AT&T U-verse Provides Weather Data, On Demand

Looking to add value and viewership to its U-verse TV service, AT&T Inc. (T) has launched Weather-on-Demand, a dedicated channel that lets subscribers gain the latest information by using their remotes.

Other telco TV providers and cablecos either provide weather from so-called widgets (TV screen icon-based applications that can be launched) or via dedicated extra channels available only with pay-extra programming tiers.

In separate but related news, AT&T announced this week that it has deployed U-verse TV in parts of Charlotte, N.C. and Toledo, Ohio.

Why weather? Consider that weather.com has historically been one of the 10 most-visited Web sites on the ‘net. And recall that the sale of the The Weather Channel brands cleared $3 billion earlier this year.

But while coveted content may be king, it’s as much about how you present it to customers.

AT&T has announced the launch of Weather On Demand in Houston, which it describes as “an interactive feature that allows U-verse TV customers to find the weather information they want, in the city they want, at the time they want.” And it’s free.

“We're making it easy for customers to check weather conditions and forecasts in their hometown or across the country, whenever they want,” said Chris Penrose, vice president and general manager of the AT&T South Texas market, in prepared comments. “Not only is this feature available at no extra charge, it will be a great resource for our U-verse TV customers who want up-to-date and accurate weather information.”

Customers can access weather information for their home city and any other U.S. city they specify on their "My Cities" list by tuning to Channel 227, according to the telco. Customers can then view weather information for cities throughout the country that they select, view current local conditions including hourly and six-day outlooks, and access animated local and national radar imagery and satellite views.

AT&T did not say when the feature would be available in other U-verse TV markets. The TV service is available in parts of the telco’s 22-state region, with the company claiming its on target to meet its yearend goal of one million service subscribers.

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