ATT Blocking Fox Sports Midwest Broadcasts

[dwinth]

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Skitt5 wrote:

Can you speak to the extra $5 and where it went? Can anyone answer that question? Am I the only one who is curious about it? Why did they take that extra money if they weren't going to show those 20 games, or is that the fault of Fox Midwest and the Cardinals? Did Fox and the Cardinals MAKE them do it? Someone PLEASE ANSWER THIS QUESTION!!

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The Regional Sports Network stations are part of the Premium HD package. Even before the Regional Sports Networks stations were added to the Premium HD Package, the cost of the Premium HD Package was $5.00. If you already were paying for the Premium HD Package prior to the addition of the RSN's, you did not have a raise in your fees as you were already paying $5.00

It would help if you would use the "Quote" button so that people would know which previous post you were responding to.

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Owning a computer and not having the internet is like buying a refrigerator and not stocking it with food.

[bgniemeyer]

I just recently switched from Dish to U-verse.  So far, I have not been "very satisfied" at all.  Not getting all the Cardinal games as promised is the icing on the cake.  I specifically asked about this before switching.  I wish I had never heard of U-verse.

[schick7036]

As a customer and a proud member of the AT&T employee family, I am writing to ask the reconsideration by my company.

My wife and I went to our local, favorite restaurant today for an early dinner -We arrived to a very large crowd (more like a mob) of friends who were all very upset that they could not watch the Cardinals game at their home,  We were greeted with boo's and "less than satisfied with our service" comments.  many came to the restaurant to watch the game.  At the restaurant another local access provider did provide the Sunday, Cards game.  Many of these friends and acquaintances asked who they should call to take their complaint to, about skipping the Sunday games. 

As a representative of the company to my community - and a representative of my community to the company, I ask  to reconsider on their (& my) behalf... so we again have very satisfied customers and so my wife and I can eat in peace. Thanks for listening and hope we get to see next Sunday's game.

[costanza]

There is a silver lining to this dispute.  Didn't have to see Franklin blow another game.

[dwinth]

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schick7036 wrote:

As a customer and a proud member of the AT&T employee family, I am writing to ask the reconsideration by my company.

My wife and I went to our local, favorite restaurant today for an early dinner -We arrived to a very large crowd (more like a mob) of friends who were all very upset that they could not watch the Cardinals game at their home,  We were greeted with boo's and "less than satisfied with our service" comments.  many came to the restaurant to watch the game.  At the restaurant another local access provider did provide the Sunday, Cards game.  Many of these friends and acquaintances asked who they should call to take their complaint to, about skipping the Sunday games. 

As a representative of the company to my community - and a representative of my community to the company, I ask  to reconsider on their (& my) behalf... so we again have very satisfied customers and so my wife and I can eat in peace. Thanks for listening and hope we get to see next Sunday's game.

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I was under the impression that AT&T employees were supposed to give an official qualifier at the end of their posts to show that they were an AT&T employee.

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Owning a computer and not having the internet is like buying a refrigerator and not stocking it with food.

[probeater]

Can't understand why AT&T would make subscribers mad by not picking up FSM. It can't be a money problem because of what you charge for U-Verse.

 I pay for fsm and can't get Cardinal baseball games. I hope your offering some kind of compensation for the lose of these games? Dish tried this with hockey and lost customers. Don't follow in their foot steps.

[Skitt5]

Dwinth, What is the matter with you? This man is trying to help, and you sound as if you would rather he didn't voice his opinion at all. I should hope that you want us to get these games. You do, don't you? Personally, if he is a member of AT&T, I appreciate his input. I could care less about the disclaimer.

[Skitt5]

Thank you for your input. I appreciate it as I'm sure most Cardinal fans do.

[Skitt5]

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dwinth wrote:

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Skitt5 wrote:

Can you speak to the extra $5 and where it went? Can anyone answer that question? Am I the only one who is curious about it? Why did they take that extra money if they weren't going to show those 20 games, or is that the fault of Fox Midwest and the Cardinals? Did Fox and the Cardinals MAKE them do it? Someone PLEASE ANSWER THIS QUESTION!!

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The Regional Sports Network stations are part of the Premium HD package. Even before the Regional Sports Networks stations were added to the Premium HD Package, the cost of the Premium HD Package was $5.00. If you already were paying for the Premium HD Package prior to the addition of the RSN's, you did not have a raise in your fees as you were already paying $5.00

It would help if you would use the "Quote" button so that people would know which previous post you were responding to.

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Owning a computer and not having the internet is like buying a refrigerator and not stocking it with food.

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Sorry. I didn't know about the quote button. I am new at this, Dwinth. I was told about the $5 in December. I was told I could not longer watch the Cards unless I went to the premium tier. In December, AT&T canceled 748. We were then told we must get the premium tier to watch the Cards. I did not need the premium tier before Dec. 14 in order to watch the Cardinals. Many of us paid for this privilege beginning in Dec. Why did AT&T make it impossible for us to no longer watch the Cards unless we paid an extra $5? It seems to me that this was the last thing the company should have done when they knew we would not see all the games. Obviously, you wanted to pay for this tier long ago. Obviously, many of us didn't. It was very bad timing for AT&T to cut channel 748.

[dwinth]

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Skitt5 wrote:

Dwinth, What is the matter with you? This man is trying to help, and you sound as if you would rather he didn't voice his opinion at all. I should hope that you want us to get these games. You do, don't you? Personally, if he is a member of AT&T, I appreciate his input. I could care less about the disclaimer.

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All of us who have been on this board for a long time know the policy for AT&T employees when they post. I have doubt that the poster you mentioned is an AT&T employee since he did not follow policy.

Those are not my rules, but AT&T's rules.

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Owning a computer and not having the internet is like buying a refrigerator and not stocking it with food.

[erelsb]

I cannot believe a multibillion dollar company cannot work out a deal with the greedy FSM and the St Louis Cardinal games.  I left Dish after the same cituation and I guess I will be leaving ATT.  FSM is so greedy and ATT is no better.  Losing the 20 Cardinal games is a disservice to customers.  We are paying for a service and should receive what is coming to us.  PUT THE GAMES ON THE AIR NOW!!  Another small TV provider in Illinois just gave in over the weekend and said they will eat the cost as they do not want to lose customers.  ATT could care less about their customers or they would do the same.  They now insult our intelligence by saying in the guide for the scheduled Cardinal games, "no progrmming information is scheduled at this time due to transmitter and/or normal station downtime".  Come on!!!!!! 

[stl-steelers]

I completely agree.  This is ridiculous.  If ATT doesnt give me money back I am switching to Charter or direct TV.  The have the nerve to start charging me more money, and then out of no where stop showing baseball games.  Talking to the support was a joke.  Some India call center who told me "they are aware of the probelm, technicians are currently working to resolve the issue."  Are you kidding me?!?!?  Last time I checked technicians dont work on contract disputes.  ATT be honest and staight forward with your customers.  {Keep it Courteous}

[stl-steelers]

Talked to billling and they gave me $5 off for 12 months.  So essentially after they increased prices in Feb 2011 by $5/ month, I am back to paying what I was and still can't see the 20 cardinal games they decided not to carry..... What a deal! 

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I have noticed in other blogs that people were recieving $10, $15, and even $25 off for 6 months, so make sure you try to negotiate if you are a "ticked off" {Keep it Appropriate} of customer of ATT for not showing 20 cardinal games.  Make them pay for trying to take the cheap way out with out informing customers, lying, and breaching a contract.

[donmc]

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stl-steelers wrote:

Talked to billling and they gave me $5 off for 12 months.  So essentially after they increased prices in Feb 2011 by $5/ month, I am back to paying what I was and still can't see the 20 cardinal games they decided not to carry..... What a deal! 

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I have noticed in other blogs that people were recieving $10, $15, and even $25 off for 6 months, so make sure you try to negotiate if you are a "ticked off" {Keep it Appropriate} of customer of ATT for not showing 20 cardinal games.  Make them pay for trying to take the cheap way out with out informing customers, lying, and breaching a contract.

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 I got $10 off for 6 months, but like I told the CSR I don't care about the discount I want

to see the Cardinals games. If they don't care about the Cardinals fans enough to fix this

I will be gone when my current agreement expires.

[dwinth]

Many times whhen people get upset with AT&T and U-Verse due to the elimination of a channel or the blacking out of sports games, they call this action a breach of contract.

Unless you are in that small minority who have contracts with AT&T U-Verse, one cannot have a breach of contract if there is no contract between the two parties. {Keep it Relevant: The forum is not a venue for legal discussions}

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Owning a computer and not having the internet is like buying a refrigerator and not stocking it with food.

[bdturner88]

AT&T doesn't have a problem charging me $10/mo for the sports package and then give me those channels without the sports.  I do not blame FSMW and I am not a plant as you seem to think with other people.  I left Comcast cable due to this same issue (and their initial refusal to carry the Big Ten Network).  I went to Direct TV in order to get to see what I want, not what they will dictate.  I switched to AT&T since I could still get the channels I wanted.  After being told that FSMW was in my regular package, when I got hooked up, I didn't have it since they said it was really Comcast Chicago (I live 90 miles from St. Louis and 200 miles from Chicago).  I had to add the Sports Package in order to get FSMW eventhough all other TV choices in my area included that in their basic packages.  Now, I am paying an extra $10/mo. in order to get the one channel I wanted to watch Cardinals games, but AT&T won't give me what I am paying extra for.  Say what you want, but all the other cable/satellite providers in my area are showing the game in their basic packages.  AT&T is the one charging me a premium and blocking me from seeing the games.

[Dread Pirate Ro…]

Good luck with your next provider.

DPR

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

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bdturner88 wrote:

AT&T doesn't have a problem charging me $10/mo for the sports package and then give me those channels without the sports.  I do not blame FSMW and I am not a plant as you seem to think with other people.  I left Comcast cable due to this same issue (and their initial refusal to carry the Big Ten Network).  I went to Direct TV in order to get to see what I want, not what they will dictate.  I switched to AT&T since I could still get the channels I wanted.  After being told that FSMW was in my regular package, when I got hooked up, I didn't have it since they said it was really Comcast Chicago (I live 90 miles from St. Louis and 200 miles from Chicago).  I had to add the Sports Package in order to get FSMW eventhough all other TV choices in my area included that in their basic packages.  Now, I am paying an extra $10/mo. in order to get the one channel I wanted to watch Cardinals games, but AT&T won't give me what I am paying extra for.  Say what you want, but all the other cable/satellite providers in my area are showing the game in their basic packages.  AT&T is the one charging me a premium and blocking me from seeing the games.

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As of December 2010, the out of market RSN's are no longer in the Sports Package.  The HD versions of the out of market RSN's are now in the HD Premium Tier Package available for $5/month. 

Thus, you would not receive FSMW in the Sports Package.  You would need to be subscribed to the HD Premium Tier Package in your market in order to receive FSMW.  The Sports Package is not needed.

[BryanCurtis0627]

Quit your fighting over money with FSMW and give your customers what they deserve and are paying for. All of the other providers in the area felt it was important to give their customer all of the Cardinals games this year. Even a small provider in S.IL just settled with FSMW to keep their customers happy. I am going to be switching providers if this is not resolved very soon. We have already missed 4 games and there is another one tomorrow night. Figure it out AT&T!

[Dread Pirate Ro…]

So you take your car to the garage . They say it's 100.00 for repairs. You show up to pick it up, he says it's now 150.00 you ask, why he says it's a surcharge . Do YOU pay? I don't!! Just because it's att, do you expect them to just pay it, just because?

DPR

[mum-77]

Can't this problem be straigned out? Didn't everyone know that FSNMidwest was going to broadcast ALL of the STL Cardinal games before the season started. We pay for all games and yet we are going to miss 20. Every time there is a problem between the provider and networks the customer gets the bad end of the deal

[S827]

I called att Saturday to cancel. Already had install dates set up with other providers and after given several discounts I was told that negoiations are in the works and a deal is close. Probably before the end of the week. So I am staying. For now, but would like to know if I was being told the truth and if any progress has been made. I loved uverse services but would have never used them if Dish hadn't done the same thing with the Blues games. I left Dish and will do the same again.

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

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S827 wrote:

I called att Saturday to cancel. Already had install dates set up with other providers and after given several discounts I was told that negoiations are in the works and a deal is close. Probably before the end of the week. So I am staying. For now, but would like to know if I was being told the truth and if any progress has been made. I loved uverse services but would have never used them if Dish hadn't done the same thing with the Blues games. I left Dish and will do the same again.

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Since we are customers just like you, we have no way of knowing.

[Cardinals_fan]

I called and cancelled today.  The rep offered me $25 credit for 6 months, for those who are interested.  The Rep told me they are not currently negotiating with FSMW and no deal is imminent. 

[donmc]

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S827 wrote:
I called att Saturday to cancel. Already had install dates set up with other providers and after given several discounts I was told that negoiations are in the works and a deal is close. Probably before the end of the week. So I am staying. For now, but would like to know if I was being told the truth and if any progress has been made. I loved uverse services but would have never used them if Dish hadn't done the same thing with the Blues games. I left Dish and will do the same again.

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When I called U-verse to complain the CSR I talked to said to expect the blackout to

last for all twenty games. 

[Robster95]

I talked to a well informed lady from U-verse yesterday.  U-verse has more customers than just the St. Louis area.  If U-Verse purchases the 20 games from fsmw then all of U-Verse customers must pay a price increase for these games.  All customers would include customers across the United States.  The St. Louis market is a small market compared to other markets carrying U-Verse.  These markets do not want a price increase for us to see 20 more Cardinals games.  They could care less about the Cardinals.  I would pay a couple of extra dollars to see all the games but that would not be fair to other cities.  U-Verse makes a one-size-fits-all deal with fsmw and refuses to pass the cost on to other markets that doesn't care about the Cardinals.  U-verse believes that they would lose more customers overall if they raised the price for all customers across the board.

[donmc]

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Robster95 wrote:

I talked to a well informed lady from U-verse yesterday.  U-verse has more customers than just the St. Louis area.  If U-Verse purchases the 20 games from fsmw then all of U-Verse customers must pay a price increase for these games.  All customers would include customers across the United States.  The St. Louis market is a small market compared to other markets carrying U-Verse.  These markets do not want a price increase for us to see 20 more Cardinals games.  They could care less about the Cardinals.  I would pay a couple of extra dollars to see all the games but that would not be fair to other cities.  U-Verse makes a one-size-fits-all deal with fsmw and refuses to pass the cost on to other markets that doesn't care about the Cardinals.  U-verse believes that they would lose more customers overall if they raised the price for all customers across the board.

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didn't they just have an across the board increase?

Sounds like we to are helping pay for the other Fox Sports stations too

which are also BLACKED OUT in our area. Like Sunday when the Cardinals were

on Fox Sports Prime Time and we could not view it.

[sheilatn]

I am also frustrated that I haven't been able to watch quite a few Cardinals games because of the feud between Fox Midwest and ATT.  Why doesn't ATT just pay their fee the same as satellite and Charter Cable does?  ATT is acting like a bully and expecting to get their way, but I am now deciding between Dishnetwork, or Charter.  I still have the Dish on my roof from 20 months ago when I switched to UVerse.  It is rapidly becoming a dealbreaker for me.  The game is in a rain delay right now so I'm not missing any game yet tonight.

[bosmanjc]

U Verse should broadcast all the St. Louis Cardinals games.   It is an incentive to switch to either cable or satellite

[MARLINGAR]

THEY HAVE OUR MONEY BUT WON'T LISTEN TO OUR CONCERNS.  THIS IS ST LOUIS AND WE WANT TO WATCH OUR CARDINALS.  MAYBE WE SHOULD ALL SWITCH TO CHARTER SO WE CAN WATCH THE GAMES. THIS IS NOT RIGHT