Updated – DIRECTV Ends DIRECTV Stream Brand

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow on X.
Former Satellite DIRECT editor. Covered DIRECTV for 30 years.

DIRECTV Ends DIRECTV Stream Brand

DIRECTV says it will eliminate the DIRECTV Stream brand and web site today and offer all streaming and satellite plans via DIRECTV.com.

”All options are now under one umbrella/brand at DIRECTV.com,” a DIRECTV spokesperson tells The TV Answer Man. “The DIRECTVStream.com website domain will be going away as a standalone site, but all information can still be found on the updated DIRECTV.com site.”

Will the Brand Change Affect DIRECTV Stream Subscribers?

The move will not affect current DIRECTV Stream subscribers who can continue watching their programming via the DIRECTV app or at the DIRECTV web site. The branding change from DIRECTV Stream to DIRECTV.com will also not affect existing or new satellite customers who can still order a dish package at the DIRECTV web site.

The TV provider is now also offering streaming customers the company-supplied Gemini Air streaming device for $10 a month without a two-year agreement. Previously, Gemini users had to agree to the two-year pact which included a penalty of $20 for every month left in the contract if you cancelled early.

The Gemini Air device includes a universal search/voice remote and pre-installed apps such as Netflix, Hulu and ESPN Plus. DIRECTV streaming subs can still use their own streaming device if they prefer.

Update – Is the Choice Plan Really $89.99?

Why DIRECTV Ends DIRECTV Stream?

DIRECTV, which has lost millions of subscribers over the last several years due to cord-cutting, has actively sought to reinvent its TV business by focusing on streaming plans and slimmer and less expensive genre-based packages. However, the message arguably has been somewhat muddled by its offering of multiple services with different names. In addition to DIRECTV’s satellite service, and DIRECTV Stream, the company sold a separate streaming plan called DIRECTV via Internet which included a Gemini set-top. The move to a single brand, DIRECTV, could reduce consumer confusion and generate more subscriptions.

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Why Is DIRECTV Eliminating the Two-Year Contract For Gemini Users

DIRECTV would prefer that more subscribers use the Gemini device over a user-owned product such as Roku because the company owns Gemini’s data while Roku owns the data in its devices. That helps DIRECTV in developing marketing and advertising programs that generate revenue in addition to subscriber fees. However, some subscribers likely decided to use their own devices instead of Gemini because they didn’t want to enroll in the two-year agreement. Now that barrier has been lifted which could accelerate Gemini use.

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Phillip Swann

Who Is The TV Answer Man?
The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered television for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch TV. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.