by Thinus Ferreira
The American pay-TV operator DirecTV has stopped offering new satellite pay-TV subscriptions in certain parts of the United States, only allowing new subscribers to sign up for its like-for-like streaming service.
American media reports that DirecTV that launched in 1994 - a year before MultiChoice started DStv in South Africa - is now only allowing new subscribers to sign up for its streaming version in certain parts of the United States.
In a statement, DirecTV says "In select markets this limited-time trial will increase awareness and adoption of our satellite-free streaming service, which has quickly become the preferred solution for new consumer customers."
It's a sign that DirectTV is phasing out traditional satellite pay-TV and sees migrating its subscriber base to a streaming option as the way forward as so-called cord-cutting continues to accelerate in America with the loss of millions of traditional pay-TV subscribers every quarter.
DirecTV's streaming version is much more advanced way beyond MultiChoice's DStv, offering live TV streaming of carried channels, on-demand content, access to multiple streaming apps like Netflix HBO's Max, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and many more.
It also offers unlimited cloud PVR storage, allowing users to record and store content for up to 9 months, all without the need for a mounted satellite dish.
