What is tvpromise.com and why are they removing programming?

Hi all,

AT&T's agreements with programmers expire from time to time. We are usually able to obtain renewals or extensions of such agreements, but in rare cases, we may be required to cease carriage of channels.

That is where AT&T TV Promise comes in. With AT&T TV Promise you can:

• Find details about your channel
• Check to see if you qualify for a temporary price adjustment
• Information on why TV Prices go up
• And more

Note: If you have a question or concern about channels on DIRECTV, please visit https://forums.directv.com/.

ChrisZ, AT&T Community Specialist 

https://tvpromise.att.com/ is the AT&T website set up to address channel changes, disputes and issues.

Every network negotiates with a server (re: AT&T) to have their programming carried.  While most of the time contracts continue without interruption, sometimes those negotiations can go badly (re: NFL network).

I don't know what NBC specific programming changes you are referring to. 

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@Brosen7120 wrote:

How outrageous that NBC is no longer available in my market nor was there any notice beforehand to that effect. Very frustrating that on the website you send us to for more information it says to go to channel 9 to get NBC however, that is not true. I have combed your website for a number to talk to a person but to no avail. Additionally, will there be a reduction on our bill to reflect the interruption in this service?

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The owner of your specific local affiliate pulled the channel as a negotiating tactic. They sometimes do this without notice, or in some cases with a message on screen saying the channel is about to go (scare tactic), as a way to upset the customer and use them as leverage against the TV provider (be it DirecTV, Uverse, Comcast, Cableone, etc.)

TV providers have in their terms of service that channels/programming may change at any time. This is because they don't own the channels and cannot force them to stay or even what programming they may or may not show. As such there is no automatic reduction in bill. By calling your TV provider, you might find out your account qualifies for a promotional discount and take advantage of it, but there is not a guarantee that one is available.

https://tvpromise.att.com/ is to see what local negotiations are going on (just remember to select your provider, DirecTV, Uverse or Directv Now).

As for combing the website for a phone number, like many of the websites you go to the bottom of the page and click "Contact Us". But the phone numbers for both services hasn't changed in many years:

DirecTV 1-800-531-5000

AT&T 1-800-288-2020

Directv Now being a streaming only service, only has online support, no phone number currently.

Facts:

AT&T did not pull any channel from their lineup.

The majority of the shows from over-the-air networks can be viewed via the station websites or via a streaming device such as a Roku or AppleTV.

If you want to negotiate a lower rate, you are free to do so at any time. This lower rate will be far more than the few cents your bill would go down when U-Verse or DirecTV loses a channel due to greed by the channel owner. However, it is up to you, the customer, to remember to call back to re-negotiate or cancel the channel package before the promotional rates expire. A few years ago, I lost my CBS for a month or so. When I got it back, I called up and got $10 off one monthly bill.

We watch Pursuit all the time, but today went to watch a show that was recently recorded and saw that the channel is suddenly no longer available. I haven’t seen anything saying this channel was going away and it still shows as part of our package on the channel lineup. Anyone else having this issue? 

I am assuming the contract ran out and the network that owns Pursuit was too greedy so att pulled it.  But that's too good to be true (IMO).  So more likely they are currently in negotiations and it's that network that pulled the program to get customers to complain.  It's is a tried and true extortion technique the networks use to try to get att to give in.  Eventually they both compromise and and then we all end up paying the price with increased fees.

ATT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  What the HECK ARE YOU GREEDY A**ES DOING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  You've already pulled the NFL channel and now the Pursuit channel!!!!!!  Why don't you pull some of the USELESS channels that NOBODY (yet you charge us for them) watches!!!!!

If the contract to carry it was about to expire, it should be listed at http://programmingchanges.att.com

See my post 6 in this other thread.

I expect to see a decrease in my bill if you are removing channels.  May have to look at going back to Charter