AT&T Inc. continues to build the momentum from its $48 billion acquisition of DirecTV last year.
AT&T announced Tuesday that its customers will get three new streaming options in the fourth quarter of 2016 from the Dallas-based telecom giant’s DirecTV service.
The company said that customers will be able to access and stream DirecTV’s video services from any provider and from nearly any device, including smartphones, tablets, Smart TV, streaming media hardware or PC.
The new offerings will be called DirecTV Now, DirecTV Mobile and DirecTV Preview.
“These offers will provide a broad range of customers with greater freedom and choice to watch, binge and even buy premium content, regardless of how and where they enjoy their entertainment,” _ John Stankey, CEO of AT&T Entertainment Group.
“These new video subscription models reflect the flexible content choices, viewing options and simple, transparent pricing that consumers want. AT&T intends to be the first company to deliver that flexibility, along with an effortless customer experience,” John Stankey, CEO – AT&T Entertainment Group said in a release. “These offers will provide a broad range of customers with greater freedom and choice to watch, binge and even buy premium content, regardless of how and where they enjoy their entertainment.”
On DirecTV Now, AT&T plans to offer a wide range of content packages. Customers will get much of DirecTV’s current content, plus some add-on options. It will be available through wired or wireless Internet-enabled devices.
DirectTV Mobile will deliver a “mobile-first” user experience, AT&T said. It’s designed for people who want to watch premium video and made-for-digital content directly on a smartphone from any wireless provider.
DirecT Now and DirecTV Mobile will require a sign-up and download of an app.
DirecT Preview is a free offer for anyone with a wired or wireless Internet connection. It will showcase some of DirecTV’s current programming.
AT&T said that it will continue to offer DirecTV’s premium satellite TV entertainment service.
Tuesday’s announcement is an indication of how strongly AT&T is pushing its DirecTV products.
Bloomberg reported last month that AT&T is going to phase out its U-verse television service and concentrate all its efforts on DirecTV. Bloomberg said that AT&T has stopped manufacturing U-verse desktop boxes, a clear sign that AT&T is planning to phase out the service.
AT&T said that while it is emphasizing its DirecTV products, it is not shutting down U-verse.
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