Government Channel, CAT and Fayetteville Public Schools TV come to AT&T U-verse … finally | Opinion

By Christopher Spencer
Ozarks Unbound

AT&T is finally making available three public TV channels that really should have been there at launch.

The company doesn’t deserve a kudos for it. It deserves an exasperated sigh.

Fayetteville leaders announced Friday that Fayetteville Public Schools Television, The Government Channel and Community Access Television are now offered through AT&T’s U-verse system.

The system went live months ago and is finally offering the services it promised the city it would have in place. AT&T needed permission from the city to compete with Cox Cable.

I’m a U-verse subscriber and have been paying franchise fees for at least six months for the channels that, until now, I could not actually see. What’s more, I was not able to tune into important civic events happening in my town.

“It has been a long process to get to this point with many folks involved every step of the way. The City of Fayetteville Television Center wishes to thank all those who contributed to this achievement, from Mayor Lioneld Jordan and members of City staff and City Council to all those at AT&T who have helped make this happen.

“In particular, the City thanks the hardworking and highly-professional staff of The Government Channel, Community Access Television (CAT-TV), and Fayetteville Public Schools Television for their informative and quality programming about our government and community, as well as the City of Fayetteville Telecommunications Advisory Board,” Fayetteville communication director Lindsley Smith said in a press release.

If you have AT&T as your service provider, tune in to Channel 99 and follow the menus to get up-to-date information about your government, education system, community, upcoming events, and more. The channels are viewable on the AT&T U-Verse system by going to Channel 99 and navigating the menu. The channels will be available to all AT&T subscribers in this market area, according to the press release.

I’ve tried it on my own TV and it does work … finally.

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