DirecTV App Update Adds TV Everywhere Options

An update to the DirecTV app gives subscribers remote access to live and recorded programming anywhere with mobile or Wi-Fi access, AT&T said in a news release Wednesday. App users also can restart live-streaming shows in progress or watch shows that aired within the previous 72 hours even if they weren't recorded on the DVR. Streaming video via the DirecTV or U-verse app no longer counts against subscribers' mobile data allotments when using Data Free TV on the AT&T mobile wireless network, the company said. The offering was criticized by Free Press, which has been critical of zero-rating consumer offerings (see 1606230065). "Tying broadband and legacy pay-TV subscriptions together like this is a huge problem. With these schemes, AT&T seems intent on favoring its own video content under the DirecTV brand," said Policy Director Matt Wood. "This isn’t really free data. It’s a way for AT&T to keep you paying for two services instead of one, and a roadblock designed to prevent you from using your data on any content AT&T doesn’t own. The anti-competitive implications for the video market are clear as a bell.” In a statement, AT&T said, "The data free feature empowers consumers by giving them more options and allows us to compete for customers in a highly competitive market.”