AT&T Statement on Hallmark Programming Agreement

AT&T Statement on Hallmark Programming Agreement

DALLAS, Aug. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Despite Crown Media's unreasonable and inflexible demands, AT&T* is working to keep Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel on AT&T U-verse® TV at a fair price for its customers. AT&T's existing contract with Crown Media expires at 12:01 a.m. EDT Sept. 1. AT&T has provided the following statement to update customers on its programming negotiations with Hallmark:

We are making every effort to reach a fair agreement and continue providing these channels to our customers. Frankly, we're surprised that Hallmark has decided to take its negotiations public, instead of working with us in good faith, especially since we've made numerous offers to Hallmark. We're disappointed that Hallmark is acting in a way that may punish viewers and is trying to charge AT&T more than what similarly-sized and smaller TV competitors pay for these channels. We want to continue to carry the channels under terms similar to our current agreement.

We don't want customers to lose their programming. We're fighting for a fair deal because our customers deserve the programming they want, at a fair price. We want to reach an agreement that is fair to our subscribers and for all parties, as we have with numerous other content providers.

U-verse TV customers can get more information at att.com/fighting4you or can call Hallmark at 1-877-677-6385.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates - AT&T operating companies - are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T |DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine.

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© 2010 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 3G service not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

Source: AT&T Inc.

CONTACT: Steven Schwadron, +1-212-453-2420, sschwadron@attnews.us, for
AT&T Inc.

Web Site: http://www.att.com/

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