(03-09-2019 09:46 AM)MWC Tex Wrote: [ -> ]Sounds like DirecTV Now will pare down to 2 packages and increase the price by $10/month.
Expect more customers to drop them, I already did a couple of months ago.
I will update when it becomes official.
https://www-cordcuttersnews-com.cdn.ampp...ackages%2F
Yuck! Looks like my $35 grandfathered package that became $40 will now become $50.
New DirecTV Now Packages are up.
The new packages are $50 Plus and $70 Max. The old packages have been renamed and the price jacked way up.
$40 Live a Little package is now $93 - Entertainment
$55 Just Right package is now $110 - Choice
$65 Go Big Package is now $124 - Xtra
$75 Gotta Have It Package is now $135 - Ultimate
The Plus package has ESPN/2, FS1, and NBCSN
The Max package has all ESPN, Fox, NBC, and CBS cable sports networks. Both packages have the Turner networks and HBO
Current subscribers keep what they have with a $10 increase.
With the amount of competition in this market, I dont see how AT&T expects to add new subscribers
(03-13-2019 12:22 PM)solohawks Wrote: [ -> ]New DirecTV Now Packages are up.
The new packages are $50 Plus and $70 Max. The old packages have been renamed and the price jacked way up.
$40 Live a Little package is now $93 - Entertainment
$55 Just Right package is now $110 - Choice
$65 Go Big Package is now $124 - Xtra
$75 Gotta Have It Package is now $135 - Ultimate
The Plus package has ESPN/2, FS1, and NBCSN
The Max package has all ESPN, Fox, NBC, and CBS cable sports networks. Both packages have the Turner networks and HBO
Current subscribers keep what they have with a $10 increase.
With the amount of competition in this market, I dont see how AT&T expects to add new subscribers
DirecTV Now updated with the 2 tiers since new subscribers have those options only. Didn't know HBO was included, but really why? That adds $10-$15 right there, unless they are making it a marketing thing.
Couple of observations:
1. The Nick channels are no longer part of the packages.
2. More sports channels added to Max.
Yeah...I don't how AT&T is going to get more subscribers either. Unless Hulu Live TV and Fubo and UTUBE TV up their rates to equal $50. They may soon do that as it seems they are losing money with the rates they charge now with all the sports channels offered.
Quote:Yeah...I don't how AT&T is going to get more subscribers either. Unless Hulu Live TV and Fubo and UTUBE TV up their rates to equal $50. They may soon do that as it seems they are losing money with the rates they charge now with all the sports channels offered.
The $50 package is a poor man's YouTube TV with HBO
The $70 package is a poor man's PS Vue Core with HBO and Cinemax
AT&T is really banking on HBO being a draw because there are way better options than these two packages for non HBO fans
(03-13-2019 08:36 PM)solohawks Wrote: [ -> ]Quote:Yeah...I don't how AT&T is going to get more subscribers either. Unless Hulu Live TV and Fubo and UTUBE TV up their rates to equal $50. They may soon do that as it seems they are losing money with the rates they charge now with all the sports channels offered.
The $50 package is a poor man's YouTube TV with HBO
The $70 package is a poor man's PS Vue Core with HBO and Cinemax
AT&T is really banking on HBO being a draw because there are way better options than these two packages for non HBO fans
The $70 plan makes little sense. It consists of the $50 package plus Cinemax and a collection of specialty and regional sports channels. They offer Cinemax as a stand alone add on to the $50 package for $11. They should do the same with the sports channels and turn it into a Sport Tier. If they still wanted to offer the $70 package, they could simply offer the Sports Tier plus Cinemax at a discount over the stand alone add on prices for each. As it is, they are really going to drive away potential customers seeking their desired specialty or regional sports networks.
I do think the $50 package makes a lot of sense. They've trimmed down the number of channels and force you to take HBO. This should increase their margins quite a bit. These services have to be operating on incredibly thin margins. DirecTV may get fewer customers, but they might actually make some money. With Disney taking over Hulu, I would not be surprised to see a jiggering of Live packages there soon. YouTube TV is an incredible value. They've got to be losing a bunch trying to build a subscriber base, but those prices cannot possibly last.
Under an SVOD business model like Netflix, most of the programming costs are fixed. When you add new subscribers (or increase prices) , the additional revenues are mostly profit. Channels usually charge multichannel live services like DirecTV Now and YouTube TV on a per subscriber basis, so there is far less incremental profit from subscriber additions. AT&T and Disney may be able to make money from multichannel live services because they own lots of cable networks. Cable networks are similar to SVOD services - high fixed costs so that revenues from additional subscribers (or price increases) is mostly profit. Indeed, they need these services to defend against subscriber losses from traditional cable and satellite providers.
(03-14-2019 02:30 PM)orangefan Wrote: [ -> ] (03-13-2019 08:36 PM)solohawks Wrote: [ -> ]Quote:Yeah...I don't how AT&T is going to get more subscribers either. Unless Hulu Live TV and Fubo and UTUBE TV up their rates to equal $50. They may soon do that as it seems they are losing money with the rates they charge now with all the sports channels offered.
The $50 package is a poor man's YouTube TV with HBO
The $70 package is a poor man's PS Vue Core with HBO and Cinemax
AT&T is really banking on HBO being a draw because there are way better options than these two packages for non HBO fans
The $70 plan makes little sense. It consists of the $50 package plus Cinemax and a collection of specialty and regional sports channels. They offer Cinemax as a stand alone add on to the $50 package for $11. They should do the same with the sports channels and turn it into a Sport Tier. If they still wanted to offer the $70 package, they could simply offer the Sports Tier plus Cinemax at a discount over the stand alone add on prices for each. As it is, they are really going to drive away potential customers seeking their desired specialty or regional sports networks.
I do think the $50 package makes a lot of sense. They've trimmed down the number of channels and force you to take HBO. This should increase their margins quite a bit. These services have to be operating on incredibly thin margins. DirecTV may get fewer customers, but they might actually make some money. With Disney taking over Hulu, I would not be surprised to see a jiggering of Live packages there soon. YouTube TV is an incredible value. They've got to be losing a bunch trying to build a subscriber base, but those prices cannot possibly last.
Under an SVOD business model like Netflix, most of the programming costs are fixed. When you add new subscribers (or increase prices) , the additional revenues are mostly profit. Channels usually charge multichannel live services like DirecTV Now and YouTube TV on a per subscriber basis, so there is far less incremental profit from subscriber additions. AT&T and Disney may be able to make money from multichannel live services because they own lots of cable networks. Cable networks are similar to SVOD services - high fixed costs so that revenues from additional subscribers (or price increases) is mostly profit. Indeed, they need these services to defend against subscriber losses from traditional cable and satellite providers.
I agree that the new packages are likely to be profitable, especially since AT&T owns HBO and the Turner networks, I just dont know who would want to pay $50 for the DirectvNow base package when there are so many better options out there. The only people who the $50 package makes since for are people who really want HBO.
(03-14-2019 10:46 PM)solohawks Wrote: [ -> ] (03-14-2019 02:30 PM)orangefan Wrote: [ -> ] (03-13-2019 08:36 PM)solohawks Wrote: [ -> ]Quote:Yeah...I don't how AT&T is going to get more subscribers either. Unless Hulu Live TV and Fubo and UTUBE TV up their rates to equal $50. They may soon do that as it seems they are losing money with the rates they charge now with all the sports channels offered.
The $50 package is a poor man's YouTube TV with HBO
The $70 package is a poor man's PS Vue Core with HBO and Cinemax
AT&T is really banking on HBO being a draw because there are way better options than these two packages for non HBO fans
The $70 plan makes little sense. It consists of the $50 package plus Cinemax and a collection of specialty and regional sports channels. They offer Cinemax as a stand alone add on to the $50 package for $11. They should do the same with the sports channels and turn it into a Sport Tier. If they still wanted to offer the $70 package, they could simply offer the Sports Tier plus Cinemax at a discount over the stand alone add on prices for each. As it is, they are really going to drive away potential customers seeking their desired specialty or regional sports networks.
I do think the $50 package makes a lot of sense. They've trimmed down the number of channels and force you to take HBO. This should increase their margins quite a bit. These services have to be operating on incredibly thin margins. DirecTV may get fewer customers, but they might actually make some money. With Disney taking over Hulu, I would not be surprised to see a jiggering of Live packages there soon. YouTube TV is an incredible value. They've got to be losing a bunch trying to build a subscriber base, but those prices cannot possibly last.
Under an SVOD business model like Netflix, most of the programming costs are fixed. When you add new subscribers (or increase prices) , the additional revenues are mostly profit. Channels usually charge multichannel live services like DirecTV Now and YouTube TV on a per subscriber basis, so there is far less incremental profit from subscriber additions. AT&T and Disney may be able to make money from multichannel live services because they own lots of cable networks. Cable networks are similar to SVOD services - high fixed costs so that revenues from additional subscribers (or price increases) is mostly profit. Indeed, they need these services to defend against subscriber losses from traditional cable and satellite providers.
I agree that the new packages are likely to be profitable, especially since AT&T owns HBO and the Turner networks, I just dont know who would want to pay $50 for the Directv Now base package when there are so many better options out there. The only people who the $50 package makes since for are people who really want HBO.
At today's prices buying separate YouTube TV and HBO Now subscriptions would clearly to be a better option than the DirecTV Now $50 package. For $5 more, you'd get all of the specialty and regional sports channels (actually more) than the DirecTV Now Max plan, plus a bunch more channels. I really don't think that YouTube TV can maintain the $40 price long term though.
(03-15-2019 07:41 AM)orangefan Wrote: [ -> ]At today's prices buying separate YouTube TV and HBO Now subscriptions would clearly to be a better option than the DirecTV Now $50 package. For $5 more, you'd get all of the specialty and regional sports channels (actually more) than the DirecTV Now Max plan, plus a bunch more channels. I really don't think that YouTube TV can maintain the $40 price long term though.
Agree.
https://www.fiercevideo.com/operators/yo...alyst-says
How long will Google tolerate this?
With everyone else having raise prices I could see YouTube TV as well. They were at $35 and then went to $40 when they added Turner networks. If think it would be safe for them to go to $45 at this point and match Hulu.
Fubo TV upped their prices by $10
MLB Network and the MLB Strikezone channel added to the Sling sports packs for both Orange and Blue
YouTube TV is adding the Discovery networks and increasing their price to $50/month as of today. Will kickin for current subs next month
(04-10-2019 12:40 PM)solohawks Wrote: [ -> ]YouTube TV is adding the Discovery networks and increasing their price to $50/month as of today. Will kickin for current subs next month
Yup, current YoutubeTV subscribers just got their 30 day notice. This might actually help you in some cases as networks like HGTV will be available now.
YoutubeTV still a great deal for my particular situation.
Updated price and channels for YouTube TV.
Yeah i dont see the market demanding another high dollar carrier. Looks like they are trying to steal cable/satellite dwindling market share