DIRECTV STREAM and Via Internet Customers Who Use Gemini Devices to Get New, Personalized Viewing Experience
The Your TV update will arrive on Gemini devices in the coming weeks with third-party devices receiving the update later this year.
Whether it is on live TV streaming services, subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) platforms, or free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) hubs, one of the most common complaints about attempting to watch anything on streaming is that finding the content that you want to watch is increasingly difficult. Services are flooding their libraries with new titles in hopes of proving their importance in users’ day-to-day lives, but ultimately, they are making it more difficult for customers to discover new things that they want to watch. On Tuesday, DIRECTV announced a new step to combat this growing issue for its non-satellite customers, as those that stream via a Gemini device will start seeing a new user interface soon.
- DIRECTV’s Your TV will provide customized recommendations based on selected favorites and most-watched content.
- It will feature a Your TV carousel front and center on the home page.
- The update is rolling out to DIRECTV customers who use Gemini devices over the next few weeks.
Timed to coincide with the beginning of the MLB season this week, DIRECTV satellite-free subscribers who use a Gemini device will soon see a completely new user-targeted carousel called Your TV. The new, fully-tailored user experience combines a viewer’s pre-selected favorites with the titles and types of content that they watch most to put the most personalized live programming at the top of the menu when you turn on the TV. The new carousel will roll out for DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV Via Internet customers who use Gemini devices over the next few weeks.
“The growing fragmentation of content across multiple apps and video services means it is increasingly more difficult for customers to find the shows and games they want,” DIRECTV’s chief marketing officer Vince Torres said. “DIRECTV’s Your TV provides Gemini users who stream DIRECTV with a customized view of the entertainment or sports content they love the most, all in one place, including scores and stats for their favorite teams.”
Your TV, which is built off of DIRECTV’s previous What’s on Now interface, brings new features front and center, like live playback and live sports scores and stats, all in the first carousel at the top of the DIRECTV home page.
Major League Baseball Opening Day is this Thursday, March 28 and the NBA and NHL playoffs kick off next month, so Your TV is setting DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV Via Internet subscribers up to have the smoothest and sleekest streaming experience this spring. No matter your favorite teams, sports, or leagues, Your TV is designed to highlight content that is specially curated to each individual user’s specific viewing habits.
The new Your TV experience is being rolled out in phases with the latest Gemini and Gemini Air device software updates. Those are expected to be completed over the next few weeks. From there, DIRECTV customers who use third-party devices to stream content from the service — including Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices and smart TVs — are expected to receive access to the Your TV carousel later this year.
What Is the Gemini Device from DIRECTV?
The Gemini device is a streaming video player that connects to your TV, either hardwired into your TV or wirelessly via wi-fi. This is the device that comes equipped with the DIRECTV app, allowing customers to access their subscriptions directly without having to work through any other platforms, hubs, or devices.
The device also comes with streaming apps for the most popular subscription streaming services, including Netflix, Disney+, Max, Prime Video, and many more. Gemini is powered by Android TV, which means that the remote features the voice-powered Google Assistant remote.
What Are the Main Differences Between DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV Via Internet?
Both of DIRECTV’s satellite-free services DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV Via Internet are compatible with a Gemini device, but it is not required for DIRECTV STREAM. Those customers are able to access the service through the app found on the specific streaming device or smart TV of their choice.
However, there are other differences between the two services, from price to features to contract length and more.
| DIRECTV Via Internet | DIRECTV STREAM | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $69.99^ (+ taxes) | $79.99 (+ taxes) |
| Price-lock guarantee | Yes | No |
| DVR | Unlimited Cloud DVRº | Unlimited Cloud DVRº |
| Gemini Streaming Device Needed? | Yes* | No |
| Access to All DIRECTV Plans? | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial? | No | Yes |
| 24-mo. Agreement Required? | Yes | No |
- ^ = Price per month for 24 months + fees, including $15/mo. Advanced Receiver Service fee.
- º = Recordings expire after 9 months, with a maximum of 30 episodes per series. Restrictions apply.
- * = First device provided for well-qualified customers.
DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM is a live TV streaming service, which is essentially the streaming version of the DIRECTV service. All packages include local channels and at least 31 of the top 35 cable channels. New subscribers can get a free Gemini streaming device from the company, in which case the service is called “DIRECTV via Internet.”