DirecTV Now Signs A+E Networks Pact

DirecTV Now continues to rack up carriage deals in the months leading to its upcoming launch, the latest with A+E Networks.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but in a statement A+E Networks said its channels – A&E, Lifetime, History, LMN, FYI and Viceland will all be available to DirecTV Nowcustomers.

“We are thrilled to team up with AT&T to offer our brands on the DirecTV Now platform at launch,” said A+E Networks president, distribution David Zagin in a statement. “It’s exciting for A+E Networks to continue to be at the leading front of the technology evolution. DirecTV Now will offer consumers a new way of receiving our content giving our viewers access to our strong portfolio of entertainment brands.” 

As its fourth quarter launch nears, DirecTV Now has reached a flurry of carriage agreements this month alone. Other deals in September were made with Scripps Networks,Discovery Communications,Turner, and NBC Universal. At the Goldman Sachs Communacopia conference, AMC Networks CEO Josh Sapan said all of its networks will be part of the DirecTV Now package. In a Securities & Exchange Commission filing Thursday, Starz said it reached a multiplatform deal with AT&T, including DirecTV Now, on Sept. 17. The streaming service had reached previous deals with Disney, HBO and Cinemax.

A+E Networks is a welcome addition to the DirecV Now platform,” AT&T chief content officer Dan York said in a statement.  “Customers of our new streaming service will have a wide array of programming choices they can access within minutes by just downloading the app and signing up.” 

DirecTV Now, launching in the fourth quarter of this year, will offer customers access to more than 100 channels, including live and on-demand programming from top networks, as well as premium add-on options. AT&T and DirecTV customers will be able to access and stream the service over a wired or wireless Internet connection using a variety of connected devices without requiring additional hardware, satellites, long-term contracts or credit checks.