In 2019, AT&T rebranded its DIRECTV NOW livestreaming service as AT&T TV NOW. This is not to be confused with AT&T TV, a separate service. Buckle up while we break down AT&T’s latest streaming service.
Now that that’s out of the way, read on to find out if AT&T TV NOW is right for you.
AT&T TV NOW (formerly known as DIRECTV NOW) is a livestreaming service with 125+ channels distributed among seven rather pricey packages.
Our opinion as cord-cutters is that AT&T TV NOW is cable dressed in streaming clothes—but at least it doesn’t have contracts. But in our 2020 streaming TV customer satisfaction survey—the first to include AT&T TV NOW—it scored 4.08 out of 5.00 (2nd place).
You can take AT&T TV NOW for a spin with a free seven-day trial. It’s available for both the PLUS and MAX plans, as well as the international packages (Vietnamese, Brazilian, and Korean).
While HBO Max and CINEMAX come free with the MAX plan, new AT&T TV NOW customers get a free year of HBO Max with any package.
And for a limited time, new customers get a free month of SHOWTIME® with the code SHOW1MO.
| AT&T TV NOW | Best overall YouTube TV | Best value Hulu + Live TV | Best for kids Sling TV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $65– $135/mo. | $49.99/mo. | $44.99– $50.99/mo. | $30.00– $45.00/mo. |
| Star rating | 3.52 / 5.00 | 4.50 / 5.00 | 4.22 / 5.00 | 3.89 / 5.00 |
| Free trial | 7 days | 7 days | 7 days | 3 days |
| Live channels* | 45–125+ | 85+ | 60+ | 30–50+ |
| Streams | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1–4 |
| Cloud DVR | 500 hrs. | Unlimited | 50 hrs. | 10 hrs. |
| Supported devices** | 12 | 16 | 20 | 15 |
| View plans | View plans | View plans | View plans |
*Advertised channel counts. These may vary.
**Based on count conducted by CableTV.com on 07/27/20.
Again, AT&T TV NOW is the most expensive livestreaming service. But if you really wanna go with AT&T TV NOW, we recommend MAX for its sports channels and free HBO Max.
As for other features, AT&T TV NOW has the same one-week trial as most of its rivals (PlayStation Vue’s trial is five days), the minimum acceptable amount of multiple streams (two, plus another for $5 a month), and supports fewer devices than other comparable streaming services.
How much TV do you want? How badly do you want it?
| Price | Live channels | Cost per channel* | Cloud DVR | Streams | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLUSView plan | $55/mo. | 45+ | $1.22 | 500 hrs. | 3 |
| Our pick MAXView plan | $80/mo. | 60+ | $1.33 | 500 hrs. | 3 |
| ENTERTAINMENTView plan | $93/mo. | 65+ | $1.43 | 500 hrs. | 3 |
| CHOICETMView plan | $110/mo. | 85+ | $1.29 | 500 hrs. | 3 |
| XTRAView plan | $124/mo. | 105+ | $1.18 | 500 hrs. | 3 |
| ULTIMATEView plan | $135/mo. | 125+ | $1.08 | 500 hrs. | 3 |
| OPTIMO MÁSView plan | $86/mo. | 90+ | $0.95 | 500 hrs. | 3 |
| International packages | |||||
| VietnameseView plan | $20/mo. | 9 | $2.22 | 20 hrs. | 2 |
| BrazilianView plan | $30/mo. | 2 | $15.00 | 20 hrs. | 2 |
| KoreanView plan | $30/mo. | 12+ | $2.50 | 20 hrs. | 2 |
International packages
Package | Price | Live channels | Cost per channel* | Cloud DVR | Streams |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VietnameseView plan | $20/mo. | 9 | $2.22 | 20 hrs. | 2–3 |
| BrazilianView plan | $30/mo. | 2 | $15.00 | 20 hrs. | 2–3 |
| KoreanView plan | $30/mo. | 12+ | $2.50 | 20 hrs. | 2–3 |
*Based on advertised channel count.
Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Five of AT&TV TV NOW’s seven plans are the same as AT&T TV packages—but AT&T TV NOW’s versions are 41% more expensive. So many packages and such high prices remind us of cable plans. Like, exactly. Minus the contracts.
Cord-cutters seek a simpler, more independent experience. AT&T TV NOW has too many packages and high prices. Give us one to three reasonably priced plans with à la carte options, and we’ll be happy.
The two best packages, the ones most comparable to those of other streaming services, are PLUS ($55 a month) and MAX ($80 a month). MAX is a pretty good deal for 60+ channels plus free CINEMAX® and HBO® Max.
That said, YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV aren’t out of competition yet. We’ll explain soon.
Let’s see how AT&T TV NOW’s live channel lineup stacks up against those of Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV.
| AT&T TV NOW | Best overall YouTube TV | Best value Hulu + Live TV | Best for kids Sling TV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
A | ||||
| A&E | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| AWE | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| ABC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| ABC News Live | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| ACC Network Extra | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| ACORN TV | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Accuweather | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Adult Swim | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| AMC | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| American Heroes | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Animal Planet | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Antena 3 | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Aspire | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Atres Series | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| AXS TV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Azteca | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
B | ||||
| Baby First | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Baby TV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Bandamax | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| BBC America | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| BBC World News | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| BET | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| BET Her | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Big Ten Network (BTN) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Bloomberg TV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Boomerang | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Bravo | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
C | ||||
| C-SPAN | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| C-SPAN 2 | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Canal 22 Internactional | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| CANAL ONCE | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Caracol TV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cartoon Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Cartoon Network East | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| CBS | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| CBSN | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| CBS Sports Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Centroamérica TV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cheddar | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cheddar Business | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Cheddar News | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cine Estelar | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cine Mexicano | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cine Nostalgia | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cine Sony | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cinelatino | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| CINEMAX® | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cinémoi | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| CMT | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| CNBC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| CNBC World | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| CNN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| CNNe | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| CNN en Español | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| CNN International | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Comedy Central | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Comedy TV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| COMET | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Cooking Channel | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| The Cowboy Channel | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| COZI TV | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| CW | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓* |
D | ||||
| De Película | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| De Película Clásico | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Decades | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Destination America | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Discovery Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Discovery en Español | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Discovery Familia | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Discovery Family | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Discovery Life | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Disney Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Disney Junior | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Disney XD | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| DIY Network | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
E | ||||
| E! | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ecuador TV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Ecuavisa Internacional | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Enlace | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| ESPN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| ESPN2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| ESPNEWS | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| ESPNU | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| ESPN Bases Loaded | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| ESPN College Extra | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| ESPN Deportes | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| ESPN Goal Line | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Estrella TV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
F | ||||
| FM | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Food Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| FOROtv | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| FOX | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| FOX Business Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| FOX Deportes | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| FOX News Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| FOX Sports 1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| FOX Sports 2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| FOXlife | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Freeform | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Fuse | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Fusion | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| FX | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| FXM | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| FXX | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| fyi | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
G | ||||
| Galavision | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Game Show Network (GSN) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Golf Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| GolTV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Great American Country (GAC) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
H | ||||
| Hallmark Channel | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Hallmark Drama | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Hallmark Movies & Mysteries | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| HBO | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| HGTV | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| HISTORY | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| HISTORY en Español | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| HITN TV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| HLN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hola TV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
I | ||||
| IFC | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investigation Discovery | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
J | ||||
| Justice Central | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
L | ||||
| LAFC | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Law & Crime | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Lifetime | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Lifetime Movie Network | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Local Now | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Logo | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
M | ||||
| MegaTV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| MLB Game of the Week | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| MLB Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Motor Trend | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| MSNBC | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| MTV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| MTV Classic | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| MTV2 | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Multimedios | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
N | ||||
| NASA | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| National Geo Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Nat Geo Mundo | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Nat Geo WILD | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| NBA TV | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| NBC | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓** |
| NBCSN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓** |
| NBC Sports | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓** |
| NBC Universo | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓** |
| NESN | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| New England Cable News | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Newsy | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| NFL Network | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| NHL Network | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Nick Jr. | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Nicktoons | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| NTN24 | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Nuestra Tele | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
O | ||||
| Olympic Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| One American News | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Orlando City | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Outdoor Channel | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Outside TV | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Ovation | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| OWN | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Oxygen | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
P | ||||
| Pac-12 | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Paramount Network | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Pasiones | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| PBS | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Perú Mágico | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| PixL | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Pop | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
Q | ||||
| QVC | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| QVC2 | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
R | ||||
| REELZ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Revolt | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| RFD-TV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
S | ||||
| Science | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| SEC Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Shudder | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Smithsonian Channel | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| SNY | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Sounders FC | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Sportsman Channel | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| STARZ ENCORE Action | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| STARZ ENCORE Black | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| STARZ ENCORE Classic | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| STARZ ENCORE East | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| STARZ ENCORE Family | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| STARZ ENCORE Suspense | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| STARZ ENCORE West | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| STARZ ENCORE Westerns | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Sundance Now | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Sundance TV | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| SUR Perú | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Syfy | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
T | ||||
| TBS | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| TCM | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Tastemade | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Taylor Swift Now | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| TeenNick | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Telecentro | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Telefe | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Telemundo | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Tennis Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| TLC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| TNT | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tr3s | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Travel Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| truTV | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| TV Chile | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| TV Land | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| TV One | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| TVE | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| TVG | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| TVV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| TyC Sports | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| TYT | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
U | ||||
| Unimás | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Universal Kids | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Univision | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Univision Deportes Network | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Univision tlnovelas | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Up TV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| USA Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
V | ||||
| VePlus | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| VH1 | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| VICE | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| VideoRola | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| ViendoMovies | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Vme | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
W | ||||
| WAPA América | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| WE tv | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| The Weather Channel | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| World Fishing Network | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Y | ||||
| YES | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| YouTube Originals | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
Z | ||||
| ZooMoo | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
Based on research conducted by CableTV.com on 07/27/20.
* Antenna required
** Select markets only (otherwise, antenna required)
So what channels does AT&T TV NOW have that its livestreaming competitors lack? Mainly Spanish-language channels, regional sports networks, and premium channels—not just HBO, but also the STARZ ENCORE channels in ULTIMATE ($135.00 a month, 125+ channels).
But again, you can find most of what you need with MAX ($80, 60+ channels, more sports, free CINEMAX and HBO Max). Most of AT&T TV NOW’s other packages are just too expensive.
What sports channels does AT&T TV NOW have?
| AT&T TV NOW | Best overall YouTube TV | Best value Hulu + Live TV | Best for kids Sling TV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACC Network | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ABC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓* |
| beIN Sports | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Big Ten Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CBS | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓* |
| CBS Sports Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| ESPN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ESPN2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ESPNEWS | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ESPNU | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ESPN Bases Loaded | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| ESPN College Extra | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ESPN Deportes | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| ESPN Goal Line | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| FOX | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓* |
| FOX Deportes | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| FOX Sports 1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| FOX Sports 2 | ✓ ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Golf Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| LAFC | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Longhorn Network | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| MLB Game of the Week | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| MLB Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| NBA TV | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| NBC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓** |
| NBCSN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓** |
| NBC Sports | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓** |
| NESN | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| NFL Network | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| NFL RedZone | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| NHL Network | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Orlando City | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Olympic Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Outdoor Channel | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Outside TV | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Pac 12 Network | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| SEC Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| SNY | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Sounders FC | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Sportsman Channel | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Stadium | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Telemundo | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓* |
| Tennis Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| TyC Sports | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Univision Deportes Network | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
Based on research conducted by CableTV.com on 12/26/19.
AT&T TV NOW has lots of sports channels, including mucho sportsball-en-Español content— most of which is in its OPTIMO MÁS package and isn’t offered by a competitor.
AT&T NOW does, however, carry some sports networks that its rivals don’t, like the NHL Network and Sportsman Channel.
The service is also one of only two services from our research where you can find the MLB Network, NBA TV, and the Tennis Channel in packages instead of as add-ons.
What local channels does AT&T TV NOW have?
| AT&T TV NOW | Best overall YouTube TV | Best value Hulu + Live TV | Best for kids Sling TV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓* |
| CBS | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓* |
| CW | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓* |
| FOX | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| NBC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓** |
| PBS | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Telemundo | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓* |
Based on research conducted by CableTV.com on 07/27/20.
* Antenna required.
** Select markets only (otherwise, antenna required)
AT&T, for the most part, carries local network affiliates. Enter your zip code on AT&T TV NOW’s site to see if the service is available in your area and which local channels and regional sports networks you can expect to be able to stream.
What premium channels does AT&T TV NOW have?
| AT&T TV NOW | Best overall YouTube TV | Best value Hulu + Live TV | Best for kids Sling TV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CINEMAX® | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| EPIX® | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| HBO | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| SHOWTIME® | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| STARZ® | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| STARZ® ENCORE | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
Based on research conducted by CableTV.com on 07/27/20.
AT&T TV NOW is the only streaming service to offer all of the big-name premium channels. It’s also the only one to offer free HBO in any of its plans (MAX, in case it slipped your mind)—no other streaming service does that.
But while AT&T is smart to leverage its assets, MAX is $80 a month for 60+ channels and free HBO Max (regularly $14.99 a month).
By contrast, YouTube TV is $64.99 a month and has 25 more channels than MAX. You can add HBO for an additional $14.99 for a total monthly payment of $79.98.
Also, Hulu + Live TV ($54.99 per month, 65+ channels) with its HBO add-on (also $14.99) and pay only $69.98 a month. That’s five more channels than MAX for $10.00 less monthly.
But there’s one big difference: HBO Max has way more content than a simple HBO add-on—for the same price. Advantage: AT&T TV NOW.
As for the other premium channel add-ons, AT&T TV NOW has them all. Here’s a price list:
Again, all of the above premium channels have free 7-day trials for new orders.
One of the best parts of cord-cutting is customizing your TV lineup. You can start with a primary service like AT&T TV NOW, then pick up other streaming services or premium add-ons. We think these pair nicely with AT&T TV NOW, without much overlapping content.
Netflix
$8.99–$15.99/mo.
The original streaming service is still a good deal, no matter which plan you choose. And with its focus on original shows and movies, you won’t encounter much overlap with AT&T TV NOW.
Pluto
Free w/ ads
You can’t lose with this service. It serves up 100+ custom channels designed exclusively for Pluto. You’re going to have to watch commercials, but you’ll find a lot of content that’s not included with AT&T TV NOW.
AT&T TV NOW offers the features that cord-cutters seek. It’s just not as generous as other live TV streaming services when it comes to cloud DVR and multiple streams. And while the list of supported devices is decent, it’s limited compared to its competitors’.
Does AT&T TV NOW have a cloud DVR?
| AT&T TV NOW | Best overall YouTube TV | Best value Hulu + Live TV | Best for kids Sling TV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Storage | 500 hrs. | Unlimited | 50 hrs. | 10 hrs. |
| Upgrades | N/A | N/A | 200 hrs. ($9.99/mo.) | 50 hrs. ($5.00/mo.) |
Based on research conducted by CableTV.com on 07/27/20.
AT&T TV NOW’s cloud DVR includes 500 hrs. of storage space, but you’ll have only 30 days to watch your stuff before it self-destructs.
YouTube TV’s DVR is much better, with unlimited storage that never gets deleted. Does that sound better than more sports channels and free HBO Max and CINEMAX? If so, YouTube TV with a separate subscription to HBO Max costs the same as MAX ($80 a month).
How many simultaneous streams does AT&T TV NOW have?
| AT&T TV NOW | Best overall YouTube TV | Best value Hulu + Live TV | Best for kids Sling TV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Streams | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1–4 |
| Upgrades | N/A | N/A | Unlimited screens for $9.99/mo. | N/A |
Based on research conducted by CableTV.com on 07/30/20.
AT&T TV NOW gives you three concurrent streams, which is about as good as you’ll get from other livestreaming providers).
Is your device compatible with AT&T TV NOW?
| AT&T TV NOW | Best overall YouTube TV | Best value Hulu + Live TV | Best for kids Sling TV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AirTV Mini | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| AirTV Player | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Amazon Echo Show | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Amazon Fire Cube, Stick, and TV | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Amazon Fire tablets | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android phones and tablets | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android TV | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple TV | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple TV 4K | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chromebook* | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chromecast | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chromecast Built-in TV | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hisense TVs | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| LG TVs | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Nintendo Switch | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| NVIDIA Shield | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Oculus Rift | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Mac and PC Web browsers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| PlayStation 3** | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| PlayStation 4** | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Portal from Facebook | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Roku devices | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Samsung Smart TVs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| TiVo Stream 4K | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| VIZIO TVs | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Wii | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Windows 10 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Xbox 360 | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Xbox One | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Xfinity Flex | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Xfinity X1 | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Based on research conducted by CableTV.com on 07/30/20.
*Requires Chrome browser.
**Supports Hulu app and some add-ons, but not livestreaming.
Although AT&T TV NOW supports most major streaming devices, it’s still outdone by Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV. But you’ll have an easy enough time finding a way to enjoy the service.
We tested AT&T TV NOW on a laptop running Windows 10, a Samsung Galaxy S8 smartphone, and with the Amazon Fire Stick on a 55-inch LG Smart TV.
While the app performed fine on all of them, we like the Fire Stick best. Its simple controls pair well with the AT&T TV NOW app, making navigation a breeze.
But we do have one complaint. It takes three to five seconds for the app to realize you’ve just pressed pause. It’s comically frustrating until you adjust.
Speaking of adjustments, on all of the devices we tested, the picture started fuzzy—enough to make us worry. But within 10 seconds, the AT&T TV NOW app detected our connection speed and the image snapped into focus somewhere between 720p and 1080p (depending on the program).
Anthony Carrigan as Noho Hank in HBO’s Barry. Viewed on a laptop running Windows 10.
In our tests, we found that the AT&T TV NOW app interface isn’t much different from other streaming services’. It’s just the basics: program info, a status bar, and navigation buttons pop up when the mouse moves over the screen.
As for the guide, it’s intuitive and easy to use—for the most part.
It displays every title from every network that AT&T TV NOW offers, whether or not the channel is in your plan. You won’t know that you can’t watch something until you click, which makes browsing content frustrating.
Another complaint: Let’s say two people use the same account to watch the same series. “Hamish” just started the first season of Mr. Mercedes. “Nigel” is deep into the second.
Each time Jack finishes an episode, AT&T TV NOW auto-plays the episode where Nigel left off. That means spoilers. Spoilers mean rage. You wouldn’t like Hamish when he’s angry.
A ‘restart episode’ button seems like a good idea. Until that comes, here’s a workaround:
AT&T TV NOW homepage viewed on a laptop running Windows 10.
With the Fire Stick/LG TV test, the audio was clear through only the TV speakers but also quiet. We had to set the TV volume to 70 when it’s usually fine at 40–50 for other apps and devices.
On a laptop and smartphone, we listened through device speakers, Skullcandy Hesh 2 headphones, and through the stock car-stereo system using Bluetooth.
We didn’t expect the device speakers to sound awesome, but they’re good enough in a pinch. The car stereo sounded excellent, like a mini-theater—but our data plan won’t support many car binges.
Naturally, the headphones sounded richer and more detailed. They really brought out the sound mix on Mr. Mercedes, which made watching the show extra hair-raising.
So, while we’re not crazy about the stock speakers sound with the TV, laptop, and phone, we love the headphones and Bluetooth car audio experience.
As cord-cutters, we feel strongly that shopping for a streaming service should be simple. AT&T TV NOW offers too many packages, most of which are overly fluffy and expensive. Just like cable plans.
AT&T TV NOW’s MAX package is its best deal, chiefly because it includes CINEMAX and HBO Max. But it’s not the best deal out there—you might want more channels instead of the free premiums. If so, YouTube TV with a separate subscription to HBO Max gives you the best of both worlds for the same price.
AT&T TV NOW, formerly known as DIRECTV NOW, is a livestreaming and on-demand TV service. The plans are the same—it’s just a new app, and a new look,with plans similar to DIRECTV NOW packages.
Be careful not to confuse AT&T TV NOW with other AT&T TV brands, which includes another streaming service (AT&T TV) and its satellite cable service, DIRECTV.
Actually, it’s just AT&T TV NOW, formerly known as DIRECTV NOW. It’s the same service, under a new name.
As a livestreaming service, AT&T TV NOW is a no-contract, no-cable box, cancel-anytime deal—perfect for anyone looking to ditch cable.
You access the service through an app on one of several supported devices, including personal computers, set-top boxes, streaming sticks, smart TVs, smartphones, and tablets.
AT&T TV NOW—formerly known as DIRECTV NOW—supports several devices, but you may use only two at a time unless you spring for a third stream, which will cost you $5 a month.
DIRECTV is AT&T’s satellite TV service. AT&T TV NOW is the new name for DIRECTV’s streaming sister service, DIRECTV NOW.
AT&T also owns two more streaming services: AT&T TV (formerly U-verse TV) and AT&T WatchTV.
HBO GO no longer exists because of HBO Max, an even better service. It’s included with AT&T TV NOW’s MAX plan ($80 a month, 60+ channels). With any other AT&T TV NOW package, HBO Max is $14.99 a month.
If your TV is one of AT&T TV NOW’s supported devices, download the app, sign in, and go. If your TV isn’t listed, you will need to use one of the other supported streaming devices, which include personal computers, set-top boxes, streaming sticks, smartphones, and tablets.
AT&T TV NOW is DIRECTV NOW rebranded. So they’re the same service.
The list of channels available through AT&T TV NOW is far too long to reprint here. But it’s in the article above, so you can click here to see a table of AT&T TV NOW’s available channels.
You’ll need a smart TV that supports the AT&T TV NOW app. Currently, these include Apple TV, Apple TV 4K, and select models of Samsung smart TVs.
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