The Weather Channel (United States):
The Weather Channel (also TWC) is a commercially-sponsored U.S. cable and satellite television network that broadcasts weather forecasts and weather-related news 24 hours a day. In addition to its cable TV programming, TWC also provides forecasts for terrestrial and satellite radio stations, newspapers, and websites, and maintains an extensive online presence at weather.com. The Weather Channel debuted its high-definition simulcast on September 26, 2007.
[edit] History
- See also: History of The Weather Channel (United States)
[edit] Current
TWC uses special proprietary equipment that inserts local weather forecast and warning information if it is viewed on a cable TV system. The original WeatherStar technology has been upgraded on most cable systems to IntelliStar, including Vocal Local to announce the three-day local forecast. Satellite viewers see a roundup of local TWC forecasts for major cities across the U.S., as well as satellite and radar images, and severe weather watch and warning maps when active. For both cable and satellite viewers, smooth jazz music plays in the background during these segments.
The Weather Channel produces a service, based on modified versions of WeatherStar technology, called Weatherscan on which a separate channel constantly displays local and regional conditions and forecasts along with The Weather Channel's logo and advertisements.
The Weather Channel is headquartered in the Cumberland/Galleria area, immediately northwest of Atlanta, overlooking the "Cobb Cloverleaf" interchange from a high-rise in the Interstate North complex. TWC's sister channel in Canada is The Weather Network in English and MétéoMédia in French, which use similar technology that is currently in use in the USA. TWC also runs websites in Brazil (Canal do Tempo), the United Kingdom (Weather Channel), France (Météo 123) and Germany (Wetter 123). Apart from its stake in The Weather Network/MétéoMédia, TWC only runs their US channel, although it does air a forecast for international locations.
A definitive history of the network, The Weather Channel: The Improbable Rise of a Media Phenomenon, by Frank Batten and Jeffrey L. Cruikshank, was published by Harvard Business Press in May 2002, on TWC's 20th anniversary.
On July 6, 2008, NBC Universal, Bain Capital and Blackstone Group agreed to purchase The Weather Channel from Landmark Communications.[2][3] Currently, NBC Universal owns NBC Weather Plus, a rival service carried by and featuring content from its local affiliates; that service announced its discontinuation three months later. The Weather Channel will replace NBC Weather Plus on the approximately 90 digital affiliates that carried NBC's service.
[edit] Overseas versions
Over the years, attempts to broadcast international versions of TWC (apart from Canada's The Weather Network/MétéoMédia and the Australian version of the Weather Channel) have failed. TWC also operates websites for online localized forecasts in Brazil, France, Germany, Latin America, and the United Kingdom, but some of these sites appear to have not been developed further since 2003, in 2008 the Latin American website showed a new design of the page. The Weather Channel also shares radar and forecasts with the Canadian Weather Network, particularly for the Weather Channel's Canadian forecasts.
- A UK version of The Weather Channel ran from September 1, 1996 to January 30, 1998, when it was closed due to low viewership.
- TWC also ran The Weather Channel Latin America, which operated in Spanish in Mexico, Puerto Rico and South America, this network ceased operations in December 2002. The service's three original anchors were Paola Elorza, Sal Morales and Mari Carmen Ramos who left the channel within a year of its launch and went on to work for Univision in Miami, Telemundo in Los Angeles and CNN International. At one point, there was also a Portuguese version in Brazil.
[edit] The Weather Channel logo
The Weather Channel's original and most recognized logo was a blue rectangular box that debuted on TWC’s first broadcast on May 2, 1982. This logo was revised in 1996, with the corners less rounded and the logo slightly flat (this is like a revised version of Burger King's logo when it happened in 1994). The URL text weather.com was permanently added underneath the logo in 1999. In August 2005, the logo was overhauled again; the blue rectangle’s corners are straight with no white trim on the edge and "The Weather Channel" text is now in title-case and left-justified, similar to the Weather Network in Canada. A 25th anniversary logo used in 2007 featured a white rectangle edged in blue connected to the current logo with "25 YEARS" inside it in blue.
For the week of November 17-23, 2008, the logo was colored green as part of NBC Universal's Green is Universal campaign, along with all other fellow NBCU networks. This logo will also be used for Earth Week.
The first Weather Channel logo, used from 1982 to 1996.
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The Weather Channel logo used from 1996 to 2005. A revised version of the 1982 logo with its corners more squared off and the logo slightly flat. Features its website under the logo from 1999. This logo is still used on the WeatherStar 4000.
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The current Weather Channel logo, debuted August 15, 2005.
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The current Weather Channel logo with "weather.com" web address underneath.
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Green is Universal/Earth Week version of logo.
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The current Weather Channel High Definition logo debuted 2008.
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[edit] Local on the 8s
[edit] Radio and newspaper presence
The Weather Channel provides forecasts for the Sirius XM Radio satellite radio services in the United States. Both services run regional forecasts on one station and have a block of combined local weather and traffic stations for major metropolitan areas.
TWC also has content partnerships with a number of local radio stations in the USA to provide local forecasts, using announcers separate from the TV service. For some affiliates, TWC actually provides a limited amount of live coverage during local severe weather (with the Georgia-based announcers connected via ISDN). Similarly, TWC also provides weather reports for a number of US newspapers, including a half-page national forecast for USA Today.
[edit] Online services
TWC provides numerous customized forecasts for online users, including home and garden and event planning forecasts. They also provide WAP access for mobile phone users, desktop widgets for quick reference by computer users, and customized weather feeds for individual websites. They follow a two-tiered service model, with the free service bearing advertisements and their pay ("Desktop Max") service lacking ads and having enhanced radar and mapping functions. Cell Phone customers can even have their local forecast sent to their mobile handsets from TWC for a fee via SMS by sending a text message with their ZIP code to 42278 which spells 4cast. Other services include Yahoo!, in which the weather pages are produced by TWC.[4]
[edit] 2007 global-warming controversy
The web site Capital Weather published an interview with WJLA meteorologist Brian van de Graaff.[5] In this interview, Mr. van de Graaff stated:
The subject of global warming definitely makes headlines in the media and is a topic of much debate. I try to read up on the subject to have a better understanding, but it is complex. Often, it is so politicized and those on both sides don't always appear to have their facts straight. History has taught us that weather patterns are cyclical and although we have noticed a warming pattern in recent time, I don't know what generalizations can be made from this with the lack of long-term scientific data. That's all I will say about this.
Global warming was voted the #1 in 100 Biggest Weather Moments.
On December 21, 2006, Dr. Heidi Cullen reacted to this by posting "Junk Controversy not Junk Science" in a blog on The Weather Channel's web site.[6] In her blog, Dr. Cullen reacted by stating:
If a meteorologist has an American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval which is used to confer legitimacy to TV meteorologists, then meteorologists have a responsibility to truly educate themselves on the science of global warming . . . . If a meteorologist can’t speak to the fundamental science of climate change, then maybe the AMS shouldn’t give them a Seal of Approval. Clearly, the AMS doesn’t agree that global warming can be blamed on cyclical weather patterns. It’s like allowing a meteorologist to go on-air and say that hurricanes rotate clockwise... It’s not a political statement... it’s just an incorrect statement.
While the anthropogenic view of global warming is aligned with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the position of decertifying or censuring dissenting meteorologists was perceived as a call to marginalize or silence opposing opinions. Cullen's position was derided by a large portion of her blog's responders as politically motivated. Responders included AMS meteorologists who also attacked her position, in particular James Spann a TV meteorologist in Alabama who also runs a weather/climate blog on his site and disagreed with Dr. Cullen's position.[7] In a follow up blog entry "A Very Political Climate", Dr. Cullen and The Weather Channel denied any political motivation.[8]
[edit] TWC HD
On September 26, 2007, DirecTV launched a 24-hour simulcast of The Weather Channel in high definition. At this time, no programming was actually presented in high definition, except for a national "satellite" version of the Local On The 8s. On October 1, 2007, two new high definition programs, "Epic Conditions" and "Weather Ventures" premiered. A new high definition series, "When Weather Changed History" premiered on The Weather Channel on January 6, 2008.
Throughout the final months of 2007 to the early months of 2008, various cable companies had started to add The Weather Channel HD to their cable lineups, including the Boston, MA, Austin, TX, San Antonio, TX, and Baton Rouge, LA markets. [9] The Weather Channel in High Definition was added to DISH Network systems on May 13, 2008. Recently, Comcast began adding the channel in some select markets like Chicago, IL. Time Warner Cable and Cablevision, both of which serve New York Metropolitan Area have also recently picked up the HD channel on late July 2008, The Standard Definition channel remains on many channel lineups for cable suscribers for more localized forecasts during "Local On The 8s", as the WeatherStar and IntelliStar feeds are not yet available on the HD channel. A beta HD local forecast launched on September 6th.
The very first live broadcast of The Weather Channel in high definition came on June 2, 2008 in a new studio facility built next to the current one. Dubbed the "Studio of the Future", it is powered by Cisco Systems technology that is entirely eco-friendly, echoing its commitment to the environment via the Forecast Earth initiative.[citation needed] The HD re-launch was completed in Mid August 2008. Currently, TWC's entire programming schedule is broadcast in HD with the exception of long-form programs It Could Happen Tomorrow and Full Force Nature.
[edit] Current programming
[edit] Forecasting programs
- First Outlook - Straightforward forecasts for business people, commuters, and travelers.
- Your Weather Today - Updated forecasts, highway conditions and travel delays.
- Day Planner - Forecasts for middle America and the West Coast.
- Weather Center - National weather and practical tips on gardening, home repair, sports and outdoor activities. Airs separate weekday and weekend editions and formerly comprised most of the channel's program day.
- PM Edition - A look at current forecasts, what happened today, what the evening holds in store and how it all looks for tomorrow. Airs separate weekday and weekend editions.
- Abrams And Bettes: Beyond The Forecast - Features live weather reports from the nation's hotspots along with forecasts, analysis and animation.
- Evening Edition - Provides current forecasts and the science behind weather events. Airs Primetime and West Coast editions.
- Sunrise Weather - Early morning weather forecasts.
- Weekend Outlook - A look ahead at the coming weekend's weather conditions.
- Weekend View - Meteorologists inform the public of the weather forecast in order to help people plan their weekend.
- Weekend Now - Meteorologists inform the public of the current weekend weather conditions and circumstances.
[edit] Long-form programs
[edit] Current personalities
[edit] On-camera meteorologists
[edit] Other personalities
- Dr. Greg Forbes (Severe Weather Expert) - Greg studied violent weather at the University of Chicago. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy there and studied under the scientist who devised the Fujita scale.
- Danny Lipford (Home Improvement Expert) - Danny came to TWC in 2000 with a history as a home remodeling expert and provides tips on home improvements in short segments shown throughout the week.
- Bill Nye (Forecast Earth Contributor) - Bill is known for his many talents. He's worked as a stand-up comedian, but his contributions at The Weather Channel are more closely related to his in-depth knowledge of science, math, and engineering topics. Nye holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell University and was awarded honorary doctorate degrees by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Goucher College,[10] and The Johns Hopkins University.[11]
- P. Allen Smith (Gardening Expert) - Smith brings his love of perennials and garden design to short segments on TWC. He is also seen on other television shows where he passes on details of gardening and nursery topics. He majored in garden history and design at the University of Manchester in England.
[edit] Notable alumni
- Norm Sebastian - Mr. Sebastian was one of the personalities during the early years of TWC. His later professional meteorology experience was at WNYT in Albany, New York. His health began to suffer and he passed away in 2000.[12]
- Bob Stokes - Stokes graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a B.A. in radio, television and film. He joined TWC in 1996 after having spent his earlier carreer at stations in Arkansas, New York, and Tennessee. He is a native of Taipei, Taiwan, and holds a Certificate of Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University. He was popular with viewers, but was dismissed in February 2008 after an arbitration ruling that favored the sexual harassment accusations of his co-anchor Hillary Andrews.[13]
[edit] Slogans
- "We Take The Weather Seriously, But Not Ourselves" (1982–1984)
- "Weatherproofing America" (1984–1986)
- "You Need Us, The Weather Channel, For Everything You Do" (June 1986–March 1991)
- "Weather You Can Always Turn To" (March 1991–March 1996) (U.K. October 1996 - April 1998)
- "No Place on Earth Has Better Weather" (March 1996–March 1998)
- "Live By It" (June 2001–August 15, 2005) (also currently used in Australian version)
- "Bringing Weather to Life" (August 15, 2005–February 2008) This slogan is still used on weather.com and certain other materials, e.g. mailing labels
- "The Weather has Never Looked Better" June 2, 2008–present (also slogan for HD broadcasting)
[edit] Hurricane and winter coverage slogans
- "Hurricane Central" (August–October 2005)
- "Keeping You Ahead of the Storm" (used occasionally since the late 1990s)
- "Your Hurricane Authority" (October 2005-January 2006, June 2008-present)
- "The Winter Weather Authority" (2006-2007 winter season)
- "The Hurricane Authority" (2006 and 2007 season)
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
Official links:
Forums, fansites, etc.:
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