DirecTV last summer, plans to launch three new subscription streaming services during the fourth quarter of 2016 that promise pay TV content over the Internet without the the annual contracts, satellite dishes and set-top boxes. Exact pricing or content bundle specifics have yet to be announced.
The push into streaming is big step for AT&T it looks for new ways to turn young, cord-cutting millennials and other mobile-first consumers into loyal TV customers. It also puts the telecom company into competition with Dish's SlingTV subscription video service.
AT&T will sell three different DirecTV plans. DirecTV Now will look similar to the programming that cable customers can already subscribe to via DirecTV but will be available on-demand and via live streaming and will offer premium add-ons and exclusive AT&T Entertainment Group content; DirecTV Mobile will be tailored to people who prefer to watch video on their smartphones; and DirecTV Preview will feature a small selection of premium TV and "millennial-focused" video from joint venture Otter Media in a free, ad-supported experience.
While there's no shortage of companies trying to negotiate deals for skinny streaming TV bundles of their own — Apple and Amazon are among two players that TV executives have pointed to — AT&T is positioning its forthcoming service as something broader. "I would compare what we're trying to do more to what's available in pay TV today," says Tony Goncalves, senior vp strategy at AT&T Entertainment, describing the service "high quality premium content, live and on-demand, and making that sort of robust offering available across the board to consumers."
Although AT&T has yet to announce any of its content deals, Goncalves notes that there are already some deals and place as well as additional ongoing conversations. He adds that he expects deals to fall into place faster than they might for providers looking to create skinny bundles because they aren't trying to shave content to reach lower price points for consumers. "We're not trying to limit content offerings and we're not trying to unseat existing content providers," he says.
Regardless, AT&T will ultimately compete against DirecTV and other streaming services like PlayStation's Vue for a finite number of non-cable subscribers in the U.S. Goncalves says he estimates that the potential consumer base for the forthcoming DirecTV offerings is as many as 20 million people, but SlingTV had signed up just 240,000 subscribers in June of last year (the last time it reported subscriber numbers) and HBO Now has around 800,000 subscribers since its April 2015 launch.
"That's why we feel like what we need to do is offer a robust offering with a good amount of content as opposed to very targeted offerings," says Goncalves. "Being a scaled provider like we are with the reach that we have, creating offers of content that we premium in nature and appeal to lots of consumers is really important. It's the only way to reach scale."
For AT&T, encouraging people to watch more video on mobile devices could give its cell phone data and broadband Internet businesses a boost, even if it is not requiring an AT&T connection to sign up for these services. AT&T currently offers an unlimited data plan for people who already subscribe to its DirecTV or U-verse pay TV services and could install a similar program for subscribers to these new streaming services.
Three new streaming services will launch before the end of the year.
AT&T wants to take DirecTV over the top.
The telecom company, which acquired cable giant DirecTV last summer, plans to launch three new subscription streaming services during the fourth quarter of 2016 that promise pay TV content over the Internet without the the annual contracts, satellite dishes and set-top boxes. Exact pricing or content bundle specifics have yet to be announced.
The push into streaming is big step for AT&T it looks for new ways to turn young, cord-cutting millennials and other mobile-first consumers into loyal TV customers. It also puts the telecom company into competition with Dish's SlingTV subscription video service.
AT&T will sell three different DirecTV plans. DirecTV Now will look similar to the programming that cable customers can already subscribe to via DirecTV but will be available on-demand and via live streaming and will offer premium add-ons and exclusive AT&T Entertainment Group content; DirecTV Mobile will be tailored to people who prefer to watch video on their smartphones; and DirecTV Preview will feature a small selection of premium TV and "millennial-focused" video from joint venture Otter Media in a free, ad-supported experience.
While there's no shortage of companies trying to negotiate deals for skinny streaming TV bundles of their own — Apple and Amazon are among two players that TV executives have pointed to — AT&T is positioning its forthcoming service as something broader. "I would compare what we're trying to do more to what's available in pay TV today," says Tony Goncalves, senior vp strategy at AT&T Entertainment, describing the service "high quality premium content, live and on-demand, and making that sort of robust offering available across the board to consumers."
Although AT&T has yet to announce any of its content deals, Goncalves notes that there are already some deals and place as well as additional ongoing conversations. He adds that he expects deals to fall into place faster than they might for providers looking to create skinny bundles because they aren't trying to shave content to reach lower price points for consumers. "We're not trying to limit content offerings and we're not trying to unseat existing content providers," he says.
Regardless, AT&T will ultimately compete against DirecTV and other streaming services like PlayStation's Vue for a finite number of non-cable subscribers in the U.S. Goncalves says he estimates that the potential consumer base for the forthcoming DirecTV offerings is as many as 20 million people, but SlingTV had signed up just 240,000 subscribers in June of last year (the last time it reported subscriber numbers) and HBO Now has around 800,000 subscribers since its April 2015 launch.
"That's why we feel like what we need to do is offer a robust offering with a good amount of content as opposed to very targeted offerings," says Goncalves. "Being a scaled provider like we are with the reach that we have, creating offers of content that we premium in nature and appeal to lots of consumers is really important. It's the only way to reach scale."
For AT&T, encouraging people to watch more video on mobile devices could give its cell phone data and broadband Internet businesses a boost, even if it is not requiring an AT&T connection to sign up for these services. AT&T currently offers an unlimited data plan for people who already subscribe to its DirecTV or U-verse pay TV services and could install a similar program for subscribers to these new streaming services.
#2
DVD Talk Legend
Re: AT&T to offer Directv as streaming service in 2016
I wonder if they will carry NFL Sunday Ticket(on Roku devices)?
If they do,I would drop Direct TV in a heartbeat. Doesn't sound like a good idea too stream Direct TV-if that would be the case. If would have a reverse effect.
I also have Charter so losing Direct TV wouldn't be such a big deal but I would miss the RSN's(regional sports channels).
I guess it will be wait and see.
If they do,I would drop Direct TV in a heartbeat. Doesn't sound like a good idea too stream Direct TV-if that would be the case. If would have a reverse effect.
I also have Charter so losing Direct TV wouldn't be such a big deal but I would miss the RSN's(regional sports channels).
I guess it will be wait and see.
#3
DVD Talk Legend
Re: AT&T to offer Directv as streaming service in 2016
I wonder if they will carry NFL Sunday Ticket(on Roku devices)?
If they do,I would drop Direct TV in a heartbeat. Doesn't sound like a good idea too stream Direct TV-if that would be the case. If would have a reverse effect.
I also have Charter so losing Direct TV wouldn't be such a big deal but I would miss the RSN's(regional sports channels).
I guess it will be wait and see.
If they do,I would drop Direct TV in a heartbeat. Doesn't sound like a good idea too stream Direct TV-if that would be the case. If would have a reverse effect.
I also have Charter so losing Direct TV wouldn't be such a big deal but I would miss the RSN's(regional sports channels).
I guess it will be wait and see.
I guess what you are really asking if you could by ST without having DTV?
#4
DVD Talk Hero
Re: AT&T to offer Directv as streaming service in 2016
I had my finger on "Buy" with AT&T GigaPower a minute ago but couldn't help but notice the clause to get the discount pricing:
#6
DVD Talk Hero
#7
DVD Talk Legend
Re: AT&T to offer Directv as streaming service in 2016
On my 5 year old macbook air it varies.
Can be as low as 50-60 but usually tops out at 190-200.
On my iphone 6s+ it is usually around 270-300 but has gotten above 300
Can be as low as 50-60 but usually tops out at 190-200.
On my iphone 6s+ it is usually around 270-300 but has gotten above 300
#8
DVD Talk Legend
Re: AT&T to offer Directv as streaming service in 2016
Not sure if it's related to this topic but the app on Iphone now allows you to watch whatever you have on your dvr to be watched and downloaded to your iphone without that GenieGo device.
#10
DVD Talk Hero
Re: AT&T to offer Directv as streaming service in 2016
Yeah, I've since switched to AT&T Gig Fiber and get 950 up/950 down. Pretty nice.
#11
DVD Talk Legend
Re: AT&T to offer Directv as streaming service in 2016
#13
DVD Talk God
Thread Starter
Re: AT&T to offer Directv as streaming service in 2016
https://www.cnet.com/news/at-ts-dire...ourth-quarter/
http://deadline.com/2016/09/directv-...on-1201823822/
Directv's new streaming service "Directv Now" will launch sometime before 2017.
Says the service will offer 100+ channels. No other details at the moment.
There is a rumor that AT&T wants to eventually phase out it's Satellite dishes and make this their new business model by 2020.
https://www.engadget.com/2016/09/23/...llite-by-2020/
http://deadline.com/2016/09/directv-...on-1201823822/
Directv's new streaming service "Directv Now" will launch sometime before 2017.
Says the service will offer 100+ channels. No other details at the moment.
There is a rumor that AT&T wants to eventually phase out it's Satellite dishes and make this their new business model by 2020.
https://www.engadget.com/2016/09/23/...llite-by-2020/
Last edited by DJariya; 09-29-16 at 01:14 PM.
#15
DVD Talk God
Re: AT&T to offer Directv as streaming service in 2016
I would only be down for this if there are allowed multiple streams (4+ at a time) and you aren't tied to a specific IP address.
#16
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: AT&T to offer Directv as streaming service in 2016
https://www.cnet.com/news/at-ts-dire...ourth-quarter/
http://deadline.com/2016/09/directv-...on-1201823822/
Directv's new streaming service "Directv Now" will launch sometime before 2017.
Says the service will offer 100+ channels. No other details at the moment.
There is a rumor that AT&T wants to eventually phase out it's Satellite dishes and make this their new business model by 2020.
https://www.engadget.com/2016/09/23/...llite-by-2020/
http://deadline.com/2016/09/directv-...on-1201823822/
Directv's new streaming service "Directv Now" will launch sometime before 2017.
Says the service will offer 100+ channels. No other details at the moment.
There is a rumor that AT&T wants to eventually phase out it's Satellite dishes and make this their new business model by 2020.
https://www.engadget.com/2016/09/23/...llite-by-2020/
#17
DVD Talk God
Thread Starter
Re: AT&T to offer Directv as streaming service in 2016
Not only that, but not everyone can afford spending $100+ per month on Internet. This kind of service is going to require top speed and bandwidth for it to function properly.
#18
DVD Talk God
Thread Starter
Re: AT&T to offer Directv as streaming service in 2016
http://deadline.com/2016/10/att-ceo-...es-1201842393/
$35/month for 100+ channels according to AT&T's CEO
$35/month for 100+ channels according to AT&T's CEO
#19
DVD Talk Legend
Re: AT&T to offer Directv as streaming service in 2016
Will there be a discount if you already have Direct TV?
I get something like 116 channels with Spectrum Streaming(Roku) for free since I subscribe to Charter(or whatever it's called) Cable. It's far from perfect but it's free(w/ tv subscription).
I get something like 116 channels with Spectrum Streaming(Roku) for free since I subscribe to Charter(or whatever it's called) Cable. It's far from perfect but it's free(w/ tv subscription).
#20
DVD Talk God
Thread Starter
Re: AT&T to offer Directv as streaming service in 2016
This is designed for those who want a cheaper alternative to Directv and stream everything.
#21
DVD Talk Legend
Re: AT&T to offer Directv as streaming service in 2016
Sometimes(especially Saturday night) I will have 5 shows recording on my Direct TV DVR and that's the max (for me,at least)and then I can't watch(unless its something I'm recording).
The watch Direct TV everywhere isn't all that great(except for NFL Sunday Ticket).
Last edited by dvd-4-life; 10-25-16 at 03:14 PM.
#22
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: AT&T to offer Directv as streaming service in 2016
http://deadline.com/2016/10/att-ceo-...es-1201842393/
$35/month for 100+ channels according to AT&T's CEO
$35/month for 100+ channels according to AT&T's CEO
#23
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: AT&T to offer Directv as streaming service in 2016
What I'm really curious about is how many of these 100+ channels will be shopping channels, digital music, etc.
#24
DVD Talk God
Thread Starter
Re: AT&T to offer Directv as streaming service in 2016
We won't know until the full package details are officially announced.
I'm sure $35 is the base service. If you want HBO it's $15, Showtime $10, Starz $10 and so forth.
I'm sure $35 is the base service. If you want HBO it's $15, Showtime $10, Starz $10 and so forth.
#25
DVD Talk Legend
Re: AT&T to offer Directv as streaming service in 2016
It will be good as a back up(bad weather or DVR recording at the max limit).