There are several reasons that make me doubt AT&T would attempt to end the U-Verse TV service.
1. There are people who cannot for what ever reason get a satellite dish positioned/mounted to receive a signal (no southern-facing side to their property, trees in the way, etc.). Also, there are people outside the U-Verse footprint that cannot get U-Verse IPTV but could get satellite.
Having both available increases market penetration, which increases subscribers, which increases bargaining power with the content providers, which increases available services.
2. There is a large investment in the U-Verse IPTV infrastructure, they have to monetize that for as long as possible.
3. With the future of content delivery including mobile, portable devices, cars, etc., having the IP connectivity is a big piece of that.
The CEO is saying that the U-verse service will continue. So unless he is lying for some reason we have nothing to worry about.
At first, I was going to say that it would make little sense to get rid of U-Verse...then it hit me that "the U-Verse service will continue" could always mean that it will continue as an Internet and phone service only, but the TV service would be removed (which, among other things, frees up bandwidth for the Internet service) in favor of DirecTV.
The main reason I can think of why I don't think this will happen; too many people live in places where you just can't get satellite TV (mainly on the north side of a mountain, where you can't get a line of sight from the dish to the satellite).
Best Case Scenario: For homes that have access to both U-Verse and DTV, maybe AT&T will let a customer trade video for bandwidth. Want faster internet speeds? Switch your TV to satellite and then you can use the freed up bandwidth that was used for video for faster internet speed.
that sounds like a good idea. it also would allow any one who is big sports person, to go with Directv or if they like other programming to go with Uverse.
I do not see that Uverse would be leaving for one main reason. It is not cheap to lay all the fiber optic lines and for the fact that AT&T is starting to go completly fiber in some area. Why would you spend that much money over the last 10 years to sudden stop using in?
It was also mentioned that some areas can not use satellite service, either because they can not use the satellite or because their apartment/condo does not allow dishes in their area.
At this time since it will take at least 12 months for anything to happen, it does not make sense to speculate.
I am sure by the end of 2014 / beginning of 2015 we will hear more info.
The last section about new services is interesting in regards to NFL Sunday Ticket. "In a regulatory filing Monday, AT&T said it could call off the merger if DirecTV isn't able to renew NFL Sunday Ticket on terms the two companies have discussed privately."
Beany: I did not see your post before I posted mine. Sorry.
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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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There are several reasons that make me doubt AT&T would attempt to end the U-Verse TV service.
1. There are people who cannot for what ever reason get a satellite dish positioned/mounted to receive a signal (no southern-facing side to their property, trees in the way, etc.). Also, there are people outside the U-Verse footprint that cannot get U-Verse IPTV but could get satellite.
At the previous house I lived at, I did not have proper line of sight to hook a dish to point at the satellite.
"In a regulatory filing Monday, AT&T said it could call off the merger if DirecTV isn't able to renew NFL Sunday Ticket on terms the two companies have discussed privately."
THAT is the statement that I find fascinating....$48 BILLION deal dependent on football?
BOYS!!!!
Don't mess with old people. The older we get, the less "Life in Prison" is a deterrent.
Award for Community Excellence Achiever* *I am not a DIRECTV employee, and the views and opinions expressed on this forum are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider, or party.
"In a regulatory filing Monday, AT&T said it could call off the merger if DirecTV isn't able to renew NFL Sunday Ticket on terms the two companies have discussed privately."
THAT is the statement that I find fascinating....$48 BILLION deal dependent on football?
BOYS!!!!
Even when I did have Direct TV, Sunday Ticket was not a selling factor. At the time it was NASCAR Hot Pass that got me to go to Direct. The first year I had it I loved it. 4 channels covering 4 different drivers with 3 different audio choices, national broadcast, DTV driver exclusive broadcast or team in car channel. Race was constantly shown during commercials including when the national broadcast went to commercials. I believe I paid $50 for the season. The 2nd year of my DTV contract it was free. Still had 4 dedicated driver channels, but only one audio option. Haven't missed it after switching to UVerse.
With the NFL, I typically only watch the Cowboys and they are on every week locally and for fantasy purposes, Red Zone has everything else I need. Can't see paying the price for Sunday Ticket. It is a big money maker for Direct, though probably as not as big as it once was.
” Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports … all others are games.”- Ernest Hemingway
Award for Community Excellence Achiever* *I am not a DIRECTV employee, and the views and opinions expressed on this forum are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider, or party.
I think AT&T and DirecTV will happen if Comcast and Time-Warner Cable also become one.
If this materializes, then I think the video service from DirecTV will be more the platform and not so much U-verse. Reason is because of access. It is vital to reach as many people nationwide as possible. The Internet from AT&T gets not as much coverage. Which also says something about delivery of U-verse.
The NFL Sunday Ticket is DirecTV's bread and butter. This current contract may be the last with NFL Sunday Ticket. But then again, maybe not. They've been together for about 20 years; DirecTV did launch in 1994. So, I don't buy into AT&T calling off a deal with DirecTV if the latter loses NFL Sunday Ticket. AT&T, which approached DirecTV, wants to not be behind, or be far behind on a Comcast/Time-Warner merger. (Same goes with DirecTV.) So, NFL Sunday Ticket or no NFL Sunday Ticket, I think this AT&T/DirecTV deal is a full commitment between both companies.
As for thread mentions of AT&T U-verse not having some channels that are available from DirecTV, like with the Hallmarks and NHL Network, and looking at from the reverse (what AT&T U-verse carries that isn't currently available by DirecTV), I think they're going to come through in filling those holes. For example as why that is, AT&T has shown that it is Crown Media which needs U-verse more than U-verse in need of the Hallmarks. With the company much bigger, I don't think Crown Media will be able to hold out unless it wants to wiped off the map. So, the frustrated and denied devotees of Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel will finally get rewarded.
Well if Directv becomes the main pay TV service for AT&T then i will start looking around i can't get satilite with all trees around my house i just hope its not true .
As I've been saying, NFL Sunday Ticket is NOT a huge draw to DirecTV as it once was.
In one report I heard Monday or Tuesday morning, it was said that only ONE PERCENT of the ~20 million subscribers actually do Sunday Ticket. For you non-math majors, that is ~200,000 people, or about half the population of NYC's Staten Island. I'd really be interested in how that breaks down between residential versus public viewing (bars, restaurants, etc). Ever since the Smoking Gestapo has been on the march, bars and restaurants need something to bring customers in, and for the three months of autumn that fits the bill. So if I had to hazard a guess, also considering how DirecTV practically gives Sunday Ticket away to almost anyone who is a residential customer (as they've done for the past two to three years), I'd think a good 60-65% comes from the commercial side.
With the NFL allowing non-DirecTV subscribers online access via a paid package, and with only one percent of the subscriber base subscribing, it's time for DirecTV to move on. The NFL could certainly get more than 200,000 subscribers nationwide if they did some tweaking and made it available over cable, satellite and IPTV. It works for all the other leagues, after all.
vid30jk writes, "In one report I heard Monday or Tuesday morning, it was said that only ONE PERCENT of the ~20 million subscribers actually do Sunday Ticket. For you non-math majors, that is ~200,000 people, or about half the population of NYC's Staten Island."
SomeJoe7777
Expert
•
346 Messages
11 years ago
There are several reasons that make me doubt AT&T would attempt to end the U-Verse TV service.
1. There are people who cannot for what ever reason get a satellite dish positioned/mounted to receive a signal (no southern-facing side to their property, trees in the way, etc.). Also, there are people outside the U-Verse footprint that cannot get U-Verse IPTV but could get satellite.
Having both available increases market penetration, which increases subscribers, which increases bargaining power with the content providers, which increases available services.
2. There is a large investment in the U-Verse IPTV infrastructure, they have to monetize that for as long as possible.
3. With the future of content delivery including mobile, portable devices, cars, etc., having the IP connectivity is a big piece of that.
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That Don Guy
Guru
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325 Messages
11 years ago
At first, I was going to say that it would make little sense to get rid of U-Verse...then it hit me that "the U-Verse service will continue" could always mean that it will continue as an Internet and phone service only, but the TV service would be removed (which, among other things, frees up bandwidth for the Internet service) in favor of DirecTV.
The main reason I can think of why I don't think this will happen; too many people live in places where you just can't get satellite TV (mainly on the north side of a mountain, where you can't get a line of sight from the dish to the satellite).
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sbriand
Guru
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29 Messages
11 years ago
Best Case Scenario: For homes that have access to both U-Verse and DTV, maybe AT&T will let a customer trade video for bandwidth. Want faster internet speeds? Switch your TV to satellite and then you can use the freed up bandwidth that was used for video for faster internet speed.
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flutist1963
Former Employee
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26 Messages
11 years ago
that sounds like a good idea. it also would allow any one who is big sports person, to go with Directv or if they like other programming to go with Uverse.
I do not see that Uverse would be leaving for one main reason. It is not cheap to lay all the fiber optic lines and for the fact that AT&T is starting to go completly fiber in some area. Why would you spend that much money over the last 10 years to sudden stop using in?
It was also mentioned that some areas can not use satellite service, either because they can not use the satellite or because their apartment/condo does not allow dishes in their area.
At this time since it will take at least 12 months for anything to happen, it does not make sense to speculate.
I am sure by the end of 2014 / beginning of 2015 we will hear more info.
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Anonymous
1.9K Messages
11 years ago
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dwinth
ACE - Professor
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911 Messages
11 years ago
Here is some additional information from AP business writer Ryan Nakashima.
http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/what-consumers-can-expect-from-at-t-directv-deal/article_fc994657-0f77-5e9c-9b26-9a4ecf4dfd45.html
The last section about new services is interesting in regards to NFL Sunday Ticket. "In a regulatory filing Monday, AT&T said it could call off the merger if DirecTV isn't able to renew NFL Sunday Ticket on terms the two companies have discussed privately."
Beany: I did not see your post before I posted mine. Sorry.
Owning a computer and not having the internet is like buying a refrigerator and not stocking it with food.
*I am not a DIRECTV employee, and the views and opinions expressed on this forum are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider, or party.
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CostaMesaCAGuy
Scholar
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88 Messages
11 years ago
At the previous house I lived at, I did not have proper line of sight to hook a dish to point at the satellite.
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skeeterintexas
ACE - Expert
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28.3K Messages
11 years ago
THAT is the statement that I find fascinating....$48 BILLION deal dependent on football?
BOYS!!!!
Don't mess with old people. The older we get, the less "Life in Prison" is a deterrent.
*I am not a DIRECTV employee, and the views and opinions expressed on this forum are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider, or party.
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oufanindallas
ACE - Master
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480 Messages
11 years ago
Even when I did have Direct TV, Sunday Ticket was not a selling factor. At the time it was NASCAR Hot Pass that got me to go to Direct. The first year I had it I loved it. 4 channels covering 4 different drivers with 3 different audio choices, national broadcast, DTV driver exclusive broadcast or team in car channel. Race was constantly shown during commercials including when the national broadcast went to commercials. I believe I paid $50 for the season. The 2nd year of my DTV contract it was free. Still had 4 dedicated driver channels, but only one audio option. Haven't missed it after switching to UVerse.
With the NFL, I typically only watch the Cowboys and they are on every week locally and for fantasy purposes, Red Zone has everything else I need. Can't see paying the price for Sunday Ticket. It is a big money maker for Direct, though probably as not as big as it once was.
*I am not a DIRECTV employee, and the views and opinions expressed on this forum are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider, or party.
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LoveHD
Scholar
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63 Messages
11 years ago
I think AT&T and DirecTV will happen if Comcast and Time-Warner Cable also become one.
If this materializes, then I think the video service from DirecTV will be more the platform and not so much U-verse. Reason is because of access. It is vital to reach as many people nationwide as possible. The Internet from AT&T gets not as much coverage. Which also says something about delivery of U-verse.
The NFL Sunday Ticket is DirecTV's bread and butter. This current contract may be the last with NFL Sunday Ticket. But then again, maybe not. They've been together for about 20 years; DirecTV did launch in 1994. So, I don't buy into AT&T calling off a deal with DirecTV if the latter loses NFL Sunday Ticket. AT&T, which approached DirecTV, wants to not be behind, or be far behind on a Comcast/Time-Warner merger. (Same goes with DirecTV.) So, NFL Sunday Ticket or no NFL Sunday Ticket, I think this AT&T/DirecTV deal is a full commitment between both companies.
As for thread mentions of AT&T U-verse not having some channels that are available from DirecTV, like with the Hallmarks and NHL Network, and looking at from the reverse (what AT&T U-verse carries that isn't currently available by DirecTV), I think they're going to come through in filling those holes. For example as why that is, AT&T has shown that it is Crown Media which needs U-verse more than U-verse in need of the Hallmarks. With the company much bigger, I don't think Crown Media will be able to hold out unless it wants to wiped off the map. So, the frustrated and denied devotees of Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel will finally get rewarded.
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rt123
Scholar
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43 Messages
11 years ago
Well if Directv becomes the main pay TV service for AT&T then i will start looking around i can't get satilite with all trees around my house i just hope its not true .
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rdljr
Guru
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332 Messages
11 years ago
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vid30jk
Scholar
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75 Messages
11 years ago
As I've been saying, NFL Sunday Ticket is NOT a huge draw to DirecTV as it once was.
In one report I heard Monday or Tuesday morning, it was said that only ONE PERCENT of the ~20 million subscribers actually do Sunday Ticket. For you non-math majors, that is ~200,000 people, or about half the population of NYC's Staten Island. I'd really be interested in how that breaks down between residential versus public viewing (bars, restaurants, etc). Ever since the Smoking Gestapo has been on the march, bars and restaurants need something to bring customers in, and for the three months of autumn that fits the bill. So if I had to hazard a guess, also considering how DirecTV practically gives Sunday Ticket away to almost anyone who is a residential customer (as they've done for the past two to three years), I'd think a good 60-65% comes from the commercial side.
With the NFL allowing non-DirecTV subscribers online access via a paid package, and with only one percent of the subscriber base subscribing, it's time for DirecTV to move on. The NFL could certainly get more than 200,000 subscribers nationwide if they did some tweaking and made it available over cable, satellite and IPTV. It works for all the other leagues, after all.
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LoveHD
Scholar
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63 Messages
11 years ago
vid30jk writes, "In one report I heard Monday or Tuesday morning, it was said that only ONE PERCENT of the ~20 million subscribers actually do Sunday Ticket. For you non-math majors, that is ~200,000 people, or about half the population of NYC's Staten Island."
I came across the following report @
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-12/directv-said-near-renewal-of-deal-to-carry-nfl-sunday-ticket-.html
"Last year, about 2 million DirecTV customers paid for “Sunday Ticket” out of its 20 million U.S. subscribers."
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vid30jk
Scholar
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75 Messages
11 years ago
OK, OK, OK .... yeah, this time I didn't research and double check.
Here's someone else who thinks even TEN percent of DirecTV subscribers is too low. And also notes that it obviously is NOT profitable.
http://msn.foxsports.com/college-football/outkick-the-coverage/what-s-the-nfl-sunday-ticket-worth-052014
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