Combination of AT&T TV Now and AT&T TV: A Surprising Development
Cutting the Cord: AT&T TV Now Fades Away in Favor of AT&T TV
In an unexpected move, AT&T is seemingly pulling the plug on its streaming service AT&T TV Now, directing new customers to its rival product AT&T TV instead. Confused yet? You're not alone.
According to a report by Variety, the AT&T TV Now website, which until recently promoted live TV streaming packages, now showcases an advertisement for the company's AT&T TV product. The page states that AT&T TV Now has "merged with AT&T TV" to offer a superior live and on-demand experience, with a notice that new customers can no longer opt for AT&T TV Now plans. However, existing customers will continue to have access to their accounts without disruptions.
An AT&T spokesperson explained that the move comes as the company is testing a no-annual contract plan for AT&T TV, making it logical to consolidate the two services. New customers can now choose from AT&T TV plans that range from $70 to $95 per month, depending on the add-ons.
While the rebranded service may offer more features, AT&T TV also comes with its fair share of hidden costs and fees. For instance, the streaming box can cost $5 per month for 24 months or $120 upfront, depending on the customer's qualification. Moreover, signing a two-year contract with AT&T TV will lower the monthly cost to $60 for the first year but raise it to $93 in the second year.
Despite the sneaky pricing, AT&T confirmed that the companion box is not necessary for AT&T TV, and a list of compatible devices is available on its website.
In the grand scheme of things, AT&T seems to be streamlining its confusing marketing and product lineup, marking a step forward after the HBO Go/Now/Max debacle of 2020. The latest move indicates that the telecom giant is gearing up to focus more on delivering a seamless streaming experience to its customers.
Extra Info:
- AT&T TV Now (originally DirecTV Now): A service offering live TV channels over the internet without the need for a satellite dish.
- AT&T TV: A service that combined live TV with streaming capabilities but required a set-top box, more akin to traditional cable TV delivered over the internet.
- The merger of AT&T's media subsidiary, WarnerMedia, with Discovery, Inc., to form Warner Bros. Discovery in April 2022, does not directly affect AT&T TV Now or AT&T TV services, as these are part of AT&T's telecommunications division, not its media division.
- A companion box for AT&T TV is not necessary, but a list of compatible devices can be found on the company's website.
- The report by Variety confirmed that AT&T TV Now has merged with AT&T TV, consolidating the two services into a single platform.
- The AT&T spokesperson explained that the company is testing a no-annual contract plan for AT&T TV, making it logical to consolidate the two services.
- Despite the merger, AT&T confirmed that a companion box is not necessary for AT&T TV, and a list of compatible devices can be found on its website.
- Moving forward, it seems that AT&T is gearing up to focus more on delivering a seamless streaming experience to its customers, streamlining its marketing and product lineup.
