DirecTV Now is the TV streaming service from AT&T and DirecTV. Available throughout the United States, the service offers both live and on-demand video from dozens of popular cable channels, while also offering the same for broadcast channels in select cities.
Just like similar services from Hulu and Sling TV, DirecTV Now lets you watch its live content on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. Here's everything you need to know about this streaming service.
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What is DirecTV Now?
It's a TV streaming service from AT&T, which owns DirecTV. With DirecTV Now, you can watch live programming from cable channels like ESPN, USA, and FX. There are also premium channels that you can add on to your subscription.
Do I need to be a DirecTV customer to use DirecTV Now?
No, DirecTV Now is a separate service with a separate price. All you need for DirecTV Now is an internet connection.
How much is this going to cost me?
You can choose one of four plans at $35, $50, $60, and $70 per month. You can also add the premium channels HBO and Cinemax for an extra $5 per month each while adding Starz is an additional $8.
Before committing your money to at least a month of what DirecTV Now has to offer, you can sign up for a 7-day free trial to see if the service is right for you.
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Are there any sort of free options?
Sort of. You can also check out FreeVIEW, DirecTV Now's ad-supported free service that offers content from DirecTV-owned channels like Audience and Otter Media. However, for the standard DirecTV Now channel lineup, you'll need to pay.
So exactly what am I getting for my money?
Here's how all of DirecTV Now's plans break down:
- Live A Little - $35 per month, more than 60 channels
- Just Right - $50 per month, more than 80 channels
- Go Big - $60 per month, more than 100 channels
- Gotta Have It - $70 per month, more than 120 channels
While each plan includes live and on-demand content for most of the available cable channels, content from broadcast channels like ABC and NBC are also available live in select cities.
You can get a full breakdown of which channels are available with each plan right here.
Exactly where are local channels available?
Even in cities where local channels are available, the channels are not available on a consistent basis. Just because, for instance, NBC is available to stream in Dallas doesn't mean that it's available in Cleveland. The channel distribution breaks down like this?
- Atlanta: FOX
- Austin: FOX
- Boston: Telemundo
- Charlotte: FOX
- Chicago: ABC, NBC, FOX, Telemundo
- Cleveland: FOX
- Dallas: NBC, FOX, Telemundo
- Denver: FOX, Telemundo
- Detroit: FOX
- Fresno: ABC, Telemundo
- Gainesville: FOX
- Grand Rapids: FOX
- Greensboro: FOX
- Harrisburg: FOX
- Hartford: NBC,
- Houston: ABC, FOX, Telemundo
- Indianapolis: FOX
- Kansas City: FOX
- Los Angeles: ABC, NBC, FOX, Telemundo
- Los Vegas: Telemundo
- Miami: NBC, Telemundo
- Milwaukee: FOX
- Minneapolis: FOX
- New York: ABC, NBC, FOX, Telemundo
- Oakland: ABC, NBC, FOX
- Orlando: FOX
- Philadelphia: ABC, NBC, FOX, Telemundo
- Phoenix: FOX, Telemundo
- Raleigh: ABC,
- Sacramento: FOX
- Salt Lake City: FOX
- San Diego: NBC, FOX
- San Francisco: ABC, NBC, FOX
- San Jose: ABC, NBC, FOX
- Seattle: FOX
- St. Louis: FOX
- Tampa: FOX
- Washington D.C.: NBC, FOX
Why is the live local channel selection so limited?
The availability of live local channels is dependent on deals that AT&T can make with local affiliate stations in each city. In most cases, the company needs to negotiate with the affiliates directly, rather than the major networks (NBC, ABC, FOX, etc.), in order to show their content on DirecTV Now.
What about DVR?
As of now, DirecTV Now lacks any sort of DVR feature. However, the service points customers toward its on-demand offerings. A beta version is currently in testing which does indeed include cloud DVR services.
Tell me about on-demand
With some exceptions, most of the DirecTV Now channel lineup offers its programming on-demand, letting you catch up on your favorite shows when you're not able to catch them live.
Additionally, you can sign in with your DirecTV Now account in on-demand apps from content providers, including HBO Go, ABC, and the Disney Channel apps.
How many people can watch simultaneously?
Currently, DirecTV Now allows each account to stream to two devices at the same time. Anything beyond that requires an additional account.
What devices can I use to watch DirecTV Now?
DirecTV Now can be viewed through apps on the iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, along with Android phones and tablets, the Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast (with an Android device), and modern web browsers.
Sounds good. Where do I sign up?
You can sign up on the DirecTV Now website. Unfortunately, you cannot sign up in the app at this time.
Any other questions?
If you have any other questions about DirecTV Now, let us know in the comments.
Joseph Keller
Joseph Keller is the former Editor in Chief of iMore. An Apple user for almost 20 years, he spends his time learning the ins and outs of iOS and macOS, always finding ways of getting the most out of his iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac.
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