WWME and 2 other channels gone?

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@Citizen60123 wrote:

It continues to.amaze me that AT&T still does not get It. They keep alienating their customers by pulling popular channels. First Hallmark, then Scripps HGTV, etc. remember that fiasco?. Now weigle broadcasting METV. And soon Amc. Both cable companies carry all here in Elgin, Comcast and WOW. Come on AT&T you are losing whatever competitive advantage you may have had!!

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You mean something that happened almost 2 years ago that lasted less than 3 days?

Yeah, you have quite a long list there. You should become a Dish Network customer so that you could create a much longer list.

By the way, a deal was reached today with AMC Networks.

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@Citizen60123 wrote:

Sir, we still are blacked out. Just because the parties are talking does not mean they will reach an agreement. Yes, I CAN read. Thanks.

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Blacked out of what?  The agreement between AMC Networks and AT&T has been reached.  It's a done deal!

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@pin wheels -2348 wrote:

Channels 23 & 48 are no longer available in my area. I question the value of ATT services, as Channels , like Hallmark and WWME are not available.  

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Looks like the 23/48 problem is that Wiegal Broadcasting transitioned from 2 OTA channels (possibly transmitters in a different location-fact they had different call signs) to subchannels on the WCIU 26.x transmission.  WMME is now 26.3 and WMEU is 26.4.

ATT does not carry any subchannels in any markets and that is why those 2 channels were dropped. 😉

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weigel_Broadcasting#Stations_owned_by_Weigel_Broadcasting

Chris

Please NO SD stretch-o-vision or 480 SD HD Channels
Need Help? 1-800-288-2020, After he gets acct info, press # a bunch of times, get a menu from Mr. Voice recognition
Your Results May Vary, In My Humble Opinion
I Call It Like I See It, Simply a U-verse user, nothing more

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@k9jdk wrote:

 

Related question:  is there some technical reason why Uverse doesn't "do" subchannels?

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I think it's a cost issue.

The "must carry" rule is a fairly hard rule that exists about local carriage.  Basically, if any provider carries any local channel in a certain market, they are required to carry all local channels in that market.

But the rule was written for NTSC broadcasts, and doesn't address subchannels.  I think AT&T is worried about setting a precedent.  If they start carrying one subchannel within a market, they're opening themselves up to requests and/or lawsuits from other subchannels to force them to carry them as well.

In Houston, I believe there are at least 10-15 subchannels that aren't carried.  If they were to start carrying one or two, they then might be in a situation where they would have to carry all of them.

While WMME and WMEU were low-power analog broadcast stations (Class "A"), AT&T was required under the must carry rule to carry them if they were normally considered receivable in the Chicago market.  Once they transitioned to a digital subchannel, it looks like AT&T dropped them to avoid having to carry all the other subchannels as well.

They might still be carrying them in areas where the digital subchannel cannot normally be received, if WMME and WMEU are still broadcasting in that area in analog on their low-power station.

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SomeJoe7777 wrote: 

 

They might still be carrying them in areas where the digital subchannel cannot normally be received, if WMME and WMEU are still broadcasting in that area in analog on their low-power station. 

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That could be the case because the notice indicates that the channels would be removed "from portions of the Chicago market".  If those channels are now received as subchannel  in those portions of the Chicago market, I would not anticipate that they will return to those portions unless AT&T changes it's policy about carrying subchannels which would then affect carriage of subchannels in ALL of the U-verse markets.

All I know is I had these channels, I watched these channels and now they are gone.  It is time to move on to another provider such as Comcast or one of the many satellite providers.  Either that or find the shows I like on an internet carrier like hulu.

We really don't need a land line either.   More savings.

I wish spokespeople from AT&T and Weigel Broadcasting would be honest and just tell the U-Verse subscribers what the real issues are here. 

This is what I received back from an email I sent to Weigel... "We expect service to be restored quickly to viewers within approximately 20-miles of downtown Chicago. We are working closely with AT&T to thereafter restore service to all other Chicago area viewers."

I'm 40 miles outside of downtown Chicago so for me, and many others like me, I guess it's just tough luck.  Weigel danced aroung that one.  Just like it or leave AT&T I guess!