Cable-cutters have something to think about now, as AT&T's DirecTV Now streaming service plans to offer over 100 channels for $35 a month.
The news was unveiled by AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson during today's Wall Street Journal Live conference, adding that the company plans to have the service out by the end of November, Variety reports.
DirecTV Now won't compete as much with the likes of on-demand services like Netflix, but more with Sling TV, which streams live television to customers over the internet without a contract.
Compared to Sling TV, however DirecTV's proposal of 100+ channels for $35 a month is certainly eye-catching.
Sling TV's base offering at $20/month offers a little over 25 channels, including must-haves like ESPN, Comedy Central, and AMC. Sling TV's highest tier, however, runs $40/month but offers fewer than 100 channels.
Merger Permitting
A big part behind AT&T's competitive price on DirecTV Now seemingly comes from the company's recent move to purchase Time Warner for $85 million, TechCrunch reports.
Stephenson stresses that the merger will keep prices down, owing in part to Time Warner's extensive catalog of television channels, including HBO, CNN, TBS, TNT, and Cartoon Network.
Additionally, the Warner Bros. movie studio and Turner Broadcasting would come packed with the deal, granting AT&T access to films like the Harry Potter series and sports broadcasts like the NBA and Major League Baseball.
Additionally, HBO Go's experience in streaming TV could become instrumental in teaching AT&T how to properly develop an internet-based service - if not potentially usher in an era of à la carte standalone TV apps, but that's just us fantasizing.
The AT&T/Time Warner merger is still undergoing review by regulators, with the deal raising concerns over net neutrality. Stephenson is confident that the purchase will go through, however, assuring that Time Warner would run independently of AT&T.
