AT&T DIRECTV NOW Launches Nov. 30 starting at $35 per month

AT&T officially unveiled the final details for its DIRECTV NOW on-demand streaming video platform on Monday, including the launch date and the monthly pricing tiers. It will compete directly with services such as Sling TV and PlayStation Vue when it launches on November 30 starting at $35.

AT&T revealed these four different pricing tiers:

• Live a Little – $35 / month (60+ channels)
• Just Right – $50 / month (80+ channels)
• Go Big – $60 / month (100+ channels)
• Gotta Have it – $70 / month (120+ channels)

You’re going to want to sign up early

If you have any interest in the service at all, you should sign up early. AT&T is offering its “Go Big” package for just $35 per month for customers who sign up initially, and the price will apply “for as long as you keep the package, subject only to future reasonable programming price increases applicable to all packages.”

AT&T hasn’t yet provided the full breakdown of what channels are provided in each service tier but we expect that will change in the coming days.

AT&T will also allow subscribers to add additional services, such as HBO or Cinemax, on top of any package for an extra $5 per month. That’s $10 cheaper than the standalone HBO Now service, which is $15 per month. DIRECTV NOW will be accessible from Android and iOS devices, as well as Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Internet Explorer, Safari and Chrome. There’s an Apple TV app and Chromecasts are supported when accessed from Android devices. AT&T says support for casting from the iPhone is coming in 2017.

If you’re on a mobile device and you’re an AT&T Mobility subscriber on AT&T’s network, you’ll be able to stream DIRECTV NOW without taking a hit against data, too.

This might be an early deal-breaker for some: AT&T isn’t supporting Roku or Android TV at launch, two platforms where PS Vue and Sling TV are already available. It’s a weird omission, especially given Roku’s popularity in homes that have cut the cord. AT&T says Roku support is coming in 2017, however, when it also adds support for Smart TVs and Amazon Fire tablets.

DIRECTV Now has plenty of incentives

AT&T has a few incentives to get you started including an offer for a free Apple TV for folks who prepay for 3 months of DIRECTV NOW, or an Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote for folks who prepay for one month of service. It’s also offering 3 months of service to folks who buy a LeEco LE S3 or LePro 3 smartphone or a LeEco Super4 X43 Pro TV. Read this before buying a LeEco smartphone, though.

Customers who buy a Super4 X55 or Super4 X65 TV will receive 6 months of service, while folks who purchase the uMax8 ecotv will receive a full year of AT&T DirecTV Now. Finally, AT&T is offering a month of service to folks who buy select Lenovo laptops.

You can enter your email address and name to get alerted when the service goes live later this week. I’m a bit nervous about the lack of Roku support right now, but I think I’ll get over it given the $35 deal on “Go Big.” Who’s with me?