AT&T continues to make progress in rolling out their video service, U-verse. In the latest quarterly results for the time period ending March 31, AT&T reported subscriber gains of 148,000. That brought the total number of U-verse subscribers up to 379,000.
While that is an impressive number, it pales in comparison to the big boys in the cable and satellite TV world. Comcast leads all pay television subscription service providers with more than 25 million, while DirecTV is a distant second place with nearly 17 million subscribers. So where is AT&T going to end up in the pay television market?
For the year, AT&T is forecasting that they will reach 1 million U-verse subscribers. That is an aggressive promise, considering they have less than half of that right now. One thing AT&T does have is deep pockets. Revenue for the 1st quarter 2008 was $30.7 billion, while net income $3.5 billion, up from $2.8 billion in the 1st quarter of 2007. The company is hiring new technicians and marketing the service aggressively to meet customer demand.
Overall, AT&T claims 2.6 million “total video connections” meaning U-verse customers + resale of DISH Network and DIRECTV customers. While speculation last year focused on AT&T making a play for DISH Network, their video expansion with U-verse indicates their willingness to build things from the ground up.
7 comments ↓
I think Uverse will get good penetration into many markets. The product is better than most cable companies and cheaper also. I can’t wait for it to come to my neighborhood.
I seriously doubt they will reach a million. Maybe 700k is more realistic. interesting..
:O)
George
I have had this U verse for 2 weeks now and I hate it. The receivers constantly don’t work. Also I have 8 people in my house with 7 T.V’S going at any given time on different channels. Well only 4 people can watch different stations at a time. I was never told this when I asked for 7 receivers. I found out because we kept interrupting each others T.V’s. When I called to find out why this is when they told me. I asked why I wasn’t informed of this when I ordered them. The response was I should of asked them. I wish I had my comcast back. Right now I just got off the phone with a tech and he cant get my T.V receiver to work so I now have to wait 3 days for someone to come out…..DON’T GET THIS
P.S The receivers are $5.00 each. so that is x7. Now do you wonder why they didn’t tell me.
I PERSONALLY HATE IT DEALED WITH IT FOR 2 YEARS FREEZES UP OR INTERNET GOS DOWN AND NO PHONE. HAD ATT OUT HERE ABOUT TWENTY TIMES STILL GO OUT 10 TIMES A DAY.
Okay, you guys are scaring me. I just ordered this. WHen the man arrived. He said he could only install 2 now and the other 5 would have to wait. So, I would have only been able to watch 2 televisions. I have kids. That would not work!
Also, he started telling me about the additional cost of adding on the other televisions. Something is wrong with this!
I sent him on his mary way. Don’t think U-Verse is for my family.
U-VERSE is easily the BEST video provider! Yes if you have more than 5 TV’s you might want to think it through b/c you only get 4 video streams (Trust me they will fix that). The features and capabilities alone easily make it better than any other TV service. They just made it to where you can record from any room in the house that has a box. Not to mention up to date and user friendly guide and menu. For all you techies, each box can run off of CAT5. It has to be existing CAT5 or the Technician will drop a line (Each CAT5 drop is $75). The system is sensitive. It is VERY IMPORTANT that the technician due the job right when installing U-Verse. If that happens you will love U-Verse and you will never go back to your old service provider.
PS: Obviously something about U-Verse people love b/c there is over 1,300,000 customers and it isn’t slowing. If U-Verse wasn’t limited on how far you are away from the neighborhood phone box all other providers should start packing their bags. It’s only available in about 85 markets in 15 states.
Leave a Comment