AT&T has announced that it will dive into the streaming television services pool later this year. The carrier, who also owns satellite television provider DIRECTV, plans to sell the service via the web, via an app, with no annual contract.
AT&T isn’t offering up much detail — just that it wants to put together a couple different Web TV offerings, which will be sold across the country, in the fall of 2016.
While not specifying exactly how much it will charge, the company says it will offer three tiers of service: The full-featured “DIRECTV Now,” which sounds similar to Sling TV’s already available skinny bundle it sells via Dish; a mid-tier “DIRECTV Mobile” “mobile-first user experience” offering, and a free ad-supported version called “DIRECTV Preview” that would offer a variety of video content to preview.
AT&T’s SVP of strategy for its entertainment group, Tony Goncalves, tells Re/code that the company does have some deals already in place with some content providers. “We do have some deals in place. We’re not being specific about which ones. There’s no question we have work to do there.”
The AT&T press release is as follows:
AT&T TO LAUNCH 3 NEW WAYS TO ACCESS AND STREAM DIRECTV VIDEO CONTENT LATER THIS YEAR
Bring Your Own Internet Connection, Then Choose Where and How to Watch DIRECTV Video Service
DALLAS, March 1, 2016 – Later this year AT&T plans to launch the ability for you to access and stream DIRECTV video services over a wired or wireless Internet connection from any provider and from virtually any device – smartphone, tablet, Smart TV, streaming media hardware or PC.
Our 3 new affordable video offers will be designed for customers looking for premium content with choice and flexibility in what they want to watch and how they want to watch it. We plan for each service to come with a set number of simultaneous sessions. Also, these services will not require annual contracts, satellite dishes or set-top boxes.
Customers can expect to see these 3 new streaming options beginning in 4Q 2016:
DIRECTV Now
The company plans to offer a range of content packages, including much of what is available from DIRECTV today — on-demand and live programming from many networks, plus premium add-on options. Customers will be able to access the service over a wired or wireless Internet connection and on Internet-enabled devices. Consumers can simply sign-up for the service, download the app and begin watching.DIRECTV Mobile
This affordable offer will deliver a mobile-first user experience for people wanting to watch premium video and made-for-digital content directly on a smartphone, regardless of the wireless provider. Consumers can start watching video immediately after the same simple sign-up and app-download process.DIRECTV Preview
This free offer for anyone with a wired or wireless Internet connection will feature some of the quality programming available on DIRECTV today. The tailored ad-supported service will showcase content from AT&T’s AUDIENCE Network, many networks and other content sources, and millennial-focused video from Otter Media, a joint venture of AT&T and The Chernin Group.
“These new video subscription models reflect the flexible content choices, viewing options and simple, transparent pricing that consumers want. AT&T intends to be the first company to deliver that flexibility, along with an effortless customer experience,” said John Stankey, CEO – AT&T Entertainment Group. “These offers will provide a broad range of customers with greater freedom and choice to watch, binge and even buy premium content, regardless of how and where they enjoy their entertainment.
“We are looking at these offerings differently than others in the market. We often hear from customers who want more content from streaming services, or who can’t get or can’t afford a traditional pay-TV service,” Stankey said. “We intend to offer customers a quality pay-TV experience, including top channels, sports and more, with increased value and flexibility of pure online streaming and no need for home installation.”
AT&T is a leader in video streamed over the Internet. We serve more than 60 million streams and downloads to our TV customers each month. Today more than 60 percent of our network traffic is video.
AT&T will continue to provide DIRECTV’s premium satellite TV entertainment service, which includes its industry-leading lineup of live and on-demand programming choices and optional add-ons such as HBO, Showtime and its exclusive NFL Sunday Ticket Package. Customers will be able to access their programming on virtually all mobile devices, as they have been able to do for many years. AT&T also will continue to offer its U-verse TV and Internet service.
