No Longhorn Network for bars on U-Verse

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Despite a deal between ESPN and AT&T to provide the Longhorn Network to U-Verse customers, not all subscribers are receiving the network.

Cuatro's owner, Cuatro Kowalski, had AT&T U-Verse installed at his restaurant and bar five blocks from campus on Friday morning, shortly after he learned the deal had been reached.

"UT is my team," said Kowalski. "I love watching the games and I love the atmosphere that it brings here."

The watch party was all planned, but kickoff came and went Saturday evening -- and on the big screen at Cuatro's, it wasn't Texas and Wyoming, but Alabama and Michigan playing.

"Come to find out, AT&T doesn't offer the Longhorn Network on commercial packages, only residential," said Kowalski.

That means residential customers who subscribe at home can see the games, but bars and restaurants cannot.

"It was pretty much like a kick in the gut," said Kowalski.  "We were out anywhere from $10,000 to 12,000 -- the lost revenue really hurt. "I think we had to turn away something like 100 to150 people in person that came asking for the game."

An At&T spokesperson issued the following statement to KXAN Wednesday:

"We don't offer U-Verse TV in bars and taverns.  We're sorry for any misunderstanding. We are currently looking into this customer's particular situation."

Kowalski said he has his own ideas about why the company does not allow commercial businesses to carry the network.

"I think they feel like they would make more money by all the people at home watching it versus giving it to a bar where it just gets paid for once," said Kowalski.

About 11 percent of Austin area households are U-verse subscribers, but not all neighborhoods are able to get service.

Grande Communications also provides the Longhorn Network and said they do allow it for their commercial subscribers. Grande only represents about 2 percent of Austin households.