Podcast #938: AT&T TV???

AT&T TV

How many TV services does AT&T have? Let’s count them. There is DirecTV, U-Verse, AT&T TV Now, and AT&T Watch TV. Kind of confusing huh. Well there is one more newly minted TV service from AT&T simply named AT&T TV. 

AT&T TV is a TV service that does not require a dish or cable connection but does require a set top box. In this case an Android based box. You need at least a 25Mbps internet connection but higher speeds will get higher quality streams. There is no installation from a professional. You simply plug in the set top box, connect it to the Internet and then to your TV. 

There are three packages ranging in price from $50 to $65 for the first 12 months but you need to sign up for a 24 month commitment. After the first year the prices go up! Plus you pay taxes and fees. Sound familiar?  

Other features include a cloud based DVR, Sports packages, and Premium channels. 

AT&T will continue to accept new signups for all it's TV services and has said that none of them are going away. 

Why?

This does not make sense to us. There is no compelling reason to choose this service over any of the other streaming services out there. Especially those that do not have any commitments including AT&T TV Now. What are your thoughts?

Comments from around the Internet

So....basically everything we hate about cable. Contracts plus bait and switch.Ohh. and a set top box.

This is a Bait and Switch Program. they give you an OK price to start with, but you have to do 2 Year Contract. Year 2 the prices goes up to the same cost as what Satellite and Cable. So the whole point with Cord Cutters is to reduce cost which this does not do and it locks you in for 2 years. Hard Pass…

Wow! 1981 all over again. Are they kidding? Any idea what the competition is doing? What the landscape looks like? A box? This is just stupid. Sorry.

DOA! Someone at AT&T should be fired over this. Probably not though. Is AT&T television the new BlackBerry - clueless?

I’m so confused by this offering. Who is the target market here??

Contracts? A set top box? Fees? Bundles? Price per month nearly doubles after one year? Sounds a lot like... cable. Do they think it's still 1985?