AT&T launches DirecTV Now streaming service with free Apple TV offer
In a bid to draw subscribers to its new DirecTV Now over-the-top internet streaming service, announced on Monday, AT&T is giving away Apple TV and Fire TV Stick hardware with certain pre-paid monthly packages.
Customers who purchase three months of any DirecTV Now package will get a fourth-generation Apple TV, while those who sign up for at least one month of service can grab a Fire TV Stick, AT&T said in a statement. While not specified, the company is likely doling out the cheaper 32GB Apple TV variant as part of the deal.
With the service going live on Nov. 30, packages start at $35 per month for more than 60 channels, DirecTV Now's promotion almost pays for itself, as 32GB Apple TV models currently retail for $150. For a limited time, subscribers can choose the "Go Big" package and net more than 100 channels for $35 per month. Like past AT&T promotions, the special Go Big pricing remains active with a continued subscription.
Regular monthly pricing is split into four tiers: Live a Little with more than 60 channels for $35; Just Right with more than 80 channels for $50; Go Big with over 100 channels for $60; and Gotta Have it with more than 120 channels for $70. HBO and Cinemax are also available as $5 per month add-ons.
Further, AT&T mobile customers can stream content for free via the DirecTV Now app. In a move likely to cut into T-Mobile's Binge On business, AT&T will waive in-network data fees associated with DirecTV Now or the company's existing FreeVIEW and Fullscreen on-demand services.
"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 AT&T Entertainment Group CEO John Stankey.
DirecTV Now supports a wide variety of internet-connected devices including Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, Android hardware, Chromecast (Android at launch; iOS in 2017) and Google Cast-enabled LeEco ecotvs and VIZIO SmartCast Displays. Subscribers can also access programming through web browsers like Safari, Chrome and Internet Explorer.
More importantly, DirecTV Now will offer a number of popular cable channels to OTT subscribers, including properties owned by AMC, Discovery, Disney, NBCUniversal and Viacom, among others.
DirecTV Now goes live on Wednesday.
Customers who purchase three months of any DirecTV Now package will get a fourth-generation Apple TV, while those who sign up for at least one month of service can grab a Fire TV Stick, AT&T said in a statement. While not specified, the company is likely doling out the cheaper 32GB Apple TV variant as part of the deal.
With the service going live on Nov. 30, packages start at $35 per month for more than 60 channels, DirecTV Now's promotion almost pays for itself, as 32GB Apple TV models currently retail for $150. For a limited time, subscribers can choose the "Go Big" package and net more than 100 channels for $35 per month. Like past AT&T promotions, the special Go Big pricing remains active with a continued subscription.
Regular monthly pricing is split into four tiers: Live a Little with more than 60 channels for $35; Just Right with more than 80 channels for $50; Go Big with over 100 channels for $60; and Gotta Have it with more than 120 channels for $70. HBO and Cinemax are also available as $5 per month add-ons.
Further, AT&T mobile customers can stream content for free via the DirecTV Now app. In a move likely to cut into T-Mobile's Binge On business, AT&T will waive in-network data fees associated with DirecTV Now or the company's existing FreeVIEW and Fullscreen on-demand services.
"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 AT&T Entertainment Group CEO John Stankey.
DirecTV Now supports a wide variety of internet-connected devices including Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, Android hardware, Chromecast (Android at launch; iOS in 2017) and Google Cast-enabled LeEco ecotvs and VIZIO SmartCast Displays. Subscribers can also access programming through web browsers like Safari, Chrome and Internet Explorer.
More importantly, DirecTV Now will offer a number of popular cable channels to OTT subscribers, including properties owned by AMC, Discovery, Disney, NBCUniversal and Viacom, among others.
DirecTV Now goes live on Wednesday.
Comments
To lock in 100 channels at $35/mon + get a free Apple TV (of which I do need another) will absolutely make it worth me jumping on that deal and trying it out for 3 months.
If I hate it after 3 months, I'll have paid less than the retail price of the Apple TV, and can go back to Vue if I want.
If it's strictly love streaming then it's pointless.
If you can live with the 2 streams for a little while then go for it.
This limit will not last long because it simply cannot if this project is to succeed.
They are doing it now to try out the system and avoid too much password sharing in multiple households.
New technology will soon come out especially with AppleTV where they can better control the password sharing with single signon.
AT&T has an App but the AT&T App is not needed on AppleTV for the channels that have their own AppleTV App that can authenticate or use single sign-on.
This is just the beginning folks, this service will become a lot more flexible and a lot better over time.
Especially as more competition surfaces because AT&T wants to get all cord cutters on board at $35 and lock them in.
AT&T is betting the farm on this. So, I say get in on the $35 early bird deal if you can.
The question I have now is: How does Apple make money on these services?
The deals are as follows: (Not sure of the exact channel line ups yet.)
DirecTV Now Service (Bundles)
1--Early Bird deal of $35 for 100+ Channels
2--$35 for 60+ Channels
3--$50 for 80+ Channels
4--$60 for 100+ Channels
5--$70 for 120+ Channels
Full Screen Service
1--Short internet content for $6 per month
Free View Service
1--Free Ad supported content $0 per month.
The parts I like best about the AT&T service is the single-sign-on capabilities, the fact I can use my iOS devices (though my iPad is wifi only) AND I can watch on my laptop (for when my wife watches her cooking show on TV, I can catch up on the episodes I've missed.
Plus I can get that new AppleTV-4 I was planning to buy to supplement the AppleTV-3 I currently have!
Now, how to convince the wife that we REALLY, REALLY need this expense.
My current service is point-to-point radio (expensive!) with a maximum rating of 10mbps down/5 up, thus I would only be capable of a single, good, 720p download stream, so long as the signal isn't interrupted. IF I ran two streams simultaneously (such as when my wife and I use our laptops to watch previous episodes) the video quality would be degraded or I would experience buffering problems. BTW: I live in an area without cable nor DSL and I have a neighbor's treelike and a mountain blocking my view to satellite, thus I cannot get a different Internet service until the new optical fiber comes out our way--next year, perhaps.
I hope this answers your question to your satisfaction.
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.
Even if you have a cable contract that you can't get out of, you can still get Go Big to use away from home and lock-in until the cable contract runs out.
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
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.
There is no unspoken catch. They are legitimately hoping to get users to pay for 3 months of 100 channels at $35 and are willing to give you an Apple TV to experience it on. During that 3 months its going to hurt Sling and Vue because I'm not going to be paying for those. Not until I decide to cancel DirectTV, or not all if I keep it.