Advanced Television

AT&T reveals OTT options

November 29, 2016

As anticipated, AT&T has announced package and price details of its streaming services following its acquisition of DBS satellite operator DirecTV, led by the DirecTV NOW package at $35 (€33).

Beginning November 30th, will offer three video streaming services – DirecTV NOW, FreeVIEW and Fullscreen, which it suggests represent TV networks and made-for-digital video content delivered with more choice and flexibility than ever.

AT&T describes the initiatives as “rules-free TV” for anyone in the US who wants to stream shows and movies anytime, anywhere. “For the more than 20 million US 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,” it says.

“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,” he added.

AT&T says that to celebrate the “historic” launch of DirecTV NOW, we’re making streams come true by offering our it is offering the ‘Go Big’ package with more than 100 channels for just $35 per month as 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 the existing satellite TV service, putting popular channels together for what it says are “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  a user’s base programming package.

DirecTV NOW will be available at launch through:

  • Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick
  • Android mobile devices and tablets
  • iPhone, iPad and Apple TV
  • Chromecast (Android at launch; iOS in 2017)
  • Google Cast-enabled LeEco ecotvs and VIZIO SmartCast Displays
  • Internet Explorer, Chrome and Safari web browsers

In 2017, AT&T plans to add more devices to its lineup, including Roku streaming players and Roku TV models, Amazon Fire tablets, and Smart TVs from Samsung and other leading brands.

Customers can get an Apple TV included with three 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. Customers can opt for an Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote included with 1 month pre-paid of any DirecTV NOW package.

As from November 29, LeEco is also offering DirecTV NOW service with the purchase of LeEco smartphones and TVs.

For a limited time, purchasers can get one month of DirecTV NOW service when buying a Lenovo laptop with Intel Corei3, i5 or i7 processor.

AT&T says that mobilising entertainment is at the heart of its collaboration with Fullscreen Media, a specialist in social-first entertainment experiences that knows mobile video users best. Tailored for digital natives, Fullscreen SVoD launched earlier in 2016 and is $5.99 per month. Fullscreen brings more than 1,500 hours of ad-free premium scripted and unscripted original series, TV shows and films licensed from studio partners.

AT&T’s 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,” says AT&T.

AT&T will continue to provide DirecTV’s premium satellite TV entertainment service. This includes what AT&T calls its “most-advanced” Genie HD DVR and an “outstanding” lineup of live and on-demand programming, plus add-on features such as premium sports packages and 4K Ultra High Definition. The DirecTV App also lets satellite customers watch all live and recorded programmes virtually anywhere. AT&T will continue to offer its U-verse TV and Internet service.

AT&T also announced a Taylor Swift content exclusive with a new partnership. As part of the deal, AT&T customers who happen to love 1989 will get exclusive content and footage, all ready for streaming.The new content deal is part of AT&T’s initiative focusing on original programming, fans  will be able to watch 13 episodes featuring behind-the-scenes footage and commentary featuring Swift herself.

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