AT&T TV NOW Review 2020
By Randy Harward
Share | 0 | Dec 26, 2019
AT&T’s rebranded DIRECTV NOW service includes HBO® with its cheaper packages, but it’s still basically cable TV.
Data effective 09/26/19. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
What is AT&T TV NOW?
Buckle up while we break down AT&T’s bonkers branding—in bullets.
- AT&T TV NOW replaces AT&T’s main livestreaming service, DIRECTV NOW.
- AT&T owns the satellite TV service, DIRECTV, which still exists.
- AT&T U-verse once included streaming TV, broadband internet, and phone services under one umbrella until it split into AT&T Internet, AT&T Phone, and U-verse TV.
- AT&T TV replaces U-verse TV, but it’s available only to customers with AT&T Internet in areas with fiber optic service.
Bottom line: Is AT&T TV NOW good?
Before the recent rebrand to AT&T TV NOW, DIRECTV NOW rated well in our 2019 Streaming TV Customer Satisfaction Survey, scoring 4.24 out of 5.
Okay, but is AT&T TV NOW good? Our opinion as cord-cutters is that AT&T TV NOW, like DIRECTV NOW before it, has decent cheaper packages—and they include free HBO. But the more expensive packages are cable dressed in streaming clothes.
AT&T TV NOW free trials and deals
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).
For max value on the trial, sign up for MAX so you can get CINEMAX and some great sports channels for a week. Then, if you need to downgrade to PLUS, you’ll still have HBO.
Also, when new customers subscribe to HBO® through AT&T TV NOW, they get free access to AT&T’s new livestreaming service HBO Max (expected in Spring 2020).
AT&T TV NOW vs. the competition
| AT&T TV NOW | Best overall Hulu + Live TV | Best for sports PlayStation Vue | YouTube TV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $65– $135/mo. | $44.99– $50.99/mo. | $49.99– $84.99/mo. | $49.99/mo. |
| Overall rating | 3.7/5 | 3.5/5 | 3.7/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Free trial | 7 days | 7 days | 7 days | 7 days |
| Live channels* | 45–125+ | 60+ | 45–90+ | 70+ |
| Streams | 2–3 | 2 | 3–5 | 3 |
| Cloud DVR | 20 hrs. | 50 hrs. | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Supported devices** | 12 | 20 | 10 | 16 |
*Advertised channel counts. These may vary.
**Based on count conducted by CableTV.com on 12/26/19.
Let’s see how AT&T TV NOW stacks up against other streaming services.
When it comes to its first two packages, PLUS ($65 a month, 45+ channels) and MAX ($80 a month, $60+ channels), AT&T TV NOW is competitive with its rivals. That’s because of the free HBO with PLUS and free HBO and CINEMAX with MAX (along with more sports channels).
Beyond that level, the premium freebies fall away (which doesn’t make sense). Would-be cord-cutters will feel like they’ve been walking in circles: “Haven’t we seen these fat, pricey packs of mostly ‘meh’ channels before?” (Cable, we’re looking at you.)
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.
AT&T TV NOW plans and pricing
How much TV do you want? How badly do you want it?
| Price | Live channels | Cost per channel* | Cloud DVR | Streams | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our pick PLUSView plan | $65/mo. | 45+ | $1.44 | 20 hrs. | 2–3 |
| MAXView plan | $80/mo. | 60+ | $1.33 | 20 hrs. | 2–3 |
| ENTERTAINMENTView plan | $93/mo. | 65+ | $1.43 | 20 hrs. | 2–3 |
| CHOICEView plan | $110/mo. | 85+ | $1.29 | 20 hrs. | 2–3 |
| XTRAView plan | $124/mo. | 105+ | $1.18 | 20 hrs. | 2–3 |
| ULTIMATEView plan | $135/mo. | 125+ | $1.08 | 20 hrs. | 2–3 |
| OPTIMO MÁSView plan | $86/mo. | 90+ | $0.95 | 20 hrs. | 2–3 |
| International packages | |||||
| 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 |
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.
The pricing, structure, and amount of AT&T TV NOW plans remind us of cable plans. Like, exactly. Minus the contracts.
Cord-cutters seek a simpler, more independent experience. Give us one to three plans with à la carte options, and save the bloat for cord-lovers.
Instead, AT&T TV NOW gives us a half dozen packages.
The PLUS plan ($65 a month, 45+ channels, $1.44 per channel) isn’t a bad deal—mainly because it includes HBO.
MAX ($80 a month, 60+ channels, $1.33 per channel) adds 15 channels, 11 of which are sports networks and one, CINEMAX®, is a premium.
Starting at the third tier, we lose the free premiums. The packages become more like cable plans: expensive, with only a few good channels in big piles of eh.
ENTERTAINMENT ($93 a month, 65+ channels, $1.43 per channel) trades CINEMAX, HBO, nine sports networks, and more for a bunch of so-so channels where AMC and VICELAND are the standouts.
CHOICE ($110 a month, 85+ channels, $1.29 per channel) restores more sports networks and adds another chunk of mostly basic-ness. But there’s some good stuff: IFC, MLB Network, Nicktoons, Science, SundanceTV, and Travel Channel.
XTRA ($124 a month, 105+ channels, $1.18 per channel*) keeps spoiling the killer-to-filler ratio, but it gives back even more sports, including NBA TV and the NHL Network.
ULTIMATE ($135, 125+ channels, $0.93 per channel) finally drops some goodness with eight STARZ® channels (Action, Black, Classic, East, Family, Suspense, West, and Westerns), El Rey, and Boomerang.
We recommend PLUS. You’ll get most of the channels offered by Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and PlayStation Vue—with free HBO. Sports fans might dig MAX, though.
AT&T TV NOW live channels
This long list of channels is how AT&T TV NOW can give you all that nothin’ for so much money.
We understand AT&T offering every channel they’ve got in their livestreaming product. Then again, you don’t see DISH Network doing that with Sling TV, do ya?
Once more, for the cheap seats: streaming should be simple. So many channels and packages can make shopping for an AT&T TV NOW plan annoying and confusing.
AT&T TV NOW channel lineup vs. the competition
| AT&T TV NOW | Best overall Hulu + Live TV | Best for sports PlayStation Vue | YouTube TV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
A | ||||
| A&E | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| AWE | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| ABC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ABC News Live | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| ACC Network Extra | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accuweather | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Adult Swim | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| AMC | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| American Heroes | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Animal Planet | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Antena 3 | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Aspire | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Atres Series | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Audience | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| AXS T | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Azteca | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
B | ||||
| Baby First | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Baby TV | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Bandamax | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| BBC America | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC World News | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| beIN Sports | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| BET | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| BET Her | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Big Ten Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 Business | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cheddar News | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cine Estelar | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cine Mexicano | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cine Nostalgia | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cine Sony | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cinelatino | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| CINEMAX | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| CMT | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| CNBC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CNBC World | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CNN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CNN en Español | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| CNN International | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Comedy Central | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Comedy TV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Comet | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Cooking 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 | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| El Rey | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| 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 | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Golf Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| GolTV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
H | ||||
| Hallmark Channel | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hallmark Drama | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hallmark Movies & Mysteries | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| HBO | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| HGTV | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| HISTORY | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| HISTORY en Español | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| HITN TV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| HLN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hola TV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
I | ||||
| IFC | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investigation Discovery | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| IVC Net | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
J | ||||
| Justice Central | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
L | ||||
| LAFC | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Law & Crime | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Lifetime | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Lifetime Movie Network | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Local Now | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Logo | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Longhorn Network | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
M | ||||
| MegaTV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| MLB Game of the Week | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| MLB Network | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Motor Trend | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| MSG | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| MSG+ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| MSNBC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| MTV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| MTV Classic | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| MTV2 | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Multimedios | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| My TV Network | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
N | ||||
| NASA | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Nat Geo Mundo | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Nat Geo WILD | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| National Geographic Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
O | ||||
| Olympic Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| One American News | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Orlando City | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| OWN | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Outside TV | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Ovation | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Oxygen | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
P | ||||
| Paramount Network | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Pasiones | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| PBS | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Perú Mágico | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| PlayStation Emerging Filmmakers Program | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Pop | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| PS Vue Spotlight | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
R | ||||
| REELZ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Revolt | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| RFD-TV | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
S | ||||
| Science | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| SEC Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Smithsonian Channel | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| SNY | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Sony Movie Channel | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Sounders FC | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Sportsman Channel | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Stadium | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Start TV | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| 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 TV | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| SUR Perú | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Syfy | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
T | ||||
| Taylor Swift Now | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| TBS | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| TCM | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tastemade | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| TeenNick | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Telecentro | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Telefe | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Telemundo | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tennis Channel | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| TLC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| TNT | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tr3s | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Travel Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| TruTV | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| TV Chile | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| TV Land | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| TV One | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| TVE | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| TVG | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| TyC Sports | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| TYT | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
U | ||||
| Unimás | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Universal Kids | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Univision | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Univision Deportes Network | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Univision tlnovelas | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Up Faith & Family | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| USA Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
V | ||||
| Velocity | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| VePlus | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| VH1 | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| VICELAND | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| VideoRola | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| ViendoMovies | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Vme | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
W | ||||
| WAPA América | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| WE tv | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| The Weather Channel | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
Y | ||||
| YES | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| YouTube Originals | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Z | ||||
| ZooMoo | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
Based on research conducted by CableTV.com on 12/26/2019.
So what does AT&T TV NOW have that its livestreaming competitors lack? Tons. But again, there’s enough fluff to build your own Bigfoot.
The PLUS plan ($50 a month, 45+ channels) flips the fluff complaint to AT&T’s favor. And including free HBO in PLUS makes the package pretty sexy.
MAX ($70, 60+ channels), with more sports plus free HBO and CINEMAX, is about the same price as Hulu + Live TV ($44.99 a month, 60+ channels) when you add HBO ($14.99 a month) and CINEMAX ($9.99 a month).
All plans include AT&T’s Audience network, with its great lineup of original shows, is something else you won’t find with other streaming providers.
The rest of the packages are just too costly, and they put some popular channels out of reach—a typical cable trick.
For example, to get Logo, you’ll have to spring for XTRA ($110 a month). If you have your eye on El Rey, it’ll require subscribing to ULTIMATE ($135 a month).
Live sports
What sports channels does AT&T TV NOW have?
| AT&T TV NOW | Best overall Hulu + Live TV | Best for sports PlayStation Vue | YouTube 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 | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| MSG | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| MSG+ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| 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—28 and 26, respectively. The edge, for AT&T TV NOW, comes down to its 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: Longhorn Network, MSG, MSG+, NHL Network, and Sportsman Channel.
The service is also one of only two of services from our research where you can find the MLB Network, NBA TV, and the Tennis Channel in packages instead of as add-ons.
Local channels
What local channels does AT&T TV NOW have?
| AT&T TV NOW | Best overall Hulu + Live TV | Best for sports PlayStation Vue | YouTube TV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CBS | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| CW | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| FOX | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| NBC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| PBS | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Telemundo | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Based on research conducted by CableTV.com on 12/26/19.
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.
Premium channels
What premium channels does AT&T TV NOW have?
| AT&T TV NOW | Best overall Hulu + Live TV | Best for sports PlayStation Vue | YouTube TV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CINEMAX® | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| EPIX® | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| HBO | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| SHOWTIME® | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| STARZ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
Based on research conducted by CableTV.com on 12/26/19.
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—no other streaming service does that.
That’s a pretty smart move. The only other AT&T TV NOW competitor to offer HBO is Hulu + Live TV ($44.99 a month) at a cost of $14.99 a month, making the total cost $10 more than AT&T TV NOW’s PLUS plan.
We can see some folks happily accepting that AT&T TV NOW has 15–25 fewer channels in exchange for a gold-standard premium network like HBO. Especially since they’ll save $10 a month.
It’s also cool that you can use your AT&T TV NOW credentials to log in to the separate HBO GO and MAX GO (CINEMAX) apps.
A word of caution, though. AT&T TV NOW’s bigger packages—everything above MAX—do not include free HBO and CINEMAX. If you want them, here’s how much more you’re gonna pay.
-
-
- CINEMAX (free w/ MAX, $9.99/mo. w/ all other plans)
- EPIX ($6/mo.)
- HBO (free w/ PLUS and MAX, $15/mo. w/ all other plans)
- SHOWTIME ($11/mo.)
- STARZ ($11/mo.)
-
AT&T TV NOW original shows and movies
On-demand shows and movies
- Alternatino
- American Horror Story: 1984
- Barry
- Bobcat Goldthwait’s Misfits & Monsters
- The Righteous Gemstones
- Stumptown
- Tarantula
Free HBO means you’ll have a great on-demand experience, with its wealth of top-shelf shows like Barry, The Righteous Gemstones, Westworld, and True Detective.
As for movies, there are so many and they’re so good. But you can set recordings for upcoming live airings—if any exist—only within the AT&T TV NOW app. To stream the films on demand, use your AT&T TV NOW credentials to log in to HBO GO (app or site).
With the other networks’ on-demand content included with AT&T TV NOW plans, it’s the usual streaming-service deal: some full seasons are available, but some only let you go back five or six episodes.
Original shows and movies
- Loudermilk
- Mr. Mercedes
- Condor
- You Me Her
- Undeniable with Dan Patrick
- The Dan Patrick Show
- Beacons of Hope
- Give Us This Day
AT&T’s Audience Network is included in all AT&T TV NOW packages, and it offers an impressive roster of comedies, documentaries, dramas, live music performances, and sports talk shows.
We highly recommend the spy thriller Condor, the adaptation of Stephen King’s Mr. Mercedes trilogy, and the cranky comedy Loudermilk. And you won’t find them on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video—only on AT&T TV NOW.
Combine AT&T TV NOW with another streaming service
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 specs and features
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’.
Cloud DVR
Does AT&T TV NOW have a cloud DVR?
| AT&T TV NOW | Best overall Hulu + Live TV | Best for sports PlayStation Vue | YouTube TV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Storage | 20 hrs. | 50 hrs. | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Upgrades | N/A | 200 hrs. ($9.99/mo.) | N/A | N/A |
Based on research conducted by CableTV.com on 12/26/19.
AT&T TV NOW calls its cloud DVR service True Cloud DVR Beta. You’ll get 20 hours of storage and multiple channel recordings, but you’ll have only 30 days to watch your stuff before it self-destructs.
The “Beta” part of the name might hint that some refinements and possibly paid upgrades are on the way.
You know, hopefully. ‘Cause YouTube TV and PlayStation Vue offer unlimited cloud DVR storage, and Hulu + Live TV includes 50 hours in its plan. (Sling TV gives you 50 hours for an extra five bucks a month.) So AT&T TV NOW might want to step up its game.
Multiple streams
How many simultaneous streams does AT&T TV NOW have?
| AT&T TV NOW | Best overall Hulu + Live TV | Best for sports PlayStation Vue | YouTube TV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Streams | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Upgrades | 1 more for $5/mo. | Unlimited screens for $9.99/mo. | N/A | N/A |
Based on research conducted by CableTV.com on 09/27/19.
AT&T TV NOW gives you only two simultaneous streams with the option to buy another for five bucks a month. So . . . yeah. AT&T TV NOW’s not the best in this department. But it’s not that bad.
If you’re looking for more than that, PlayStation Vue gives you up to five streams.
Compatible streaming devices
Is your device compatible with AT&T TV NOW?
| AT&T TV NOW | Best overall Hulu + Live TV | Best for sports PlayStation Vue | YouTube TV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mac and PC Web browsers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| PlayStation 3** | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| PlayStation 4** | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Roku devices | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Samsung Smart TVs | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| VIZIO TVs | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Wii | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Windows 10 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Xbox 360 | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Xbox One | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
Based on research conducted by CableTV.com on 12/26/19.
*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.
Video and audio quality
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).
Ron Livingston in Audience Network’s Loudermilk. 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:
- Click on your desired episode.
- Before the app shoots you into the future, hit ‘rewind.’
- When you reach the beginning of the episode, hit ‘play.’
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.
Final take: Is AT&T TV NOW worth it?
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.
That said, AT&T TV NOW’s PLUS and MAX packages, while they don’t have the channel count, compatible devices, streams, and DVR storage of similarly priced rival plans, the included premium channels make them an excellent value.
Pros
- HBO included free with cheaper packages
- Great original programming
Cons
- Too many packages
- Expensive packages
- Weak cloud DVR storage
AT&T TV NOW FAQ
What is AT&T TV NOW?
AT&T TV NOW is a livestreaming and on-demand TV service that you might know better under its old name: DIRECTV NOW. The plans are the same—it’s just a new app and new look.
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 NOW.
How does AT&T TV NOW work?
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.
How many devices can I simultaneously use with AT&T TV NOW?
AT&T TV 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.
What is the future of AT&T TV NOW with DIRECTV?
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.
Is HBO GO free with AT&T TV NOW?
You may use your AT&T TV NOW login credentials to access the HBO GO app when you sign up for either the PLUS or MAX plan.
How do I access AT&T TV NOW on my TV?
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.
Which is best, AT&T TV NOW or DIRECTV NOW?
AT&T TV NOW is DIRECTV NOW rebranded. So they’re the same service.
What channels do you get with AT&T TV NOW?
The list of channels available through AT&T TV NOW is far too long to reprint here. But as a cable company, AT&T has contracts with nearly 200 networks. So you’ll find almost anything you’re looking for on its roster.
How do I get AT&T TV NOW as an app on my TV?
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.
