AT&T to Target Cord Cutters With Late 2016 Launch of 'DirecTV Now' Streaming Video Service

[ssspinball]

Cord cutter checking in!

1. I'm not interested in channels, I'm interested in shows. Frankly I don't care at all what channel a show is on and any discussion of "channels" is missing the point entirely.
2. I'm not interested in network scheduling. I watch the next episode for a show when I am ready for it and not a minute different.
3. I'm not interested in paying for something that contains commercials. It's an either/or proposition. I don't expect ads in ANY product I pay for.

All of the above concerns are already addressed today by Netflix, etc. If AT&T can't at least match the existing competition then I'm not interested.

 

[Juicy Box]

The real point of cord cutting is the ability to pick and choose the content one wants available in their own house (or on the go on their mobile devices). Selling the traditional cable "package" in a different form isn't really addressing the real desires of cord-cutters.

What ATT is doing can be considered cord cutting.

Cord cutting can mean many different things.
Yes, your description is accurate for many cord cutters.

But for many others they just want more options.

That might be a traditional cable package, but on an ATV or similar device. NOT on a cable company's crappy STB.

Or maybe the ability to pick and choose what stations you want.

Or free access with ads or ad-free content for a price.

There are many other things that could be considered cable cutting. What most of them have in common is that it gives the consumer a choice on how they watch the content they want to watch.

 

[Lord Hamsa]

No. it is theft. And the only reason you feel otherwise is your perception that somehow you are entitled to it. Even if you don't admit it, you and those that liked your post think somehow tv/movies should be given to you wherever and whenever you please.

And because you sit in your home and enjoy anonymity. You are not like other criminals that do it face to face.

You are the same.

I'm not sure why you included me on this - I'm not advocating IP theft of any sort, but rather a pay-as-you-go ala carte model.

And I agree with above, I'd rather buy shows than channels.

 

[tonyr6]

I will try this when it comes out I just hope it is better than Sling and PSVue. I tried Sling first and it "was" terrible poor quality and the apps crashes all the time. Then I tried PSVue and at first I loved it. A virtual DVR was great until Sony messed it up. Programs started to record up to 10 minutes late and cut off 10 minutes or longer. Disney networks were messed up really bad. Buffering and freezing up and quite often there will be something different playing that was on the guide. Of course too this day all the complaints were ignored and the issues have gotten worse. Just check out here how bad it is.

So I went back to Sling even though I have no DVR and it is now much more reliable. What is the point of a DVR when it does not even work. Video quality is mostly consistent and a few channels that Sling has in HD that believe it or not PSVue have in there Elite package they don't even have them in HD but Sling has them in HD example TeenNick.

I have high hopes on DirecTV streaming service. I just hope they have a proper DVR and all there channels in HD.

 

[npmacuser5]

The problem I have is not the content package but all the commercials. The advantage of the cable is the DVR and some streaming. If they make the package have an option somewhat like Hulu, delayed streaming, I am good with that. Otherwise I would need a TIVO type box in addition.

 

[co.ag.2005]

They have a 7 day free trial. It's worth a look. Coincidentally, I just decided against continuing my subscription with Sling on Monday after 6 days of the trial. The quality of the video was fine. The price was fine. There were a few hang ups that I just couldn't get over.

1. Most of the content my family would want to watch was on the orange tier, and all of that is confined to a single stream. So if I'm downstairs watching a football game on ESPN my wife cannot be upstairs watching a show simultaneously on HGTV.

2. No DVR capability

3. It still seems very hodge-podgy. Some channels you can rewind, some you can't. There's no real rhyme or reason about which ones can and cannot. Some local channels are available in some markets, some are not (I could personally only get Fox).

Would have saved my family about $60/month over what we have now with DirecTV if we went with Sling and took the orange, blue and sports package. But it just felt a little too half baked at the moment. Just doing a little research on the service it sounds like it has matured a good bit since it started last year, so hopefully it will continue to get better and it, or some other streaming option, will become good enough to get rid of the packaged cable/satellite subscriptions.

have you looked into Playstation Vue? I may try this out when my current Dish contract expires. I'm very happy on Dish and only pay $60/month, but I always like trying out new things.

Vue has local channels (depending on location) and DVR-like functionality.

https://www.playstation.com/en-us/network/vue/
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Where do you get your content (free sports, movies, etc.)? Just looked into KODI and apparently they don't provide the content.

you have to illegally stream it from providers. Ares Wizard -> Pulse is a popular source.

 

[jerm13]

I will probably dump DTV when my promos end. My biggest issue is having to pay monthly lease fees for equipment.

 

[auero]

I'd looked at Sling but haven't tried it yet. What was your experience with it?

If DirecTV gets me a bunch of good channels for an EXTREMELY reasonable price that doesn't require a cable package, doesn't require installation, and is 100% transparent about its pricing, I'd be happy to take a look. Forgive me for being skeptical, but AT&T/DirecTV don't really have a history of doing any of those things. I'll believe it when I see it.

I tried Sling four months ago and it was unwatchable at certain times. I gave it another shot about a month ago and was blown away with how much the service improved. We ended up signing up and canceling cable. The minor annoyance was we were missing CBS so we bought an HD Antenna to pick up local channels (I'm 50-60 miles out from the city) and everything is working great. We're saving approximately $125 a month.

 

[Vermifuge]

Can't wait to use this while on Tmobile's Binge On Program #NetNeutrality

I don't think you understand what net neutrality means. Unless you are being sarcastic.

 

[tonyr6]

have you looked into Playstation Vue? I may try this out when my current Dish contract expires. I'm very happy on Dish and only pay $60/month, but I always like trying out new things.

Vue sucks. What is the point when the guide data is wrong most of the time and programs start late and get cut off. Also there is always outages not just with Vue but with there terrible PSPlus service. Then I forgot there Elite package is a joke. Many Elite channels are not even in HD.

 

[jerm13]

You still can't beat PlayStation Vue. Tomorrow PlayStation is letting you watch it on multiple devices at once. If you have 4 Rokus you can watch 4 streams and so on. Also if you're a PS plus subscriber you get $10 off your fee every month. They are also rolling out a yearly package that will save you over a $100 a year. Plus PlayStation Vue's cloud DVR is insane. I can record 10 or more shows at once. Also PlayStation Vue is coming to Apple TV on 9/30 so that's a big plus.

Where did you get the 9/30 date from for the Apple TV?

 

[co.ag.2005]

Vue sucks. What is the point when the guide data is wrong most of the time and programs start late and get cut off. Also there is always outages not just with Vue but with there terrible PSPlus service. Then I forgot there Elite package is a joke. Many Elite channels are not even in HD.

That's good to know. I haven't tried it yet. I've heard good and bad things. I'm saving my free trial until I'm not under contract with Dish to give it a try. That's not till next year so hopefully they improve in a year.
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I will try this when it comes out I just hope it is better than Sling and PSVue. I tried Sling first and it "was" terrible poor quality and the apps crashes all the time. Then I tried PSVue and at first I loved it. A virtual DVR was great until Sony messed it up. Programs started to record up to 10 minutes late and cut off 10 minutes or longer. Disney networks were messed up really bad. Buffering and freezing up and quite often there will be something different playing that was on the guide. Of course too this day all the complaints were ignored and the issues have gotten worse. Just check out here how bad it is.

So I went back to Sling even though I have no DVR and it is now much more reliable. What is the point of a DVR when it does not even work. Video quality is mostly consistent and a few channels that Sling has in HD that believe it or not PSVue have in there Elite package they don't even have them in HD but Sling has them in HD example TeenNick.

I have high hopes on DirecTV streaming service. I just hope they have a proper DVR and all there channels in HD.

man, I've been keeping an eye on SlingTV ever since it was released, and their pricing packages are not very good anymore! Sure, they have a lot more channels on board but they are breaking them all up into different packages / add-ons. So, to get what I watch now (watch; not just channels I have access to), I'd have to pay SlingTV $55/month and that's with no CBS or DVR... no thanks...

 

[mic j]

AT&T is dropping the u-verse tv brand and shifting TV customers in this direction. The whole thing, of course, relies on AT&T broadband which has been dodgy at best. During the past 6 months we've had more connectivity issues than we can shake a stick at.

I've had AT&T DSL (U-Verse) for about 25 years. It has always met the upper end of the package speed I was signed up for (currently 45mbps download). Maybe 2 short duration outages over those years. So I guess the experience can vary, but I feel its a very reliable service. Especially after seeing the service my daughter had with Brighthouse cable service. It was rated extremely fast, the only problem was that at busy times (5P-12P or weekends), it was so slow she couldn't even use it. Web pages would just freeze. So I gladly take the lower speed of DSL (which basically gives you a line you don't share with anyone) over a higher speed cable system where everyone tries to use the same pipe.

I am actually excited by the DirectTV app. I always liked there service (except in extremely rainy weather), picture quality was outstanding, UI and DVR were both well designed. I only switched to U-verse because I didn't want to go through the hassle of having a dish put on top of the condo I live in, string coax down to my unit and drill holes in my wall to pull the cable inside. U-verse and Comcast were already part of the building wiring. Of course, I would chop off my fingers before I would give Comcast a dime.

 

[Vermifuge]

That's good to know. I haven't tried it yet. I've heard good and bad things. I'm saving my free trial until I'm not under contract with Dish to give it a try. That's not till next year so hopefully they improve in a year.
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man, I've been keeping an eye on SlingTV ever since it was released, and their pricing packages are not very good anymore! Sure, they have a lot more channels on board but they are breaking them all up into different packages / add-ons. So, to get what I watch now (watch; not just channels I have access to), I'd have to pay SlingTV $55/month and that's with no CBS or DVR... no thanks...

I have sling blue myself. It's a great service for the price. Luckily i'm grandfathered in at the $20 price since raised to $25.

• I get all the channels I care about. AMC, USA, SyFy, Tru & History plus a hand full of other channels I sometimes watch
• I don't follow Sport Ball nor do I have kids. ESPN / Disney are not deal breakers for me.
• The lack of a DVR hasn't bothered me as the majority of the shows I watch can be accessed via Sling on demand
• Frequent buffering is the only major drawback. Something thats improved over the 3 months i have had sling.

 

[bibigon]

I'm not sure why you included me on this - I'm not advocating IP theft of any sort, but rather a pay-as-you-go ala carte model.

And I agree with above, I'd rather buy shows than channels.

Can't you already do this? Are there any shows you can't just buy on iTunes, Amazon, or Google Play?

 

[co.ag.2005]

I have sling blue myself. It's a great service for the price. Luckily i'm grandfathered in at the $20 price since raised to $25.

• I get all the channels I care about. AMC, USA, SyFy, Tru & History plus a hand full of other channels I sometimes watch
• I don't follow Sport Ball nor do I have kids. ESPN / Disney are not deal breakers for me.
• The lack of a DVR hasn't bothered me as the majority of the shows I watch can be accessed via Sling on demand
• Frequent buffering is the only major drawback. Something thats improved over the 3 months i have had sling.

yeah, my wife and I watch a lot of sports, primarily football (college and pro), college basketball, and baseball. and we never watch anything live. We rely on our DVR. Now, if everything we watched was on demand, then that's fine. But we're too busy with our little girl and other stuff going on to watch programming live / when it airs.

glad it's working for you!

 

[GhostRaider]

IPTV is the future. All you need is just a good internet connection from a provider. This is why cable internet companies thrive since cable will always be faster than DSL. Though 59.99 for 60mbps isn't good enough.

 

[tonyr6]

IPTV is the future.

Until everyone tries to watch the same program at the same time. Although it is better then it use to be it is still a mess. You can have a billion people tune into OTA channel 7 but try to have a billion people stream channel 7 over IPTV and many can't watch it because of the congestion.

 

[bibigon]

Until everyone tries to watch the same program at the same time. Although it is better then it use to be it is still a mess. You can have a billion people tune into OTA channel 7 but try to have a billion people stream channel 7 over IPTV and many can't watch it because of the congestion.

Off-topic, but anyone have an explanation for why this is by the way? Watching something "OTA" (via Cable) is still trasnmitting some quantity of digital data, but there are no real buffering issues or anything of the sort.

 

[co.ag.2005]

IPTV is the future. All you need is just a good internet connection from a provider. This is why cable internet companies thrive since cable will always be faster than DSL. Though 59.99 for 60mbps isn't good enough.

yeah, that's the other catch to this whole mess. My only option for internet is Charter at 60 Mbps. It's actually great internet, no slow downs ever (even at night), rarely any outages, but it's $68/month with taxes. My other option is AT&T DSL at 6 Mbps...

 

[JackANSI]

The cable internet and DSL companies will just jack up your rates for service or implement data plans more widely if this comes to be. The redistribution of charges.

 

[Lord Hamsa]

Can't you already do this? Are there any shows you can't just buy on iTunes, Amazon, or Google Play?

Some, yes, and we do so with Doctor Who since our "package" doesn't include BBCA. Game of Thrones is a counter-example - that has not made available until after each season airs (excepting this year, nearly a year after original air date).

 

[pruntzel]

Still not à la carte. And it's AT&T, though GigaPower will soon be available in my area and that sounds very tempting.

Sling TV has been pretty good so far...once I figured out witch device to use it with. I first tried Sling when they came out with their app for the Apple TV 4. There were so many buffer issues that it was completely unwatchable and I almost canceled. By chance I tried it on my Amazon Fire TV (not the stick, which took 5 minutes for the streaming to start) and it has worked like a charm ever since. I've been able to watch most NFL games that were available to me via cable though I still have to use the HD antenna to watch games on CBS. Also, I was away on vacation for the start of college football and got to watch every game I want to see on my iPad. That made me very happy.

I just completed the PlayStation Vue trial and discovered that I couldn't stream live content on my iPhone/iPad unless I was connected to my home network. A VPN service might rectify this but I've read that Vue is a bandwidth hog so the VPN service might end up being a bottle neck. On the other hand, PlayStation Vue has a 28 Day, unlimited, cloud DVR service witch is totally sweet.

But back to my first comment, I want à la carte. Hopefully that'll be financially viable for a service provider one of these days.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Cord cutter checking in!

1. I'm not interested in channels, I'm interested in shows. Frankly I don't care at all what channel a show is on and any discussion of "channels" is missing the point entirely.
2. I'm not interested in network scheduling. I watch the next episode for a show when I am ready for it and not a minute different.
3. I'm not interested in paying for something that contains commercials. It's an either/or proposition. I don't expect ads in ANY product I pay for.

All of the above concerns are already addressed today by Netflix, etc. If AT&T can't at least match the existing competition then I'm not interested.

But Netflix can't address one important issue to some: immediacy. With Netflix, unless it's a Netflix show, you have to wait until the season ends and the show is released for streaming and DVD/BR.

Also Netflix doesn't have the rights to every show on TV, doesn't show live events like news or sports. So Netflix isn't total solution either for many.

And all cable and sat services offer "on demand" now. In many cases a DVR isn't really needed anymore. So I very much would like to see what ATT has in mind and won't dismiss the idea until the details are revealed.

 

[Stewie]

Off-topic, but anyone have an explanation for why this is by the way? Watching something "OTA" (via Cable) is still trasnmitting some quantity of digital data, but there are no real buffering issues or anything of the sort.

OTA = Over the air, just an antenna so cable isn't involved.