Fox Paves Its Path To DirecTV Now

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Fox Networks Group will be clear and present on AT&T’s forthcoming streaming service, set to debut before the end of November.


The parent of 21st Century Fox’s pay-TV networks reached an agreement with AT&T that extends its portfolio of pay-TV channels across all AT&T DirecTV products.

The deal, announced Monday (11/21), includes AT&T’s forthcoming streaming service, DirecTV Now.

AT&T confirmed that the highly anticipated mini-bundle pay-TV service option is set to debut before Dec. 1.

That means that when DirecTV Now launches, it will include Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, FX, FXX, FXM, sports channels FS1 and FS 2, the Big Ten Network, 18 regional Fox Sports networks, National Geographic, and Nat Geo Wild.

There is also a framework in place for FOX network programming to be delivered to DirecTV Now customers across the U.S.

Neither Fox nor AT&T elaborated on that potential rollout.

The arrangement extends the previously existing arrangement giving AT&T DirecTV and U-Verse customers all Fox cable and broadcast stations. DirecTV customers will also have access to 4K content from Fox, including MLB regular season and playoff games, top college football and basketball games, NASCAR races and FIFA World Cup games.

“We’re delighted and gratified to team up with DirecTV to offer our brands as part of DirecTV NOW,” said Fox Networks Group President of Distribution Mike Biard. “This agreement demonstrates our commitment to providing viewers with a seamless TV experience across the full range of our leading brands in news, sports and entertainment.”

AT&T Chief Content Officer Dan York added, “The expansion of our relationship with Fox enables AT&T to offer Fox content across our platforms and products. It’s a big win for our DirecTV NOW customers, who will have easy and immediate access to a wide array of Fox programming.”

The Fox agreement comes following similar news in early November that DirecTV Now is set to add all of Univision Communications’ O&O stations and cable networks — the result of a multiplatform distribution agreement reached with the company and AT&T.

DirecTV NOW will debut with 100+ channels, including live and on-demand programming from top networks, as well as premium add-on options.