RAI Channels

[sp06786]

We have lots of Italians in our area. Adding RAI would be a nice option. Comcats carries it and it is available via satellite on Dish Network.

Steve

Connecticut

[alispalis]

yes please add rai channel asap!!!!!!!!

[MarkShadid]

We have lots of Buddhist's here, how about a Buddhist channel?

[bonifp]

I just changed over to ATT Uverse, from Dish, and am sadly dissappointed that RAI is not available.  Does anyone know if there are plans to add it, and when?

[calogero]

I'm also stunned to see no Italian channels offered!  Has AT&T forgotten the status of Italy in the world?  From ancient to modern times, Italy has had an impact on all things, from art, culture, and music, to business, fashion, food, and language.  It's stunning to see so many other foreign languages represented on U-Verse, but nothing for Italian!

I also live in Connecticut - like Steve.  Connecticut, the Northeast and other parts of the country are full of Italians! 

1. According to the 2000 United States Census, Rhode Island has the highest percentage of Italians in the country (19.7%), followed by Connecticut (18.6%), New Jersey (17.9%), New York (14.4%), Massachusetts (14.3%), and Pennyslvania (13%).  Italians are numerous in other coastal and industrial states like California (which has 1,149,351 Italians), Florida (1,147,946), Illinois (739,284), Ohio (720,847), Michigan (484,486), Texas (363,354), and Louisiana (195,561).
2. Italian is the fourth most commonly studied spoken language (after Spanish, French and German). 
3. Italian is also the sixth-fastest growing language (after Arabic, Chinese, Korean, American Sign, and Japanese). 

What more of a reason to add Italian language channels to U-Verse?  You offer Polish, but it's not even as widely a spoken language here or in Europe!  And if DishNetwork, Comcast, TimeWarner, and Cablevision offer Italian programming, why can't U-Verse? 

• I would suggest one thing, however: please consider adding the Mediaset group of stations: Canale 5, Italia 1, and Rete 4.  These stations, though owned by the same company, are equivalent to America's ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX.
• As much as "Rai International" is popular in America, it's public television - Italy's version of PBS.  Actually, in America it's basically garbage, because they pick and choose random programming from Italy's Rai Uno, Rai Due, and Rai Tre and put it on Rai International for us immigrants with no rhyme or reason.  Then there's the random cultural programming and silly things more suited for tourists than true Italians in America.  Rai 1, 2, and 3 are great stations in Italy, but what they give us - Rai International - is pretty bad.  I guess I would buy Rai International if it was offered, but if U-Verse was smart, it would be part of a package with the Mediaset channels!

I just can't believe AT&T offers nothing...  allora, andiamo AT&T - let's get going with the Italian programming!

Message Edited by calogero on 01-16-2009 05:48 PM

[billmich]

Are you guys talking about "Itailians", or "Itailian-Americans"? Seems to me that most people in the northeast are 3-4th generations "Italian" and may not have the same interest in this type of programing as say...maybe 80 years ago when many of their ancestors just "got off the boat".

I know that i am techinally "German-American" but this is like 4 generations ago and my family has assimilated so well no one that I know is clamoring for any German channels.

Seems to me that the most popular foreign channels are of cultures that are relatively new to American, such as many of the Asian channels and  the middle eastern ones (just to name 2)

Anyways I am always in favor of more programming, but I wanted to point out that just because there is a population base that has a certain ethnicity, thats niot a true indication for the interest in said ethnic channel

[calogero]

Good point, I knew that might be brought up.  There was, however, an interesting phenomenon that occurred in S. Europe that didn't quite occur in N. Europe.  Due to drought and S. Europe's transformation from a predominately agricultural economy to that of a more light industrial type, there was a second wave of emigration from places like Southern Italy, Greece, and Portugal in the 1970s.  You're right about Italians coming "off the boat" during the first wave from the 1890s-1930s, but there was also this most recent wave.  From the top of my head, I can think of at least 20 towns in Connecticut that have sister city status with the very communities in Italy these people came from.  They sponsor cross-cultural programs, foreign exchange visits, trips, hold the annual Saint's festivals, etc.  There are around 100 school districts that start teaching Italian from kindergarten on up in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey as part of a program run by the Italian Consulate General of New York and funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  So the latest wave of Italians coming here in the 70s kind of beefed up the first wave of immigrants, even reuniting families from the old country, in some cases.  You can even google or do a wikipedia search on this to see the percentage of Italian born residents in the towns around here, some towns have a population with 25% of the residents born in Italy.  Most of these people are only in their 50s, their children trilingual in English, Italian, and the various regional languages of Italy.  They also have a lot of disposable income to spend, so I'm surprised AT&T isn't trying to tap into this.  At least a dozen of the AM stations here broadcast some Italian programming and until recently there was a Rai television affiliate in Hartford, WRDM-13.  Anyhow, sorry for rambling, I do know what you mean.  There are the Tony Soprano types and then the many real Italians here.  But please don't confuse us, the majority of us are not like that.   

[billmich]

being of German descent, I DO NOT want any all-German channels. All i need to know is constantly braodcast on the history and military channels from the 1930's and 40's UGH

[calogero]

Haha I know what you mean, don't forget we had Mussolini.  Although today's Germany is a lot different from that of the 30s and 40s, it's a very vibrant place, strong democracy, economic powerhouse, a well respected country and has a nice standard of living.  I've watched some German programming from the "Deutsche Welle" channel on SKY (Europe's cable/sat company), and although I couldn't understand a darn thing, it was pretty funny, especially when it came to their wild and often raunchy game and talk shows.

[jmmarton]

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calogero wrote:

You offer Polish, but it's not even as widely a spoken language here or in Europe! 

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Apparently you've never been to Chicago.

Joe

[siouxmoux]

It seem like ATT allways  get stuck in the slow lane when it comes to adding new International channels. But there rumors for the next round of new SD and HD channels coming to ATT UV will be Mid Febuary. But I won't hold your breath that long until  ATT Issue an official PR News story or those RAI channels one day out of blue just show up in the guide.

Message Edited by siouxmoux on 01-17-2009 10:36 PM

[sn486d]

Hello

My family and I are also waiting for Italian programing to be available with Uverse.   

If there are any AT&T insiders listening/reading, please add the RAI line up to Uverse!

I can't quite understand how Polish, French, and Russian channels are available but not Italian???

Please let us know when it will be available, until then we will have to continue with our current television provider.

Thanks

[Camicia]

Actually the only reason that prevents me (and 5 other families I know of) from switching to U-Verse is the lack of italian programming. When I called in to inquiry about RAI i was offered the filipino channel... Maybe some "localization" lessons to the AT&T reps are needed.

Anyway, U-Verse Lords please listen if you get RAI (at no more than $9.95 like Dish Network) and possibly other italian channels (Euronews, Rai News 24, Skynews)... I am game!

Thank you.

[Limpy]

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Camicia wrote:

When I called in to inquiry about RAI i was offered the filipino channel...

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INSTANT CLASSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Message Edited by Limpy on 04-14-2009 03:30 PM

[Data89]

Indeed, RAI would be great !

Regards,

Alex

[idasgupt]

Any updates on RAI being added ? This is just ridiculous. AT&T wants everyone to switch to U-Verse, yet they won't provide all the channels ......

[callmeox ACE - Professor]

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idasgupt wrote:
Any updates on RAI being added ? This is just ridiculous. AT&T wants everyone to switch to U-Verse, yet they won't provide all the channels ......

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"all" the channels? Don't you think that's a bit of a tall order?

Which provider has "all" the channels?

 

 

 

[jdibella]

I would love to see RAI added to the U-Verse lineup. My parents and grandparents currently have Dish Network and I would love to get them switched to AT&T U-Verse. Please add RAI!!

[kryptonite]

A few weeks ago, I saw "RAI..." up in the 3000 area.

(RAI something or other.  At least I thought I did.)

[hpmsrm]

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MarkShadid wrote:
We have lots of Buddhist's here, how about a Buddhist channel?

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Hey, Mark.  I'm of Welsh decent.  I want a channel in the Welsh language with news from Wales.  Oh....wait a minute....this is the U.S.A.

[spd2demun ACE - Expert]

RAITALIA?

3802, apparently it has been added or was already there?

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 kryptonite wrote:

A few weeks ago, I saw "RAI..." up in the 3000 area.

(RAI something or other.  At least I thought I did.)

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[kryptonite]

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spd2demun wrote:

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 kryptonite wrote:

A few weeks ago, I saw "RAI..." up in the 3000 area.

(RAI something or other.  At least I thought I did.)

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RAITALIA?

3802, apparently it has been added or was already there?

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I first noticed channel 3802 about 2-3 weeks ago.  I've set up my box so that a lot of channels don't appear on the list.  This makes it easier to notice new channels, since they'll automatically appear.

[spd2demun ACE - Expert]

I do the same thing here.

So is that THE channel wanted?

[Limpy]

I just noticed the channel was added today. It should make all the italians happy!! I'm surprised it hasn't received more attention.