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from: The City Paper

As AT&T legislation wraps up, city may be first to see U-verse
By John Rodgers, Friday, May 2, 2008 3:21 am

Nashvillians and residents of neighboring counties will likely have the first crack at AT&T’s television programming later this year now that legislation is close to becoming law, a lawmaker close to the telecom said.

from: La Times

The Cancellation of Channel 36

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Los Angeles Times, May 1, 2008
By Patt Morrison

It's the channel you probably channel-surf right past on your way from Discovery to CNN.

from: Nashville Public radio

Statewide Cable Franchise Bill Passes General Assembly

Thursday, May 01st, 2008

A bill that would allow AT&T to expand into cable and broadband internet services statewide is on its way to the governor.

The Senate unanimously passed the measure today, after two years of behind-the-scenes bargaining between the giant phone utility and the cable television industry. Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey says he’s satisfied with the end result.

from: The City Paper

Historic’ AT&T bill headed to governor
By John Rodgers, jrodgers@nashvillecitypaper.com
Updated: Thursday, May 1, 2008 10:33 am

Calling it a “historic day in Tennessee,” the Senate unanimously approved a bill this morning paving the way for AT&T to start offering television programming in Tennessee and compete with the cable industry.

from: Times Free Press

Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Nashville: House approves AT&T cable deal

By: Andy Sher

NASHVILLE — The House voted 93-2 Monday for legislation that would let AT&T begin competing with cable companies to provide television services across Tennessee.

from: AP Wire

Cable bill passes House
Associated Press - April 28, 2008 6:35 PM ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A proposal to provide statewide cable TV franchising has passed the House.

The legislation approved 93-2 on Monday would allow companies like AT&T Inc. to avoid having to seek hundreds of municipal permits to offer TV service.

from: Capital Times

AT&T still not definite on U-verse here

Jeff Richgels — 4/28/2008 11:26 am

AT&T is looking to hire 200 more technicians to install and service its U-verse TV service, which now is available to more than 200,000 homes in the Milwaukee, Racine and Sheboygan areas.

But even though the jobs include positions in south central Wisconsin, indicating that U-verse may be offered here in the near future, the company still isn't saying when the Madison area might get U-verse.

from: Callahan's Diary

State video franchising: Where are the competitors?

This post and comments at BFD got me wondering: How’s that brave new world of competitive IPTV and sizzling broadband that Ohioans were promised last summer — when the General Assembly overwhelmingly approved and the Governor happily signed SB 117, AT&T’s “cable franchise reform” bill — coming along?

from: Elliott Mitchell
Music City Arts TV9 / iQ TV10
http://www.meac.tv

Attached, please find the final language of the Franchise "Reform" Legislation in the General Assembly in Tennessee.

There has been some criticism of the draft version of this legislation, and insofar as I can tell the final version is identical to the draft.

I will be the first to tell you that the bill is imperfect, but I also know some of its genesis and was privileged to be among the PEG folks asked to help the Tennessee Municipal League understand and object to many of the demands of both Telco and Cable during closed-door "negotiation." I believe I can report that due to TML's help, PEG in Tennessee dodged several major bullets, where other states have been not so fortunate.