[UPDATE: Leaked channel lineup below the fold.]
AT&T has officially unveiled details about its upcoming streaming TV service called DirecTV Now. The company first announced the subscription video service back in March, promising “on-demand and live programming from many networks, plus premium add-on options” over the Internet similar to Sling TV and PlayStation Vue. Details on pricing and availability have been limited until now.
DirecTV Now will launch with apps on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. Chromecast support from iOS will be available next year. The streaming TV package includes four tiers ranging from $35/month to $70/month with 60+ to 120+ channels. A free 7-day trial period will be available at launch.
Customers who sign up early will be eligible for the $60/month package at $35/month going forward. AT&T will also provide a free Apple TV set-top box to DirecTV Now subscribers who pre-pay for three months of service including the $35/month package.
In terms of programming, CBS and Showtime are missing at launch but Viacom is on board which PlayStation Vue recently lost. The other usual suspects are on board as well.
Limits include no 4K streaming and only two simultaneous streams at a time. NFL Sunday Ticket won’t be available either, although AT&T says its working with the NFL on making it available. A cloud-DVR feature is expected next year.
HBO on-demand content will be available for $5/month as an add-on, which is cheaper than the standalone $15/month HBO Now package.
Similar to T-Mobile’s Binge-On video promotions, streaming DirecTV Now content over mobile data won’t count against data caps on AT&T’s Network.
AT&T’s John Stankey says DirecTV Now has rights to on-demand content to NBC, ABC, Fox for day after air, if subs not in O&O markets
— Todd Spangler (@xpangler) November 28, 2016
DirecTV Now platform does not at launch let you “pause” live TV. DVR functionality will be add on in 2017.
— Ed Baig (@edbaig) November 28, 2016
DIRECTV NOW, FreeVIEW and Fullscreen Available Nov. 30
The future of TV is NOW. On Nov. 30, AT&T1 begins offering 3 video streaming services – DIRECTV NOW, FreeVIEW and Fullscreen. It’s your favorite TV networks and made-for-digital video content delivered with more choice and flexibility than ever.
This is rules-free TV for anyone in the U.S. who wants to stream shows and movies anytime, anywhere. For the more than 20 million U.S. households who have dropped cable or are flirting with cutting the cord, we’re now delivering video over a technology platform that will have multiple product capabilities, the first of which we’re unveiling today.
“We’re extending our entertainment portfolio for those who value premium content but also want more TV freedom suited for their lifestyle, whether watching at home or on their mobile devices. This is TV your way,” said John Stankey, CEO, AT&T Entertainment Group.
“Our new customer-centric offers show that mobility and entertainment are better together,” added Stankey.
Sign up online for DIRECTV NOW or Fullscreen. Within minutes, you have the power to stream content over a U.S. internet connection on a variety of devices. No set-top-boxes, satellite dishes, annual contracts or credit checks required.
And, if you’re an AT&T Mobility customer, DIRECTV will pick up the tab for data to help you achieve all your binge-worthy goals. Data Free TV means you won’t use your AT&T mobile data for watching DIRECTV NOW or FreeVIEW in the App. Fullscreen will also cover your data for streaming in the Fullscreen App on the AT&T mobile network.2
DIRECTV NOW
Starting Nov. 30, stream your favorite live sports, on demand, premium channels, popular shows, and hit movies right to your tablet, smartphone or TV. It’s the experience you love, without the limits you don’t.
Experience any of our packages free for 7 days when you sign up at www.directvnow.com and download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. To celebrate our historic launch of DIRECTV NOW, we’re making streams come true by offering our “Go Big” package with more than 100 channels for just $35 per month. This is a limited time offer. Customers who sign up for this offer will continue to enjoy this special price for as long as you keep the package, subject only to future reasonable programming price increases applicable to all packages.
DIRECTV NOW programming packages are seeded from our existing satellite TV service, putting popular channels together for a great entertainment value:
- Live a Little – $35 / month (60+ channels)
- Just Right – $50 / month (80+ channels)
- Go Big – $60 / month (100+ channels)
- Gotta Have it – $70 / month (120+ channels)
Fans of HBO® and Cinemax® can add these channels for just $5 each per month in addition to your base programming package.
DIRECTV NOW will be available at launch through the following:
Customers can get an Apple TV included with 3 months pre-paid of any DIRECTV NOW package. Apple TV features high-performance hardware and an intuitive and fun user interface using voice and the Siri Remote. For details, visit www.directvnow.com/appletv.
Starting tomorrow, LeEco is also offering DIRECTV NOW service with the purchase of LeEco smartphones and TVs. For more information, visit www.LeMall.com.
- 3 months: Le S3 and Le Pro3 ecophones or Super4 X43 Pro ecotv
- 6 months: Super4 X55 or Super4 X65 ecotvs
- 12 months: uMax8 ecotv
Or for a limited time, you can get 1 month of DIRECTV NOW service when you buy a Lenovo laptop with Intel® Core™i3, i5 or i7 processor. For more information, visit www.lenovo.com.
Fullscreen
Mobilizing entertainment is at the heart of our collaboration with Fullscreen Media, a global leader in social-first entertainment experiences that knows mobile video users best. Tailored for digital natives, Fullscreen SVOD launched earlier this year and is $5.99 per month.
Fullscreen now brings you more than 1,500 hours of ad-free premium scripted and unscripted original series, TV shows and films licensed from studio partners. You’ll also get exclusive content from top online creators. Fullscreen Media has nearly doubled its programming since launch – including more original series and acquired content announced earlier this month.
Now AT&T will introduce an exclusive offer for our Mobility customers. Enjoy Fullscreen at no charge for 1 year included with eligible new and existing wireless plans with messaging service. Starting Nov. 30, sign up for the offer at www.fullscreen.com/att and stream Fullscreen without using your data.2
Get Fullscreen anytime, anywhere in the U.S. at www.fullscreen.com and via iPhone, iPad, select Android Phones, Chromecast and Apple TV.
FreeVIEW
Our FreeVIEW experience lets anyone enjoy unique and exclusive content free of charge. It’s a highly curated, always-fresh, ad-supported video service. It has a sampling of on-demand content from AUDIENCE Network, Otter Media properties and other channels on DIRECTV NOW.
Download the DIRECTV NOW app to access FreeVIEW or visit www.directvnow.com and start streaming free of charge.4
Existing Premium Services
AT&T will continue to provide DIRECTV’s premium satellite TV entertainment service. This includes our most advanced Genie HD DVR and an outstanding lineup of live and on-demand programming, plus add-on features like premium sports packages and the industry’s best picture format: 4K Ultra High Definition. The DIRECTV App also lets satellite customers watch all live and recorded programs virtually anywhere.5 AT&T will continue to offer our U-verse TV and internet service.
1AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
2 DATA FREE TV/FREE STREAMING FOR FULLSCREEN CUSTOMERS: Must stream through DIRECTV NOW or Fullscreen App. Requires eligibility. DIRECTV & AT&T wireless services and devices. Some restrictions apply. For Fullscreen, other in App activities may incur data charges.
3 Roku is a registered trademark and Roku TV is a trademark of Roku, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries.
4 If you are not an eligible postpaid AT&T Mobility customer, data charges apply.
5Genie HR44 and above required.
