Earlier this month, DIRECTV NOW announced two new plans called DIRECTV NOW PLUS ($50) and DIRECTV NOW MAX ($70). They both gained HBO, but lost almost 18 Top Cable Channels from A+E, Viacom, Discovery/Scripps, and AMC. Both plans includes locals and cable channels from Disney, NBCU, FOX/FX, and Hallmark.
After extending their agreement with Viacom, there was uncertainty whether the new deal will keep the channels on all the same plans and tiers across DIRECTV NOW and AT&T WatchTV. While the channels were recently removed in their new DIRECTV NOW PLUS and MAX plans, those grandfathered into the existing Live a Little, Just Right, Go Big, and Even More plans include Viacom networks.
It appears that in the case of DIRECTV NOW PLUS and MAX, six channels — BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., and VH1 will be added to both plans. The DIRECTV NOW MAX Plan will see CMT, Paramount Network, and TV Land also join the lineup. It is expected that the channels will join the service by April 5th.
Just last month, Viacom agreed to a deal with Fubo to bring their channels to subscribers this Spring. The company has also been available on Sling TV, as well as the the $16 a month, entertainment-only streaming service Philo since they launched in 2017. Viacom channels aren’t available on PlayStation Vue, Hulu Live TV, or YouTube TV.
Earlier this year, Viacom acquired ad-supported streaming TV service, Pluto TV for $340 million. The service which offers 100 linear channels of lifestyle, news, sports, and entertainment content through partnerships with 130 media networks.
| AT&T TV NOW | AT&T WatchTV | Fubo | Philo | Sling TV | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Live a Little” | “PLUS” | “MAX” | “WatchTV” | “fubo” | “Base” | “Orange” | “Blue” | ||
| Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Sign Up | Free Trial | Free Trial | Get 50% Off | Get 50% Off | ||
| $59.99 | $54.99 | $79.99 | $15 | $74.99 | $16 | $40 | $40 | ||
| BET | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| CMT | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | + $6 | + $6 | |
| Comedy Central | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| LOGO | - | - | - | - | + $8 | - | + $6 | + $6 | |
| MTV | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | + $6 | + $6 | |
| Nick Jr. | - | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Nickelodeon | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | - | |
| Paramount Network | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | + $6 | + $6 | |
| TV Land | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | + $6 | - | |
| VH1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | + $6 | + $6 | |