AT&T will entice users to sign up for DirecTV Now OTT service with free Apple TV or Fire TV
Briefly available AT&T customer support documents not only shed some light on channels that will be available on the internet-streaming DirecTV Now video service, but also show that the telecom giant will give either an Apple TV or a Fire TV stick as a digital receiver to customers signing up for the service.
According to the customer support pages seen by entertainment-industry trade Variety, customers who commit to three months of paid DirecTV and AT&T service qualify to get the Apple TV. Customers signing up for one month will be given the option for a Fire TV stick.
The offering appears to be a loss-leader for the companies, as one month of service at $35 costs less than a Fire TV stick, and three months is far less than the retail price of the fourth-generation Apple TV.
The support documents also list Fox, Galavision, the Hallmark Channel, HDNet Movies, the Sony Movie Channel, and Univision.
Strangely, and related to streaming conditions applied by the networks, the support documents claim that NBC local channels will not be available at launch on streaming devices, like the Apple TV, or smart television sets. At least to start, NBC programming will only be available through computers and mobile devices.
The DirecTV Now service was revealed in March, and eliminates the need for a satellite receiver on the roof. The content will include most of the DirecTV programming, according to AT&T, including local live channels, on-demand programming, and premium channels for extra expense.
The service is not DirecTV's first attempt at an "over the top" network. The broadcaster launched a streaming service with Univision tailored to Spanish speakers called Yaveo in December of 2014, but ceased programming in November 2015.
According to the customer support pages seen by entertainment-industry trade Variety, customers who commit to three months of paid DirecTV and AT&T service qualify to get the Apple TV. Customers signing up for one month will be given the option for a Fire TV stick.
The offering appears to be a loss-leader for the companies, as one month of service at $35 costs less than a Fire TV stick, and three months is far less than the retail price of the fourth-generation Apple TV.
The support documents also list Fox, Galavision, the Hallmark Channel, HDNet Movies, the Sony Movie Channel, and Univision.
Strangely, and related to streaming conditions applied by the networks, the support documents claim that NBC local channels will not be available at launch on streaming devices, like the Apple TV, or smart television sets. At least to start, NBC programming will only be available through computers and mobile devices.
The DirecTV Now service was revealed in March, and eliminates the need for a satellite receiver on the roof. The content will include most of the DirecTV programming, according to AT&T, including local live channels, on-demand programming, and premium channels for extra expense.
The service is not DirecTV's first attempt at an "over the top" network. The broadcaster launched a streaming service with Univision tailored to Spanish speakers called Yaveo in December of 2014, but ceased programming in November 2015.
Comments
The fragmentation of these early streaming services takes me back 20 years to the days of the RCA DSS where you got some channels from USSB, other channels from DirecTV, and local channels from an antenna. Or, local phone service from one company and long distance service from another.
If not I'll do the same...I still have a 3rd gen in the guest bedroom and no real motivation to upgrade it...unless of course I get it for free for trying 3 months of this service. Sounds like it could replace Sling for me, but we'll see what the official launch package looks like.
Their App UI is a disaster on the other hand.
Some apps require a legacy cable or satellite subscription account on tv.
Based on that, it appears as long as keep service for three months, then you've fulfilled your obligation for receiving a free Apple TV.
I've got a couple of Apple TV 3 in guest rooms with no incentive to upgrade as well. I'm curious how much longer Apple will support the Apple TV 3 considering they were still being offered for sale new by Apple as recently as a few months ago until they quietly removed them. Apple are still selling them refurbished and some retailers like Target and Walmart are still selling them new. Even though I've been living with my Apple TV 4 for just over a year now, I still prefer the simple, fast, and effective Netflix and Hulu interfaces of the "old" Apple TV. The Apple TV 4 certainly is a more capable product, but some of the "channel" interfaces are bloated, "big league".