• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, August 20, 2025

DirecTV is upping its intensity when it comes to giving viewers more choice and more access points -- for those who need more places to figure out what they want to watch. It is adding seven more “multiview” channels.

Is that a good idea?

DirectTV has had this multiview technology for over 20 years. These are places where on one single screen you can watch up to four live programs at the same time. There is also the ability to toggle around those screens, hit "enter," and head to that channel for a single view.

DirecTV is adding seven of these channels with different network genre emphasis -- a general sports channel (ESPN, ESPN1, NBC Sports, FS1) as well as one for sports leagues (MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, NFL Network).

There is also a “News Mix” one -- including CNN, Fox News Channel, Fox Weather, MSNBC; “Business Mix” (Bloomberg Television, CNBC, Cheddar News, Fox Business), and “Kids Mix” (Disney Channel, Disney Jr., Disney XD, Nickelodeon).

And if that isn’t enough it has a “Local Mix” -- where local TV stations affiliates can be viewed.

And just in case you need more sports channels to consider, there is a “Sunday Sports Mix” (CBS, Fox, ESPN and FS1), starting September 7.

Considering its long-time effort here, DirecTV must have collected lots of data when it comes to its usage.

It would be interesting to see how viewers are using these channels these days -- especially if viewers are also holding phones in their hands.

Since the dawn of pay TV network bundles in the late 1970s (cable, satellite, telco) all operators have provided different versions of these "promotional" channels to boost interest.

Now, decades later -- with way more digital screens to consider for some modern consumers -- and consumer focal points getting more complex -- what's the value now for networks and consumers?

This comes as DirecTV has been re-constructing its TV network bundles -- offering more variations on a theme when it comes to lower-cost channel packages with different combinations (MySports, MyNews, MyEntertainment, MyKids, and Signature).

What’s next for multitasking growth? I only have two hands and two eyes and two ears.

Still, cognitively, I’m up for any media challenge. Bring it!