Details of DirecTV Now streaming service accidentally leaked to the public

Since AT&T purchased DirecTV, it’s been hoping to go the next level of providing TV. With the DirecTV Now service, it plans to go after customers who don’t have pay TV and would like to get without the dreaded box and wires. Some of the marketing plans for the service include providing free Apple TV and Fire TV stick devices to those who sign up.

According to Variety, AT&T accidentally released details of their plans online. These include some channels that are part of the service which have yet to be announced and some key features for viewers.

The service will cost $35 per month and offer more than 100 channels

One promotion to hook subscribers will be to offer free devices:

“…consumers who are willing to commit to at least three months of paid service will be able to get a free Apple TV as part of a device promotion. Consumers who pay for one month will get a free Fire TV streaming stick. Both devices are more expensive on their own than the service charges consumers would have to pay to qualify for each promotion.”

DirecTV Now has previously announced that Disney, HBO, NBCUniversal, Starz, Turner and Viacom networks will be part of the services.

As far as sports are concerned, expect to see ESPN, FS1 and NBCSN will be part of the lineup and there will be TBS and TNT for MLB and NBA games.

But even with the 100 channel lineup, there are some quirks like not every channel will be available to every subscriber due to local rights. And with on demand programming which is part of the marketing plan, not every network will support the idea of being able to stream within 72 hours of the original air date.

And one other quirk which might get subscribers angry is regarding NBC local programming:

“Subscribers will be able to stream local programming from NBC in some markets, but only on PCs and mobile devices. “NBC local channels are currently unavailable using streaming devices or smart TVs,” the leaked documents explain. (NBC didn’t respond to a request for comment from Variety.)”

There will be a 7-day trial for those who want to sample the service and for those who don’t sign up and want to continue viewing, there’s a limited service called “Freeview.”

Of course, details are subject to change.

[Variety]