AT&T wants to stand out in the wireless market by combining streaming TV with unlimited data. Two newly-announced WatchTV options add dozens of TV channels and thousands of on-demand TV shows to the carrier’s unlimited data plans.
This move comes in the wake of the $85B AT&T/Time Warner merger, giving the carrier far greater access to video content that can be streamed to your iPhone or iPad almost anywhere.
“We were the first wireless provider to bring entertainment and unlimited data together, and, once again, we’re redefining what that means,” said David Christopher, president, AT&T Mobility and Entertainment in a statement.
The carrier promises WatchTV compatiblity with “virtually every current smartphone, tablet or web browser.” An iOS app for iPhone and iPad is expect soon.
Add WatchTV to AT&T’s unlimited plans
This wireless provider offers a pair of unlimited plans. AT&T Unlimited &More ($70 for a single line) includes 22GB of 4G LTE data before throttling begins. That means “speeds may slow in congested areas,” according to AT&T. This cheaper plan is limited to 480p video. There’s also a $15 credit toward DirectTV NOW.
AT&T Unlimited &More Premium ($80 for a single line) offers the same features, plus 15GB of high-speed tethering.
WatchTV can be added to either of these at no additional cost. Those who have the &More Premium plan can also add HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, or Starz, as well as music streaming services like Amazon Music Unlimited and Pandora Premium, again for no extra money.
Keep in mind, all this streaming content counts against the total amount of data each subscriber is allowed each month before throttling kicks in.
AT&T plans to make this video service available as a $15 per month standalone option.
WatchTV offerings
When it debuts, WatchTV subscribers will have access to:
- A&E
- AMC
- ANIMAL PLANET
- AUDIENCE
- BBC WORLD NEWS
- BBC AMERICA
- BOOMERANG
- Cartoon Network
- CNN
- DISCOVERY
- Food Network
- FYI
- Hallmark
- Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
- HGTV
- History
- HLN
- IFC
- ID
- Lifetime
- Lifetime Movies
- OWN
- SUNDANCE TV
- TBS
- Turner Classic Movies
- TLC
- TNT
- TRUTV
- VELOCITY
- VICELAND
- WE TV
AT&T is planning to add more from Viacom
- BET
- Comedy Central
- MTV 2
- NICK TOONS
- TEEN NICK
- VH1
