News
AT&T's U-Verse Drops ESPN 3D
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (August 2, 2011) -- AT&T's U-Verse TV service has dropped the ESPN 3D channel, saying not enough customers were willing to pay a monthly fee to watch it.

The decision will likely be seen by 3D critics as yet another blow to the format's sagging fortunes. 3D TV sales have fallen far short of expectations with one research firm, SNL Kagan, saying they will even decline in 2011 compared to 2010's disappointing debut year. Plus, AT&T has carried ESPN 3D from its debut in June 2010.

Still, as FierceIPTV.com notes, AT&T charged $10 a month for the service. DIRECTV and Comcast are a few of the TV providers that have decided not to charge for ESPN 3D; the thinking is that a free channel is necessary to attract more 3D buyers.

But AT&T's statement suggests that interest in 3D TV itself is hardly overwhelming:

"We're always listening to customers and working to make sure we're delivering the channels they want, while keeping costs down. The price tag for ESPN 3D was too high, especially considering the low demand we've seen from customers. We've decided not to renew our agreement for ESPN 3D. For our customers who subscribe to the U-verse 3D Technology package, it will be automatically removed from their bills and any charges after the channel has been removed will be credited."

The telco did say it would be open to offering other 3D channels in the future and that it would continue to provide 3D movies in its VOD menu.

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