Comcast in cable cross hairs

The battle for Chicago's cable television turf is heating up. AT&T is making a major push with its U-verse bundle of phone, TV and high-speed Internet services at monthly rates below those of the area's largest cable provider, Comcast. AT&T is offering rebates of up to $250 and free digital video recorders. The competition is troublesome for Comcast. As the economy stumbles toward recession, AT&T stands to gain as consumers trim budgets, says Stu Chapman, president of Municipal Services Associates. A Comcast spokesman says the company is adding value by offering more HD and video-on-demand content (although those services cost extra).