DirecTV Laying Off 10% of Management Employees as It Continues to Lose Subscribers (2023)

FAQs

Why is DirecTV losing subscribers? ›

Satellite TV provider DirecTV also saw a big loss, losing an estimated 1.5 million subscribers in 2022, according to the research group. This comes as traditional media's move into streaming, which is meant to offset the loss in cable subscribers, is still in a transition phase.

DirecTV is laying off hundreds of employees — roughly 10% of its upper ranks — as the company looks to reduce costs amid the heightened pain of cord cutting for pay-TV providers, according to people familiar with the matter.

In the mid and late 2010s, AT&T was doubling down on TV by buying up TV companies. One of the first big deals was DIRECTV, but now DIRECTV is less than half the size it was when it was purchased in 2015.

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.

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.

At the center of the dispute: Newsmax has demanded DirecTV pay millions in carriage fees to continue including the channel in its lineup. DirecTV has refused, saying that it does not want to pass on added costs to its subscribers for a channel that a small percentage of viewers actually watch.

Once the largest pay TV company in the country with 20 million customers, DirecTV now has about 13 million. The pace of those losses has picked up over the past 12 months to about 2.5 million a year, so yes, Supino is right, at that rate there will be no subscribers left by this time in 2026.

‎DIRECTV Concession Ending for AT&T Employees by March 9, 2022 | DIRECTV Community Forums.

AT&T accounts for its investment in DirecTV, in which it owns 70 percent of the company, as equity, while TPG holds a 30 percent stake.

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.

How many subscribers does directv now have? ›

2014-2022. As of the fourth quarter of 2022, the number of Direct TV video subscribers was around 13.1 million in the United States.

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.

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.

Due to increased programming costs, we're adjusting the price of our video packages. Periodically, TV network owners increase the fees they charge DIRECTV^® for the right to broadcast their movies, shows, and sporting events. In addition, this year we have experienced higher-than-normal inflation across our suppliers.

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.

Which DIRECTV Plan Is Best for Seniors? While DIRECTV doesn't offer a senior discount or a specific plan for seniors, our favorite option would have to be DIRECTV CHOICE, which is just a few dollars more per month than their basic DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT package.

Cable is more reliable than satellite TV (DIRECTV), where weather can affect your signal.

Jenny Brown v. DIRECTV, LLC

On March 3, 2023, the Court granted final approval of the Settlement and the Claims Administrator will issue payments to claimants who made timely and valid claims. Prior to sending payments, the Claims Administrator requires eligible claimants to complete and submit an IRS Form W-9.

What channel is TUDN HD on DIRECTV? TUDN HD is on channel 464.

Does directv have true crime? ›

What channel is Oxygen True Crime HD on DIRECTV? Oxygen True Crime HD is on channel 251.

Fox said DirecTV, DirecTV Stream and U-Verse subscribers could lose access to Fox programming including the NFL on Fox, the Big Ten College Football Championship on Fox, the 2022 World Cup, FS1, Fox's local news channels and more beginning midnight on Friday.

That is how it always has been. They never take it back. You can either leave the dish where it is or recycle it yourself (LNB is electronic recycling, but the rest of the dish just plain metal).

DISH is the best satellite TV provider. DISH has better overall pricing that is consistent and offers the best bang for your buck. DISH's Hopper 3 is also an excellent DVR with 2,000 hours of storage space. DIRECTV offers 40 channels more than DISH, which are primarily premium channels.

AT&T - With a 90% turnover rate in the first year of employment, the job is a grind. Glassdoor. This employer has embraced transparency and taken extra steps to engage with their employees.

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Customers subscribed to the ENTERTAINENT, CHOICE, or ULTIMATE TV packages will receive three free months of HBO Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, Cinemax, and MGM+. New customers get a $200 Visa reward card when they switch from another TV provider. Some packages may vary by region.

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The DirecTV offer from Verizon is scheduled to end in October, and represents the tail-end of a long-term bundling agreement Verizon inked with DirecTV prior to AT&T's $49 billion acquisition of DirecTV that closed almost exactly a year ago.

AT&T agreed on Sunday to buy the satellite television operator DirecTV for $48.5 billion, trying to tilt the balance of power with media companies as the market for broadband Internet and video shifts. With the acquisition, AT&T becomes the latest telecommunications giant seeking to establish an even greater reach.

NEW YORK — A business dispute took CBS off the air for millions of satellite television customers of DirecTV and AT&T U-verse on Saturday. CBS was black on satellite systems owned by AT&T in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and 14 other large cities across the United States.

Why is DIRECTV losing local channels? ›

Sometimes, our DIRECTV STREAM network contracts expire. In most cases, we can renegotiate or extend them. We make every effort to reach fair agreements, so we can bring you the shows, movies, and events you enjoy. But if we can't, we may lose the right to carry certain networks, programs, or stations on DIRECTV STREAM.

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.

Fox Corporation (Nasdaq: FOXA, FOX) and DIRECTV today announced a multi-year renewal of FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network, FOX Deportes, FOX Soccer Plus, and retransmission consent for each of the local FOX Television Stations across DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM, and U-verse.

Subscribers: #1

Netflix is still considered the king of streaming, though Disney (above) and Amazon (our sleeper below) could both make counterclaims. Netflix ended 2022 with 230.75 million global paid subscribers, up nearly eight million from one quarter earlier.

You can stream DIRECTV STREAM on up to 20 compatible devices connected to your home network at the same time. Your home network is based on your billing address. You can use up to three of those streams on the go.

AT&T's massive customer losses

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 last month said the DirecTV/TPG deal will lower AT&T's expected revenue for the remainder of 2021 by $9 billion.

Focusing AT&T

DirecTV, U-Verse and AT&T TV Now are based around a linear TV business of broadcast and cable networks that is losing millions of subscribers each year. AT&T made the decision to focus on its connectivity and streaming assets, the company said in a statement.

“They were facing wireless competitive pressures and seeking a way to diversify,” he said. But AT&T (T) bought DirecTV just as the pay TV market began to dramatically — irreversibly — change. Netflix, Amazon Prime and other streaming businesses made cord-cutting a viable option for many television customers.

DirecTV maintains that its decision to drop Newsmax is strictly business-driven. Pay television providers are under growing pressure as more consumers drop their subscriptions due to rising costs and the popularity of streaming platforms.

DirecTV is saying its customers were left without Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central and 14 other channels on Wednesday after Viacom Inc. demanded that its networks be dropped from DirectTV's lineup in a dispute over fees.

What is the number for DirecTV loyalty? ›

We're here to help! You can contact us 7 days a week, 8AM to 12AM EST, by calling 888.388. 4249 .

DIRECTV requires a two-year contract but offers a two-year price guarantee. After those two years, you'll pay whatever amount DIRECTV has raised its package prices to since you signed up, which it calls “the current prevailing prices.”

If still under contract, you must pay an Early Termination Fee of $20 per month for each remaining month on your agreement. A one-time deactivation fee of $15 may also apply.

For starters, DIRECTV Stream is cheaper than DIRECTV for existing subscribers. The service's base package, called the Entertainment plan, costs $69.99 a month.

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.

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.

It starts with a voicemail that states, "I'm calling you from AT&T/DirecTV to let you know that your existing account qualifies for 50%..." While this voicemail sounds like a great deal, it's actually a scam call that is making the rounds again. AT&T confirms these calls are a scam and the company is not behind it.

Due to increased programming costs, we're adjusting the price of our video packages. Periodically, TV network owners increase the fees they charge DIRECTV^® for the right to broadcast their movies, shows, and sporting events. In addition, this year we have experienced higher-than-normal inflation across our suppliers.

Fox said DirecTV, DirecTV Stream and U-Verse subscribers could lose access to Fox programming including the NFL on Fox, the Big Ten College Football Championship on Fox, the 2022 World Cup, FS1, Fox's local news channels and more beginning midnight on Friday.

Is it worth switching from directv to dish? ›

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.

That is how it always has been. They never take it back. You can either leave the dish where it is or recycle it yourself (LNB is electronic recycling, but the rest of the dish just plain metal).

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.

DISH is the best satellite TV provider. DISH has better overall pricing that is consistent and offers the best bang for your buck. DISH's Hopper 3 is also an excellent DVR with 2,000 hours of storage space. DIRECTV offers 40 channels more than DISH, which are primarily premium channels.

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.

DIRECTV STREAM is available currently in the United States. All packages include cloud DVR storage and there are no hidden fees, equipment rentals or installation appointments required. All that is needed to get started is: A mobile phone number or email address.

Fox Corporation and DirecTV negotiated a new carriage agreement over the weekend, averting a channel blackout that would have affected 18 markets.