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DirecTV Ends Satellite Sign-Ups for New Customers in Select Markets

The carrier will use the limited trial to gauge demand for its streaming-only service, shaping future pay-TV offerings

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A DirecTV sattelite dish sits on a roof on May 19, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Overview

  • Prospective subscribers in test markets encounter a notice that satellite service is "not currently available" and are prompted to sign up via DirecTV’s streaming app
  • DirecTV declined to disclose which markets are involved, though reports suggest the focus is on urban areas with strong broadband while rural regions may still receive satellite options
  • The experiment coincides with the recent launches of the ad-supported FAST platform MyFree DirecTV and the subscription-based MySports channel package
  • Industry observers note DirecTV’s total subscribers have declined to about 11 million from over 25 million in 2015 amid a broader U.S. shift toward cord-cutting
  • Early customer feedback gathered on Reddit and internal analysis will inform whether the satellite-free model expands beyond the initial test