The Tennis Channel????

[mtrich2008]

I just signed up with U-verse from DishNetwork.  I have the Tennis Channel on Dish and have noticed that AT&T Uverse doesn't carry it AT ALL... If there are no immediate plans to bring it on I will cancel my service after 30 days and just keep the internet..... That may seem crazy to cancel for one channel, but it is my default channel when nothing is really on I like!!

Does anyone know why this is and if AT&T plan on bringing on The Tennis Channel

[Creeper_1]

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mtrich2008 wrote:

I just signed up with U-verse from DishNetwork.  I have the Tennis Channel on Dish and have noticed that AT&T Uverse doesn't carry it AT ALL... If there are no immediate plans to bring it on I will cancel my service after 30 days and just keep the internet..... That may seem crazy to cancel for one channel, but it is my default channel when nothing is really on I like!!

Does anyone know why this is and if AT&T plan on bringing on The Tennis Channel

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This has been brought up before. One rumor is AT&T and TTC can't come to an agreement, the other rumor - It's real low on AT&T's priority list. All the other providers in my area carry it (TWC, Dish, DirecTV).  I had Uverse, but cancelled it due to the lack of TTC. I am glad I didn't disconnect the satellitte. I will go back to Uverse if they ever offer it.

[Zoly]

I am with you on that!!!!!!

I did not cancel my service, as now, only because I have no time to deal with it. Yet, I've found some Chineese TV channel online which shows all Tennis channel programming online. There are even several tennis tournaments that broadcast their matches on their websites!!! And espn360.com will have multiple courts for Australian Open beginning Jan 10th!!!

I know this is not the best solution, but at least it is something for us, Tennis lovers...

I also found several P2P TV applications broadcasting tennis, but if you use VOIP, I would not recommend them, as they are slowing your connection down. And the picture quality is not great.

I posted here and on uverseusers multiple times about this channel for the last 12 months and last January I have gotten reply from the CS that it should be available within next 2 months (11 months later there is no sign of Tennis channel on U-verse).

This is very bad that tennis is being put in some sort of non-popular sports pack by U-verse. The only thing they forget that there are a lot of people who DO care about it and do not watch anything else sport-related on TV.

I cannot even tell you the difference between the names of basketball/American football/baseball teams, as I do not care about them. But many people do care... And U-verse provides them with a lot of channels.

I have demonstrated U-verse to at least 15 tennis players here in Houston, they did like it, but they have no plans to cancel Comcast and move to Uverse because there they can watch Tennis channel.

And yes, Comcast in Houston plans for Tennis HD channel in march!

I will have to think about that...


Message Edited by Zoly on 01-11-2008 07:52 PM

[erichoch]

As best I can research this issue, AT&T is NOT in active discussions with the Tennis Channel. I was promised the Tennis Channel by the end of 2007 if I switched to Uverse.  Obviously this has not happened.  The AT&T executive who is response for programming (and getting the Tennis Channel) is Chris Lauricella.  His email is ******@att.com.  I would suggest that you and all those who want the Tennis Channel start an email campaign to him demanding that he add the Tennis Channel to the AT&T lineup. 

{Mod Note: removed email address to prevent spam}

Message Edited by OptimusPrime on 01-23-2009 12:01 PM

[Zoly]

Cool! I just send him email with question regarding Tennis Channel.
We shall see if he responds..


Message Edited by Zoly on 01-21-2008 01:05 PM

[linfort]

I have been waiting for The Tennis channel as well.  This is an email I received from TTC back in November.  Let's all email her and find out the status.  We need a straight answer. 

Hello Linda,

We are in the tail-end of contract negotiations with AT&T U-Verse now
and hope for a launch by end of year. Please feel free to contact me
again next month and I will gladly give you any updates that we may have
at that time.

Thank you for your support!


Chicquita Outlaw
Manager, Affiliate Communications`
770.****.****

*********@tennischannel.com

http://www.tennischannel.com/
********. Suwanee, GA 30024
Reduce. Reuse. Respect the Places We Play.

{Editted out personal info}

Message Edited by OptimusPrime on 01-22-2009 05:07 PM

[linfort]

I found this on The Tennis Channel thread.  We can email him too.

The AT&T executive who is response for programming (and getting the Tennis Channel) is Chris Lauricella.  His email is ****.******@att.com.  I would suggest that you and all those who want the Tennis Channel start an email campaign to him demanding that he add the Tennis Channel to the AT&T lineup.

{Editted Personal Info. Please do not post email address', phone#s or anything else that could be used for spamming.}

Message Edited by OptimusPrime on 01-22-2009 05:06 PM

[linfort]

I received this reply to my email today:

Hi Linda,

Our negotiations with AT&T are still underway and are going very well.
There are just three more points that need to be hammered out, but we're
confident that the launch will take place soon. As a matter of fact, per
AT&T, the contract states March 31st as a launch date.
Now that doesn't mean that it'll take that long - it just means that
even if the agreement is signed today, they technically have until then
to add us to their lineup. But of course, we're pushing for "tomorrow".

Trust me, I understand your frustration, but please remain patient for a
little longer.

Thank you.


Chicquita Outlaw
Manager, Affiliate Communications`
***.***.****

*******@tennischannel.com
http://www.tennischannel.com/
************. Suwanee, GA 30024
Reduce. Reuse. Respect the Places We Play.

{mod note: Please do not post personal info}

Message Edited by OptimusPrime on 01-23-2009 11:59 AM

[WTA_FAN]

Thanks for the info. U-verse needs to just pay up the money and in doing so bring their service up to current industry standards.

[dlabarba]

I just switched from DishNetwork to U-verse.  I had the Tennis Channel on DishNetwork and cannot believe U-verse does not have the Tennis Channel AT ALL.  WHAT A BUMMER!!!! Does anyone know who to write to at U-verse and complain?  I read previous posts from almost a year ago and it seems that U-verse is not interested in adding the Tennis Channel.  I would never have switched from DishNetwork if I had known and plan to tell any potential new customers of this problem.

[Johnbsr]

You said you read the posts regarding the Tennis Channel and state that Uverse is not interested in adding the channel, yet 2 posts above yours is this item.  Sounds like they are indeed going to be adding the channel in the near future.

"I received this reply to my email today:

Hi Linda,

Our negotiations with AT&T are still underway and are going very well.
There are just three more points that need to be hammered out, but we're
confident that the launch will take place soon. As a matter of fact, per
AT&T, the contract states March 31st as a launch date.
Now that doesn't mean that it'll take that long - it just means that
even if the agreement is signed today, they technically have until then
to add us to their lineup. But of course, we're pushing for "tomorrow".

Trust me, I understand your frustration, but please remain patient for a
little longer.

Thank you."

[callmeox ACE - Wizard]

Don't let facts get in the way of a good "I'll take my tennis balls and go home" rant. 

[Johnbsr]

I understand that people are passionate about getting certain channels that they want added, and to be honest, the more the better as far as I'm concerned.

But some of the bashing that AT&T gets on some of these threads is a little over the top.  I've had Uverse since November and they've added more channels in the last 3 months than my previous cable service added in the last 5 years (Wild Out West).  To say nothing of the fact that my old service had about 30 HD channels, when I signed up I got around 65, and now it's up to around 90 with UVerse.  Do I want more?  Of course!  We already know about Comedy Central, Spike, MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon and a few others on the way.

I was glad to hear the San Francisco area finally got the HD feed for the local sports they were looking for, I think sometimes people don't realize that negotiations don't always go as quickly as we'd all like.  It doesn't mean they're not trying to add the programming.

Off my soapbox before I get branded for being an Uverse apologist

[callmeox ACE - Wizard]

Too late.

Next step, you will be asked to supply 3 years of federal tax returns in order to prove that you don't work for AT&T.

[jswilson64]

So then, really, there's nothing yet.  IF they can agree, TTC will be on U-verse by 3/31.  If...

[Creeper_1]

To be honest, the email to me means nothing. How can you still be negotiating and have a contractual launch date at the same time? You either have a signed contract in place or you don't. In my business career we always signed after negotiations, and the contract that was signed was what we negotiated. Changing a contract after the fact is more trouble than it is worth considering it has to go through the Lawyers for every change, and of course both sides will make changes to best suit their needs.  This goes back to the string along mentality that I have dealt with for over a year with this. I have been told the above so many times, and hopefully this time I am wrong and it will actually happen. As I have said before, speak with your wallet, rants go nowhere, but the almighty dollar goes alot farther. In the current economy the consumer has the upper hand, and it might be one at a time, but numbers do add up. Uverse has some great offerings, it just depends on what your needs are, and they fluctuate from household to household, and even in the household. I don't watch it, the wife does, I am happy with the sports that Uverse offered when I had it, but others in my house were not. Let's hopw the email was right.

[klatu10]

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Johnbsr wrote:

I understand that people are passionate about getting certain channels that they want added, and to be honest, the more the better as far as I'm concerned.

But some of the bashing that AT&T gets on some of these threads is a little over the top.  I've had Uverse since November and they've added more channels in the last 3 months than my previous cable service added in the last 5 years (Wild Out West).  To say nothing of the fact that my old service had about 30 HD channels, when I signed up I got around 65, and now it's up to around 90 with UVerse.  Do I want more?  Of course!  We already know about Comedy Central, Spike, MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon and a few others on the way.

I was glad to hear the San Francisco area finally got the HD feed for the local sports they were looking for, I think sometimes people don't realize that negotiations don't always go as quickly as we'd all like.  It doesn't mean they're not trying to add the programming.

Off my soapbox before I get branded for being an Uverse apologist

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I totally understand leaving a provider because they dont have a channel you want.

All the providers have something i like.

My suggestion to those folks who want the tennis channel. Keep your other provider until Att gets what you want. or in my case have 2 providers.

I love the tennis channel. I would not keep Att alone without it.

Plus there are no guarantees that Att will ever get the channel. Things happen and talks either stall or break down completely.

[jswilson64]

Anyone hear any more rumors about this?  Have they agreed upon the contract that was still being negotiated with the 3/31 on-air deadline?  Or is it dead in the water?

I'd still like to have the higher-speed Internet (than my DSL) that U-verse could bring, but without the favorite channel of two members of my household, I'll stick with 1.8Mbps and DirecTV.

[pennmw83]

I know I will get blasted for this comment, but it's amazing how many people are persistant on getting the tennis channel, espicially LEAVING U-Verse over not having it, seems a bit childish, personally.  I mean I can watch one match, then that's it for me.  Maybe it's becasue I am not some big tennis buff. 

I assume it's tennis 24/7, or is more than just that?  I don't really get these sport-specific channels, maybe it is just me.

IMHO

[dwinth]

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Johnbsr wrote:

 I've had Uverse since November and they've added more channels in the last 3 months than my previous cable service added in the last 5 years (Wild Out West).  To say nothing of the fact that my old service had about 30 HD channels, when I signed up I got around 65, and now it's up to around 90 with UVerse.  Do I want more?  Of course!  We already know about Comedy Central, Spike, MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon and a few others on the way.

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I see that your post is from January 31, 2009. From my latest count after the two addition days of new HD channels in February, and including six local St.Louis channels, I now count 101 High Definition channels on U-Verse. I was wondering how that stacks up against Dish, Direct, Charter, and other satellite and cable companies.

[klatu10]

I can compare Direc and dish HD content.

Direc tv: 130

Dish:     102 In ball park...

However, with dish they keep pulling channels then adding then pulling.

Direc tv is still hands down the leader in HD. Their sports coverage puts them over the top.

Nice to see Att pushing dish network!!!

I think Att has more premiums in HD (then both sat cos). I have all three and Att is realling going for broke on the HD

Offerings.

Theres still plenty of room for Improvement Att but they are going in the right direction.

[Zoly]

I can tell you guys, that one of my friends, who has gotten U-verse some time ago, went back with Comcast only because they have Tennis channel. Another friend of mine loves U-verse but still waiting for Tennis channel to be added. Once it is done, I will reffer him. I also wish this channel would be available but I can wait.

[WTA_FAN]

I'm still waiting.

If they don't have it after March 31st I'm going to switch to Time Warner cable.

[jswilson64]

Why wait until 3/31?  That 3/31 "start-by date" was on a contract that wasn't final.  As far as anyone knows, they've reached agreement, but TTC won't start until June, or July, or after the US Open.  Nobody is talking on either side.

[Ildodge]

Like TWC offers the tennis channel on HD (or on the Digital plus tier even) puh puh lease and tennis channel will have ZERO U.S Open games by the way. And I can watch the non-prime time Roland Garros games on espn360.com thank you, Billy Mays told me. OH and the prime time games on ESPN HD.

Message Edited by Ildodge on 03-05-2009 07:27 PM

[RCSMG ACE - Master]

Enjoy.

[Creeper_1]

Heck I would have stayed if it was offered in SD, HD is a bonus since the HD saturation is still not the majority in the US yet. One it will be, but look how many analog sets are out there, and just think someday they will be the minority.

[jswilson64]

I e-mailed the Tennis Channel "Viewer Response" e-mail asking about the negotiations.  Here's what I received from them:

"So far the contracts are still with AT&T U-Verse and we have heard nothing from them.  We are hoping before Roland Garros but not word as of yet."

[sic, and the blue color was theirs, not mine!]

Under 3 weeks to go, with "not" word as of yet.  Not encouraging.

[klatu10]

These contract negotiations can get very drawn out.

Ive seen it happen with both sat companies.

Again, if you have the ability, direc tv shows several matches

at one time during the major tennis tournaments.

Its very cool.

If not, hang in there and hopefully att will get this worked out.

Att is being aggressive with channels.

I do have Att as well as direc. Im an avid tennis player. I could not have a system

without the tennis channel-Period. Especialy in HD

[mswannie]

I'm tired of waiting on ATT for the Tennis Channel and looking to find another provider. I'm curious about DirectTV, why do you have both UVerse and DirectTV?