On February 25, 2021, AT&T announced that it would spin off DirecTV, U-Verse and AT&T TV into a separate entity, selling a 30% stake to TPG Capital while retaining a 70% stake in the new standalone company. In September 2019, a class action lawsuit was filed against AT&T, alleging that it had falsely inflated its reported number of AT&T TV Now subscribers by engaging in "unrelenting pressure and strong-arm tactics" and giving unwanted subscriptions to the service to customers without their consent, as well as making false claims surrounding risks related to the service in its SEC filings related to the purchase of Time Warner. The similar names between the different services have been noted as possibly causing confusion, with media outlets even citing examples occurring within the company itself. Concurrently it was announced that DirecTV Now would re-brand as "AT&T TV Now". The service was initially launched in selected markets in California, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, and Texas, with additional markets to follow. AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson referred to AT&T TV as a "workhorse" service succeeding DirecTV and AT&T U-verse in its pay television business. The service allows user self-installation, but activation fees are still charged. ![]() Unlike DirecTV Now, this service is sold on a contract basis (and in bundles with AT&T Internet), and requires the rental or purchase of proprietary set-top boxes. On July 30, 2019, AT&T announced an upcoming streaming television service known as AT&T TV, which would feature an Android TV-based set-top box with a Google Assistant-based voice remote, use the same apps used by DirecTV Now, and offer cloud DVR with 500 hours of storage. By the second quarter of 2019, DirecTV Now lost 168,000 subscribers (decreasing to 1.3 million), with AT&T citing "higher prices and less promotional activity" as reasoning. In March 2019, DirecTV Now instituted a new package structure for new subscribers with fewer channels included (although with HBO now included in the base package), and increased pricing for all subscribers. On July 13, 2017, it was reported that AT&T was preparing to introduce a cloud-based DVR streaming service as part of its effort to create a unified platform across the DirecTV satellite television service and DirecTV Now services, with U-verse to be added soon. AT&T TV Now (formerly DirecTV Now) is a formerly-offered direct-to-consumer service launched on November 30, 2016, designed to compete with other over-the-top television services, and sold without a contract. AT&T WatchTV, first offered in June 2018, is a skinny bundle service aimed at cord cutters, featuring no local or sports channels. It is sold on-contract and optionally bundled in the same manner as traditional television providers, but utilizes Android TV-based set-top boxes rented to subscribers. DirecTV Stream, launched nationally as AT&T TV in March 2020, is the streaming television counterpart to the traditional DirecTV satellite television service. The brand encompasses three separate services sharing similar infrastructure and software. All Rights Reserved.DirecTV Stream is a family of streaming multichannel television services offered in the United States by DirecTV. NBA, the NBA logo and team identifications are the exclusive intellectual property of NBA Properties, Inc. EPIX is a registered trademark of EPIX Entertainment LLC. ![]() SHOWTIME is a registered trademark of Showtime Networks Inc., a Paramount Company. Individual programs, devices and marks are the property of their respective owners. Ghostbusters: Afterlife © 2021 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. Visit for airdates/times. Becoming Elizabeth © 2022 The Forge Entertainment Limited. STARZ® and STARZ EncoreSM and related channels and service marks are the property of Starz Entertainment, LLC. Cinemax® and related channels and service marks are the property of Home Box Office, Inc. ![]() Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball. Google, Google Play, and Android TV are trademarks of Google LLC.
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