AT&T TV NOW Review
AT&T TV NOW (formerly DIRECTV NOW) is a live TV streaming service with 2 plans. The $54.99/month “PLUS” plan includes HBO, local channels, and 23 of the top 35 cable channels. The $79.99/month “MAX” plan adds Cinemax, your local RSN, and College Sports Networks like Big Ten Network and SEC Network.
Both plans also include their 500 hours True Cloud DVR and the ability to stream across a wide variety of devices like Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV.
Legacy Plan Information
Previously, the service offered the four most comprehensive plans: “Live a Little” ($50), “Just Right” ($65), “Go Big” ($75), “Gotta Have It” ($85). Those plans all included local channels and 34 of the top 35 cable channels; higher priced plans included your local RSN and additional sports channels.
Those plans have been discontinued but will be offered to existing users with a $10 price hike.
Review
We tested AT&T TV NOW and other live TV streaming services for more than 100 hours. AT&T TV NOW is compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV.
Features
500 hours Cloud DVR
AT&T TV NOW includes a cloud DVR that can store 500 hours of recording time for 30 days — which is less than most services. You can record individual episodes, all new episodes, or all episodes of a series. The recording starts when you hit record, not when you tuned in.
Unlike some services, you can skip commercials on recorded shows by either fast forwarding or skipping ahead 15 seconds.
You can start watching recorded content while the the show is still recording. There is no way to pad recordings, so make sure you extend your recordings to include the next episode so you don’t miss anything.
Up to 3 Devices
This service allows for three simultaneous streams (among TV devices, smartphones, tablets, and computers).
For those on a legacy [DIRECTV NOW] plan, you can increase the maximum simultaneous streams to 3 devices for $5 a month.
37 TV Everywhere Apps
Similar to traditional cable and satellite subscriptions, AT&T TV NOW includes “TV Everywhere” logins for various channels’ apps (including CNBC App, DisneyNow, Watch ESPN, FOX Now, NBC App, and USA Now).
List of Compatible Apps
- A&E App
- AMC App
- BBC America App
- BET NOW
- Bravo Now
- BTN2GO
- CBS Sports App
- CMT App
- CNBC App
- Comedy Central App
- DisneyNow
- E! Now
- FOX Now
- Fox Sports Go
- Freeform App
- FX Now
- FYI App
- Max
- MAX Go
- MLB At Bat
- MSG Go
- MSNBC Now
- Nat Geo TV App
- NBC App
- NBC Sports App
- NFL Mobile
- Oxygen Now
- Showtime Anytime
- Syfy Now
- Telemundo Now
- Universal Kids App
- Universo Now
- USA Now
- Watch ABC
- Watch Cooking Channel
- Watch DIY
- Watch ESPN
On Demand
Almost all of the channels offer on demand content, with just a few exceptions (like Animal Planet) having no VOD content.
You won’t be able to fast-forward through on demand content, but you can continue watching where you left off.
We had lots of playback issues with AT&T TV NOW’s on demand content: videos would often fail to load or freeze during playback. But it seems to have improved a bit with their latest app update.
Parental Controls
AT&T TV NOW has some parental controls to help restrict content.
DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu Live TV, and Sling TV also have parental control features.
72-Hour Rewind Feature
72-Hour Rewind allows you to access shows that aired in the last 72 hours. It is available on over 30 channels (mostly cable networks). However, it has similar restrictions as on demand content (you cannot rewind or fast-forward).
Channel Surfing Feature
Channel Surfing allows you to flip through channels with your remote. AT&T TV NOW is the only streaming service that made it easy to change channels like you are watching traditional cable/satellite TV. It takes about 2.5 seconds to switch channels, which is slightly better than average.
Compatible Devices
AT&T TV NOW is compatible with these devices:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- Google Chromecast (Google Cast)
- Roku
- Android TV
- iPhone/iPad (iOS 9+)
- Android Phone/Tablet (4.4+)
- Mac
- Windows
- LG Smart TV (AirPlay)
- Samsung Smart TV (2017+)
- Sony Smart TV
- VIZIO Smart TV (AirPlay/Google Cast)
AT&T TV NOW is not compatible with PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo devices.
Phone & Tablet Apps
On phone and tablet devices, the AT&T TV NOW app’s home screen has a live stream of your most recently watched channel, list of popular live shows, list of recently viewed shows, and access to your library of recorded shows.
The app lets surf between channels by just swiping left or right, taking about 2.5 seconds for the next channel to load.
The AT&T TV NOW standard channel guide lists all available channels alphabetically. You can also limit the guide to show only your favorite channels.
TV App
On television devices, the AT&T TV NOW app launches to your most recently watched channel. Similar to the AT&T TV NOW mobile apps, you can access a channel guide, search, and your library of shows recorded to your DVR.
You can also easily flip between channels by swiping left or right—a feature other services don’t have.
Computer
You can watch AT&T TV NOW on Mac or Windows computers, with Chrome or Safari. You can watch live programming in PIP while browsing shows.
Channels
Local Channels
All AT&T TV NOW (formerly DIRECTV NOW) plans offer the same set of local channels, including ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Telemundo, and The CW.
Live local channels are available only in certain markets. However, on demand content is available in all areas the following day.
Local Channel Restrictions
You can only access local channels and regional sports networks when you are in your home market. For example, if you live in San Francisco and travel to New York, you will not be able to stream any local channels or RSNs.
Top Cable Channels
AT&T TV NOW (formerly DIRECTV NOW) offers the least comprehensive selection of top cable channels. The “PLUS” plan offers 23 of the top 35 cable channels.
The top 35 cable channels are listed below. For a list of channels in each tier, look at AT&T TV NOW’s full channel lineup.
- BET
- Bravo
- Cartoon Network
- CNN
- Comedy Central
- Disney Channel
- Disney Junior
- E!
- ESPN
- Fox News
- Freeform
- FX
- FXX
- Hallmark Channel
- MSNBC
- MTV
- Nickelodeon
- Syfy
- TBS
- TNT
- truTV
- USA Network
- VH1
-
Paramount Network -
A&E -
AMC -
Discovery -
Food Network -
HGTV -
History -
Investigation Discovery -
Lifetime -
TLC -
Travel Channel -
WE tv
- BET
- Bravo
- Cartoon Network
- CNN
- Comedy Central
- Disney Channel
- Disney Junior
- E!
- ESPN
- Fox News
- Freeform
- FX
- FXX
- Hallmark Channel
- MSNBC
- MTV
- Nickelodeon
- Syfy
- TBS
- TNT
- truTV
- USA Network
- VH1
- Paramount Network
-
A&E -
AMC -
Discovery -
Food Network -
HGTV -
History -
Investigation Discovery -
Lifetime -
TLC -
Travel Channel -
WE tv
Sports Channels
National Sports Channels
On the base tier, AT&T TV NOW (formerly DIRECTV NOW) includes national sports channels like ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, TBS, TNT, and USA Network.
The higher tier adds Fox Sports 2.
Regional Sports Networks (RSNs)
You will need to upgrade the “MAX” ($79.99) plan to get access to regional sports networks (RSNs), which are generally from Fox and NBC/Comcast.
Besides fuboTV, they are the only other service to offer MSG for New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, and Buffalo Sabres games.
RSNs in Other Markets
You should check the AT&T TV NOW’s RSN lookup tool before subscribing to make sure it has the regional networks you need.
-
Altitude -
SportsNet Pittsburgh -
AT&T SportsNet Southwest -
Bally Sports Carolinas -
Bally Sports Detroit -
Bally Sports Florida -
Bally Sports Great Lakes -
Bally Sports Indiana -
Bally Sports Kansas City -
Bally Sports Midwest -
Bally Sports New Orleans -
Bally Sports North -
Bally Sports Ohio -
Bally Sports Oklahoma -
Bally Sports San Diego -
Bally Sports SoCal -
Bally Sports South -
Bally Sports Southeast -
Bally Sports Southwest -
Bally Sports Sun -
Bally Sports Tennessee -
Bally Sports West -
Bally Sports Wisconsin -
Fox Sports Wisconsin -
Longhorn Network -
Marquee Sports Network -
MASN -
MASN2 -
MSG -
MSG Sportsnet -
NBC Sports Bay Area -
NBC Sports Boston -
NBC Sports California -
NBC Sports Chicago -
NESN -
Root Sports Northwest -
Spectrum SportsNet -
Spectrum SportsNet LA -
SportsNet NY -
SportsTime Ohio -
YES Network -
Arizona's Family Sports -
Monumental Sports Network -
NBC Sports Philadelphia -
NBC Sports Philadelphia+ -
NBC Sports Washington+ -
Rockies.TV Channel -
Space City Home Network
- Altitude
- SportsNet Pittsburgh
- AT&T SportsNet Southwest
- Bally Sports Carolinas
- Bally Sports Detroit
- Bally Sports Florida
- Bally Sports Great Lakes
- Bally Sports Indiana
- Bally Sports Kansas City
- Bally Sports Midwest
- Bally Sports New Orleans
- Bally Sports North
- Bally Sports Ohio
- Bally Sports Oklahoma
- Bally Sports San Diego
- Bally Sports SoCal
- Bally Sports South
- Bally Sports Southeast
- Bally Sports Southwest
- Bally Sports Sun
- Bally Sports Tennessee
- Bally Sports West
- Bally Sports Wisconsin
- Fox Sports Wisconsin
- Longhorn Network
- Marquee Sports Network
- MASN
- MASN2
- MSG
- MSG Sportsnet
- NBC Sports Bay Area
- NBC Sports Boston
- NBC Sports California
- NBC Sports Chicago
- NESN
- Root Sports Northwest
- Spectrum SportsNet
- Spectrum SportsNet LA
- SportsNet NY
- SportsTime Ohio
- YES Network
-
Arizona's Family Sports -
Monumental Sports Network -
NBC Sports Philadelphia -
NBC Sports Philadelphia+ -
NBC Sports Washington+ -
Rockies.TV Channel -
Space City Home Network
Pro Sports
Unlike DIRECTV’s satellite service, the AT&T TV NOW streaming service does not offer pro sports networks like NFL Sunday Ticket, NFL Network or NFL RedZone.
College Sports
Big Ten Network, ESPNU, and SEC Network are available on the AT&T TV NOW “MAX” ($79.99) plan. The service does not offer Pac-12 Network.
Other Sports Channels
ESPNEWS, Golf Channel, and Tennis Channel are available on the AT&T TV NOW “MAX” ($79.99) plan.
Premium Channels
While HBO and Cinemax are included in the AT&T TV NOW plan, you can add them to the AT&T TV NOW plan. You can add Showtime ($11) and Starz ($11) to either plan.
Add-Ons
Tech Specs
- High definition video is similar to other streaming services.
- Live streaming works fine, but on demand content can have trouble loading.
- Live content is about 20 seconds behind cable TV, which is faster than half of the other services.
720p HD
(Up to 1080p HD)
Most video streams are 1080p 60 fps, which is the best to expect with live TV streaming services. Some channels like ESPN stream at 720p due to the max resolution of the source.
When you are streaming on your smartphone or tablet, streams are limited to 480p (standard definition) on cellular and 720p on Wi-Fi. Since the device sizes are relatively small, the stream quality still looks good.
To reduce playback interruptions, AT&T TV NOW will adapt the stream quality to match your network connection.
60 FPS
Most video streams in 60 FPS.
Some Surround
Stereo/Surround Sound
Most live, DVR, and on demand content has Dolby Digital 5.1 on Amazon Fire and Apple TV devices. On other devices, most live TV content has standard stereo audio.
Reliability
AT&T TV NOW live stream’s stability has improved since their initial launch. While we occasionally had issues starting a stream, once a channel started streaming there was rarely an interruption.
Their on demand content still has playback problems. On demand video would sometimes freeze (with just audio playing) until stopping and re-playing the video.
Live Delay
Live Delay
Live content is about 20 seconds behind cable TV, which is faster than half of the other services.
Channel Switching
Channel Switching
It takes about 2.5 seconds to switch between channels, which is faster than half of the other services.
User Experience
- Channel guide is very familiar to cable and satellite TV services.
- Recently watched shows and favorites are easily accessible.
- Search finds content well, but doesn’t highlight live or on demand content very well. Too many future shows (which cannot be viewed, scheduled, or recorded) appear in search results.
Home Screen
On phone and tablet devices, the AT&T TV NOW app’s home screen has a live stream of your most recently watched channel, a list of recently viewed shows, your favorite shows “watchlist”, and other popular live shows.
On television devices, the AT&T TV NOW app launches to your most recently watched channel. A list of popular live shows is accessible by swiping up on your remote.
TV Guide
The AT&T TV NOW standard channel guide lists all available channels alphabetically. You can also limit the guide to show only your favorite channels.
Shows that offer 72-Hour Rewind have an ↩ icon next to the title.
Search
AT&T TV NOW allows you to search by video title or channel name. Search results are separated into “From the Guide,” “On Demand,” and “Channels” sections.
Search results could be improved. Upcoming episodes make up most of the search results, so it’s hard to access shows you can watch right now.
Show Details
The show details page displays a poster image for the current item, as well as other episodes available on demand.
Playback
Although you can briefly pause live TV, you cannot rewind or fast-forward live TV content.
For certain on demand shows, you can skip forward/backwards by 15-second increments or fast-forward to later portions of the show.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does AT&T TV NOW cost?
AT&T TV NOW is available starting at $54.99 / month. See the full list: AT&T TV NOW Pricing & Plans
Does AT&T TV NOW have a free trial?
AT&T TV NOW does not have a free trial.
Does AT&T TV NOW have a DVR?
AT&T TV NOW includes 500 hours of Cloud DVR storage.
What channels are on AT&T TV NOW?
AT&T TV NOW includes 40 channels including 23 top cable channels. See the full list: AT&T TV NOW Channels.
How many streams are allowed at once on AT&T TV NOW?
AT&T TV NOW allows up to 3 devices at the same time. See more details: AT&T TV NOW Simultaneous Streams
Does AT&T TV NOW have local channels?
AT&T TV NOW includes ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Telemundo, and The CW in most, but not all markets. See the full list: AT&T TV NOW Local Channels.
Does AT&T TV NOW have live sports?
AT&T TV NOW includes live sports from ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, Fox Sports 2, TBS, TNT, and USA Network. See the full list: AT&T TV NOW Sports Channels.
Does AT&T TV NOW offer premium channels?
AT&T TV NOW offers premium channels like Cinemax, HBO, Parmount+ with SHOWTIME, and Starz for an additional fee. See the full list: AT&T TV NOW Premium Channels.
Does AT&T TV NOW offer on demand content?
AT&T TV NOW includes on demand content from most of the channels they offer. Unlike content on your DVR, you won’t be able to skip ads.
Does AT&T TV NOW support TV Everywhere apps?
AT&T TV NOW includes access to many TV Eveywhere Apps with your AT&T TV NOW credentials. See the full list: AT&T TV NOW TV Everywhere Apps.
Does AT&T TV NOW have a TV Guide?
AT&T TV NOW includes a TV Guide similar to what you would get with your cable or satellite set-top box.
Does AT&T TV NOW have ads?
AT&T TV NOW includes ads during live viewing of shows, as well on all on-demand content. You can skip ads when you watch shows recorded to your DVR.
Does AT&T TV NOW offer 4K streaming?
AT&T TV NOW does not include 4K content as part of the service.
Does AT&T TV NOW offer Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound?
AT&T TV NOW includes select content with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound as part of the service. It may only work on certain devices.