DirecTV Now, AT&T’s new streaming service, is expanding its access to premium fare with the launch of both Starz and Starz Encore.
Starz on DirecTV Now sells for $8 per month. The launch of Starz on DirecTV Now initially will feature more than 2,500 episodes and movies that are available on-demand, plus access to three linear feeds – the east coast feeds of Starz, Starz Encore and Starz Kids & Family.
The addition of Starz follows the intro of DirecTV Now’s earlier, separate offer of Starz Encore with the OTT-TV service’s $70 per month “Gotta Have It” package, when DirecTV Now launched late last year. The Starz Encore service in that package features all eight Starz Encore premium channels in addition to the Starz Encore VOD library.
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The OTT distribution agreement stems from a new multi-year deal between Starz and AT&T/DirecTV. DirecTV Now signed on about 200,000 paid subs during its first month in service.
Starz also sells a direct-to-consumer subscription service for $8.99 per month via a new app that supports that OTT offering and also works as a TV Everywhere service for the programmer’s MVPD partners. Starz also sells subscriptions for $8.99 per month through Amazon Channels.
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“With today’s launch on DIRECTV NOW, Starz is continuing to extend the reach of its flagship STARZ products in the marketplace,” Jeffrey Hirsch, Starz’s COO, said in a statement. “The DIRECTV NOW offering is a terrific service for our collection of STARZ Originals and quality feature film programming, which has proven to be very successful for the unmatched quality at an affordable price point,” said Jeffrey Hirsch, Chief Operating Officer at Starz. “With DIRECTV NOW, AT&T is opening up barriers to entry that prevented a wide swath of audience from accessing our groundbreaking slate of originals and we are thrilled to work with them.”
“With the addition of STARZ, we’re continuing to broaden the appeal of DIRECTV NOW, creating an unmatched entertainment experience,” added Dan York, AT&T’s chief content officer.
