AT&T said it will launch a “cloud DVR” feature to enable subscribers to its DirecTV Now live over-the-top streaming service, DirecTV satellite TV service, and U-verse telco-tv service to store recorded programs on remote servers instead of hard drives in a set-top box.

AT&T revealed through a press statement this week that new cloud DVR capability is slated to begin this summer through an invitation-only beta trial of the new feature that will enable DVR recording on DirecTV Now.

The company didn’t reveal how it plans to select the initial beta testers.

Read more on AT&T’s multi-platform cloudDVR plans after the jump:

The capability is slated to ramp up in the fall to include all DirecTV Now subscribers and DirecTV satellite TV customers who use the service’s mobile device app.

AT&T said initial DirecTV NOW cloudDVR service takers will be able to store up to 100 hours of programming on the cloud. Pricing for the service was not disclosed.

The DirecTV NOW live OTT service offers cord-cutters an assortment of live streaming channels in 4K Ultra HD and HD quality, as well as up to 30,000 on-demand titles, depending on the plan.

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The service initially launched without any DVR functionality, despite the fact that several competitive offerings had them.

The cloud DVR feature will mark the first DVR capability offered for the company’s live OTT service and is intended to compete with similar DVR features offered by rival live streaming services from Sling TV, Hulu Live, YouTube TV and PlayStation Vue.

AT&T said it plans to add more DVR functionality over the course of the year, including live TV pausing and parental controls. Next year, the services will step up with additional user profiles, download and go features, and 4K HDR via streaming.

The cloud DVR will also be applicable for the company’s NFL Sunday Ticket, out-of-market football games package.

 

By Greg Tarr

 

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