This week AT&T reported that they lost 359,000 DIRECTV subscribers but added 49,000 DIRECTV NOW subscribers during their third quarter. Now AT&T says they plan to review what channels they offer as they review their pay-TV programming lineup. This comes as AT&T is close to renewing deals with FOX, CBS, Viacom, and Disney.
So, what does this mean? Well, AT&T said that consumers appear to be interested in smaller, more specialized programming bundles. What does that look like? It is hard to know. What is clear is AT&T is looking at the possibility of major changes to their pay-TV services like DIRECTV and maybe even DIRECTV NOW.
This could mark the start of the end for many smaller networks. Already networks like NBCUniversal have started to cut back by shutting down smaller networks like Chiller. If DIRECTV NOW starts to cut smaller, less watched, networks it could be the end to many lesser-known networks.
We likely won’t know what changes AT&T makes until contract talks end and even then it could be months before that change takes effect.
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