DirecTV NOW's Apple TV deal is back, but you can't find it online

Remember the free Apple TV deal AT&T introduced at the launch of its DirecTV NOW service? That move was designed to lure in new customers, offering them the latest Apple TV hardware in exchange for prepaying a certain number of months of service. That deal is back, but you wouldn't know it by looking at the website. AT&T is being a bit tricky with this latest deal, and you can't get it online.

The first time around, new DirecTV NOW subscribers could get the free Apple TV set-top-box by signing up for the promotion online. That's not the case this time because AT&T is not making the deal available through its DirecTV NOW website. Instead, the company detailed the newest promotion on the AT&T forums, saying that subscribers who want the Apple TV will need to sign up for DirecTV NOW through either an AT&T Call Center, AT&T Authorized Retail store, or through AT&T Retail.

The deal went live as of yesterday and requires subscribers to sign up for service and to prepay for the first three months of that service. AT&T says that buyers can stack the deal with $25 video loyalty credit, assuming you have an AT&T choice or unlimited plan. The offer is limited to whatever quantity of Apple TV 32GB models AT&T has in stock.

You must be a new customers to get the deal, as well. It seems that even if you sign up and prepay at a physical AT&T Retail store, you'll still have to wait to receive the Apple TV model through shipping, which will take two or three weeks.

Should you go for this deal? That depends.

If you have your heart set on getting both an Apple TV device and you're already planning on signing up for DirecTV NOW, there's no reason not to take advantage of this promotion. The Apple TV model has a retail price of $149 USD, whereas three months of the cheapest DirecTV NOW plan will cost you $105 USD (minus taxes and fees). Meaning even if you decide not to proceed with the DirecTV subscription, you'll still be saving money...but only if you were already planning to buy an Apple TV.

AT&T doesn't state an end date for the latest promotion.

SOURCE: AT&T