However, it is impossible to underestimate the trends of the past decade which is characterized by the change in the way consumers access and watch their favorite movies, TV shows, and other video content. Streaming has become the dominant source of content that is aired in homes through the elimination of cable and satellite television. This then begs the question, with the market shifting towards online streaming, does DirecTV, a prime satellite television service provider, have anything like this set up? Okay, let’s go deeper into this.
The Rise of Streaming
Data derived from surveys and studies on media use indicate that homes subscribing to a paid TV service such as cable or satellite have significantly reduced within the last ten years. At the same time, SVPs like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and others have been experiencing popularity among users and their audiences. It is for these reasons of convenience, flexibility, and cost that consumers opt for streaming rather than the traditional linear channel packages that come with the set-top box.
The evolution of the streaming landscape has created significant pressure to force conventional pay-TV providers to add extra OTT streaming services in addition to their normal satellite or cable TV packages. Well, how has DirecTV, which has millions of satellite clients across the country, addressed this streaming phenomenon?
DirecTV's Streaming Options
AT&T TV
Before the two services were merged in 2020, AT&T – the original parent company – introduced a new live TV streaming service called AT&T TV back in 2019. Most of the popular sports, news, and entertainment channels were available through different packages available at an affordable cost without the need for a satellite dish or set-top box.
However, there were some key differences compared to the DirecTV satellite service:
* Costlier with fewer options
* Employ an internet connection instead of satellites
* Provides cable-like live channel packages
In addition to TVs, it is also compatible with mobile devices and computers.
Thus, AT&T TV served as a cable-over-IP streaming replica of DirecTV, but it was delivered through the Internet rather than through satellite. But it was less than the satellite service’s many channel options and certain characteristics.
DirecTV Stream, formerly known as AT&T TV, is a service that was rebranded after the AT&T-DirecTV merger in 2021. DirecTV Stream is now the live TV streaming service that DIRECTV offers, and it is an alternative to the usual satellite service.
DirecTV On-Demand Content
In addition to the live channel streaming service, DirecTV Stream customers also receive access to DirecTV’s library of on-demand content. The DirecTV app and website allow subscribers to watch over 40,000 TV shows and movies on their devices.
Oh well, if you need to utilize DirecTV's on-demand service in addition to satellite broadcasting, their application indeed offers that functionality. Nevertheless, it does not provide live streaming of the customary satellite channels of DirecTV. You need DirecTV Stream for those.
Sunday NFL Ticket
NFL Sunday Ticket has been one of DirecTV’s key exclusive products, which lets the subscribers watch NFL games that are otherwise unavailable in their region through regular TV broadcasting.
Currently and in the recent past, DirecTV has only provided the NFL Sunday Ticket as a streaming package available online without a traditional DirecTV subscription. Thus, it is technically possible for consumers to obtain popular football programming in a streaming format even if they do not sign up for the full satellite offering of DirecTV. But starting from the 2023 season, Sunday Ticket will be live on YouTube and YouTube TV streaming services instead of DirecTV satellite after it premiered 26 years ago.
The Bottom Line
While regular DirecTV satellite service is still only available through a satellite dish and box, the provider has adapted to the shift towards streaming by offering multiple over-the-top options:
* DirecTV Stream: Enables viewing of live DirecTV channel packages through the internet.
* DirecTV App: Offers a very rich on-demand library beyond the live channels.
* Sunday Ticket (for now): Preliminary: NFL games broadcast to subscribers and non-subscribers in regions other than the one where the game is taking place.
So yes in the end – with DirecTV Stream and on-demand content, DirecTV does offer multiple streaming services in addition to the satellite TV. The provider has transformed to address the needs of cord-nevers who are looking forward to having an entirely streaming platform. What it loses in terms of the satellite version’s advantages, DirecTV Stream puts DirecTV in a better place to thrive in an environment that is rapidly shifting to streaming.
Transform your viewing experience with DirecTV! Call us today at +1 855-213-2250 to explore our plans and find the perfect package for you. Our experts are ready to assist you and get you set up with top-notch entertainment. Don’t wait—contact us now!
