DirecTV Now Gets into the Int’l Channels Biz with Vietnamese and Brazilian Add-Ons
AT&T has announced the addition of its first two international programming add-on packages for DirecTV Now.
For an additional $20 a month, DirecTV Now users have access to nine Vietnamese programming channels: Film 24H, HONVIETV, S Channel, SBTN, TViet Network, VGN, Vien Thao TV, Vietface TV and VIETV.
And for an extra $25 a month, Portuguese speakers can enjoy two channels in the Brazilian package: TV Globo and PFC.
It should be noted that Spanish speakers have access to a large number of Spanish-language and Latin American-targeted networks with DirecTV Now’s $45-a-month, 90-channel Todo Y Mas tier.
Related: DirecTV Now Pacing to Surpass Sling TV in Subscribers by End of Year
Ending the second quarter with 1.81 million subscribers, DirecTV Now is closing fast on virtual MVPD market leader Sling TV, which leads the virtual pay TV market in customers after getting a two-year head start.
But the latter platform, backed by rival satellite TV operator Dish Network, remains the unchallenged leader in terms of addressing the international customer base. Sling offers 25 add-on international programming packages, including a $15-a-month, 30-channel Vietnamese bundle, as well as a $35-a-month, 30-plus-channel Brazilian package.
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Daniel Frankel is the managing editor of Next TV, an internet publishing vertical focused on the business of video streaming. A Los Angeles-based writer and editor who has covered the media and technology industries for more than two decades, Daniel has worked on staff for publications including E! Online, Electronic Media, Mediaweek, Variety, paidContent and GigaOm. You can start living a healthier life with greater wealth and prosperity by following Daniel on Twitter today!