U-Verse Removes Hallmark Channels

AT&T U-Verse removed the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel on September 1st as a result of a contract dispute. In place of the networks, a free preview of Starz Kids & Family is being shown on channel 176 and a free preview of TCM is being shown on channels 794 and 1794. Negotiations become so contentious that talks between the two sides have ceased. More recently, AT&T hinted late last week that they were willing to resume discussions.

U-Verse Adds 3 New HD Channels

U-Verse extended its HD channel lead in the Jackson area on Monday by adding three new HD networks. HD simulcasts of Scripps-owned networks DIY Network and Cooking Channel were added on channels 1454 and 1456 respectively. Halogen HD was also added to the U-Verse lineup on channel 1492. The relatively new network will only be available in high definition on AT&T’s TV service.

U-Verse becomes the second Jackson-area television provider to add Cooking Channel HD and DIY Network HD. Both networks were previously available with Dish Network. U-Verse is the first Jackson-area provider to offer Halogen TV in any picture format.

ESPN 3D Launches on DirecTV, AT&T U-Verse

ESPN 3D launched today with a broadcast schedule to feature up to 25 2010 FIFA World Cup matches. The network is currently part time, broadcasting on an event-only basis. ESPN announced the network will carry up to 85 live event, including the Summer X Games and the 2011 BCS National Championship Game.

DirecTV and AT&T U-Verse the new 3D network at launch. Comcast also launched the channel in selected markets, though it wasn’t available to Jackson area Comcast customers at last check. ESPN 3D will be located on DirecTV channel 106 and will be available to customers with a compatible 3D-capable television. The network will be available on U-Verse channel 1610 to customers with the U100 package and above who have a 3D-capable television and who subscribe to the $10/month 3D technology package.

FLN Becomes Cooking Channel

Fine Living Network, which had come to be called FLN, has been replaced with the new Cooking Channel by its owner Scripps Networks Interactive. The change took place at sign on yesterday, May 31st. Unlike the recent transition of Fox Reality Channel to Nat Geo Wild, the change from FLN to Cooking Channel actually took place on all Jackson-area TV providers.

The new network was created to complement the successful Food Network. It will be geared more toward instructional cooking shows, whereas Food Network has leaned more on reality-based competitive programming over the past several years. Along with a host of new programs, the network will also feature many shows from familiar faces on the Food Network, and some popular cooking shows from years past including Julia Child, Galloping Gourmet, and Two Fat Ladies.

HD and on-demand versions of Cooking Channel are planned, but have not yet launched. The new network can be found in the same channel location where FLN was previously located on all Jackson-area providers: Comcast channel 122 (Digital Classic/Preferred or higher), DirecTV channel 232 (Choice and above), Dish Network channel 113 (America’s Top 250 or Dish Family), and U-Verse channel 456 (U200 and above).

ACSI Posts Subscription Television Customer Satisfaction Ratings

In a press release yesterday, the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) announced scores for the nation’s major subscription television companies. Topping the list was fiber-optic provider Verizon FIOS with a score of 73. FIOS is not currently available in the Jackson area, and there are no plans for it to be added in the near future.

The highest rated company that is available in the area is AT&T U-Verse, which came in as a close second with a rating of 72. Among other providers available in the area, Dish Network topped DirecTV for the first time since 2005 with a score of 71. The change was attributed to Dish’s new aggressive marketing campaign and recent price increases by DirecTV. Although earlier in the year Dish Network also raised prices, and a second price hike is planned for next month. DirecTV scored a 68. Comcast received the lowest score of the local subscription television providers with a 61, though this was a 3% improvement from last year’s results.

Nat Geo Wild Launches, Available on Comcast and U-Verse; Fox Reality Lives On (for now)

National Geographic Wild launched in the United States this past Monday at 7 am. International versions of the network, jointly owned by News Corp and the National Geographic Society, have been available in some countries since as early as 2006. The American version of Nat Geo WILD is actually a rebranded version of the now-defunct (well, almost defunct) Fox Reality Channel. Locally, Comcast carried Nat Geo Wild at the launch time. It simply replaced Fox Reality Channel on channel 108, and is available in the Digital Preferred package. U-Verse is carrying Nat Geo Wild on channel 266 for subscribers of U200 or higher. The network remains unavailable on DirecTV and Dish Network at this time. ‘Wild’ is available in high definition; however, currently no Jackson-area providers offer the HD feed.

According to the new network’s website:

Nat Geo Wild will traverse the globe to bring you the most extraordinary stories of our natural world in more compelling and visually dynamic ways than ever before. New series and specials will feature the latest technology to immerse viewers in the mysterious and entertaining lives of nature’s ferocious fighters and gentle creatures of land, sea and air.

Though Nat Geo Wild is replacing Fox Reality Channel, the network change apparently required new contract negotiations with all content providers. Negotiations are still ongoing with Dish Network and DirecTV. Nat Geo Wild has indicated via Twitter they will be available on Dish Network, but a launch date has not yet been determined. It has also been rumored elsewhere that the HD simulcast would be available on Dish Network.

In the mean time, both satellite TV companies continue to offer Fox Reality Channel. It is currently unknown if the broadcast is originating from a Fox Reality Channel feed or if it is taped programming being replayed.