# Directv over the internet

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/directv-over-the-internet/747753>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [March 2, 2016, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/directv-over-the-internet/747753 "2016-03-02T19:15:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/directv-over-the-internet/747753/1 "2016-03-02T19:15:30Z")

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AT&T (the owners of DirecTV) have stated that they plan on offering DirecTV online with “no annual contracts, dishes, or set top boxes”. I think if they pull it off it’ll be a major game changer although with my internet provider insisting that Data Caps are the wave of the future I’m not sure I’ll be able to fully appreciate it.

> **[AT&T to sell DirecTV online—no satellite dish or set-top box required](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/03/att-to-sell-directv-online-no-satellite-dish-or-set-top-box-required/?comments=1)**
>
> Still TBD: Which channels are available and whether the service will be zero-rated.

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**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/directv-over-the-internet/747753/2 "2016-03-02T19:31:27Z")

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Would it be that much different from how U-Verse works now?

Besides - without a STB, how do you record shows?

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**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/directv-over-the-internet/747753/3 "2016-03-02T21:03:55Z")

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Well I’m sure that will work like gangbusters. The one thing I’ve missed in all my current online TV offerings is the lack of choice of what I get to watch when. I much prefer it when I’m stuck with whatever shows a group of white collar workers decided to line up for me, based on unknown criteria.

(Why do TV and channels still exist in 2016?)

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**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/directv-over-the-internet/747753/4 "2016-03-02T22:39:02Z")

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> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#):
>
> Would it be that much different from how U-Verse works now?
> 
> Besides - without a STB, how do you record shows?

Even today you can stream most shows that were on in the last couple days even if you didn’t record them.