At&T TV: Here’s what you need to know about At&T’s live TV streaming service
AT&T has announced plans to launch their own live TV streaming service in the near future, along with other competitors that are quickly growing in the market. This service will directly compete with the popular TV streaming services offered by Sling TV, DirecTV NOW, Playstation Vue and YouTube TV (which recently added Turner channels). Here’s what you need to know about AT&T’s live TV streaming service and how it stacks up against its competition.
What is AT&T TV?
AT&T is entering a crowded market of online TV subscription services, from SlingTV and YouTubeTV to Hulu with Live TV and PlayStation Vue. What makes it stand out from these other options? For starters, AT&T offers more than 100 channels for $35 per month. It’s not quite as large of a selection as DirecTV Now or PlayStation Vue, but it does include an impressive collection of channels that include broadcast networks like CBS, FOX, NBC and ABC.
And unlike those services, AT&T is also offering premium networks like HBO along with sports channels like Fox Sports 1 and ESPN. You can see how all those numbers stack up against other streaming competitors in our guide on cord-cutting costs here.
Why get it?
Like it or not, cord-cutting is happening. Now that AT&T has launched its own Live TV Streaming Service, we’re going to break down everything you should know before signing up. Let’s get started! What does it cost?: $35 a month for 100+ channels of live TV with HBO and Cinemax included. Plus $5 for each additional stream (up to 3) in your home and $10 for HD on all streams. You can also add on premium channels like Showtime and Starz for $9/month each after a 7-day free trial period.
How do I get it?
If you’re an AT&T customer, it will be available for free as part of your existing subscription. If not, there are a couple ways to get access. You can sign up for one of AT&T’s internet plans starting at $50/month, or pay $15 per month for DirecTV satellite service on its own. In either case, you’ll also be able to watch via mobile devices, although not all phones are supported and some additional fees may apply. Lastly, if you subscribe within six months of launch, AT&T is offering an introductory price of $35/month which works out to just over $100 in savings compared to normal pricing.
How much does it cost?
AT&T’s DirecTV Now will cost $35 per month and includes more than 60 channels. AT&T also offers two other packages that include more than 100 channels each for an additional $10 per month. A fourth tier of service, dubbed Gotta Have It, includes 140-plus channels for an extra $45 per month.
For AT&T Unlimited subscribers with a qualifying smartphone plan, all four packages are available for just $10 more per month. All DIRECTV NOW plans come with 30 hours of Cloud DVR storage and three simultaneous streams, which can be watched on multiple devices at once or from any location within your home network as long as you have decent internet speed.
What shows are included in the basic package?
You can stream up to three shows at once on DirecTV Now. There are no limitations on how many people can watch it in your household, as long as everyone uses their own account. Additional accounts cost $5 a month each for new customers and $10 per month for current AT&T customers with contracts. And if you don’t have an account, but want a free trial, DirecTV Now is still a good choice—you get 5-days of commercial-free programming and can cancel anytime within that window without being charged.
What if I want more than 100 channels?
If you find yourself wanting more than 100 channels, then you’ll be happy to hear that with AT&T WatchTV, you can add premium channels like HBO and Showtime for an additional $15 per month. This includes HD content where available. So if Hulu with Live TV isn’t cutting it for whatever reason, AT&T WatchTV might be a good option for sports fans. If that’s not enough for you, an upgrade package called Extended Viewing will net you another 50+ channels from cable networks like AMC, CNN, Discovery Channel and others for an extra $5 per month. Just keep in mind that these packages are only available if you subscribe through DirecTV Now itself.
How many people can watch shows at once?
One show will be able to stream per subscription. So, if six people have an AT&T account and want to watch a show together, then everyone must purchase their own subscription. Or one person must use his or her login credentials for everyone else in order for them all to access shows. It’s worth noting that DirecTV Now lets you watch as many simultaneous streams as your plan allows—which is a lot more than AT&T.
What channels are included?: This really depends on which package you choose, but here’s a quick rundown of AT&T’s offerings. There are four tiers: Access ($35/month), Choice ($50/month), Xtra ($70/month), and Ultimate ($90/month). All plans include local channels such as ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC (in select cities), along with popular cable networks like Bravo, Food Network, FX, HGTV and others.
