AT&T will add more HD content to U-verse

AT&T announced today that its U-verse TV package will include eight more high definition channels, bringing the service a total of 40 HD channels.

The rollout of U-verse appears to be gaining some momentum after a period of what some would call clumsiness and lackluster uptake, especially when compared with Verizon's FiOS. AT&T re-affirmed its commitment to the all-in-one (internet, cable, phone) service last week, saying it anticipated one million subscribers by the end of 2007.

Perhaps to entice reluctant potential subscribers before the end of the year, AT&T has claimed it now has more HD channels than its market competitors. The new additions include: Animal Planet HD, CNN HD, Discovery HD, Science Channel HD, Starz Kids & Family HD, Superstation WGN HD, TLC HD, Versus HD, and Golf Channel HD.

To add these 40 HD channels, an existing subscriber must pay an additional $10 monthly fee to his U-verse programming packages, which already include the HD-ready equipment and DVR. Base costs for U-verse TV range from $59 to $114 per month without additional options.

When compared to FiOS HD service, which currently includes half the channels for the same price, AT&T's U-verse may at last prove attractive.

AT&T currently provides U-verse service in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Santa Clara, Riverside, and Orange County California, Indianapolis, Detroit, Kansas City, Cleveland, Oklahoma City, Milwaukee, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Fairfield County, Connecticut.