My email from DIRECTV came today notifying me that they were gifting this again for the upcoming season. I think I got the email in July or early August the last few seasons, but it came a little earlier this year.
Anyway, nice benefit but will see how this all shakes out if this programming is sold to Apple going forward...
From what I have read, there is a chance DirecTV could retain the “satellite rights” presuming the new acquirer is a tech company. Not sure if that will just be for areas without broadband internet, but there is a chance!