DirecTV Stream

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A United States streaming multichannel television service formerly operated under the DirecTV and AT&T brands.

Last updated August 25, 2026

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Overview

DirecTV Stream was a United States subscription streaming television service that delivered live broadcast and cable channels, as well as on-demand programming, over an internet connection rather than through a satellite dish. It was designed principally for cord-cutters and for customers who wanted a pay-television bundle usable on consumer streaming hardware such as Roku and Amazon Fire TV, while also supporting selected Samsung, LG, and Vizio smart-TV platforms and mobile devices. The service began on November 30, 2016, as DirecTV Now. Its initial proposition was a relatively flexible alternative to satellite and traditional cable television, with no long-term contract and packages built around live national networks. The service later underwent several significant commercial and branding changes. In 2019, AT&T reorganized the package structure, reduced the number of channels in the entry offering, included HBO in the base tier, and raised prices. The changes were followed by subscriber losses, which AT&T attributed in part to higher pricing and reduced promotional activity. AT&T subsequently developed a related but distinct product called AT&T TV. Unlike DirecTV Now, AT&T TV was designed around a broader pay-TV proposition that could include an Android TV-based set-top box, optional or required equipment arrangements depending on the offer, cloud DVR functionality, and, in some cases, contract-based sales and internet bundles. DirecTV Now was renamed AT&T TV Now, while AT&T TV was positioned as the company’s principal streaming pay-TV service. The overlapping names created confusion between the two products and their relationship to the satellite DirecTV service. AT&T TV launched nationally in March 2020. In January 2021, AT&T stopped accepting new AT&T TV Now customers and directed customers toward the newer AT&T TV packages. On August 2, 2021, AT&T completed the separation of its DirecTV, U-verse, and AT&T TV businesses into a new DirecTV company, with AT&T retaining a majority stake and TPG Capital holding a minority stake. The provider then adopted the DirecTV Stream name, consolidating the no-contract streaming proposition under the DirecTV identity. DirecTV Stream generally offered several tiers, including Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate, and Premier. Depending on the package and market, the service included general-interest entertainment, news, sports, premium movie networks, and regional sports networks. It used a common DirecTV application ecosystem that also supported internet-delivered programming for other DirecTV customers. Unlike DirecTV via Internet, the satellite-company’s more equipment-oriented internet television offering, DirecTV Stream did not require the Gemini device or a long-term contract, although a compatible streaming device could be used. The service faced the same economic pressures affecting much of the live-streaming television sector: expensive network-distribution agreements, competition from cable and satellite providers, and pressure to balance introductory discounts against profitability. DirecTV Stream raised prices in January 2023, with many customers paying an additional five to ten dollars per month. On April 13, 2025, DirecTV announced that it would discontinue DirecTV Stream as a standalone brand and merge its content into the regular DirecTV service. The brand is therefore historically significant as a sequence of DirecTV and AT&T streaming television offerings, but is no longer an active standalone service.

History

DirecTV Stream originated as DirecTV Now, which launched on November 30, 2016. It was created as an internet-delivered alternative to DirecTV’s satellite television service, allowing customers to watch live television without installing a dish or signing a multiyear satellite contract. The service supported common streaming hardware and mobile devices, making it part of the broader shift from traditional pay television toward over-the-top distribution. AT&T gradually expanded the service’s capabilities and sought to connect it with its other television businesses. In 2017, the company was reported to be preparing cloud DVR functionality as part of a unified platform strategy covering DirecTV, DirecTV Now, and U-verse. The product’s commercial model remained dependent on licensing agreements with major broadcast, cable, sports, and premium-content groups. In March 2019, AT&T altered DirecTV Now’s plans for new subscribers. The entry-level structure contained fewer channels, HBO became part of the base offer, and prices increased for customers. The changes were followed by a loss of 168,000 subscribers in the second quarter of 2019, leaving the service with approximately 1.3 million subscribers according to AT&T’s reported figures. The company cited higher prices and less promotional activity among the causes. AT&T then introduced a related service called AT&T TV. Announced in July 2019 and initially rolled out in selected markets, AT&T TV used an Android TV-based set-top box and supported cloud DVR storage. It was designed as a more traditional pay-TV product than DirecTV Now, with equipment and, in some offers, contract-based arrangements. At the same time, DirecTV Now was renamed AT&T TV Now. The similar branding of AT&T TV, AT&T TV Now, DirecTV, and U-verse made the company’s product architecture difficult for customers and observers to distinguish. AT&T TV launched nationally on March 2, 2020. AT&T described it as a central component of its pay-TV strategy, particularly where broadband quality supported streaming. Subscriber performance remained challenging: AT&T TV Now lost 138,000 subscribers during the first quarter of 2020, and the combined service declined to about 788,000 subscribers from a reported peak of approximately 1.86 million after introductory discounts were reduced. In January 2021, AT&T discontinued its Plus and Max plans for new customers and stopped selling AT&T TV Now to new subscribers, directing new business to AT&T TV packages. AT&T announced in February 2021 that it would separate DirecTV, U-verse, and AT&T TV into a new company. The transaction closed on August 2, 2021, with AT&T retaining a majority interest and TPG Capital taking a minority interest. Following the transaction, the provider used the DirecTV Stream name for its no-contract internet television offering. Its packages included Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate, and Premier, with differences in channel breadth, sports access, and premium programming. DirecTV Stream competed with cable, satellite television, and other live-streaming services. Its distinction from DirecTV via Internet was that Stream emphasized use of a customer’s existing compatible device, did not require the Gemini receiver, and generally avoided a long-term contract. Both services nevertheless shared applications and much of the underlying channel ecosystem. The service increased prices in January 2023 after announcing that distribution costs for broadcast and cable networks had risen. On April 13, 2025, DirecTV announced the end of DirecTV Stream as a standalone brand and the integration of its content into the regular DirecTV service. This ended the brand’s separate operating identity after a sequence of DirecTV Now, AT&T TV Now, AT&T TV, and DirecTV Stream iterations.

2025
Standalone brand discontinued
[1]DirecTV Streamen.wikipedia.org
DirecTV announced that DirecTV Stream would be folded into the regular DirecTV service.
2023
Subscription price increase
[1]DirecTV Streamen.wikipedia.org
DirecTV Stream raised prices for many customers to address higher network-distribution costs.
2021
AT&T TV Now sales discontinued
[1]DirecTV Streamen.wikipedia.org
AT&T stopped accepting new AT&T TV Now customers and shifted acquisition toward AT&T TV packages.
2021
DirecTV Stream name adopted
[1]DirecTV Streamen.wikipedia.org
After the DirecTV business was separated from AT&T, the streaming provider adopted the DirecTV Stream brand.
2020
AT&T TV launches nationally
[1]DirecTV Streamen.wikipedia.org
AT&T TV became available nationwide on March 2.
2019
Package restructuring and price increases
[1]DirecTV Streamen.wikipedia.org
The service introduced a revised package structure, reduced the entry tier’s channel count, added HBO to the base package, and raised prices.
2019
AT&T TV announced
[1]DirecTV Streamen.wikipedia.org
AT&T announced a separate streaming television product with an Android TV-based box and cloud DVR, while renaming DirecTV Now as AT&T TV Now.
2016
DirecTV Now launches
[1]DirecTV Streamen.wikipedia.org
AT&T launched DirecTV Now on November 30 as a no-satellite, internet-delivered live television service.

Products and positioning

A contract-free, internet-delivered alternative to satellite and cable television for United States households seeking live channels on mainstream streaming devices.

Streaming television · 2016
Live television subscription
The core service provided live streams of broadcast and cable networks over broadband internet. Subscribers could use compatible Roku, Amazon Fire TV, smart-TV, phone, and tablet platforms instead of a satellite dish. Channel availability varied by package and, for sports and broadcast programming, by market.
Base channel package
Entertainment
Entertainment was the entry-level package in the final principal DirecTV Stream lineup. It supplied a broad selection of general entertainment, news, and lifestyle networks without the additional sports and premium breadth available in higher tiers.
Sports-oriented channel package
Choice
Choice added channels and sports access beyond the Entertainment tier. In markets where regional sports networks were available, the package was positioned for households seeking more local and national sports programming.
Expanded channel package
Ultimate
Ultimate provided a larger channel assortment than the lower tiers, combining additional entertainment and sports networks for subscribers seeking a fuller replacement for a conventional pay-TV bundle.
Premium channel package
Premier
Premier was the top principal package and included the broadest channel selection, including premium movie and entertainment networks such as HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, and Starz, subject to the applicable service configuration.

Controversies

2019
AT&T TV Now subscriber-reporting lawsuit
A class action lawsuit alleged that AT&T used aggressive sales practices, provided unwanted AT&T TV Now subscriptions without customer consent, and overstated subscriber numbers. The complaint also alleged misleading statements connected with AT&T’s regulatory filings concerning its Time Warner acquisition.
Source

2025
Consolidation into regular DirecTVStrategy
Background
DirecTV moved to simplify its product architecture and end the separate identity of the streaming service.
Action taken
DirecTV announced that DirecTV Stream would cease as a standalone brand and that its content would be merged with the regular DirecTV service.
Aftermath
DirecTV Stream no longer operated as an independent consumer brand.
Source
2023
Price increase to offset programming-distribution costsPrice change
Background
DirecTV cited higher costs associated with distributing broadcast and cable networks.
Action taken
Most customers received monthly price increases of approximately five to ten dollars beginning January 22, 2023.
Aftermath
The increase represented the second consecutive year in which DirecTV Stream raised customer prices.
Source
2021
Separation of DirecTV from AT&TM&A
Background
AT&T announced a restructuring of its pay-TV assets, including DirecTV, U-verse, and AT&T TV.
Action taken
The businesses were transferred to a standalone DirecTV company backed by AT&T and TPG Capital, after which the streaming service adopted the DirecTV Stream name.
Aftermath
The service continued under the DirecTV identity until its later consolidation into the regular DirecTV offering.
Source
2019
Higher prices and revised DirecTV Now plansPrice change
Background
AT&T was attempting to make the streaming television business more sustainable while changing the balance of channels and premium content in the entry package.
Action taken
The company reduced the number of channels in the base structure, included HBO in the base offer, and raised prices for subscribers.
Aftermath
The service lost subscribers during the second quarter of 2019, with AT&T citing higher prices and less promotional activity among the contributing factors.
Source
2019
Creation of the AT&T TV product familyStrategy
Background
AT&T wanted a broader streaming pay-TV product that could use proprietary equipment, cloud DVR, and, in some offers, contracts or broadband bundles.
Action taken
AT&T introduced AT&T TV, renamed DirecTV Now as AT&T TV Now, and gradually positioned AT&T TV as its principal streaming television offer.
Aftermath
The overlapping names complicated the distinction between the company’s streaming, satellite, and U-verse products.
Source

Recent events

2021-08-03
AT&T completes divestiture of DirecTV[3]AT&T完成剥离DirecTVfinance.sina.com.cn
Reported: 2021-08-03
AT&T completed the transaction to divest its satellite television subsidiary DirecTV. The new entity, DirecTV Stream, has TPG among its equity holders.
2020-07-01
AT&T TV and DirecTV raise prices for new customers[4]AT&T TV 与 DirecTV 调高新客户价格nexttv.com
Reported: 2020-07-01
AT&T raised prices across tiers for new customers of AT&T TV and DirecTV. The increases applied to first-year promotional bills for AT&T TV and added $10 per month across DirecTV tiers.
2020-03-02
AT&T TV launches nationwide[5]AT&T TV在全美推出nexttv.com
Reported: 2020-03-02
AT&T TV launched nationwide in the United States on March 2, according to the report. The service is delivered over broadband and uses an Android-based set-top box.

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