Don't get DirectTV. Sure they say it will be available next year. Next December? And how much will it cost. Sorry I won't believe it till I see it. AT&T has 100 years of broken promises and tacking on fees and extra charges. You seriously think they will give a DVR for free? LOL.
Do you need more than 2 Streams?
Don't get DirectTV. 2 streams is absolutely pathetic for a $35 service.
$35 Grandfathered price is a scam.
This is not a locked in price. The press release and presentation clearly stated that if content costs go up they can charge more than the $35. As long as they raise prices on the other plans. LOL. Of course AT&T is going to raise prices, they always do. They will raise the prices and then offer discounted prices for new subscribers. That $35 plan can easily balloon to $50-$60 in 12 months.
Free AppleTV is nice.
Yes it is. But don't forget the time investment you will be making to setting up the service. Hopefully canceling won't be such a pain.
Is it worth it?
For some it maybe. If you don't need a DVR or more than 2 streams. Channel lineups vs Vue are very similar. For myself the $35 Vue package has more channels I like then the 100 channel $35 DTV package. Getting a free AppleTV is nice. For myself I just can't give up DVR. No way, no how. I'm so sick of commericals. I can't stand them. I had SlingTV for 1 week and it was absolute hell being forced to watch commercials and watching TV on someone elses schedule.
If you have a cell plan with AT&T this may be nice also. But really, why are you still on AT&T in the first place?
1. Why do you consider DVR to be a dealbreaker? The entire purpose of these services is the LIVE TV channels. As far as I'm concerned, DVR = On Demand = Plenty of other services for that. Like Hulu, which I already pay for. Why would I need to DVR episodes of Bob's Burgers on DirectTV when I can just watch them On Demand from Hulu?
2. I do not need more than 2 concurrent streams in my house. We have 2 TV's. I don't intend to share this with 5 people in other households. And my kids have plenty of other things on their mobile devices to watch between Netflix, Hulu, my Plex library, etc. etc. etc. 2 streams is not going to be an issue for me.
3. Crap on the price and deal all you want, but it is what it is: $35/mon for 100 channels. Until its not. Playstation Vue is $39/mon for far fewer channels. There is no guarantee that either service remain at that price for any length of time, so the argument that "AT&T will raise prices" is non-argument. So will Sony.
4. Free AppleTV is more than "nice". I actually need a second Apple TV 4th gen, so this is an absolute steal that I will not be passing up.
5. Is it worth it will be answered after I've used and experienced it. There is literally no way to answer that until you actually try it and judge the experience and value for yourself.
Oh and since you neglect to mention it...$5/mon addon for HBO, vs. $15/mon addon with Vue. That alone is a big deal.
1. DVR is a deal breaker because of LIVE SPORTS. You can't get sports on demand anywhere. Plus VOD sucks because they force commercials on you that you can't fast forward. I'm sorry I hate commercials.
Also VOD does not covering everything. Not even close. Many shows don't offer VOD at all. And LIVE SPORTS most definitely does not.
2. Two streams is a deal breaker. I often watch 2 streams by myself. Watch multiple football/basketball games at the same time. Or if we have guests they can watch. Of course I could work around it buts it pretty dumb and inconvient.
3. So price is equal. I get Vue for $35 and their are plans for $30. I actually get more channels I like on Vue for $35. No NFL network on DTV and no Red Zone.
4. I don't need another AppleTV
5. I know how life is without DVR. I had it for 1 week with Sling. It was absolute HELL.
I don't watch HBO.
Then Vue really is best for your needs, for now at least. I don't anticipate DVR becoming a big deal for me, but the App UI itself could be. Vue App UI is 1000x better than Sling, and I'll be harshly comparing it to DirectTV. That alone could make me ditch DirectTV, or keep it exclusively, depending on how good or bad it is.
Do they think we are a 1960's family that all gather in the living room to watch television all together? Why else only allow 2 streams at a time?
No DVR? What is this? 1980? So I have to watch TV on someone elses schedule? So I'm forced to watch hours of commercials every week?
No go. Playstation Vue is far superior.
For the same price of $35 you get almost as many good channels, plus DVR and more local channels (at least in my area)
But this is ZERO surprise. AT&T has been screwing customers for over 100 years.
The free $110 AppleTV is nice, but I'm not giving up 3 months of being able to DVR for that.
Still, I'll sign up for 3 months to get a free ATV4.
That is a good deal. But I have a feeling even that will have some type of catch
Want to ask one question to sog35. Are YOU paid by to do PR for Sony Vue. To your benefit, you may be die hard Sony Vue user/customer but this AT&T Direct TV Now looks compelling proposition for those who want to cut cable TV cord to move to streaming or looking for alternative to their current TV streaming services like SLING,Sony Vue,etc..Remember, your need for streaming TV is not everyone's need.
Do you not realize that you can download all of the channels apps and verify all of them with your DirecTV login info with the new One Login feature? And then you'll have your DVR for each channel.
this won't work with live sports. Without DVR you are screwed.
Plus most VOD requires you suffer through commercials that are unskippable.
I haven't checked other sports channels, but ESPN shows replays on demand of most sports. I use that all the time on my iPhone and iPad and then stream to my TV.
HCWHunter said: I haven't checked other sports channels, but ESPN shows replays on demand of most sports. I use that all the time on my iPhone and iPad and then stream to my TV.
Yes, espn3.com offers live and on-demand sports going back 2 weeks. The content on espn3.com is accessible for free on Mac and PC through most major Internet service providers, without the need for a TV package. Only for mobile devices is a TV package or streaming service required for ESPN material (or typically if your ISP is a budget provider that doesn't pay ESPN for access to espn3.com). Mobile is made to look like an excuse for networks to charge more money, since Mac and PC (even laptops) are usually allowed access with just Internet service.
Do you not realize that you can download all of the channels apps and verify all of them with your DirecTV login info with the new One Login feature? And then you'll have your DVR for each channel.
this won't work with live sports. Without DVR you are screwed.
Plus most VOD requires you suffer through commercials that are unskippable.
sog35, I totally agree with both of your points. I've become so accustom to using the DVR rewind, pause, and slo-mo when watching live sporting events that when I tried the 1-week trial of Sling TV it royally sucked to not be able to go back and watch a play I missed. And skipping commercials means I can watch an hour show in about 40-45 minutes. I will most likely sign up for the 3-month promotion just to get the free Apple TV since I don't own one, and also to lock in the $35/100 channel upgrade, but I'm not sure if I will subscribe long term unless the DVR and commercial skip features are introduced.
Don't have complete details about their channels line-up in table comparison form yet at "https://www.directvnow.com/" But, I tell you from the channel line-up picture on Verge site, it is pretty good selection. I have feeling if AT&T pulls of with decent UI and minimum buffering issues than the price and channels line-up seems no brainier. Direct TV Now will give lots of competition to SLING and others. Over-time, AT&T needs to offer add-on packages for International channels. HBO and Cinemax for $5 is great deal. To me, I will try 1-week or may go straight upfront 3-months to get free Apple-TV. 2-stream is no problem for many. But, if large customer base demands 3 or more simultaneous streams, than AT&T will offer. DVR function coming next year. So, overall it is worth try out if you do TV streaming
Not worth it for me.
I'm not giving up 3 months of DVR (which means missing shows I love and being forced to stay up late at night) even for a free AppleTV.
Yes they are promising DVR 'next year' but who knows when? Next December? And how much will it cost? Forget it.
Shows are available within networks unless it's live TV but it should be available next day or 2, so DVR is useless!
Don't have complete details about their channels line-up in table comparison form yet at "https://www.directvnow.com/" But, I tell you from the channel line-up picture on Verge site, it is pretty good selection. I have feeling if AT&T pulls of with decent UI and minimum buffering issues than the price and channels line-up seems no brainier. Direct TV Now will give lots of competition to SLING and others. Over-time, AT&T needs to offer add-on packages for International channels. HBO and Cinemax for $5 is great deal. To me, I will try 1-week or may go straight upfront 3-months to get free Apple-TV. 2-stream is no problem for many. But, if large customer base demands 3 or more simultaneous streams, than AT&T will offer. DVR function coming next year. So, overall it is worth try out if you do TV streaming
Not worth it for me.
I'm not giving up 3 months of DVR (which means missing shows I love and being forced to stay up late at night) even for a free AppleTV.
Yes they are promising DVR 'next year' but who knows when? Next December? And how much will it cost? Forget it.
Shows are available within networks unless it's live TV but it should be available next day or 2, so DVR is useless!
...unless you're watching NFL/College football. I liked Sling, particularly for the number of college games that were available. I also really enjoy ESPN Goaline. What I did not like was not being able to rewind a play to replay for someone watching but who missed it. Fortunately the big games are on the big networks like CBS and ABC and I have a Tivo for that. With Sling now ready for a beta test of cloud dvr it will make their service a lot more attractive for sports fans.
Don't get DirectTV. Sure they say it will be available next year. Next December? And how much will it cost. Sorry I won't believe it till I see it. AT&T has 100 years of broken promises and tacking on fees and extra charges. You seriously think they will give a DVR for free? LOL.
Do you need more than 2 Streams?
Don't get DirectTV. 2 streams is absolutely pathetic for a $35 service.
$35 Grandfathered price is a scam.
This is not a locked in price. The press release and presentation clearly stated that if content costs go up they can charge more than the $35. As long as they raise prices on the other plans. LOL. Of course AT&T is going to raise prices, they always do. They will raise the prices and then offer discounted prices for new subscribers. That $35 plan can easily balloon to $50-$60 in 12 months.
Free AppleTV is nice.
Yes it is. But don't forget the time investment you will be making to setting up the service. Hopefully canceling won't be such a pain.
Is it worth it?
For some it maybe. If you don't need a DVR or more than 2 streams. Channel lineups vs Vue are very similar. For myself the $35 Vue package has more channels I like then the 100 channel $35 DTV package. Getting a free AppleTV is nice. For myself I just can't give up DVR. No way, no how. I'm so sick of commericals. I can't stand them. I had SlingTV for 1 week and it was absolute hell being forced to watch commercials and watching TV on someone elses schedule.
If you have a cell plan with AT&T this may be nice also. But really, why are you still on AT&T in the first place?
Why $35 grandfathered is a scam? You can cancel it anytime. It's month to month, not contract for God's sake. I signed up 3-month deal with 100 channels for $35 and a free ATV and think about it later. In the meantime, I just cancel SlingTV. Also, you can add HBO for only $5. Others will charge $15 for HBO.
Do you not realize that you can download all of the channels apps and verify all of them with your DirecTV login info with the new One Login feature? And then you'll have your DVR for each channel.
This is an extremely valid point, that shouldn't be overlooked.
As a DirectTVNOW subscriber, I'll be able to login on iOS devices and Apple TV with Single Sign On (SSO) using DirectTV credentials, and all of the individual cable Apps that provide no shortage of On Demand content will be included with my monthly fee.
Except that it doesn't work like that. DirecTV (the satellite television service) and DirecTV NOW (the streaming television service) are not the same. For example, TLC allows you to login with your DirecTV credentials, but not your DirecTV NOW credentials despite TLC being carried on both services. This may change in the future, but right now that's not the case.
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Then Vue really is best for your needs, for now at least. I don't anticipate DVR becoming a big deal for me, but the App UI itself could be. Vue App UI is 1000x better than Sling, and I'll be harshly comparing it to DirectTV. That alone could make me ditch DirectTV, or keep it exclusively, depending on how good or bad it is.
I signed up 3-month deal with 100 channels for $35 and a free ATV and think about it later. In the meantime, I just cancel SlingTV. Also, you can add HBO for only $5. Others will charge $15 for HBO.