How many more are we going to lose?

[Rita1231]

Great Questions................Please answer them ATT

[bbfitz]

I have been a very happy Uverse customer for over 2 years but this will be the END of Uverse for me if HGTV, Food Network and the others are not restored soon and my whole neighborhood is going too. We all watch these channels everyday and this is just not acceptable.   The message on those channels to go to Att.com/fighting4you is a joke.  ATT wants me to call Scripps, I don't think so.  ATT as my  provider has an obligation to it's customers to get the job done and do whatever it takes to get these channels back on.  Believe me, you will see a serious mass  exit from Uverse if this  matter is not handled quickly.

[JBK23]

I am not one bit happy about this scenario.  Scripps says AT&T agreed on the price but wants to do something else about the programming;  AT&T says Scripps wanted to charge double what everybody else is paying?  Who of us knows what to believe?

When I called customer service to complain, they did agree to give me $15 a month credit for 6 months ($10 for U-verse and $5 for Internet).  Very many of those credits handed out, and AT&T will figure out how to get the channels we want back online.  Or if very many customers start leaving for another provider, it will get AT&T's attention.  Money talks.

[Brianbastos]

ATT can certainly "fight4me" with whomever it wants, but if I contract with it to provide cable service, it needs to provide it.

[Brianbastos]

I am calling your Retention Department right now, to see if you will credit me for losing my favorite channels, and charging me for channels your advertise having, 130HD channels, and I am paying for 2 TLCS, 2 Planet greens, 2 bravos! Your operator, just asked me to call Scripps! What a disgrace! You do your mess, and we have to clean it up?

[Brianbastos]

Call, and complain, and complain, they've just given me 10 dollar adjustment to my account! the more of you that call Retention, the sooner they add the channels back on UVERSE!

[artim1]

I don't know who runs ATT's customer service area...but if they think we believe that they are 'fighting for us" and poor ATT couldn't negotiate a settlement (remember, folks, this is not about money....but ATT attempting to position itself in the future)....then ATT is truly more pathetic.  This fighting line of bull is just like their press release saying they "couldn't get a fair deal" for us.

ATT---you are losing a great many customers over this.   Come to an agreement with Scripps and restore the channels.

I was touting the benefits of ATT to friends a few weeks ago...but last night I warned them to think twice about signing up with this poorly-run company. 

[Acmegumbo]

  Recommendations:

  1) Call 800 288 2020 and go through all of the menus, etc.;

  2) When you finally reach a human being, tell the rep (politely!) how upset you are about AT&T dropping the channel; 

  3) Listen to the party line propaganda (politely; even though you know it is bunk); 

  4) Tell the rep you want to cancel your service; 

  5) Listen to some more propaganda and repeat that you want to cancel; 

  6) The rep will eventually tell you he/she can do nothing and that you should hold while the rep contacts "the resolution" service; 

  7) Eventually, you will end up with another human being in "resolution" who will repeat the same propaganda; listen and tell the rep you really do want to cancel the service. 

Depending upon how convincing you are (I was convincing to the tune of $20 off my billing for each of the next 6 months) the resolutions person will offer you a discount off your future billings while AT&T continues to negotiate.  The resolutions rep told me she could not predict timing but that AT&T does intend to continue to negotiate in good faith, yada, yada.  I told her I would give them 7 days.  All of the above took about 30 minutes navigating the system, holding, listening to propaganda, etc.  

[airbearga]

Did anyone forget they did played the same game and lost with Hallmark Channel another channel they thought was unfair priced but advertised it as a channel included in the package ..

[text removed]

seems like a new technology like Uverse they would mess with issues so early inthe game .. AT&T could only get into the game because they only licensed their name to U-verse as its a total seperate  company ..

much like they did with cellular phones and what a disaster an ATT call is .. you cant understand the caller its digital garbled .. they failed miserably at the computer game .. but still try to rule the world .. like a spoiled rich kid ..

[wxray]

---

artim1 wrote:

I was touting the benefits of ATT to friends a few weeks ago...but last night I warned them to think twice about signing up with this poorly-run company. 

---

That's where I am.  I will not recommend Uverse anymore and tell anyone about the way this dispute has been handled, using us as "human shields" in their petty little war.

AT&T, I don't care about your side.  I am not a pawn in your war.  This is your problem, and dragging us into it is garbage.  You are fighting for nobody but somebody's corporate gold filled pocket.

[JBK23]

---

Depending upon how convincing you are (I was convincing to the tune of $20 off my billing for each of the next 6 months) the resolutions person will offer you a discount off your future billings while AT&T continues to negotiate.  The resolutions rep told me she could not predict timing but that AT&T does intend to continue to negotiate in good faith, yada, yada.  I told her I would give them 7 days.  All of the above took about 30 minutes navigating the system, holding, listening to propaganda, etc.  

---

Gosh, I only got $15 from the Retention lady - would you call for me?  Just kidding!

But at $20 x 6 months = $120 for 30 minutes, you just made $240 an hour.  Good work!!!

I might already be changing providers, but she told me I couldn't keep the Internet part without TV, so that is another hassle because I really don't want to go back to Comcast & all my other TV providers don't do the 'Net.  I am going to look at the price of AT&T regular DSL again....

[artim1]

FYI...lots of recorded messages on ATT phone systems, which are being overloaded...."If you are calling about HGTV, FoodNetwork, " etc....it's recorded, although in message 1148 there's a sensible list of steps to actually get to a human at ATT>

It is clear that everyone's anger over this is having an impact...so don't listen to the ATT toadies in My Community who urge us not to be  talking about this...that this discussion has no place...etc.  I especially liked the guy who said his wife started watching Style and now doesn't even think about the foodtv network. LOL.

Keep up the noise..the calls...and demands for refunds and reductions in fees.  It's clear that ATT wasn't expecting this outcry...especially since they must have drank the kool-aid and actually thought they were "fighting for us".  What a crock.

[tnbquilt]

If they don't get the Food Channel back in just a few days I will cancel my account. All of the channels that we watched are now gone. We have no reason to pay for this anymore.

[filmfestguy]

They have till Wednesday for me or I'm cancelling and going back to Comcast (I puked in my mouth a little as I typed that)...

[bedran]

I am totally disgusted with the removal of food network.  This is my favorite channel and if this is not restored I will have no choice but to change providers

[SandyMay1]

Unfortuantely, even if they sent out postcards informing their customers that the contract for these channels were being negotiated and are in jeopardy, what could any of us done about it?  Contact AT&T and tell them to get off their butts and compromise if necessary to save those channels that are many of our favorites?  Call Scripts and tell them to sign a contract?  We are little more than cattle in a pen waiting for slaughter with no control of what these corporate giants do.  The only power we have is in a unified campaign to dump them.  They obviously don't really care about customer satisfaction if it gets in the way of their profits.  My daughter was supposed to have u-verse installed Tuesday in her new home.  That is unlikely to happen now.  She has a satellite dish on her home, but decided to join U-Verse because they seemed a reliable company that offered her everything she wanted.....until now.  They have shown their true face!

[donshirleysmith]

Kind of the last straw for this family...

We were seduced by ATT as to their superior product so we switched.  But poor customer service such as the continued loss of favorite channels (Hallmark, DIY, HGTV, FOOD network, etc.) has us reviewing our options.  Now that Comcast has a  product that is competitive with Uverse, maybe it's time to make a switch!

A company that does NOT value their customers is destined to loose those customers- loss of customers= loss of goodwill + cash.

[jill.kennard]

I agree with those comments.  Much of the time I watch HGTV, DIY, Food, Cooking channels.  I assure you, TLC and Bravo are not adequate substitutes to me.  When I moved, I switched from Direct TV to AT&T U-verse, based upon the recommendation from the previous tenants.  I'll contact/contract with Direct TV if I don't get these channels back.  I also find it hard to believe Hallmark was so difficult to negotiate with that that channel had to be dropped as well.  While I don't normally watch the movies, I had been looking forward to the new season of Martha Stewart.  I let that slide because I honestly thought it would be back in the near future.  AT&T U-verse is too expensive if I can't have the channels I want.  I need a refund for everyday these channels are not available, as that is the service I expected when I signed up!

[compudon48]

ATT: My family was extremely disappointed to find out that these channels have been removed from our service.  I understand that business sometimes requires negotiations, but this is happening at our inconvenience.  The channels that you implied we would get with our "package" is now not what we purchased.  Since we watch these channels frequently, this is a huge issue for us. It seems that if an agreement couldn't be reached in the negotiation process - you should have created an interim agreement so that you could honor your implied channel offering to us.

I'm not interested in threatening to leave Uverse - even though we've had some trouble with our DVR - but, since we watch these channels, we will be considering a move if they are not returned in the very near future.  I don't have the time for these games and I don't want to begin the tedious task of shopping for a new service provider.  Please listen to us and correct this - Now!

[arrowstar]

Color me unhappy.  To be fair, I'm giving AT&T 30 days to make the necessary negotiations to get this tier back, and then I'm bailing.  I'm not paying their big fat bill for their replacement channels, which I already had in the first place.  Dish is offering a heck of a deal right now...great price for 12 months.  That's where I'll be come December if AT&T doesn't read the writing on the wall and figure out how to get my favorite channels back. 

[cub112]

artim1 wrote:

I was touting the benefits of ATT to friends a few weeks ago...but last night I warned them to think twice about signing up with this poorly-run company. 

---

I agree completing with the posters like artim1. I have been an AT&T bundled customer for almost 18 months and been very satisfied for the most part. I have raved and told friends and family how great U-verse is or was.. I was upset and did nothing when they jerked the Hallmark channels and now this....I WILL BE SWITCHING BACK TO DISH if AT&T does not resolve immediately. I've read all the articles on the web I could find and to me, AT&T is at fault. I'll also be calling to get money back on my subscription. The poor CSR's must be exhausted. I will be patient with them but I will not accept this decision by AT&T.

[cflowersbrammer]

The foodnetwork programs is something we all enjoy.  Part of the deal when we signed up at att was we would receive foodnetwork and some sports channels.  As far as I can tell Att is not holding to there part of an agreement and we   should be fully compensated for this situation.   If I didn't pay my bill they would not continue to give me services.  I expec to see a ful repayment for my convience.

[chrisgil00]

I will give you 2 weeks then I am going to WOW cable. I am fed up with this childish thing you are doing.

Your not hurting Script Networking  you are hurting the people that keep your job so that you are not out in the street. I will pull my account from you and go elsewhere. So go ahead keep taking programs away. I will go away too and so should everyone else.

[chrisgil00]

ATT U-Verse can kiss me goodbye by acting childish and pulling the channels off the air. So many other cable companies. Cheaper too. Goodbye ATT you SUCK

[Stitches73]

I'm still trying to determine which provider is now the lesser of all the evils.  I guess we are back to cable.  We will be switching as soon as possible.  The extra expense for uverse does not seem worth it to me now.  I feel bad because I just got my friend to switch to uverse.  I wonder if AT&T realized that this was such a great way to get all the NEGATIVE publicity going around on all the social networks.  Want word-of-mouth publicity for your business?  Do something that will really make your customers feel totally screwed. 

[JBK23]

---

arrowstar wrote:

Color me unhappy.  To be fair, I'm giving AT&T 30 days to make the necessary negotiations to get this tier back, and then I'm bailing.  I'm not paying their big fat bill for their replacement channels, which I already had in the first place.  Dish is offering a heck of a deal right now...great price for 12 months.  That's where I'll be come December if AT&T doesn't read the writing on the wall and figure out how to get my favorite channels back. 

---

Plus if you have an AT&T landline (not sure if a wireless bundle works), you can get a discount on the DirecTV service. And you can get DSL from AT&T without a landline.

U-verse has 2.7 million customers and if only 10% (270,000 customers) called Retention and each got a $10 a month credit, that would cost AT&T $2.7 million per month.   If U-verse loses only 1% (27,000) of its customers, that also computes to close to about $2.7 million per month (27,000 X $100/mo = $2,700,000).  This squabble with Scripps is NOT a smart business decision by AT&T.  Our favorite channels are available elsewhere....

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-11-05/business/ct-biz-1106-att-uverse-20101105_1_u-verse-sub...

[Benpet]

I totally agree with you.  Why should we have to go to Scripps, our contract is with AT&T not Scripps.  This is so diappointing to me.  I just switched from DISH to Uverse because of all of the supposedly great things about Uverse.  But what is so great about the features if you don't have your favorite programming to watch.  First it was Hallmark, now it is HGTV, DIY, etc.  I so regret switching to Uverse.  I am really saddened that we are put in this situation.  I think we should be asked about an increase in price for our favorite channels versus the channels just being dropped.  Not good business at all.

[Benpet]

I just switched from Dish about 2 months ago and have had nothing but problems with my internet.  When I heard Hallmark was no longer going to be available is was so disappointed, but said I could get along without it, but now wiht HGTV, DIY, etc leaving this is crazy.  I will be looking at other options because who knows what else will be taken.  I also agree with you that if we received everything we were promised including the channels we signed up for, Uverse would not have any competition, but it stuff like yanking our channels away from us that will make AT&T lose their customers.  So sad to see a great thing fall apart.

[hitchcoc]

This is AT&T's problem--not HGTV's.

I'm disgusted with my AT&T service.

[badams0603]

per Food network: 

We are shocked and disappointed that AT&T U-verse has taken Food Network off the air, along with your other favorite lifestyle networks – Cooking Channel, HGTV, DIY Network and Great American Country. Their decision to drop Food Network is particularly surprising considering we reached an agreement in principle with AT&T U-verse on the distribution fees we would receive for our networks well in advance of last month’s contract deadline. 

This is something we worked hard to avoid.  As John Lansing, head of our networks, explains, “We even offered an extension through year end to work out the final details of our agreement while allowing AT&T the rights to continue delivering Food Network to you. Instead, AT&T stopped negotiating, took our family-friendly networks off the air, and left you without our must-see shows.”  

The remaining issues involved AT&T U-verse’s demands to use our video – video that was created specifically for our networks and video that we own – in ways that go beyond our normal business practices. AT&T U-verse demanded unreasonably broad video rights for emerging media where business models have not even been established. Accepting their demands would have restrained our ability to deliver our programs to viewers like you in new and innovative ways. 

Should AT&T U-verse decide to resume discussions, we remain committed to continue our good faith negotiations and bring back all our networks to AT&T U-verse customers. 

We urge you to tell AT&T U-verse to keep your favorite networks, including Food Network, by going here: http://bit.ly/95NTd6 or calling 1-800-288-2020. 

Thank you for your support,

Kate at Food Network