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After Killing Promotions, DIRECTV NOW Has Huge Subscriber Losses For the First Time

AT&T announced their 2018 4th Quarter results today and as expected, DIRECTV NOW saw a major drop in subscribers.

After reaching 1,858,000 subscribers last quarter, the service lost 267,000 subscribers this quarter (and nearly 332,000 if you exclude those currently on trial). This is stunning considering that the company added 368,000 subscribers in the same quarter a year ago.

The dramatic drop in users does not come as a surprise. As part of his talk at the Citi 2019 Global TMT West Conference, John Stephens, AT&T Chief Financial Officer revealed that “at the end of the second quarter last year, about 500,000 DIRECTV NOW subscribers were on $10 per month promotional pricing plans.”

In response, the company removed device deals like a Free Apple TV 4K and their 3 month for $10 plan. In November, they removed discounts on the service for AT&T customers.

DIRECTV NOW has also faced increased competition from services like Hulu Live TV, PlayStation Vue, YouTube TV, and Fubo.

The service is still the second largest vMVPD behind Sling TV, who at last reports had 2.34 million subscribers. Hulu Live TV announced in September that they had reached 1 million subscribers, while speculation place YouTube TV at 800,000, PlayStation Vue at 400,000, and fuboTV at 250,000.

Want to Learn More About Live TV Streaming Services?

  • You can read our full review comparing 8 different cord-cutting services including DIRECTV NOW, PlayStation Vue, fuboTV, Hulu Live TV, Philo, Sling TV, YouTube TV, and WatchTV.
  • Use our Channel Finder to add your favorite channels, shows, and sports teams and we’ll help find the best streaming service for you.
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DIRECTV STREAM Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $50 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for DIRECTV STREAM.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new DIRECTV STREAM subscribers.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • Purchase must be completed on the DIRECTV STREAM website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.

Sling TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $25 Uber Eats Gift Card when you sign up for Sling TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new Sling TV subscribers to Sling Orange, Blue, or Sling Orange + Blue.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • You must click from The Streamable and complete your purchase on the Sling TV website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.

Hulu Live TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $35 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for Hulu Live TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new Hulu Live TV subscribers.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • You must click from The Streamable and complete your purchase on the Hulu Live TV website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.