DirecTV Now and the future of broadband innovation

[Commentary] Traditional cable is a declining industry: Nielsen estimates the number of households subscribing to pay television fell by 1.7 million last year alone, driven by increased competition for new Internet-based video alternatives such as Netflix. AT&T is trying to deliver its product in new ways to meet the needs of those dissatisfied with the traditional cable model—including by making its product available on wireless devices as well as televisions. Zero-rating makes DirecTV Now even more attractive for AT&T wireless subscribers—and may help the company in the highly competitive wireless market as well.

[Daniel Lyons is an associate professor at Boston College Law School]