DirecTV's new Genre Packs let streamers select from news, sports, Spanish-language TV
DirecTV wants to make it easier for streamers to create their own programming package.
The TV provider is offering three new standalone streaming content offerings, or Genre Packs, for subscribers to choose from: MyEntertainment (TV shows and movies), MyNews (U.S. and global news) and MiEspañol (Spanish language programming).
The Genre Packs, which cost $34.99 or $35.99 monthly, are available to stream now at directvstream.com. They will be available through streaming device partners and directv.com in the coming months.
Subscribers to a Genre Pack can also opt to add an additional Mini-Pack of content such as MyCinema ($9.99 monthly) or MySports Extra ($12.99 monthly).
The new offerings build on DirecTV's recent launch of MySports, a subscription streaming service with 40 channels ($69.99 monthly), and MyFree DirecTV, a free streaming service with more than 90 advertising-supported live TV channels.
All of these and the new Genre Packs and Mini-Packs can be watched on a browser or in the DirecTV app on popular streaming devices.
"At DIRECTV, we're breaking up with the one-size-fits-all bloated cable bundles of the past by delivering new ways for consumers to enjoy the content they love at the best value," said DirecTV chief marketing officer Vince Torres in a press release. "Our new Genre Packs and Mini-Packs provide lower-priced options, allowing customers to pick and choose what they want to watch and when they want to watch it."
The TV distribution market continues to shift toward streaming. Streaming revenue (including advertising revenue from streaming subscriptions with ads) of $17.3 billion, surpassed revenue from pay TV subscriptions ($16.7 billion) in the third quarter of 2024, according to The Hollywood Reporter, citing research firm Ampere Analysis.
As more money goes to streaming, services have devised new ways to attract subscribers including deals and lower-priced packages for those who will watch commercials.
More control over the content they pay for is a "big win for consumers," said Rich Greenfield, a partner and media and technology analyst at LightShed Partners. "To me the key is that programmers are finally realizing that the all or nothing strategy is a losing proposition," he told USA TODAY in an email.
"If you force consumers to choose the absurdly bloated expensive bundle, they increasingly are choosing no bundle," Greenfield said. "Programmers are now allowing packages of smaller channels to maintain the health of their most important channels and sacrificing the vast majority of channels that consumers have been forced to take for decades."
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Here's a closer look at DirecTV's new content packages:
MyEntertainment ($34.99 monthly): More than 40 channels including A&E Network, Bravo, Discovery, E!, Food Network, FX, Freeform, FYI, HGTV, Lifetime, Oxygen, Syfy, The History Channel, TLC and Vice TV. Also comes with the Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic (a $10.99 value, has some commercials). DirecTV will add Max Basic with Ads ($9.99 monthly value) to the package soon.
MyNews ($39.99 monthly): More than 10 national news channels and select local channels where available; comes with CNN, CNBC, Fox News Channel and MSNBC.
MiEspañol ($34.99 monthly): More than 60 Spanish language channels including ESPN Deportes, Fox Deportes, Nat Geo Mundo, Telemundo, and Univision. DirecTV plans to add ViX Premium with Ads (a $4.99 monthly value) soon at no additional cost.
MyCinema ($9.99 monthly): Subscribe to MyEntertainment, MyNews or MySports and you can add this Mini-Pack of seven channels of movies, romance, and family programming; includes Great American Family, Sony Movies and Turner Classic Movies.
MySports Extra ($12.99 monthly): MySports subscribers can add this Mini-Pack of additional sports channels including MotorTrend, NFL Red Zone and Willow TV.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DirecTV: Streamers can choose from new content Genre Packs
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