The brand encompasses three separate services sharing similar infrastructure and software.[1][2][3] DirecTV Stream, launched nationally as AT&T TV in March 2020, is the streaming television counterpart to the traditional DirecTV satellite television service. It is sold on-contract and optionally bundled in the same manner as traditional television providers, but utilizes Android TV-based set-top boxes rented to subscribers. AT&T WatchTV,[3][4] first offered in June 2018, is a skinny bundle service aimed at cord cutters, featuring no local or sports channels.[5][6] AT&T TV Now (formerly DirecTV Now) is a formerly-offered direct-to-consumer service launched on November 30, 2016, designed to compete with other over-the-top television services, and sold without a contract.[7][8]
On July 13, 2017, it was reported that AT&T was preparing to introduce a cloud-based DVR streaming service as part of its effort to create a unified platform across the DirecTV satellite television service and DirecTV Now services, with U-verse to be added soon.[9][10][11]
On July 30, 2019, AT&T announced an upcoming streaming television service known as AT&T TV, which would feature an Android TV-based set-top box with a Google Assistant-based voice remote, use the same apps used by DirecTV Now, and offer cloud DVR with 500 hours of storage. Unlike DirecTV Now, this service is sold on a contract basis (and in bundles with AT&T Internet), and requires the rental or purchase of proprietary set-top boxes. The service allows user self-installation, but activation fees are still charged. AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson referred to AT&T TV as a "workhorse" service succeeding DirecTV and AT&T U-verse in its pay television business.[14] The service was initially launched in selected markets in California, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, and Texas, with additional markets to follow. Concurrently it was announced that DirecTV Now would re-brand as "AT&T TV Now".[15][16][17][18] The similar names between the different services have been noted as possibly causing confusion, with media outlets even citing examples occurring within the company itself.[1][2]
DIRECTV STREAM customers can access the service via their own compatible devices or an exclusive DIRECTV STREAM device featuring a voice-activated remote, preloaded apps like HBO Max, Netflix, YouTube, Spotify and Pandora, and access to thousands of others. DIRECTV STREAM combines the best of live TV and On-Demand with more than 65,000 shows and movies available for streaming via phone, tablet or TV, anytime and anywhere. DIRECTV STREAM works over a high-speed internet connection, and it only takes a few minutes for customers to set up the device and begin streaming their content.
Cutting the cord is easier than ever. Live TV streaming services like DirecTV Stream are plentiful now. Each delivers a unique set of pros and cons, which can make it confusing to choose one over the other.
DirecTV Stream offers four packages, which are priced according to the number and types of channels that come with each. All four packages have unlimited cloud DVR and unlimited simultaneous streams within your home (three streams on the go). The following pricing will go into effect in January 2023, as a DirecTV Stream price hike is coming.
Browsing through programs, it looked like most were at 720p or 1080p resolution. DirecTV Stream does not offer 4K streaming at this time, but few do, outside of YouTube TV and Fubo, which only offer it for select events. Most of the time, the video looked great, on par with YouTube TV and Hulu With Live TV. And it was more consistent in achieving higher resolutions than my cord-cutting choice Sling, which sometimes plays programs in low-def for several minutes.
If you receive Cardinals telecasts on Bally Sports as part of your TV subscription, you can stream the games on the Bally Sports app and BallySports.com for no additional charge. To stream games, you need to sign in to the app with your pay-TV provider user ID and password. For technical support regarding streaming, visit Note: Cardinals baseball is not currently available via the Bally Sports+ stand-alone streaming service.
While this review is focused on DirecTV Stream, keep in mind that DirecTV also offers a streaming version of its standard DirecTV service. Unlike the satellite version, both of these streaming options have no annual contracts and use cloud-based DVR.
Also worth noting: While DirecTV no longer sells its own streaming box for DirecTV Stream subscribers, you can still buy it on third-party sites. This is a great option for cable or satellite TV converts, as it offers features like a guide button, a record button, a channel flipper, and an old-school number pad.
Those rules do come with some asterisks: Some channels have a three-stream limit no matter where you are, including NHL Network, Starz, and Fox-owned channels. And for all channels, you can only watch from outside the home on up to two TV devices, such as smart TVs or streaming dongles.
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