will ATT UVerse be discontinued?

I also read the same article (the one about brands that might disappear in 2017?). While I'm not that enamored of some aspects of U-Verse, I really would not go back to satellite service. I've had both DirecTV and DISH in the past, and got tired of enduring rain-fade or having to go outside in frigid weather (or a snowstorm!) to knock snow off of the dish! I see that they still appear to be offering the service, so maybe this is going to be a few years out.

I also have some issues with going to a traditional cable carrier, but Xfinity is in our neighborhood and I would probably start looking there...

Yes, we've had U-Verse for at least four years without a single service call since the initial installation started working. On the other hand, I see the Comcast trucks parked along the street a lot! Our only U-Verse issues are more related to the network as a whole, such as access to the Internet suddenly disappearing for a few minutes at a time (web sites become "unreachable", DNS lookups fail, etc.).

The best feature, in our opinion, has been the wireless (WiFi) connection to the additional receiver in the bedroom, which saved us from having to have someone wrap cable around the house, drill through the walls, and whatever they'd have to do to get it connected.

I was recently told by an AT&T technician that U-verse wasn't going anywhere because not everyone could have or would want satellite TV service.

For example:

If your house is surrounded by a lot of trees, then it wouldn't be wise to have satelletile TV because the trees could inhibit the signal.            

Here's a good article I just stumbled upon online:

AT&T isn't gtting rid of its DirecTV and U-verse brands anytime soon

They'll eventually be phased out, but not for the 'foreseeable future'

Eventually, DirecTV and U-verse will come together as a unified product. Think of it as next-generation TV built upon both cable and satellite TV services. It just makes more sense from a business standpoint.

Check out these stories posted within the past few weeks: 

http://rbr.com/tvfreedom-uverse-to-directv/ 

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/t-t-shut-down-u-120812906.html

Based on these articles, this AT&T customer since 1974 (through all the Ma Bell breakup, etc.,) will be switching providers soon! 

I do not know what the future of cable TV is.  My opinion it will give way to streaming.  Direct TV has a stand alone streaming option.  Also Comcast and Charter have a streaming option on Roku and Uverse has a streaming option on Fire TV.  For now who have to subscribe to the cable service to access their streaming options.  That will more likely change as more and more people are cutting the cable cord.  All of the premium networks are offering a stand alone product to customer who have cut the cord.  That will cut into cable as cable companies make more on selling the premium channels then cable channels.  More and more networks are offering add free programming to anyone who is willing to pay a few more dollars.  So the entertainment options are plenty and there will be more as the years go by.  Whatever happens in the future you will always have an option for the programming you have grown to depend on.  Bottom line however the future goes you will always have the shows and channels you love.  So do not worry about it and look over the options available and choose the ones that meets your needs.

Will NHL Network be available with ATT TV?

It is mid-July 2017 and was just told by AT&T customer service Uverse is being phased out and tried to get me to switch to Direct TV.  Told if wait until mandated would not get same promotion.  Appears AT&T corporate is putting pressure on its customer service to do a hard sell for Direct TV.  Understand AT&T corporate paid too much for Direct TV but should not create changes that devalue a valuable Uverse that provides not only TV but data and phone.  If need to reduce cost, reduce in force (RIF) first the Executives that made the decision to buy Direct TV.  Promote Direct TV in southwest were less weather, trees and other interference problems that degrade/devalue Direct TV service.   As an AT&T stockholder I am concerned about AT&T Corporate decision-making and the longterm impact on AT&T services and value. 

I was told by Uverse that direct TV has there own department and they say that to get you to switch I just received contract with Uverse saying they don't want me going anywhere