AT&T merging TV and TV Now into a single, non-contract service

AT&T is sunsetting its AT&T TV Now video offering and merging it into the AT&T TV streaming platform, with it claiming that current users won't experience any disruptions.

The AT&T TV Now service was the telecom company's online streaming offering, while the AT&T TV service is a cable and satellite alternative that required users to have a dedicated streaming box.

As part of the merger of the two disparate platforms, AT&T is nixing the streaming box requirement. It's also getting rid of the mandatory contract that it required for AT&T TV service.

Going forward, that means users will pay a month-to-month fee for the AT&T TV platform. Current contracts will remain in effect until they expire, and those users will be moved to monthly payments. The company notes that users won't see any interruptions in service.

The base AT&T TV package starts at $70 per month and includes 20 hours of cloud DVR storage. AT&T notes that it has 20 more channels than the entry level AT&T TV Now plan. Users can also bump the cloud DVR storage to 500 hours for an additional $10 a month.

"We're bringing more value and simplicity by merging these two streaming services into a single AT&T TV experience. Customers can stream the best collection of live and on-demand programming on devices they already have, or they can get our exclusive AT&T TV STREAM Device to enjoy enhanced features and functionality," said Vince Torres, AT&T's senior vice president of marketing.

13 Comments

sprint3gissues 17 comments · 13 Years

About 3 years ago

Come on... missed the the great opportunity to rebrand it as AT&Tv. Rolls off the tongue much better.

Mac512user 23 comments · 4 Years

I first got on to AT&T TV Now a couple of years ago when it was called DirecTV Now... $30 a month and a free Apple TV too! Then it went up to $40 within 6 months, then $50 a month and the name change to AT&T TV Now a few months later. Their whole marketing campaign was “pull the plug on cable” but that’s what they were becoming. And now it’s up to $70 a month... not sure how they can compete when other platforms are more inexpensive. They won’t last long as a streaming service option.

mark fearing 439 comments · 16 Years

AT&T keeps thinking that their customers like them.

lkrupp 10521 comments · 19 Years

mark fearing said:

AT&T keeps thinking that their customers like them.

Then explain their continued growth in subscribers. Explain their continued success.

So we have the “Only stupid people use AT&T”, “Only Stupid people use Verizon”, Only stupid people use T-Mobile, "Only stupid people buy Apple products” cult members. Just because you had a bad experience with AT&T does not mean everyone does. Same goes for Verizon, T-Mobile, and Apple. It’s funnier than hell to read the rants and rages against <insert demon corporation>. In my case it’s “Only stupid people buy Firestone tires” because of a bad experience forty years ago. I have no idea why Firestone is still in business after what happened to me.

tylersdad 310 comments · 13 Years

Mac512user said:

I first got on to AT&T TV Now a couple of years ago when it was called DirecTV Now... $30 a month and a free Apple TV too! Then it went up to $40 within 6 months, then $50 a month and the name change to AT&T TV Now a few months later. Their whole marketing campaign was “pull the plug on cable” but that’s what they were becoming. And now it’s up to $70 a month... not sure how they can compete when other platforms are more inexpensive. They won’t last long as a streaming service option.

They compete on quality. We had Directv Now and then ATT Now and we still have ATT Now. I've tried Philo, Sling, Fubo, YouTube TV and many others. ATT Now has the best image quality hands down. If there was another provider that offers Tennis Channel with the same quality, I'd gladly switch.