Cord-cutters, rejoice! After months of teasers and rumors, AT&T's DirecTV Now internet TV streaming service is official at last and seems well worth the wait.
Rumors of a new DirecTV Now streaming service surfaced back in September, revealing that AT&T planned to disrupt the scene with its new service by the end of this year.
AT&T confirmed last month that DirecTV Now would launch in November starting at $35 per month, poised to challenge cable TV to the core. Staying true to its word, AT&T has now officially announced that DirecTV Now will go live on Nov. 30.
DirecTV Now Options And Features
Starting on Wednesday, AT&T will start offering three video streaming services: DirecTV Now, FreeVIEW and Fullscreen. Say goodbye to satellite dishes, set-top boxes, credit checks or annual contracts.
AT&T Mobility customers will be able to enjoy DirecTV Now or FreeView without having it count against their data. Fullscreen will waive data fees as well for streaming in the Fullscreen App on AT&T's mobile network.
DirecTV Now Programming Packages
With DirecTV Now, AT&T is offering four options to enjoy on-demand content, live sports, premium channels, movies and TV shows on smartphones, tablets or TV.
The four different programming packages aim to suit a wide range of needs, budgets and preferences, as follows:
- Live a Little - 60+ channels at $35 per month
- Just Right - 80+ channels at $50 per month
- Go Big - 100+ channels at $60 per month
- Gotta Have It - 120+ channels at $70 per month
Free Trial
Interested customers can try out any of the four DirecTV programming packages for free for seven days when signing up at the DirecTV website and downloading the dedicated app from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
Moreover, to celebrate the big DirecTV Now launch, AT&T is pricing its "Go Big" programming package at just $35 per month as a limited-time offer. Customers who sign up for this deal will continue to pay just $35 per month for the "Go Big" package for as long as they keep the package. Nevertheless, AT&T does note that the price may increase reasonably in the future if all packages see a price hike. AT&T also plans to add original programming down the line, including a Taylor Swift series, so a slight price increase could occur when originals hit the scene.
HBO and Cinemax fans can add the two channels for $5 per month each, in addition to their base package.
DirecTV Now Supported Devices
At launch, DirecTV Now will be available through a number of devices including the Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Android smartphones and tablets, iPhones, iPads and Apple TV, Google Chromecast (only Android at first, iOS coming in 2017), Google Cast-enabled LeEco TVs and VIZIO SmartCast Displays, as well as Chrome, Internet Explorer and Safari web browsers.
AT&T plans to add more supported devices next year, including Roku streaming players, Roku TVs, Amazon Fire tablets, as well as smart TVs from Samsung and other top brands.
Free Apple TV Or Amazon Fire Stick
Rumors from earlier this month hinting at a free Apple TV or Amazon Fire Stick with DirecTV Now subscriptions turn out to be accurate as well. AT&T is offering a free Apple TV when signing up for three months of prepaid DirecTV Now (any package) or a free Amazon Fire TV Stick with one month prepaid DirecTV Now (any package).
LeEco also jumps on board with offers of its own, throwing in DirecTV Now for free when purchasing LeEco TVs or smartphones. Depending on the device, the free DirecTV Now will be for three, six or 12 months.
Lastly, Lenovo is also offering one month of DirecTV Now with the purchase of a Lenovo laptop with an Intel core i3, i5 or i7 processor.
