DirecTV is refreshing some of its legacy satellite television plans to include access to network-owned streaming apps, The Desk has learned.
The move is part of an ongoing effort started last year that involves DirecTV renegotiating its distribution agreements with entertainment companies to bundle streaming access with linear broadcast and cable channels where feasible.
Earlier this year, DirecTV launched a handful of new genre-based packages on its streaming platform that allow customers to purchase bundles of entertainment, news and sports channels beyond the traditional cable TV bundle. The plans start at $20 per month and include access to Disney Plus, Hulu, HBO Max, Vix Premium and ESPN Plus, though the apps customers can access as part of their plan depends on the channels available to them.
On Thursday, a DirecTV spokesperson said the company will soon offer access to network-owned streaming apps within “select DirecTV packages” by the end of the year. Separately, a source familiar with the matter confirmed the company will include HBO Max, Peacock and the forthcoming ESPN Unlimited plan across its entertainment and sports genre-based packages, and its legacy “Signature” packages that resemble traditional cable TV plans. The company is also working to bring other apps like Disney Plus and Hulu to its satellite customers as well, the source said.
Separately, DirecTV confirmed it will offer access to ESPN Unlimited across all of its satellite and streaming packages that include the core ESPN channel. That includes the genre-based package MySports, which costs $70 per month and includes access to ESPN and ABC, among other sports-inclusive channels.
Customers who pay for one of DirecTV’s streaming Signature plans and who use a Gemini set-top box or Gemini Air dongle to watch live TV will also benefit from the inclusion of the ad-supported tiers of Disney Plus and Hulu, the company affirmed. All of DirecTV’s streaming Signature plans include ESPN, and the inclusion of ESPN Unlimited will allow streaming subscribers to watch live events through ESPN Plus as well.
While some Signature packages relegate niche channels like ESPNews and ESPN U to higher programming tiers, a spokesperson said DirecTV subscribers with the core ESPN channel will be able to access all content through ESPN Unlimited when the plan becomes available to them in the coming weeks.
The retail cost of ESPN Unlimited is $30 per month, and the plan is scheduled to debut through the ESPN app in time for the start of the NFL’s regular season in September. When purchased through ESPN, the plan will include access to ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPNews and several college sports channels like ACC Network and SEC Network. ESPN Unlimited also includes access to ESPN Plus.
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Editor’s note: This story was updated Thursday evening to include additional details on ESPN Unlimited.
