Fox Networks Join DirecTV Now

21 Nov, 2016 By: Erik Gruenwedel

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Fox Networks Group is the latest media organization to ink distribution with DirecTV Now, AT&T’s pending $35 online TV service with 100 channels launching Nov. 28.

Fox programming will include: Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, FX, FXX, FXM, FS 1, FS 2, Big Ten Network, 18 Fox regional sports networks, National Geographic and Nat Geo Wild. The parties have also agreed on a framework for Fox Broadcasting Company programming to be delivered to DirecTV Now subscribers nationwide.

“It’s a big win for our DirecTV Now customers,” Dan York, chief content officer for AT&T, said in a statement.

Indeed, with DirecTV Now competing against Dish Network’s Sling TV, Sony’s PlayStation Vue and Charter’s Spectrum TV Plus, AT&T reportedly will include a free Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV Stick to facilitate wireless connectivity to the user’s TV.

In addition, the Fox deal includes continued retransmission of Fox broadcast stations, cable and regional sports networks live and on-demand through linear TV, online, and TV Everywhere apps on DirecTV and AT&T’s shrinking U-Verse pay-TV service.

The telecom is attempting to migrate U-verse subs to DirecTV, which resulted in 323,000 subs joining DirecTV and 326,000 U-verse subs dropping service in the most recent fiscal period. More than 80% of domestic AT&T video subscribers are on the DirecTV platform.

DirecTV subs will also have access to 4K content from Fox's licensed sports properties, including MLB regular season and playoff games, college football and basketball games, NASCAR races and FIFA World Cup games.

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