James Spenceley of MHOR Asset Management, page-18

Does this relate to the AT&T contract?


AT&T's DirecTV Now Not Ready for Prime Time (T, AAPL)
By Richard Saintvilus | January 17, 2017 — 5:05 AM EST








AT&T Inc.'s (T) new internet TV streaming service DirecTV Now was billed as the company's answer to the cord-cutting phenomenon, which is slowly killing off traditional cable and satellite providers that offer bloated bundles of channels at high prices.

But for DirecTV Now to emerge as a viable alternative to traditional cable, it must improve the technology. Since DirecTV Now was launched on Nov. 30, subscribers have complained that the service has been nearly unusable. Aside from the frequent interruptions in streaming, customers have complained about missing features and billing issues, according to The Verge, which says the 72-hour rewind feature has hardly worked since the launch. (See also: AT&T's DirecTV Now Has Some Service Issues.)


The service launched in November offered customers access to around 60 channels for $35 per month and up to around 120 channels for $70 per month. and it was all web based, accessible on any platform, including smartphones, tablets, streaming devices such as Apple, Inc.'s (AAPL) Apple TV and personal computers. But it hasn't lived up to the hype.

"There have been over 200 active forum threads on AT&T's website complaining about DirecTV Now problems," says The Verge. "Meanwhile, the service's support account on Twitter has been apologizing day after day and promising updates that seemingly haven't come." (See also: AT&T to End $35 a Month DirecTV Now Promotion.)

On the forum cited by The Verge, one user, who complained of "constant buffering, freezing, and lockups." said, “DirecTV Now is NOT ready for prime time. I feel I'm back in 1996 with dial-up."

What is AT&T, which owns DirecTV, doing about these concerns, including customers reportedly being charged during their free trials? Many subscribers are also frustrated by AT&T's refusal to grant refunds, The Verge noted. Part of the reason is because AT&T offered a free Apple TV to anyone willing to pre-pay for three months of service or a free Fire TV Stick to anyone willing to pre-pay for one month of service. On the assumption that the service would work, many customers pre-paid. (See also:AT&T CEO: DirecTV Now Exceeds Expectations.)



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