American pay-TV operator DirecTV stops offering new satellite subscriptions

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.

Wind! Water! Fire! While MultiChoice warns of rain fade that causes DStv signal loss, spare a thought for DirecTV in America suffering sun interference.

Wind! Water! Fire!

No people, not a Captain Planet rerun but the things satellite pay-TV operators fear most and blame for signal outage.

While MultiChoice often blames rain fade and runs educational Chuck Norris promos about the impact of inclement weather to explain DStv signal loss, spare a thought for America's biggest satellite pay-TV operator, DirecTV which suddenly lost multiple HD, SD and audio channels on Tuesday afternoon across the entire United States.

The cause of signal loss across the entire country? You guessed it. Not Higgish Greedly, but the power of Wheeler: fire!

From New York to Los Angeles and everywhere in-between DirecTV saw customers lose their signals of multiple TV channels due to interference from the sun's rays - or solar radiation if you want to use the precise term.

"We are aware of the outage involving several HD channels and some SD channels and are working to resolve it as quickly as possible," said DirecTV. "We'll share more information as it becomes available. We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience".

While DirecTV was waiting for information, media reported that DirecTV lost the ability to beam channels due to what is called - and learn and remember this one children of Gaia - "sun transit outage".

DirecTV is being impacted because its satellite link is in line with the sun, causing solar interference with its satellite signals.