TV is evolving. Over the last few years we have:
- CBS, FOX and other major networks offering subscription-based streaming services
- Amazon Prime offering new TV series
- Netflix becoming a major player in original content
- Ruko, Amazon, AppleTV and others offering a platform to stream video content
- HBO offering HBO ToGo
And now A&T is offering DirecTV NOW.
AT&T is betting on streaming as the future of TV. AT&T believes that streaming TV will be the primary TV platform in 3-5 years. No more satellite dishes. No more cable TV boxes.
For $35 month, AT&T is offering over 100 channels over it’s new streaming service. The services is available on mobile, laptops, Ruko, Apple TV and other platforms. The service appears promising but it has a few major drawbacks. No DVR. In today’s time shifted lifestyle of watching what you want, when you want, this is a major miss.
The inability to pause live TV is an irritant. The quick run to the bathroom. Or the fridge. Or when you want to back the show up when you missed a key line in the show. What is this? The 90’s?
Another drawback is the lack of local programming – specifically local news. News is consumed in so many ways – social media, websites, mobile apps, push notifications. But sometimes people want to watch the news. This is never so apparent when there is a major event (election) or some wintery weather in the forecast.
I also need my NESN. Bruins. Red Sox. Hockey East. DirecTV NOW does not offer NESN.
I would love to drop Comcast. It would be a happy day. But it won’t be for AT&T DirecTV NOW. Not yet anyway.
