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FCC boss shares a fresh compromise on set-top box rules
The FCC and cable companies have been butting heads for nearly a year over how to regulate set-top boxes, and today FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler outlined his latest plan in an LA Times op-ed. The new plan to "Unlock the Box" is a compromise that embraces some earlier suggestions from the cable industry. Notably, Wheeler's proposal calls for pay-TV providers to create free apps that consumers can download on the device of their choice, such as Roku, Apple TV, Xbox One, PS4, smart TVs, or Windows, iOS and Android devices. Or, consumers can keep their set-top boxes.
DirecTV now streams many more channels on your phone
AT&T is pushing hard to get you streaming DirecTV on your smartphone. An update to the DirecTV iOS and Android apps mean you can now stream many more of the TV channels you can get at home. In The Verge's testing, the only big exceptions were 4K content, adult channels and pay-per-view. Oh, and you now have an easy way to watch recorded shows -- you can either download them to watch offline or stream them directly from your DVR.
AT&T uses loophole to deny low-income internet discounts
AT&T is using a technicality to refuse its FCC-mandated "Access From AT&T" discount program to low-income families that should qualify for it, according to the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA). In an absurd twist, the loophole is that its broadband speeds in the affected areas are too slow.
AT&T signs up HBO for its DirecTV Now streaming service
Back in March AT&T announced plans for a trio of DirecTV-branded streaming services it will launch later this year, and now it's stocking the cupboard with content. Disney recently announced that its channels (including ESPN and ABC) would be a part of the subscription packages, and tonight AT&T announced it will offer HBO & Cinemax as well. The deal is part of a renewal of HBO's agreement for the DirecTV and U-verse services, which AT&T is calling historic because it is an "all-platform" deal covering both traditional and streaming options.
Watch the Olympics in 4K Ultra HD on Comcast, DirecTV or Dish
The 2016 Summer Olympic Games are almost here, and despite the issues present in Rio, watching from home should be better than ever. If you're in need of something else to display on your brand new Ultra HD television then we have good news -- NBC will have 4K, HDR footage with Atmos surround sound available that's actually downsampled from 8K (which you can see for yourself, if you live in Japan). The only problem? Not every TV provider will be pushing it to viewers, and it will be on 24-hour tape delay.
UFC 200 will be on DirecTV and streaming to Sony TVs in 4K
Need a reason to get excited about UFC 200 this weekend even though the headlining match has been called off? You should know that it will be available in 4K, through a couple of outlets. DirecTV is delivering the match in 4K on channel 106, while owners of Sony's Android TV-powered Ultra HD televisions (made in 2015 or 2016) can access it via the UFC app. Those appear to be the only two 4K sources for the fight, which is suddenly without the cachet of Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier 2 thanks to a "potential Anti-Doping Policy violation" by the former.
NFL Sunday Ticket streams out-of-market games at no extra cost
Before now, DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket subscribers had to pay extra for the Max package in order to livestream out-of-market games. The television provider announced today that when the 2016 season starts this fall, the additional purchase will no longer be required. This means that anyone who opts in to Sunday Ticket will get access to every NFL game on both mobile and satellite TV without the need for an upgrade. However, if you still want options like Red Zone, Fantasy Zone and Short Cuts' condensed game replays, you'll want to continue with the Sunday Ticket Max add-on.
AT&T offers unlimited data on U-verse, with a catch
AT&T's U-verse internet service has had data transfer caps for years, but they're about to come off... if you're fiercely loyal to the company, anyway. The telecom is re-introducing unlimited data on May 23rd that will be free of charge, but only as long as you're also subscribing to either DirecTV or U-verse TV on the same bill. Determined to cut the cord? Unfortunately, it'll cost you $30 extra to get that same privilege.
DirecTV's first live 4K show is the Masters golf tournament
DirecTV has been talking about 4K broadcasts for a long time, and now it's finally ready to make them a practical reality. The satellite TV provider has revealed that its coverage of the Masters Tournament in Augusta will include its first-ever live 4K broadcast on the company's new DirecTV 4K channel... in fact, the first live 4K show in the US. When the 4-day golf competition kicks off on April 7th, you should see every last detail on the green -- important in an event that revolves around whacking a ball hundreds of yards through the air.
AT&T is bringing internet-style targeted advertising to TV
Targeted ads are coming to your TV by of AT&T. The telco is partnering with video advertising company Videology to sell ads based specifically on what the two think you're looking for, according to The Wall Street Journal. The tech is based on, among other things, the channels you watch and demographic info.
DirecTV streaming services won't require a satellite dish
AT&T isn't about to sit on its thumbs while Dish's Sling TV scoops up people eager to ditch conventional TV. It's introducing a trio of DirecTV streaming services in the fourth quarter of this year that won't require a satellite dish or existing AT&T services -- your phone, PC or media hub will be fine. The core service is DirecTV Now, which will offer "much" of DirecTV's regular live and on-demand content. If you're only interested in handheld video, DirecTV Mobile will offer a mix of "premium" videos and digital content on phones. And if you just want a peek, DirecTV Preview will give you a free, ad-supported slice of content from the networks and Otter Media, AT&T's online team-up with the Chernin Group.
Samsung's Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge arrive on March 11th
Samsung really, really doesn't want you to wait long to get your hands on a Galaxy S7. The company has announced that both the S7 and the S7 Edge will arrive in Europe and the US on March 11th, with pre-orders starting as early as February 23rd. In the US, the big four carriers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon) will offer the S7 starting at $23 per month on an installment plan, and the S7 Edge for $27 per month. How much you pay depends on the network, of course, but there's an important note here: Unlike the S6, there's only one 32GB capacity available for either S7 model. You'll have to spring for a microSD card if you need more storage.
The lawsuit that can change how you watch Major League Baseball (updated)
Major League Baseball is in court today to defend its practice of region-locking game broadcasts, Bloomberg Business reports. MLB's broadcast deals force some fans to purchase bloated TV and internet packages like DirecTV's Extra Innings or MLB.TV in order to watch the games they want, plaintiffs argue. Comcast and DirecTV join MLB as defendants against a class of fans certified by US District Judge Shira Scheindlin.
AT&T's unlimited mobile data plan is back
After discontinuing its unlimited mobile data plans back in 2010, AT&T has brought them back as a bundle with its U-Verse TV and new DirecTV services. If you're a subscriber on either of those, the plan costs $100 for a single smartphone, with additional lines at $40 each. That's a far cry from the $30 that grandfathered subscribers of the older Unlimited plans pay, though AT&T will also lop $10 off of your DirecTV or U-Verse bill. New subscribers will get throttled at the same 22GB limit as older users, but will also get unlimited texts and talking.
DirecTV will begin live 4K broadcasts early next year
4K is the way of the future, but until now, the selection of ultra-high-def content has been limited. Enter DirecTV. In an announcement made at New York's TranSPORT conference, the company noted that it will start broadcasting live 4K content in early 2016. The firm stated that it already has the technology in place and wants to start streaming UHD shows before its competitors. However, DirecTV wants to make sure that it has an impressive arsenal of broadcasts ready before launch, as "content is king," (that's a direct quote). Services like Roku and TiVo have both released 4K-capable set-top boxes but don't have a lot of UHD content to offer, which makes the technology somewhat moot.
Sprint's offering a year of free service for DirecTV customers
DirecTV and AT&T are sitting in that proverbial tree, but that isn't going to stop any telecom competitors from throwing rocks their way. Case in point: Sprint is running a promo that gives DirecTV customers a year of free cell service by switching to the Now Network. Of course you need to either be a new customer or adding an additional line of service through the telco, and even then it has to be either a Sprint Lease, iPhone Forever, Easy Pay or you have to cough up full retail price for a phone to take advantage of this. If you qualify for this sweet action you'll need to upload your recent satellite bill to the carrier's website. A $36 activation fee applies as do taxes and service charges that accrue on a monthly basis. Should you want in on this deal it'd be wise to hurry as it ends September 30th.
DirecTV's first 4K set-top box works with any screen
DirecTV only kinda-sorta launched 4K programming last year. You had to own both a specific DVR and a compatible Samsung TV to watch those extra-crispy documentaries and movies, which left many 4K TV owners 'stuck' with 1080p. It's going to be a lot easier after today, though -- the newly AT&T-owned provider has trotted out its first 4K set-top box, the 4K Genie Mini. The tiny device (roughly the size of a paperback) will deliver 4K to any set that can handle the higher resolution, not just DirecTV 4K Ready models. It'll handle Dolby Digital Plus audio, too, if you happen to have an eligible surround sound setup. This is still a long, long way from watching regular TV in 4K, but it should give you more to watch on that super-sharp display than the occasional Amazon or Netflix show.
AT&T offers DirecTV customers $500 to change phone service
Now that AT&T has finalized its acquisition of DirecTV, the carrier isn't wasting any time trying to bring in new wireless customers. Today, AT&T announced a promotion for people who are already subscribed to the satellite television provider, which includes up to $500 in bill credit. It's simple: DirecTV customers can get $300 applied to their account for every phone line switched over to AT&T, though each requires a device purchased through Next, the company's monthly installment plan. To make the deal more enticing, AT&T's also offering $200 for "eligible" smartphone trade-ins -- altogether, this could end up saving users a few hundred dollars if they decide to jump ship. "But what about me? I have U-Verse," you may be asking... There's nothing to be upset about, since these credits are available to you as well.
AT&T's first DirecTV plans include a $200 phone-and-TV combo
AT&T isn't waiting long to take advantage of its DirecTV acquisition. The telecom giant is introducing its first plans that incorporate the satellite TV provider, including a promo plan that could save you money if you need to get both cellphone and TV service at the same time. The offering gives you basic TV service for four receivers (through either DirecTV or U-verse) and four phone lines with 10GB of shared data for $200 per month over the first year. You'll need to agree to a 1- or 2-year TV contract and sign up between August 10th and November 14th, but you could save up to $600 in those initial 12 months -- no small amount, even though the rate is likely to change in the long run.
AT&T has the FCC's permission to buy DirecTV (update: done)
Just a couple of days after the DoJ said the deal could go through and FCC Commissioner Tom Wheeler recommend its approval, the FCC voted to make the $49 billion AT&T / DirecTV combo official -- with a few conditions. As we'd heard, the approval comes with strings (in place for four years) including a requirement AT&T expand its fiber network, hook up gigabit internet to eligible schools and libraries and provide affordable standalone internet for low-income customers in its service areas. Another requirement is aimed at AT&T's data usage caps, saying it can't use them to discriminate against other video services. The other net neutrality requirement says AT&T will have to disclose any interconnect agreements -- the ones Netflix is so concerned about -- to the FCC so it can monitor the terms. Are those requirements enough to make the deal worth it? Consumer advocate like the Free Press say no, but with the FCC's blessing the deal should be done soon. Update: And it's done. AT&T has announced the completion of the acquisition, and has an FAQ for current customers of either service with any questions. TL;DR version: No Sunday Ticket for U-verse, your current plans, channels and pricing won't change, but new cross-bundles are coming soon.
