AT&T Plans to Gift Free Apple TV to DirecTV Now Subscribers Who Commit to 3+ Months of Service

[MacRumors]

AT&T plans to gift a free Apple TV to DirecTV Now subscribers who commit to at least three months of paid service, according to documents seen by Variety. Likewise, customers who pay for at least one month of service will allegedly receive a free Fire TV stick. The promotion ensures early subscribers will have at least one device with access to DirecTV Now when it launches.

DirecTV Now is AT&T's internet-based live TV streaming service slated to launch in late 2016. The cord-cutter service will start at $35 per month and provide access to more than 100 channels, such as ABC, A&E, CBS, ESPN, Fox, HBO, MTV, NBC, Nickelodeon, and Discovery, on smartphones, tablets, streaming boxes, and other devices. Availability of channels may vary based on regional restrictions.

DirecTV Now will reportedly include a 72-hour catch-up window, allowing subscribers to watch TV shows they missed up to three days later, alongside a video-on-demand library of up to 14,000 titles. A free 7-day trial will be available upon launch.

Article Link: AT&T Plans to Gift Free Apple TV to DirecTV Now Subscribers Who Commit to 3+ Months of Service

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

...

Take my money?

I only have a question mark because it sounds too good to be true, and I'm skeptical because it's coming from AT&T, which isn't really known for being so generous...

 

[blacktape242]

i might be up for something like that.

 

[gsmornot]

So for slightly less than the cost of an Apple TV you get the hardware plus a streaming service included. I was not in the mood for another monthly service right now but this may be a good deal. I've been looking at the Apple TV's for a while but have been happy with other options. Maybe I will indeed be interested when this service arrives.

 

[jav6454]

...

Take my money?

I only have a question mark because it sounds too good to be true, and I'm skeptical because it's coming from AT&T, which isn't really known for being so generous...

Indeed; however, lets remember they are trying to get that TW merger through, so this might be something to appease lawmakers.

 

[mac.cali]

Might be worth it. Especially if they let me out of my DIRECTV contract.

 

[tkukoc]

With the pending merger, this could be very short lived. But it sounds good at the moment... guess we shall see. Not really in the trusting mood when it comes to AT&T these days.

 

[macsplusmacs]

I was wondering why no talk of a DVR type tech yet, but a 72 window to watch stuff you missed and for that price it seems like a fair deal to me.

 

[kemal]

How about commit to two month of service and get a free FireTV ($99)?

 

[Veihl]

With the pending merger, this could be very short lived. But it sounds good at the moment... guess we shall see. Not really in the trusting mood when it comes to AT&T these days.

How does the merger affect this service? Wouldn't it be about the same with Comcast and NBC Universal?

 

[DeftwillP]

There's got to be a catch.....

 

[DrewDaHilp1]

So are they letting ATT Uverse subscribers avoid their data caps with this?

 

[prosp]

I thought I read somewhere that this will be single stream only. If that is the case, then it will be a deal breaker for me.

 

[gugy]

Not bad deal. DirecTV Now it is going to be awesome from what I hear. I just hope the prices are fair. Not holding my breath there.

 

[bacaramac]

Been using Sling for 4 or so months and loving it, except I want my traditional guide view. Got $60 off 4th gen AppleTV with Sling.

Would put Sling on hold for 3 months to try this and get free AppleTV, although a little more expensive than current Sling package, it includes more channels.

 

[rvernier]

With the pending merger, this could be very short lived. But it sounds good at the moment... guess we shall see. Not really in the trusting mood when it comes to AT&T these days.

What pending merger? AT&T and DirecTV got FCC approval to merge July 24th, 2015.

 

[crawdad62]

I just did the deal with Sling. Not as good but I got an ATV for 90 bucks for 3 months. I just got rid of Directv which I liked other than the $$$. I tried PS Vue but it didn't have a native ATV app and I thought the PQ wasn't as good as Sling. Honestly the UI of both of these services are horrible. Hopefully Directv Now will do a better job. I'd probably give it a shot if this promotion is true and not full of AT&T hidden charges.

 

[GizmoDVD]

So are they letting ATT Uverse subscribers avoid their data caps with this?

With the phone data, yes. Unsure about internet.

I was with ATT Internet and Dish for TV but recently switched because they imposed data caps unless I Had TV Service. I'll be canning both and going with spectrum (who will pay my EFTs) as their prices are ridiculous. $70 for internet? WTF.

 

[bergert]

...I only have a question mark because it sounds too good to be true, and I'm skeptical because it's coming from AT&T, which isn't really known for being so generous...

As I know ATT, it will be the fine print:
The subscriber needs to subscribe to ATT 40GB/month download service for $25. <FONT SIZE=7>This offer is void where restrictions apply. Offer only valid in the 49 states. Special offer limited to the first 6 months of service $50 thereafter. Over usage will cost $10 per GB. $279 setup fee waived for new customer only. </font size>

 

[69Mustang]

...

Take my money?

I only have a question mark because it sounds too good to be true, and I'm skeptical because it's coming from AT&T, which isn't really known for being so generous...

Will most likely include no ad skipping. To be fair, I understand advertising is necessary to pay for stuff... just hate 42 minutes of show and 18 minutes of ads.

 

[jrbdmb]

Sorry, but I for one am tired of all these AT&T / DirecTV cross-promotions. DirecTV is not currently an option for me, but all of AT&T's current iPhone promotions also require DirecTV service. ^#$#&.

 

[Elbon]

Will most likely include no ad skipping. To be fair, I understand advertising is necessary to pay for stuff... just hate 42 minutes of show and 18 minutes of ads.

Ah, you're probably right. I had been thinking about possibly replacing my OTA TiVO with this service, but unless it provides DVR capabilities I can't really consider it.

 

[avanpelt]

Depending on the channels available, I may very well transition from our existing DirecTV service to this. The cost savings is compelling as long as most of the content is not home shopping channels.

We're an all-in household with AT&T -- fiber internet, cellular, and DirecTV. Being able to watch live TV and our DVR shows over the cellular network without using our data has allowed us to stop using the Slingbox we've had for several years -- which is great because I detest the pathetic excuse for a company that Sling Media is.
[doublepost=1478533770][/doublepost]

Sorry, but I for one am tired of all these AT&T / DirecTV cross-promotions. DirecTV is not currently an option for me, but all of AT&T's current iPhone promotions also require DirecTV service. ^#$#&.

They're all services from the same company. What do you expect? They'd be stupid not to try to get you more deeply embedded in their "ecosystem". Apple does the same thing.

 

[Veihl]

Sorry, but I for one am tired of all these AT&T / DirecTV cross-promotions. DirecTV is not currently an option for me, but all of AT&T's current iPhone promotions also require DirecTV service. ^#$#&.

I mean, you can always use another service besides AT&T.

 

[burgman]

What pending merger? AT&T and DirecTV got FCC approval to merge July 24th, 2015.

AT&T is buying Time Warner. Wonder if it is Generation 4 or 3 Apple TV? With AT&T the devil is always in the fine print so while this sounds like a good streaming alternative I'll wait and see.