DirecTV App Update Adds TV Everywhere Options
An update to the DirecTV app gives subscribers remote access to live and recorded programming anywhere with mobile or Wi-Fi access, AT&T said in a news release Wednesday. App users also can restart live-streaming shows in progress or watch shows…
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
that aired within the previous 72 hours even if they weren't recorded on the DVR. Streaming video via the DirecTV or U-verse app no longer counts against subscribers' mobile data allotments when using Data Free TV on the AT&T mobile wireless network, the company said. The offering was criticized by Free Press, which has been critical of zero-rating consumer offerings (see 1606230065). "Tying broadband and legacy pay-TV subscriptions together like this is a huge problem. With these schemes, AT&T seems intent on favoring its own video content under the DirecTV brand," said Policy Director Matt Wood. "This isn’t really free data. It’s a way for AT&T to keep you paying for two services instead of one, and a roadblock designed to prevent you from using your data on any content AT&T doesn’t own. The anti-competitive implications for the video market are clear as a bell.” In a statement, AT&T said, "The data free feature empowers consumers by giving them more options and allows us to compete for customers in a highly competitive market.”