DirecTV Takes Direct Aim - At Itself

Satellite TV as we know it started in 1984 when Hughes Electronics, yes it was named after that Las Vegas hotel-owner, movie magnate and all-around eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes, was given FCC approval to operate a direct broadcast satellite system. While Mr. Hughes died in 1976 under, how we shall say, bizarre circumstances, his company carried on and on December 17th, 1993, the satellite, DIRECTV-1 was launched. Then in June of 1994, DIRECTV premiered. Two years later, DISH Network launched its satellite service. For a long time, most consumers had a choice of either an over-the-air antenna, their local cable franchise or one of the two satellite services for their TV viewing enjoyment.

With the advent of home broadband internet, in the mid 2010's, several streaming services started to bring the same channels that cable and satellite TV offered. Companies such as YouTube TV, fubo, Philo and Hulu + Live TV entered the fray and have been giving the more traditional services a run for their money. With all this competition, both satellite companies decided to put their feet in both camps. DIRECTV started DIRECTV Stream and DISH Network started Sling TV.

Up until now, both DIRECTV and DISH Network have pretty much kept their streaming services apart from their satellites circling around Earth. Their satellite and streaming companies remained separate in terms of pricing and offerings. Among other things, the satellite services required a dish as well as in-home hardware while the streaming services required high-speed internet and means by which to obtain the stream such as a Roku, Fire Stick, Chromecast or "Smart TV”.

Well that all changed on April 6, 2023, as DIRECTV rolled-out a new strategy that will eliminate the business and marketing plans for both of their services. The company will now refer to both their satellite and streaming services simply as DIRECTV. Both will now offer the same four channel packages for the same cost with a two-year price guarantee. Pricing begins at $64.99 per month for the 75-channel "Entertainment" package. It also offers three other plans from the 105-channel "Choice” (which includes Regional Sports channels) for $84.99 per month, the 140-channel "Ultimate” at $109.99 per month or the 150-channel "Premier” (which includes HBO, Showtime, Cinemax and a few other goodies) at $154.99.

This is not only a huge step in bringing both DIRECTV services together, but it also shows just how streaming has become a part of mainstream TV viewing. Mind you, there still are big differences in the way that the signal is obtained. For example, certain hardware will still be needed for each service. However, in order to further marry the services, for streaming subscribers, a new dongle (the thing that plugs into a TV’s HDMI input), called Gemini Air, is being introduced. Gemini Air will allow streamers an experience closer to the satellite service. It will give access to thousands of movie and TV show applications including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney Plus, Pluto TV and a lot more from a single device. This is a huge step forward in allowing consumers to move from channel-to-channel within the same ecosystem.

Of course, that dongle is going to cost you - $15 a month. And while it’s an optional device and is not needed in order to watch the DIRECTV streaming service, it certainly will make a huge difference in the viewing experience. While all of this is just breaking as I write this and there will be more information to come, it should be noted that there are current subscribers who already have a streaming box for which they have already paid. That box is now going to be obsolete. However, if you are one of those people, it appears that you will get a free upgrade to the new dongle.

Things continue to change at a warp speed in all of the areas that Lower Tech Bills (TV, Cell and Internet) follows. I am continually doing research both in-store and online in order to keep up with this changing landscape so that I can find the best ways to save you money. I’ve already saved people from hundreds to even thousands of dollars with some savings ongoing. For a free look at your bills, email hmwellsradio@gmail.com or visit lowertechbills.com because you may not have the time to keep up with all of this, but I do.