On November 28 AT&T will unveil details of its new OTT service DirecTV Now, which will offer 100 channels at a starting price of $35 a month.
By launching a streaming service with live channels AT&T is joining the ranks of Dish Network’s Sling TV, Sony’s Playstation Vue and the proposed services of Hulu and Youtube’s Youtube Unplugged.
The move into the OTT space by AT&T’s Directv was first reported in March. At the time, the operator said it will offer three versions of the streaming service, DirecTV Now, DirecTVMobile and, as a free offer DirecTV Preview. DirecTV Now will consist of pretty much the same as the satellite-delivered offer, while DirecTV Mobile is directed at users who are looking for a TV everywhere service.
According to press reports, or rather speculation, AT&T has deals in place with Disney, NBCUniversal, Viacom, Scripps, Turner, Discovery, HBO, Starz, A&E Networks, and reportedly a VOD library with 14,000 titles. This points at a basic tier starting at $35 plus premium options including HBO and Starz. There will be live local streams of ABC and NBC in select markets.
Features will include a catch-up TV service (or replay) to let users watch shows from the past three days; ESPN is among the networks excluded from this feature but customers can log use the WatchESPN srrvice to view select past programming.
Platforms to be supported include the Amazon’s Fire TV box, Apple TV 4, Google Cast-based platforms, web browsers, Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. Support will be “coming soon” to the Amazon Fire TV Stick and Chromecast.
