AT&T Brings 27 HD Channels to San Diego

AT&T yesterday launched its U-verse IPTV service in San Diego, enticing consumers in America's Finest City with 27 HD channels. By comparison, the two major cable companies here in San Diego, Cox and Time Warner Cable, offer 17 and 22 high-def channels respectively.

One major problem for AT&T that has historically plagued DIRECTV and DISH Network as well is that the regional San Diego Padres channel is owned by Cox and under the '92 Cable Act, Cox isn't obligated to let its competitors carry the Padres channel (Comcast uses the same provision to shut out satellite in Philadelphia). Satellite penetration in San Diego is among the lowest in the country, thanks to cable companies that tend to do a better than average job at keeping their customers happy, along with the aforementioned Padres issue.

In any event, 27 HD channels are welcomed wherever we consumers can get them...