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January 19, 2021

It finally happened. AT&T TV Now, (formerly DirecTV Now), is officially dead. After near-constant package changes and price increases, AT&T moved it over to its AT&T TV service. In some ways, that helps with the naming confusions and service bloat, but AT&T TV might still have some struggles with the latest iteration of its cord-cutting offer.

Streamer's Spotlight: More on AT&T TV's Updates

There are questions circling over what exactly has happened to AT&T TV Now. We'll get you up to speed.

Did AT&T TV Now Shut Down?

Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Not quite yet. AT&T TV Now as a service is now dead for new customers. If you go to the AT&T TV Now website, you'll see a message that says it's not accepting new customers. If you're an existing AT&T TV Now customer, you can still use the service and sign in to your account via the website or the app.

Did AT&T Leave Cord-Cutting Behind?

Not quite. AT&T rolled its TV Now service over into its AT&T TV service. In some ways, this is a good thing. If you recall, AT&T at one point had three separate services sharing very similar names (AT&T TV, AT&T TV Now, and AT&T WatchTV). TV Now joins WatchTV in the extinction phase.

That said, AT&T TV now has a cord-cutting, no-contract option that lets you sign up and watch live TV channels without having to purchase a device from AT&T.

Is AT&T TV Equivalent to AT&T TV Now?

Here's where things get tricky. The look and feel of AT&T TV as a streaming service will look mostly the same. However, the baseline price for AT&T TV is now $69.99 per month (compared to $55 per month for the now-dead AT&T TV Now). The company also reduced the DVR storage to 20 hours per month (90-day limit). If you want the 500 hours of storage, it'll cost $10 per month extra.

Is AT&T TV Worth It?

Not if you're into saving money. AT&T TV now charges all of the same extra fees that you get with traditional cable. However, it's also one of the last remaining cord-cutting options that carry Fox Sports RSNS and NESN. So for sports fans, AT&T TV might still be a cost-saving venture.

This Week's Streaming Guide

1. 'Walker, Texas Ranger' Remake Hits CW Airwaves

The new version, Walker, comes to the CW this Thursday at 8 PM EST. - Watch The CW Live Without Cable

2. Critically-Acclaimed 'The White Tiger' Comes to Netflix

A man fights his way out of poverty in this India-produced crime drama in The White Tiger, available this Friday (January 22). - Watch on Netflix

3. Nature Documentary 'A Wild Year on Earth' Broadcasting on BBC America

Nature lovers will enjoy this broad look at animals and nature across 365 days of a calendar year. Stream on BBC America this Saturday (January 23) at 8 PM EST. - Watch BBC America Without Cable

4. 'Snowpiecer' Season 2 Premieres on TNT

The hit movie-turned-tv series is back for a second season. Watch on TNT this Monday (January 24) at 9 PM EST. - Watch TNT Live Without Cable

News and Industry Developments

1. AT&T Is Killing Off AT&T TV Now

This has some implications for current and future customers of the service. - Dallas News

2. Cord-Cutting Got Harder for Sports Fans

The loss of AT&T TV Now is a blow to cheap(ish) regional sports streaming. - TechHive

3. FuboTV Launching Sports Book Later This Year

And of course, the news has sent its stock value soaring. - Deadline

4. Netflix Announces 2021 Films

The list includes a big-budget ($160 million) film that stars Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot, and Dwayne Johnson - New York Times