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U.S. telco announces new Internet and mobile-based content offerings due to come to market in Q4.
AT&T on Tuesday unveiled a new consumption model for its newly-acquired DirecTV pay TV service, making it available over the Internet.
The U.S. telco, whose CEO Randall Stephenson predicted the arrival of new content offerings late last year, said it will launch three new services in the fourth quarter of this year, all of which will enable customers to watch DirecTV content without the need for a satellite dish.
Its new DirecTV Now offer is app-based and will give users a range of on-demand and live programming via a fixed or mobile Internet connection. However, it did not share any details as to how much the service might cost, although it did say the offer will include "much of what is available from DirecTV today."
AT&T described its second new service, DirecTV Mobile, as an "affordable offer", but again did not share likely pricing. It will include video and specific "made-for-digital content" and can be accessed on any smartphone, regardless of the network provider, AT&T said.
Finally, there is a free option. DirecTV Preview is an ad-funded, Internet-based service that will allow users access to some DirecTV programming.
"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," said John Stankey, CEO of AT&T’s entertainment group, in a statement.
AT&T is keen to use its newly-acquired pay TV assets to differentiate itself from the competition, both on the the telco and TV sides, in the U.S. market. It acquired DirecTV for $48.5 billion in July.
"We are looking at these offerings differently than others in the market," Stankey said. "We often hear from customers who want more content from streaming services, or who can’t get or can’t afford a traditional pay-TV service," he added. "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."
