Making television easy again. By Phillip Swann
AT&T today released its second quarter earnings report and the numbers continue to paint a horrifying picture for the company’s TV business. According to the report, AT&T lost 4.5 million TV subscribers from June 30, 2019 to June 30, 2020, falling to 18.4 million from 22.9 million. The numbers include losses for DIRECTV, U-verse and
Q. I don’t understand what AT&T is doing with DIRECTV or U-verse, either. They raise prices. They stop selling it in some places. It makes no sense to me. It doesn’t seem like they really want to be in the TV business even though they paid all that money for DIRECTV. What’s the deal with
Despite accelerating customer defections, AT&T today raised the first-year monthly price for new subscribers to DIRECTV and AT&T TV. The company, however, has not raised monthly fees for its live streaming service, AT&T TV Now, nor for DIRECTV and AT&T TV’s existing customers. New subscribers to DIRECTV now must pay $59.99 a month for the
Q. I’ve been watching the Smithsonian Channel on DIRECTV, but it’s not there anymore. How do I get the channel back?! It has some great documentaries! — Hank, Toledo, Ohio. Hank, DIRECTV in March offered a free preview of about 50 channels to help Coronavirus shut-ins pass the time. However, the preview has ended, or
Q. I’ve had DIRECTV for a long time and I remember when AT&T took it over that they made a bunch of promises. Curious if they actually kept those promises. Can you look them up and see? — Teresa, Dunkirk, Maryland. Teresa, you have a great memory. On July 24, 2015, the day AT&T completed
AT&T announced today that its DIRECTV and U-verse TV services combined for a net loss of 897,000 subscribers in the first quarter. The company’s streaming service, AT&T TV Now, also lost 138.000 subscribers, bringing the company’s total TV losses to more than one million in the quarter. This was the first insight into how the
AT&T has announced that it’s no longer selling its U-verse TV service to new customers. The telco made the announcement today on the U-verse page at ATT.com. “To help our employees serve our existing customers, we’re no longer selling U-verse TV. Service for existing U-verse TV customers is not impacted,” the company states. What’s unclear
Q. You’ve written a lot about AT&T’s plans for DIRECTV, but what about U-verse? Are they going to keep it going or do they plan to shut it down? — Rita, Clemson, South Carolina. Rita, the AT&T-owned U-verse will celebrate its 14th anniversary this June, but I would be surprised if it turns 15. Let
AT&T-owned TV services today are kicking off a free preview of four premium channels as a way to help Coronavirus shut-ins pass the time. DIRECTV and U-verse subscribers today will be able to watch Starz for free until April 2. Then, on April 2, Epix will be available for free until April 16 for subscribers
Q. I read today that AT&T is shutting U-verse down because they have a new TV service. I have had U-verse for several years. Am I going to lose my service today or this week? How will this happen? Will I get a refund? — Helena, town not given. Helena, you can calm down. Let
Q. I am so mad right now. I read your post about DIRECTV cutting prices for new customers, but what about us, the people who have had DIRECTV for years. When will we ever get a break? I am so fed up with these people!! — Stacey, Laurel, Maryland. Stacey, you’re right. AT&T, which owns
AT&T, which lost roughly four million TV subscribers in 2019, has quietly dropped the price for new subscribers to its two leading TV services, DIRECTV and U-verse. New subscribers to DIRECTV can now pay $49.99 a month for the first year of its Select plan (155 channels), compared to $59.99 previously; $59.99 a month for