Internet TV streaming services are fast becoming popular as customers move away from traditional cable subscriptions to more flexible online streaming options that don’t bog them down with contractual obligations, setup costs or hefty bills. That’s really why services like Sling TV and PlayStation Vue have seen a considerable amount of interest from cord-cutters and now AT&T wants in on the action as well. The carrier has confirmed that it’s going to launch a standalone online TV streaming service later this year.
AT&T’s new TV streaming service is going to be launched under the DirecTV brand and it has confirmed that subscribers will not require an existing DirecTV service plan, satellite dish, set-top box or a contract to use the service.
Three packages will be offered to subscribers: DirecTV Now, DirecTV Mobile and DirecTV Preview. They will get the most amount of content on DirecTV Now, the company’s press release states that it will include much of what is available from DirecTV right now.
As the name suggests, DirecTV Mobile is going to be available on smartphones only and thus will have a lower price tag. AT&T has already clarified that DirecTV Mobile will be available to all smartphones regardless of carrier. DirecTV Preview is going to be a free ad-supported service with limited content so that folks who are interested in the service can try it out before deciding whether or not they would like to pay for it.
AT&T has not yet confirmed pricing for any of these plans and hasn’t revealed which channels or content packages will be offered with each plan. Even the platforms DirecTV Now will be offered on hasn’t been confirmed. It’s going to provide more information about the pricing and launch of its new online TV streaming service later this year.
The launch of an online TV streaming service isn’t going to impact DirecTV’s existing satellite service and AT&T U-verse. They will continue to function normally.
Filed in . Read more about AT&T, Directv and Entertainment. Source: prnewswire