AT&T is one of the only cable companies that has really embraced cord cutting. Perhaps a bit too much. AT&T offers a boat load of different live TV streaming services. Including AT&T TV NOW, AT&T Watch TV, AT&T TV (which is sort of a hybrid between cable and streaming) and of course HBO MAX. Along with DIRECTV which is not a streaming service, but still available.
Today, we’re going to be talking about AT&T TV NOW. This is the most popular streaming service from AT&T, and it’s actually really competitive with the other streaming services on the market. Even though it doesn’t look like it, at the first glance.
It costs about the same amount as Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV and YouTube TV. Making those the best competitors to compare AT&T’s TV NOW service too.
AT&T TV NOW is a rebranded streaming service, having initially been DIRECTV NOW, until 2019. Which is when AT&T “streamlined” this offering, pairing it back to just a couple of plans, and adding in some premium channels like HBO, Cinemax and Starz to the plans.
It is aiming to replace your cable or satellite TV service, and it’ll allow you to watch your content outside of your home – unlike most cable services. There’s no equipment needed for TV NOW. Actually, there is some equipment needed, but no additional equipment. For instance, you will need a WiFi connection and a device that is compatible with TV NOW for watching.
AT&T TV vs AT&T TV NOW
As mentioned already, AT&T has a lot of different streaming services, all with very similar names. Like AT&T TV and AT&T TV NOW, which are similar in name, but not similar in service.
AT&T TV is basically your standard cable experience – it replaced U-Verse. It runs on an Android TV box that AT&T will provide you with. You can still watch content on your smartphone, tablet, and other devices – even before the Android TV box arrives. And it comes with HBO MAX included on all of its plans. It offers a very easy set-up process, and there’s no professional installation included.
AT&T TV NOW on the other hand, is more aimed at cord cutters. The biggest difference between the two is that AT&T TV NOW doesn’t send you an Android TV box – in fact, it doesn’t even work on Android TV. And it has less packages, with fewer channels. Unlike AT&T TV, AT&T TV NOW does not have any sort of annual contract. Meaning that you can leave whenever you want. AT&T TV on the other hand does have a contract, so you will need to pay some fees to leave early – that is also why there are so many discounts for your first year of service with AT&T.
The two are eerily similar, but also very different. AT&T really needs to re-think its naming for its streaming services – or just cut some of them, so they aren’t so confusing.
What channels are included?
There are basically only two different packages. There is the Plus package with 45+ channels, and then Max with 60+ channels. There are a small handful of channels that are different between the two. But Max also includes premium channels like HBO and Cinemax for free.
There are a couple of other packages available if you really want a lot of channels. Like Entertainment, Choice, Xtra, Ultimate and Premier. Which range from $93 to $183 per month and up to 140 channels. But most opt for Plus or Max. As they offer the channels most want, and at a price most are willing to pay.
Do you get local and regional channels?
AT&T TV NOW is also one of the only streaming services that still offers Fox Regional Sports networks. It appears that AT&T has not had to renegotiate its deal with Sinclair on those channels just yet. So it is still available through AT&T TV NOW. But it is unclear how much longer that will be the case.
And in most areas, you will also get your usual locals like ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and My Network TV. That will depend on whether or not the company that owns the local affiliates, has made a deal with AT&T to carry it on AT&T TV NOW. But in most markets all of the local channels are available. So you won’t need an antenna to get them. That’s another thing that differentiates itself from Sling TV.
You can check out which regional and local channels are available in your area by clicking here, and inputting your zip code.
