Published on January 2nd, 2018 | by Brad Gibson

DirecTV Now customers report continued outages, buffering issues

DirecTV Now customers are reporting continued service outages and buffering issues with the streaming service that have been going on for over a week and according to some social media complaints even longer.

Hundreds of DirecTV Now subscribers report having difficulties logging in to the live streaming service during primetime hours – when the greatest number of customers would likely be using the service – and if they are able to log in, their picture often freezes or is interrupted by buffering.

The outages have been on-going for a number of weeks, but have been reported in high numbers over the past two weeks.

We do apologize for the streaming interruptions, we were having some issues and are working diligently to get them resolved. Are you currently receiving any streaming issues?
— DIRECTV NOW Help (@DIRECTVNowHelp) January 2, 2018

The service’s Twitter customer help page and a DirecTV Now Reddit page is full of user comments complaining about similar issues.

Any plans on fixing the freezing issues? I love the playform however it never seems to work. I have tried everything recommend to fix this issue… still freezes @DIRECTVNowHelp
— Tanner Minshew (@tannerminshew) December 28, 2017

Reporting: Lot of buffering tonight on Fire TV box, Roku 4k stick, and Apple TV gen 4. @directvnowhelp
— Mild Bill Halfcocked (@BillGoltz) January 1, 2018

The service’s Twitter customer service page, @DIRECTVNowHelp, has acknowledged several times over the last week of problems, although it has not given details of what is causing the technical issues. A spokesperson for AT&T, which owns DIRECTV Now, was not immediately available for comment.

The online outage tracking site DownDetector.com reports that the number of DIRECTV Now complaints spiked yesterday evening during prime time viewing hours. From December 24th to 27th, the outage complaints were consistent for four straight days.

DirecTV Now launched in November of 2016 using the Apple TV app. The service offers such packages as Live a Little for $35 per month with 60-plus channels, Just Right for $50 a month for 80-plus channels, Go Big for $60 for 100-plus channels and Gotta Have It for $70 per month for 120-plus channels. During an introductory period, users could sign up for 100-plus channels for $35 a month.

Tags: Apple, apple tv, Directv NOW

About the Author

Brad Gibson Brad is co-founder and editor-in-chief of BESTAppleTV.com. He has been a technology reporter since the late 1980s having previously worked for MacUser, MacFormat, and iCreate magazines, as well as MacNN.com, MacObserver.com, MacCentral.com, MacMinute.com, and Macworld.com. He hosted and produced the MacFormat This Week podcast for three years. He was also a reporter, editor, and producer for the Associated Press and United Press International.