Using DIRECTV Subscription to login AppleTV app

You have DIRECTV satellite service, not DIRECTV STREAM. DIRECTV STREAM was a separate service launched a year or so ago to replace AT&T TV. DIRECTV STREAM is TV over the internet and it is meant to be installed on Apple TV’s, Fire Sticks, Rokus, etc. Since you don’t have this service, the app is telling you.

Additionally, DIRECTV satellite has rules set in place so that no one can get around the $7 fee per TV. This fee consists of having a receiver at each television to enjoy service. Losing ‘profit’ and allowing streaming over streaming devices isn’t allowed.

You can, however, download each channel’s individual app on your Apple TV and login through DIRECTV as TV PROVIDER using the TV EVERYWHERE FUNCTIONALITY. Do be aware that some channels don’t have this feature so they don’t have an app on the Apple TV store.

I completely understand the difference between traditional DirecTV and DirecTV Stream, and I completely understood why I was unable to use my DirecTV credentials to login to the DirecTV Stream app when the dedicated DirecTV Stream app existed.  

Before the 2 apps were combined, I had the DirecTV Stream app installed on both my iPhone & iPad because at the time I had a separate DirecTV Stream subscription.  However, immediately after I received an email from DirecTV stating that they combined the 2 apps, as an experiment, I decided to log out of the apps on my iPhone & iPad in order to attempt to sign back in to both apps using my traditional DirecTV subscription login credentials.  Much to my surprise, the credentials worked and I have been enjoying the DirecTV app on both my phone and iPad ever since.  Naturally, the day after I successfully logged into the only remaining DirecTV app on my phone and iPad using my traditional DirecTV login credentials, I went ahead and cancelled my DirecTV Stream subscription believing I no longer needed it.

My point is that I am still able to login to the only remaining DirecTV app on both my phone and iPad using my traditional DirecTV login credentials.  However, when I try to login to the EXACT same app on my Apple TV, I am unable too.

Like I said, I completely understand the differences between traditional DirecTV and DirecTV Stream.  I wish to simply request that DirecTV allow its customers to successfully login to the DirecTV app with their traditional DirecTV subscription credentials regardless of which platform the app happens to be on.

Also, I wanted to thank you for taking the time to reply to my question in the first place.  As you mentioned, I do actually have many individual channel app's installed on my Apple TV and I use my DirecTV single sign-on to enjoy their programming.  However, like you mentioned, there are numerous channels which do not offer an application.  Additionally, the ability to scroll through the guide and switch between live channels is what I enjoy the most when using the DirecTV app on my phone or iPad.  It allows me to switch back and forth between news programming and weather easily and instantly.

They may have combined the apps but functionally, they are still the same. A satellite customer can only stream using the Directv app on a tablet or phone, not on a streaming device such as Apple TV or a Roku, etc. Like it or not, if you want to watch your Directv satellite service on a tv, you need a Directv receiver connected to that TV. That is the way it has always been. As you already know, you can use your Directv credentials on many if not most of the network apps on the Apple TV, you just can’t use them on the Directv app. 

AT&T Now was rebranded as DTV streaming after it was first launched as DTV streaming then changed to AT&T TV Now then shortened to AT&T Now.  

DirecTV (satellite) has the model where you pay for each authorized TV on the service. It is built as the primary delivery method, with streaming being secondary mobile perks only.

Though the apps are being combined, it does not change DirecTV's service/billing model. Streaming on Apple TV is not allowed as would get around not only paying for the authorized TV, but potentially violate rules for local channels, Regional Sports Networks, taxes you are required to pay (some states even have a satellite specific tax like Florida), and of course account sharing.

So for DirecTV (satellite) the intention is on a mobile device only (smartphone or tablet) and any casting or Airplay options are disabled.