DIRECTV partners with local fiber internet providers to offer TV streaming packages News of cutting the umbilical cord

DIRECTV and Greenlight Networks, a broadband provider serving two dozen New York communities, have partnered to bundle fiber Internet with streaming video in a rare deal that highlights the changing dynamics of the pay TV industry.

The partnership, announced earlier this month, gives Greenlight customers access to a package that includes DIRECTV over the Internet or DIRECTV streaming through a smart TV or streaming device such as a Roku Stick or Apple TV.

The deal is a rare partnership for DIRECTV and shows how the lines between traditional TV and streaming are blurring. Spectrum is pushing the Xumo streaming box as its primary video device and has struck a deal to offer ESPN streaming services to its Disney+ customers and future ESPN to its subscribers. Once holy grails of pay TV like DIRECTVs Sunday Ticket NFL games are broadcast by YouTube TV and Amazons Prime Video. These partnerships between ISPs and streaming services are becoming more common. For example, Frontier and WOW! Both have started promoting YouTube TV.

For DIRECTV, connecting itself to a local broadband provider is a way to reach a larger audience while breaking away from its traditional satellite TV format.

We are really excited about our partnership with DIRECTV. Greenlight CEO Mark Murphy said: “This partnership is a solution to the industry’s growing demand for high-quality broadcast television services with reliable connectivity. Every day, more consumers are considering cutting the cord, but they also want to make sure they can access top news, sports and programming. With our DirectTV packages, we can offer that while still offering the best entertainment experience over fiber.

Greenlight hasn’t offered TV services in the past, so this new package will allow it to offer more options to its subscribers. New and existing Greenlight customers can add DIRECTV to their Internet packages, but the price is the same as what you’d get by going directly to DIRECTV.

Murphy adds that this exciting partnership is a game changer for home entertainment, giving customers the programming they want with the reliability they deserve.

Greenlight offers fiber internet with a speed of 5 Gbps. Customers can get a Gemini device or use the DIRECTV STREAM app on their favorite streaming player.

As these deals become more common, you’ll see more streaming options from ISPs.