MARCH 6, 2025 – The days of delicately, and sometimes painstakingly, aligning bulky satellite dishes pointed skyward and running lengthy cables to receive signals through a connected receiver box into the back of a TV are coming to an end for most AFN customers.
AFN TV services, however, will continue as the transmission method changes from satellite to internet protocol (IP) delivery for land-based forces in March 2026. The transition is already underway with last year’s roll out of the AFN Now app, available to download free via Apple and Google play stores for use on Apple and Android smart phones and tablets, select smart TVs and connected TV devices, such as an Amazon Firestick, Roku or Apple TV.
In addition to providing more channels, more content and during hours when viewers want to watch programming, the cost savings of moving from satellite feeds to IP will be more than $9M per year, said AFN officials.
“AFN Now is fully operational (with) live news and sports channels, as well as on-demand programming,” Defense Media Activity (DMA) Acting Director Max D. Lederer Jr. shared in a January memo with military commanders. “We are researching alternative methods to deliver the full suite of AFN services to our distribution partners operating cable television systems on and around military installations.”
“I believe this will provide better service to our service members, families, and civilians serving overseas,” said Tommy Mize, Installation Management Command-Europe Director. “Instead of access to only eight AFN channels, users can access significantly more content. For instance, AFN Now was able to provide access to every NFL game played this year, including the playoffs and has similar access to most professional leagues.”
AFN Now marked two significant milestones by the end of 2024. First, registered users passed the 100,000 mark in mid-November. Second, AFN Now surpassed 1 million hours watched for 2024 in mid-December. As of February 2025, the app has grown to more than 108,000 registered users.
“Our goal is a smooth transition of services to provide modern, accessible options that meet our audience’s evolving needs,” said Erik Brazones, AFN HQ Program Manager at DMA. “Streaming technology is a major modernization for AFN, offering greater flexibility, audience engagement, and more targeted messaging from military leaders in their geographical areas than ever before.”
Brazones said that AFN Now is a hybrid streaming platform, offering four types of content:
- Video-on Demand (VOD) available for playback anytime, offering flexibility to viewers. VOD includes top-rated sports, events, movies, and specials with approximately 300 new VOD entertainment assets added each week.
- Simulcast (Live) programming on AFN Sports, AFN Sports2, AFN News, and AFN Prime.
- Sports (Clipped) recording of the live simulcast within the content management system that allows AFN to publish VOD sports often within an hour of airtime with approximately 100 new VOD sports clipped each week.
- Interest-based VOD through Free Ad-supported Streaming Television (FAST) that gives viewers the opportunity to join VOD streams in progress 24/7. These include seasonal and thematic programming, such as holiday specials, special interest programming (like cooking, home shows, kids) and sports seasons. There are at least 10 FAST channels live at any given time.
Overall, AFN Now provides more than 500 TV series, movies, sporting events, and specials each week, with comprehensive coverage of all major sporting events and leagues.
AFN Now is free for the authorized audience to download and stream the most popular U.S. programming on up to four concurrent devices, which makes it easier for users to access content anytime, anywhere. Ensuring secure and exclusive access to the platform for authorized users requires an authentication process within the AFN Now User Registration Portal, said Brazones.
The AFN Now login requirement is part of the digital rights agreements with industry partners and validates the user against DEERS to ensure they are authorized to use the service.
While most AFN industry broadcast and studio partners have granted digital rights for AFN Now to stream their content, there are still some providers with either restrictions on the content (such as on-base use only) or no authorization of digital rights. This can lead to a slightly different user experience for users on-base versus off-base, said Brazones, but AFN is working continuously to expand digital rights for the platform.
While streaming content modernizes the AFN TV experience, it’s not the only change that DMA is looking to improve. Future plans include the continued expansion of FAST Channels, with AFN Now preparing to launch its first industry delivered entertainment FAST channel – ElectricNow. This channel will offer a curated selection of content geared toward fans of science fiction, fantasy, action, and classic television.
“ElectricNow includes a mix of beloved TV series, cult classics, and hit movies,” said Brazones. “The channel will bring a unique blend of nostalgia and new discoveries, perfect for viewers who appreciate immersive storytelling and high-quality entertainment. Its inclusion in AFN Now expands the lineup, delivering even more variety and catering to fans of action-packed and engaging programming.”
Another option that DMA is pursuing is expanding the platform availability for AFN Now to PlayStation and X-Box Operating Systems.
“We need to be where our customers are and we know our younger troops are using these devices to access the streaming content they want,” explained Brazones. “We will announce dates and timelines as soon as we can.”
While AFN’s eight-channel, high-definition satellite service ends next year, the global four-channel standard definition service will remain an option for customers in areas without sufficient bandwidth to support streaming. AFN customers don’t have to wait to start enjoying the benefits of its streaming service. To register: https://afn-now.myafn.mil/Identity/Account/Register
By Stefan Alford