In the next year, cord cutters are going to have more and more choices about how to increase their cable footprint without actually paying for cable. Thanks to the increasing popularity of the skinny bundle, a creation of cable channels sold by streaming services at a reduced cost, cord cutters are able to enjoy as much cable as they need, at a price they can live with. The newest service to throw their hat into the ring is DirecTV Now.
The service was unveiled last week, and as with all new services, it has
had its share of kinks, which will likely calm down in the coming weeks.
While many people have been interested in learning what DirecTV Now would have to offer, including what price points would be available, it’s also worth considering how much of an impact Big Cable is going to have on streaming from this point on.
As AT&T owns DirectTV and U-Verse, they now have their feet in both pools, so to speak. They’ve made no qualms about showing that, too. They’ve recently come under attack from the FCC, who has claimed that their offer of AT&T mobile users being able to stream DirecTV Now without mobile data charges, violates net neutrality (it’s something the company has already instituted for traditional DirecTV customers). It will be interesting to see how AT&T proceeds, and whether this deal remains in effect in the future.
The introductory price is $35 a month for more than 100 channels. However, this is just an introductory price and could end at any time. This package normally will cost $60, though anyone that signs up and remains a member will be able to keep this price point. As for members who sign up after the introductory price ends, they can either get this package for $60 or sign up for a smaller $35 package. You also get a free week trial, which is pretty standard among streaming services.
The first sign that we might have something to worry about, beyond the violation of net neutrality to sell some skinny bundles, actually deals with the price for DirecTV Now. If you’re worried about the influence big cable might be having on the streaming world, you only need to look as far as the words of DirecTV Now’s Executive Vice President of Marketing, Brad Bentley, who said, “These packages will be subject to price increases down the line.”
These words should strike a little bit of fear into both cord cutters, and anyone that’s ever signed up for cable. Sure, the price point isn’t too bad to begin with, but before you know it, the prices will continue to rise.
And if the removal of data charges isn’t bad enough to anyone that isn’t an AT&T mobile user, there’s also the news that bundle offers between DirecTV Now, Internet, and mobile services might be an option in the future. This trick generally doesn’t save you any money and it’s one that big cable is famous for.
From the channel lineup to the price points, and the threat of them moving up, DirecTV Now has some glaring similarities to cable. Perhaps the service will be decent and cable’s influence will be a small one. For now, I remain cautious on what the outcome on streaming will be, and am looking towards the other services coming in the future that aren’t so rooted in big cable.
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