It has become increasingly important for DirecTV to diversify revenue beyond satellite and Internet subscriptions. DirecTV had over 20 million subscribers in 2015; in 2024, streaming business publication Next TV, citing an anonymous source “close to the company,” reported that the AT&T-owned firm was down to about 11 million subscribers.
Simultaneously, the streaming industry—including streaming services and streaming software—has been increasingly relying on advertising to boost revenue. For some streaming service providers, increasing revenue through ads is starting to eclipse the pressure to do so through subscriber counts. Considering DirecTV’s declining viewership and growing interest in streaming, finding more ways to sell ads seems like a natural progression.
With legacy pay TV providers already dealing with dwindling subscriptions, introducing new types of ads risks making DirecTV less appealing as well.
And it’s likely that things won’t end there.
“This, we can integrate across different places within the television,” [advertisement provider] Glance COO Mansi Jain told The Verge. “We are starting with the screensaver, but tomorrow… we can integrate it in the launcher of the TV.”
Who wants this? What the fuck?
Shareholders and marketers want this.
More people are moving to streaming services! Quick, let’s make shit way worse!
More people are leaving our streaming service! Quick let’s make it worse for the people who stayed!
Where the fuck are they gonna go? Back to cable? Mwahahahaha
Twirls Dick Dastardly mustache
FTFY
FTFY