Last year AT&T announced plans to launch yet another TV streaming service, AT&T TV, to its already crowded lineup. The new service will offer largely the same channels as the existing DirecTV, but it’ll come over the internet via an Android streaming-TV box, rather than a satellite dish.
AT&T calls it a “TV service that marries what you love about live TV and video streaming” and even hired LeBron James to promote it. AT&T TV’s price point, however, suggests cord cutters aren’t necessarily its target audience.
Instead, the new Internet-based service, not to be confused with AT&T TV Now, appears specifically aimed at luring back the thousands of DirecTV and U-verse subscribers the company lost in recent months who enjoy the bells and whistles of a cable or satellite subscription, but are fed up with the high equipment and service costs of traditional pay TV.
Unlike other Internet-based TV services, you don’t need a smart TV or third-party streaming player to run AT&T TV. The service comes with its own dedicated Android TV set-top box and fancy cable-like voice remote. You can also add apps like Netflix, YouTube and Disney+ from the Google Play store to the box. No more dealing with that pesky input button on another remote.
The $49.99/month introductory price is comparable to cable replacement services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. There’s a big but, however. Not only does AT&T TV require a two-year contract, the price nearly doubles after the first year. Also, there’s a $19.95 activation fee, early termination fee of $15 for every unused month, $8.49 fee for the regional sports networks, plus taxes.
AT&T TV is offering a $10 a month discount for 12 months when bundled with a mobile or internet plan. They’ll even throw in a $50 VISA gift card if you purchase online. Subscribers also get HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, STARZ and Epix free for three months. There are various upgrades and bolt-ons, and if you’re an existing AT&T customer, some discounts to be had as well. And, one of the main draws for those looking to cut the cord: no annual contract. Pay month-to-month, and cancel whenever it suits.
