AT&T launched its much anticipated DirecTV Now streaming service on Apple TV today. DirecTV’s new service comes in several packages, starting at 60 channels for $35 per month, and going up to a $70 per month package with 120 channels. Additionally the service also provides subscribers with a $5 a month subscription for HBO or Cinemax.
The company is offering a free 32GB Apple TV for those subscribers that sign up for the 3-month subscription.
This is truly a big deal for cable cutters that use Apple TV for their viewing needs. In its remarks, the company added:
This is rules-free TV for anyone in the U.S. who wants to stream shows and movies anytime, anywhere. For the more than 20 million U.S. households who have dropped cable or are flirting with cutting the cord, we’re now delivering video over a technology platform that will have multiple product capabilities, the first of which we’re unveiling today.
“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 John Stankey, CEO, AT&T Entertainment Group.
The DirecTV Now App was released this morning in the iTunes App Store. With the new TV app becoming an integral part of iOS 10.2 moving forward, it will make it easier for users to stream DirectTV Now on their iPad and iPhones.
This announcement from AT&T comes at an interesting time as other streaming service providers are bolstering up their capabilities. Netflix launched a download service which will allow offline viewing on smartphones and tablets. The latest Netflix app will now sport a ‘download’ button for selected content and will also allow users to search for all content that can be downloaded.
This would be very timely for the Holidays as you can perhaps download your favorite series and binge watch on your flights. It remains to be seen if AT&T Directv now takes a similar path moving forward.