Report: DirecTV to offer Apple TVs to new streaming subscribers
As AT&T prepares to launch its new streaming service, DirecTV Now, the communications giant may dangle an enticing offer to lure hesitant customers: a free Apple TV.
In customer support documents spotted by Variety, it appears that AT&T will be offering those who sign up for three months of the $35-per-month TV service upfront a free Apple TV streaming box. Those who sign up for one month will get a free Amazon Fire TV Stick.
Apple TV currently retails for $149 while Amazon's Fire TV Stick goes for $39.99. At $35 per month, both offers are cheaper than buying the respective devices outright.
AT&T declined to comment.
The devices will become de facto "cable boxes" for DirecTV Now, allowing you to open the app to watch live TV on your television, though you would also be able to use them to watch Netflix, Hulu, HBO or any number of the other apps available.
Similar to rival services such as Dish-owned Sling TV, DirecTV Now streams channels over the internet allowing you to also watch from a computer, tablet or phone, untethering you from needing a traditional set-top box and satellite.
Sling offers those who prepay for three months of its $20 per month service a free Roku streaming stick (a $49.99 device).
In addition to details on devices, Variety also gleaned some information about the channels the service will offer. Among some of the titles spotted were Galavision, Univision and UniMas, Fox and MundoFox, CBS, HDNet Movies, the Hallmark Channel and the Sony Movie Channel.
AT&T has announced it plans to carry channels from Disney and NBC, including ABC and ESPN, though as with other streaming services exactly which networks — particularly broadcast networks ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox — will be carried in which markets remains unclear.
The telecom giant has previously said the service will offer more than 100 channels. A free ad-supported version of the service called DirecTV Preview will also be available, although what channels it will get is also unknown.
Also unknown: when exactly AT&T will launch the service, though the company has previously said it plans to launch before the end of the year.
Follow Eli Blumenthal on Twitter @eliblumenthal.