Tuesday, March 1, 2016

AT&T to Launch 3 Streaming Services

Later in 2016,  AT&T will launch three different streaming services that will work “over the top,” on any fixed or mobile connection and any Internet-capable device.

“DirecTV Mobile” will be aimed at smartphones and is characterized by AT&T as "affordable," though pricing has not been announced.

The service will feature premium video and made-for-digital content directly on a smartphone, regardless of the wireless provider.

“DirecTV Now” likely will be the most like the current DirecTV service, offering a range of content packages, including much of what is available from DirecTV.

That includes on-demand and live programming from many networks, plus premium add-on options and is the closest proxy for the current linear DirecTV service delivered by satellite.

“DIRECTV Preview” will feature some of the quality programming available on DirecTV. The ad-supported service will showcase content from AT&T’s “Audience Network,” as well as other networks and content sources, and millennial-focused video from Otter Media, a joint venture of AT&T and The Chernin Group.

Some will position that as an offer akin to Verizon’s Go90 service.

There will be a lot of TV shows, but not necessarily everything will be available as soon as it goes live. While this service is "mobile-first," AT&T confirms you'll be able to access it from any streaming device.

Among the broader implications is the “OTT” approach, which allows AT&T to sell to all domestic users, not just its own customers. That is a key development, as, up to this point, AT&T has largely been restricted to selling services to customers reached by its “owned” access networks (enterprise and global services being the salient exception).

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