Following rivals, AT&T says DirecTV won’t need a dish or box

An AT&T spokesperson declined to detail which channels or content packages would be available to the new streaming services, but did note that “DirecTV Now will have a range of content packages” and it would include on-demand and live programming from “many networks, plus premium add-on options”. That’s really why services like Sling TV and PlayStation Vue have seen a considerable amount of interest from cord-cutters and now AT&T wants in on the action as well.

AT&T has taken a more traditional approach to video with the acquisition of DirecTV but has said it would use the deal to offer new bundles and over-the-top options.

The launch of an online TV streaming service isn’t going to impact DirecTV’s existing satellite service and AT&T U-verse.

Asked if ESPN channels were going to be included in the new AT&T packages, spokeswoman Amy Phillips said ESPN was ‘having productive conversations, but we have nothing to announce at this time.’ Messages left with CBS, AMC and NBCUniversal were not immediately returned. Users of this plan will download an app and then be able to watch video content through their smartphone. “This streaming option will be ad-supported, and will offer some video content, including Otter Media’s ‘millennial-focused” videos, shows from the AUDIENCE Network, and other unspecified content sources.

In a service that might remind some of Verizon’s go90 service, DirecTV will be a free, ad-supported offering delivered via wired or wireless connection, while also featuring “some of the quality programming available on DirecTV today”. The product may be similar to Dish’s SlingTV, launched a year ago, which lets people stream live TV from small clusters of channels for a monthly fee starting at $20.

It will only work on smartphone, tablet, Smart TV, streaming media hardware or PC.

And a free version will offer limited content.

AT&T acquired DIRECTV for $48.5 billion previous year, making it the world’s No. 1 pay-TV operator with 45 million video subscribers, including Mexico and Latin America, at the end of 2015. “We intend to offer customers a quality pay TV experience, including top channels, sports and more, with increased value and flexibility of pure online streaming and no need for home installation”.