AT&T merging TV and TV Now into a single, non-contract service
AT&T is sunsetting its AT&T TV Now video offering and merging it into the AT&T TV streaming platform, with it claiming that current users won't experience any disruptions.
Credit: AT&T
The AT&T TV Now service was the telecom company's online streaming offering, while the AT&T TV service is a cable and satellite alternative that required users to have a dedicated streaming box.
As part of the merger of the two disparate platforms, AT&T is nixing the streaming box requirement. It's also getting rid of the mandatory contract that it required for AT&T TV service.
Going forward, that means users will pay a month-to-month fee for the AT&T TV platform. Current contracts will remain in effect until they expire, and those users will be moved to monthly payments. The company notes that users won't see any interruptions in service.
The base AT&T TV package starts at $70 per month and includes 20 hours of cloud DVR storage. AT&T notes that it has 20 more channels than the entry level AT&T TV Now plan. Users can also bump the cloud DVR storage to 500 hours for an additional $10 a month.
"We're bringing more value and simplicity by merging these two streaming services into a single AT&T TV experience. Customers can stream the best collection of live and on-demand programming on devices they already have, or they can get our exclusive AT&T TV STREAM Device to enjoy enhanced features and functionality," said Vince Torres, AT&T's senior vice president of marketing.
Credit: AT&T
The AT&T TV Now service was the telecom company's online streaming offering, while the AT&T TV service is a cable and satellite alternative that required users to have a dedicated streaming box.
As part of the merger of the two disparate platforms, AT&T is nixing the streaming box requirement. It's also getting rid of the mandatory contract that it required for AT&T TV service.
Going forward, that means users will pay a month-to-month fee for the AT&T TV platform. Current contracts will remain in effect until they expire, and those users will be moved to monthly payments. The company notes that users won't see any interruptions in service.
The base AT&T TV package starts at $70 per month and includes 20 hours of cloud DVR storage. AT&T notes that it has 20 more channels than the entry level AT&T TV Now plan. Users can also bump the cloud DVR storage to 500 hours for an additional $10 a month.
"We're bringing more value and simplicity by merging these two streaming services into a single AT&T TV experience. Customers can stream the best collection of live and on-demand programming on devices they already have, or they can get our exclusive AT&T TV STREAM Device to enjoy enhanced features and functionality," said Vince Torres, AT&T's senior vice president of marketing.
Comments
So we have the “Only stupid people use AT&T”, “Only Stupid people use Verizon”, Only stupid people use T-Mobile, "Only stupid people buy Apple products” cult members. Just because you had a bad experience with AT&T does not mean everyone does. Same goes for Verizon, T-Mobile, and Apple. It’s funnier than hell to read the rants and rages against <insert demon corporation>. In my case it’s “Only stupid people buy Firestone tires” because of a bad experience forty years ago. I have no idea why Firestone is still in business after what happened to me.
https://www.attwatchtv.com/
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/10/att-loses-another-600000-tv-customers-as-it-seeks-buyer-for-directv/ ;
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/03/struggling-att-plans-tens-of-billions-in-cost-cuts-more-layoffs/
I can also explain their continued success. Surprise to no one, it ain't what you think it is and I'd hardly call it success.
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/12/att-reportedly-struggling-to-sell-directv-at-anything-but-a-huge-loss/
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/10/att-plans-thousands-of-layoffs-at-hbo-warner-bros-rest-of-warnermedia/
I can even provide plausible reasons why their customers probably don't like them. 'Cause of things like this:
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/11/att-raises-directv-prices-again-amid-customer-losses-and-possible-sale/
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/10/att-has-trouble-figuring-out-where-it-offers-government-funded-internet/
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/04/att-gave-fcc-false-broadband-coverage-data-in-parts-of-20-states/
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/02/att-lost-1-2b-by-preventing-time-warner-shows-from-airing-on-netflix/
Using your example, Facebook must be the greatest company in the history of companies. /s
Then the technical issues that plagued it early on- if any company can figure out streaming networking content it should be Ma Bell, right?
To your point of money- they are all jacking up the price as hard and fast as the market will tolerate. You get to pay the Disney Tax and get all the ESPN sports gossip channels even if you do not want to. The cartels that own the channels have forced all into agreements to carry the crap channels you left cable to stop paying for. Where is the DoJ Anti-Trust Division? Where is the FTC? You can have the same package from anybody- just not the package you want.
They are the most indebted company in the world. AT&T spent a lot of money buying DIRECTV and is now trying to unload it at a loss. They overpaid for Time-Warner and are in the process of destroying the HBO brand with the awful Max streaming service.
Not a company I would invest in. I currently have AT&T for 5G Wireless but am mulling a switch to T-Mobile. The TV product is nowhere I will ever go again.