AT&T U-Verse drops all of my wife's favorite channels. Uh oh.
11-05-10, 10:07 AM
#1
AT&T U-Verse drops all of my wife's favorite channels. Uh oh.
SOURCE
These are literally the only channels my wife watches. She's ready to shatter some kneecaps over at AT&T.
Oh, and how nice of them to give me a free preview of channels I already have. I feel so much better. Thanks, guys!
Maybe now I can finally convince her to cut the damn cable cord for good.
Their Facebook page is getting slammed by angry customers.
These are literally the only channels my wife watches. She's ready to shatter some kneecaps over at AT&T.
Oh, and how nice of them to give me a free preview of channels I already have. I feel so much better. Thanks, guys!
Maybe now I can finally convince her to cut the damn cable cord for good.
Their Facebook page is getting slammed by angry customers.
AT&T U-verse TV customers have been denied a fair deal for HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Cooking Channel and GAC programming by Scripps Networks, leaving AT&T without the rights to deliver these channels as of 1:00 a.m. EDT. AT&T* issued the following statement to update its customers:
We're extremely disappointed that Scripps Networks won't provide a fair deal for AT&T customers. Our team has been working for weeks to reach a fair agreement, but Scripps Networks ultimately refused to put in writing key terms that had been agreed upon verbally, leaving our customers without a fair deal as our extended contract expired.
Unfortunately, this is yet another example of a network punishing its own viewers for leverage in programming negotiations. Scripps Networks is demanding that AT&T pay double what other competitors pay — including smaller-sized affiliates — and has yet to provide a proposal that gives AT&T a choice in the channels we carry and pay for, despite repeated requests.
Scripps Networks also wants this premium price for inferior access to their content for our customers on other platforms, even though other competitors get this at much lower prices. With such an uneven playing field, they are harming AT&T's ability to provide customers with a new video choice.
We will continue to fight for a fair deal to bring these channels back to our lineup because our customers deserve the programming they want, at a fair price.
In the place of HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Cooking Channel and GAC during this time, AT&T U-verse customers can enjoy a free preview of the popular programming from TLC on channels 450/1450, Bravo on channels 452/1452, Planet Green on channels 454/1454, ION Life on channel 456/1456 and CMT Pure Country on channel 529.
U-verse TV customers can get more information at att.com/fighting4you.
We're extremely disappointed that Scripps Networks won't provide a fair deal for AT&T customers. Our team has been working for weeks to reach a fair agreement, but Scripps Networks ultimately refused to put in writing key terms that had been agreed upon verbally, leaving our customers without a fair deal as our extended contract expired.
Unfortunately, this is yet another example of a network punishing its own viewers for leverage in programming negotiations. Scripps Networks is demanding that AT&T pay double what other competitors pay — including smaller-sized affiliates — and has yet to provide a proposal that gives AT&T a choice in the channels we carry and pay for, despite repeated requests.
Scripps Networks also wants this premium price for inferior access to their content for our customers on other platforms, even though other competitors get this at much lower prices. With such an uneven playing field, they are harming AT&T's ability to provide customers with a new video choice.
We will continue to fight for a fair deal to bring these channels back to our lineup because our customers deserve the programming they want, at a fair price.
In the place of HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Cooking Channel and GAC during this time, AT&T U-verse customers can enjoy a free preview of the popular programming from TLC on channels 450/1450, Bravo on channels 452/1452, Planet Green on channels 454/1454, ION Life on channel 456/1456 and CMT Pure Country on channel 529.
U-verse TV customers can get more information at att.com/fighting4you.
11-05-10, 10:24 AM
#2
DVD Talk Hero
Re: AT&T U-Verse drops all of my wife's favorite channels. Uh oh.
AT&T is trying to get U-Verse to catch on, this isn't the way to do it ... their limited version of VDSL/IPTV in general isn't the way to do it.
If you need more help cutting the cord -- Hulu has 173 episodes of House Hunters up, just play those on a loop and say HGTV merged with DIY and canceled all other programming. Cross that with the Food TV stuff they have and all is forgiven?
If you need more help cutting the cord -- Hulu has 173 episodes of House Hunters up, just play those on a loop and say HGTV merged with DIY and canceled all other programming. Cross that with the Food TV stuff they have and all is forgiven?
11-05-10, 10:24 AM
#3
DVD Talk Legend
Re: AT&T U-Verse drops all of my wife's favorite channels. Uh oh.
Fuck me, Amadeus!
They damn well better have the FN back by Sunday so I can continue to watch The Next Iron Chef.
They damn well better have the FN back by Sunday so I can continue to watch The Next Iron Chef.
11-05-10, 11:55 AM
#4
DVD Talk Limited Edition
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Re: AT&T U-Verse drops all of my wife's favorite channels. Uh oh.
Wow I just switched over to U-verse too. The only one that really affects me though is FN
11-05-10, 12:07 PM
#5
DVD Talk Legend
Re: AT&T U-Verse drops all of my wife's favorite channels. Uh oh.
Seems like the networks/cable battle has been getting ugly. Look at how long cablevision/dish had to go without the Fox channels. Maybe it is time for the FCC to do something.
edit: btw, when that battle was ongoing, the Fox channels had been running a lot of 'get what you pay for' ads telling customers to switch to comcast, directv, or...att.
edit: btw, when that battle was ongoing, the Fox channels had been running a lot of 'get what you pay for' ads telling customers to switch to comcast, directv, or...att.
11-05-10, 12:20 PM
#6
Re: AT&T U-Verse drops all of my wife's favorite channels. Uh oh.
Fuck 'em all pretty soon. I'm sick of channels I want not being in HD or not being carried at all. When my DirecTV contract is up, I'm dumping it and just going with Netflix. When there are games on cable, I'll go to a friend's or the bar. I have enough other stuff I can do to keep busy that is much more satisfying than watching TV anyways.
11-05-10, 12:37 PM
#7
DVD Talk Hero
Re: AT&T U-Verse drops all of my wife's favorite channels. Uh oh.
DirecTV still has non-HD channels? Comcast finally got on the ball and offers pretty much every basic cable channel in HD now (I mysteriously got G4 HD the other day even though I don't get G4 normally) ... now if only they'd stop with the skewed, stupid digital cable plans.
11-05-10, 12:51 PM
#8
DVD Talk Legend
Re: AT&T U-Verse drops all of my wife's favorite channels. Uh oh.
SOURCE
These are literally the only channels my wife watches. She's ready to shatter some kneecaps over at AT&T.
Oh, and how nice of them to give me a free preview of channels I already have. I feel so much better. Thanks, guys!
Maybe now I can finally convince her to cut the damn cable cord for good.
Their Facebook page is getting slammed by angry customers.
These are literally the only channels my wife watches. She's ready to shatter some kneecaps over at AT&T.
Oh, and how nice of them to give me a free preview of channels I already have. I feel so much better. Thanks, guys!
Maybe now I can finally convince her to cut the damn cable cord for good.
Their Facebook page is getting slammed by angry customers.
I know many guys like DIY and HGTV as well
11-05-10, 01:08 PM
#10
Re: AT&T U-Verse drops all of my wife's favorite channels. Uh oh.
Yeah, I'm not a huge fan of home renovation shows, but I just started watching The Vanilla Ice Project on DIY (which we just got added to our lineup 3 weeks ago!) and have found it to be quite entertaining.
This whole situation is so ridiculous. A few people on the FB page have mentioned getting 6 month credits (at $15-$20 per month). This makes it seem like negotiations are going pretty badly and we either won't be seeing these channels come back by the end of this year, or they're already considering a new deal with Scripps to be DOA.
Once again, consumers pay the price. These bastards can't even get AMC HD! I have zero faith in them to make this right for their customers.
This whole situation is so ridiculous. A few people on the FB page have mentioned getting 6 month credits (at $15-$20 per month). This makes it seem like negotiations are going pretty badly and we either won't be seeing these channels come back by the end of this year, or they're already considering a new deal with Scripps to be DOA.
Once again, consumers pay the price. These bastards can't even get AMC HD! I have zero faith in them to make this right for their customers.
11-05-10, 02:48 PM
#11
DVD Talk Legend
Re: AT&T U-Verse drops all of my wife's favorite channels. Uh oh.
Yeah, I'm not a huge fan of home renovation shows, but I just started watching The Vanilla Ice Project on DIY (which we just got added to our lineup 3 weeks ago!) and have found it to be quite entertaining.
This whole situation is so ridiculous. A few people on the FB page have mentioned getting 6 month credits (at $15-$20 per month). This makes it seem like negotiations are going pretty badly and we either won't be seeing these channels come back by the end of this year, or they're already considering a new deal with Scripps to be DOA.
Once again, consumers pay the price. These bastards can't even get AMC HD! I have zero faith in them to make this right for their customers.
This whole situation is so ridiculous. A few people on the FB page have mentioned getting 6 month credits (at $15-$20 per month). This makes it seem like negotiations are going pretty badly and we either won't be seeing these channels come back by the end of this year, or they're already considering a new deal with Scripps to be DOA.
Once again, consumers pay the price. These bastards can't even get AMC HD! I have zero faith in them to make this right for their customers.
11-05-10, 02:52 PM
#12
DVD Talk Hero
Re: AT&T U-Verse drops all of my wife's favorite channels. Uh oh.
get used to this
a year or so ago some channel got a good deal from comcast or Time Warner, forgot who. now all the content creators are asking for more money from the cable/sat companies and pulling their channels if they don't get it. i forgot the exact breakdown, but something like $30 of your cable bill goes to the companies that create the content
a year or so ago some channel got a good deal from comcast or Time Warner, forgot who. now all the content creators are asking for more money from the cable/sat companies and pulling their channels if they don't get it. i forgot the exact breakdown, but something like $30 of your cable bill goes to the companies that create the content
11-05-10, 03:59 PM
#13
Re: AT&T U-Verse drops all of my wife's favorite channels. Uh oh.
Consumerist just picked up the story so I expect this to get pretty interesting within the next few days.
11-05-10, 04:19 PM
#15
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: AT&T U-Verse drops all of my wife's favorite channels. Uh oh.
Do they want to be pay networks or collect ad revenue? Both of couse.
11-05-10, 04:47 PM
#16
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Re: AT&T U-Verse drops all of my wife's favorite channels. Uh oh.
It should be interesting in our household tonight, my 10 yr old goes to sleep with the Food Network on. It is the only way he goes to sleep without trying to stay up and watch tv.
11-05-10, 06:40 PM
#17
DVD Talk Limited Edition
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Re: AT&T U-Verse drops all of my wife's favorite channels. Uh oh.
We should pay the cable, satellite, phone, whatever company a certain amount per month for the infrastructure they are offering. We should then be able to buy the channels we want, one by one or possibly in small packages (I'm not complaining if I can buy all the ESPN channels for one monthly fee). That's the model that will keep these players honest.
11-05-10, 09:38 PM
#18
DVD Talk Legend
Re: AT&T U-Verse drops all of my wife's favorite channels. Uh oh.
Fear not! Brighthouse cable, which doesn't require a contract, has been running ads saying that they'll help you get out of your slave contract with att if you switch. 
11-05-10, 11:04 PM
#19
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Re: AT&T U-Verse drops all of my wife's favorite channels. Uh oh.
Well this sucks. We were just about to switch to ATT U-verse b/c our Comcast bill is about to explode. This is not a good sign about the possibility of us getting a better deal with Comcast. They and ATT are the only games in town, too.
11-08-10, 01:31 PM
#23
DVD Talk Hero
Re: AT&T U-Verse drops all of my wife's favorite channels. Uh oh.
Did they reach a deal?
So what's going to happen in the long run? They start charging even more for a "basic" package for tv, or providers have huge gaps in channels?
So what's going to happen in the long run? They start charging even more for a "basic" package for tv, or providers have huge gaps in channels?
11-10-10, 03:26 PM
#24
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Re: AT&T U-Verse drops all of my wife's favorite channels. Uh oh.
His new nighttime ritual:
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