DirecTV NOW? Never Heard Of It

Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon...these are the big wigs of the video streaming world. Although there are tons of video-streaming services to choose from, these are the three that stand head and shoulders above the rest. Considering how often the 99 million users of Netflix often find themselves binge-watching their favorite TV shows, it’s no wonder “Netflix and chill?” has become a commonly used slang term/euphemism and “DirecTV NOW and chill?” has not...

Oh, sorry, are you not familiar with DirecTV NOW? I shouldn’t be surprised, but I forgot that most of you reading this haven’t ever heard of DirecTV NOW. DirecTV rarely even markets this product, which is probably the biggest mistake they could make, considering it is their best product. DirecTV NOW has actually come out with a very good product that is adapted for today’s market and could keep the company from failing.  DirecTV describes their product, “DirecTV NOW is a subscription streaming television service by AT&T, which allows subscribers in the United States to stream programming from cable channels without the long term commitment.” This statement, to me, describes something I would definitely be interested in, but DirecTV uses it as their “Plan B” product when a consumer doesn’t want to commit to a full contracted subscription like regular cable. Instead of leading the marketing campaigns with this up-to-date product, DirecTV is stuck in the middle ages of TiVo and analogue, marketing their contractual, safer, sinking ship of broadband TV.

If DirecTV NOW were actually marketed to the public more intensely and offered as the first choice product amongst DirecTV’s consumers, the product would explode in popularity. It is a perfect product for the college student who wants cable options, or the consumer who just doesn’t like contracts, or the individual on a budget.

One simple, cost effective marketing tactic that Netflix has done is uploading videos and commercials up to YouTube. Their channel (here) has over 2.5 million followers who get notified on their phones and emailed whenever Netflix uploads a commercial. This channel is free and can actually create revenue (YouTube pays channels that have high views a ton of money). DirecTV could do this with DirecTV NOW promotionals and commercials.

Overall, DirecTV NOW offers an incredible deal for a cheap month-to-month subscription cost starting at $35. This is higher than Netflix, which starts at $10 a month, but offers a variety of different shows, channels, movies, and most importantly, live-streaming television.

DirecTV and AT&T have a very solid product. With a little more advertising and a better sales strategy, they could become one of the top competitors in the video-streaming industry. It has a ton of potential, all it needs is just a little push.

In case you would like to check out their website, here you go.