DIRECTV Has Lost 12 Million Subscribers Since AT&T Sale - The TV Answer Man! (2023)

FAQs

How many subscribers has DirecTV lost? ›

But as with the rest of the pay-TV biz, the operator has suffered steady declines over several years amid the rise in cord-cutting. DirecTV lost about 400,000 subscribers in the third quarter of 2022, to stand at an estimated 13.5 million customers, per Leichtman Research Group.

Now DIRECTV no longer has AT&T's huge customer base to pull from by offering bundle deals with AT&T's internet and wireless services. This all leaves DIRECTV as one of the most variable TV companies out there with no internet services, home phone, or even wireless service to help offset the losses in its TV business.

DirecTV reportedly lost around 500,000 customers in its most recent quarter, according to ratings agency Fitch. Although DirecTV's losses slowed during the height of the pandemic, they recently accelerated to nearly 17%, according to MoffettNathanson.

DirecTV's value rapidly declined under AT&T's stewardship, as the company reported a $15.5 billion impairment charge in January 2021.

AT&T TV NOW (formerly DIRECTV NOW) was the brand name of a live TV & on demand streaming service, and was rebranded DIRECTV STREAM in 2021.

DirecTV is the larger of the two, with about 35 million subscribers compared with the roughly 14 million households served by Dish Network. The key differences between Dish and DirecTV lie in their pricing, DVRs and customer service. Dish is more affordable, costing an average of $60 to $120 a year less than DirecTV.

DIRECTV is a great TV option for those who want loads of channels, access to NFL SUNDAY TICKET, and a traditional TV feel in their living room. This satellite TV service has all the channels you'll want—including premium channels, like HBO and SHOWTIME.

AT&T has officially gone nationwide with its new AT&T TV streaming service. That means DirecTV and U-verse are officially old news for the telecom giant. To be clear, DirecTV and U-verse aren't disappearing yet.

Each of Dish's satellites are only expected to be useful for 15 years, meaning that in another five and a half years, only one of Dish's satellites will still be within its estimated useful lifespan. He said the situation is similar for DirecTV's fleet and that neither company is building any replacements.

Will Fox come back to DirecTV? ›

Fox Corp. and DirecTV have come to terms on a new agreement and averted a potential blackout of a number of networks. With the previous deal set to expire Friday at midnight, the two companies announced a multi-year carriage renewal in a joint press release Saturday.

Yes, DirecTV Stream offers a free trial, and signing up is simple. To sign up, enter a phone number, email address and credit card, and you'll receive five days of the service without charge.

DIRECTV's cheapest offering is the ENTERTAINMENT package. At $64.99 a month for the first year, it gives you 165+ channels, including multiple ESPN and Disney channels, along with FX and IFC. A group of premium channels—HBO Max, Cinemax, SHOWTIME, STARZ, and MGM+ (formerly EPIX)—are free for the first three months.

Directv is currently under evaluation in probability of bankruptcy category among related companies.

DIRECTV STREAM is #1 in variety of TV shows over all other streaming providers.ⓘ Packages start at $74.99/mo. +tax, with no hidden fees and no annual contract required. Price subject to change for new and existing customers.

DIRECTV packages start at $74.99/mo. for 24 months plus taxes and fees for DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT, which includes 165+ Channels. Or, go all out with DIRECTV PREMIER^™ and get 340+ channels and 80,000+ On Demand titles.

No, DIRECTV doesn't currently offer senior discounts, but you can visit their website to check for ongoing promotions and deals.

Pricing: DISH, hands down, has the best pricing. While DIRECTV's and DISH's pricing looks similar, DIRECTV's monthly cost goes up to its current price after the second year of your contract, and DISH promises a 3-year price lock. That means you'll save money overall if you choose DISH.

What's the cheapest satellite TV provider? DISH is the cheapest satellite TV provider. For $60 per month, you can get 190 channels (plus taxes and fees). DIRECTV is the most expensive in the long run—although it looks like it's cheaper than DISH at first glance because prices go up after the introductory period.

OAN-owner Herring Networks had sued DirecTV and its owner AT&T in March 2022, claiming breach of contract. The lawsuit always seemed like an uphill battle for Herring Networks because DirecTV didn't take OAN off the air while they still had a carriage agreement.

What is the cheapest way to watch TV without cable? ›

The cheapest live TV services for cord-cutting are the free ones: Pluto TV, Xumo, and Local Now. There are paid ones that cost very little, like Philo, Frndly TV, and Sling (especially the individual Blue or Orange plans).

Is DIRECTV STREAM or Verizon better? For TV, Verizon is better than DIRECTV STREAM. Verizon Fios TV has the most channels, better picture quality, and no contracts.

You have a balance from last month's bill. You added additional equipment, or upgraded your current equipment (e.g., You upgraded an SD receiver to Genie, or added a Genie Mini) You incurred additional fees (e.g., Phone transaction fee, late fee, disconnection fee, Protection Plan cancellation fee, etc.)

Cable is better than DIRECTV. DIRECTV has two-year contracts. Some cable providers have no contracts, or at least no-contract plans (with higher prices).

EVERYTHING else becomes the property of the homeowner, that is why they never get dish or cabling back. The receiving dish once installed is your property. That is how it always has been. They never take it back.

The end of the satellite television dish is in sight after Sky said it would start offering most of its services via a set-top streaming box.

The DirecTV Now app will update automatically to become the AT&T NOW app when the changes go live, the company said. DirecTV Now rebranding isn't the only change to AT&T's streaming plans in recent months.

Sling Blue has one of the best price-quality ratios for cord-cutters. For only $40, you get access to big networks like AMC, Bravo, TBS, National Geographic, and NBC. This package from sling makes the most sense for cord-cutters who don't watch ESPN or the Disney Channel, which are included in the "Sling Orange" offer.

You can download the DIRECTV app onto many compatible smartphones and tablets, as well as TV streaming devices such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Goolge TV and other Android TV OS devices. You can also use the Chrome or Safari browser to access DIRECTV STREAM at https://stream.directv.com.

Do I own my DIRECTV equipment? ›

The DIRECTV satellite dish and associated hardware become the property of the customer after installation. This equipment is not required for return and DIRECTV cannot assist with removal or uninstallation of the dish.

For years there have been talks of a possible DIRECTV and DISH merger. Now the time may be finally right and 2023 may be the year the two satellite TV services merge.

DIRECTV STREAM subscriptions can be canceled online, but you will incur cancellation fees just as you would with a traditional subscription. Time your cancellation around the end of your billing cycle to avoid paying any additional prorated fees.

AT&T and TPG Capital have officially closed their transaction and established a new company named DirecTV. This new company will own and operate the DirecTV, AT&T TV and U-verse video services that were previously owned and operated by AT&T.

We've got some great news! FOX Corporation and DISH have reached a long-term agreement, and these FOX stations have been restored: FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports 2, Big Ten Network, FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes and FOX Owned and Operated Locals.

AT&T DirecTV customers no longer have access to local affiliate programming from major networks including ABC, Fox, NBC The CW and CBS due to an ongoing contract dispute with Nexstar.

While there's a chance it was just passing through, you're likely to see foxes return time and time again if: There's a water source such as a pond, fountain, swimming pool, puddles or a pet's water bowl. There's a food source such as bins, pet food or you're feeding other wildlife such as birds or hedgehogs.

This problem may be caused by bad weather (this is known as “rain fade”), trees or branches blowing in the line of sight of the receiver, or water pooling on your dish (in areas where dishes point more or less straight up.)

AT&T announced earlier this year that it would spin its video properties DirecTV, AT&T TV, and U-verse into a new company it would co-manage with private equity firm TPG Capital. That transaction is finally complete, and the services will now operate as a single company under the name DirecTV.

Yes, DirecTV Stream offers a free trial, and signing up is simple. To sign up, enter a phone number, email address and credit card, and you'll receive five days of the service without charge.

Is DirecTV going to get Fox back? ›

The new agreement covers FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network, Fox Deportes, Fox Soccer Plus, as well as retransmission consent for local Fox Television Stations across DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, and U-verse. The stations are in major cities in 18 markets, including New York and LA.

OAN-owner Herring Networks had sued DirecTV and its owner AT&T in March 2022, claiming breach of contract. The lawsuit always seemed like an uphill battle for Herring Networks because DirecTV didn't take OAN off the air while they still had a carriage agreement.

In March 2021, OAN's parent company Herring Networks filed a lawsuit against DirecTV in state court, arguing the company had breached its contract when it decided it would stop carrying the channel. This came after DirecTV informed Herring of its decision not renew in January 2021.

Yes, on August 26th, 2021, the names of AT&T TV and AT&T TV NOW have both changed to DIRECTV STREAM. Only the names have changed. New and current customers can expect the same excellent service, same great selection of channels and on demand library, same great Cloud DVR, and same great app functionality.