TWC dying, Accuweather gearing up, Weathernation in the hot seat

[Jeff Duda]

I agree with those who mention the acquisition by NBC as playing a large role in TWC's downfall. However, I think it started before then even. Abrams & Bettes (the morning show) was a precursor symptom that TWC was going the way of other channels trying to improve ratings at the cost of defiling their own core programming. That happened before NBC bought them. TWC was the best back in the 80s and 90s. I hardly watch it anymore, but even when I catch the Local on the 8s (if it's even called that anymore), the programming has gone to hell. The first slide lasts about 2 seconds - not nearly enough time for you to read what little they put on it.

This feud is only with DirecTV as far as I know. As a Cox subscriber, I still get TWC.

 

[Keith Wilson]

TWC has been on suicide watch for quite some time now. Yeah, they are pretty much responsible for their own demise and NBC/WUWA was their Dr. Kevorkian with the introduction of a Today Show type morning format. Sickening to watch.
Not all of their shows are garbage, but most of them are and all of them are run into the ground with the constant reruns. They turned a deaf ear to all of the complaints about their programming and it seems that every weather event, from major to mundane, is being touted as being caused by global warming/climate change.
The dirty campaign to get viewers to pressure DTV into taking them back is akin to a politician who has ignored their constituents throughout their term and suddenly realizes that he/she needs their votes to be re-elected, saying and doing anything to sway the public into believing that they always had the best interest of the people in mind. The old, "I know better than you what is best for you" cliche fits nicely here.
There is an entertainment market to be had with the weather, but it has to be real and exciting enough to hold the general public's attention and it's not showing people having to work around an occasional lightning bolt or rain/snow shower to do their everyday jobs.

 

[Matt Tottle]

3 letters explain the demise of The Weather Channel: NBC. 'nuff said.

These three letters explain the demise of several channels.. This is the same network that in the past couple years felt crap such as Animal Practice, 1600 Penn, Welcome to the Family, etc were actually worthy of spending money on.

I am among those who say good riddance to TWC.

And I believe FiOS carries WeatherNation in place of TWC as well.

 

[Jeff Hawkins]

They turned a deaf ear to all of the complaints about their programming and it seems that every weather event, from major to mundane, is being touted as being caused by global warming/climate change.

When the intelligent average Joe figured out global warming was based on questionable-at-best data, and TWC chose to ignore this and still prop it up as fact, that is another factor that invalidated TWC as a serious objective weather channel. I recall asking Dr. Bettes at a Chasercon a couple years back about global warming and while I don't recall the exact words, I do recall his answer was definitely rehearsed and dismissive in nature of any criticism of global warming. I took note of that. ...and again....three letters back this agenda... "NBC".

 

[Joey Ketcham]

TWC has been dead and obsolete for years. Get rid of them and bring in something new and refreshing.

 

[Rob H]

When the intelligent average Joe figured out global warming was based on questionable-at-best data, and TWC chose to ignore this and still prop it up as fact

Seriously, don't let personal politics creep into a discussion about shoddy programming. It's cool that you take issue with science, but to imply lesser intelligence if someone believes that dumping millions of tons of chemicals into the atmosphere is a bad thing... I don't really know how to respond nicely to that. This is my 3rd attempt

 

[Mark Blue]

I'd like to hear how Weathernation is better than TWC from someone who has DirecTV. I think we all know what a majority of the members here think about TWC.

 

[Greg Campbell]

Seriously, don't let personal politics creep into a discussion about shoddy programming. It's cool that you take issue with science, but to imply lesser intelligence if someone believes that dumping millions of tons of chemicals into the atmosphere is a bad thing... I don't really know how to respond nicely to that. This is my 3rd attempt

Do any of the news networks you guys watch seem capable of taking a neutral stand on GW?
It seems that they either deny it altogether or pander to the "OMG, a dust devil! GW strikes again!!!" crowd.

In burning fossil fuels, we are conducting a gigantic experiment. What effects, if any, will doubling (we'll be there soon!) atmospheric CO2 cause? I guess we'll find out soon enough! It's just a little unfortunate that we're conducting this little test on our only planet. Given that China, Brazil, India, and other large emerging economies will rightfully laugh at any proposed CO2 emission limits, the experiment seems destined to run to completion.

 

[John Olexa]

I'd like to hear how Weathernation is better than TWC from someone who has DirecTV. I think we all know what a majority of the members here think about TWC.

Weather vs Weather, WN is not there yet. But they are promising improvements. I like what I am watching now compaired to what TWC had become. Check back for a better answer this spring /summer. Lets see how they handle severe weather.

 

[Matt Tottle]

Weather vs Weather, WN is not there yet. But they are promising improvements. I like what I am watching now compaired to what TWC had become. Check back for a better answer this spring /summer. Lets see how they handle severe weather.

Agree, it still has some work to be done. But I do applaud them for their getting "back to basics", where you can turn it on any time day or night and they'll be doing weather, not some stupid reality show.

They now need to come up with a way to 'localize' the weather on the national TV platform the same way TWC did. Starting last year, when TWC would cut to the 'local on the 8s' (which wasn't actually 'local' on DirecTV before) the DirecTV receivers would overlay the national maps and 'big city' forecasts with the local data just like you'd get on local cable with a IntelliStar system. It seems that DirecTV had developed an 'app' that emulated the IntelliStar system at the receiver level, and gave local data based on the billing zip code. This did have local watch/warning provisions as well.

 

[Andy Wehrle]

At the start of 2014, we switched from Accuweather to WeatherNation on our 24/7 weather subchannel at the TV station where I work. The main benefit from my perspective is that it plays our local forecasts in full widescreen, instead of compressing them into a 4:3 box that takes up about 1/4 of the screen.

 

[Charles Bustamante]

I liked and truly miss a program back in the old days and it was on PBS "AM Weather" catering primarily to aviation every morning. It was primarily supported by aviation organizations.
One host of several, was Wayne Winston of the NWS. The show lasted one half hour i believe, filled with great forecasting graphics and explaination, including severe weather potential. It was really straight lace, which would probably not go well in todays entertainment environment. Baa. Anyway my two cents.

 

[Mike Ridgeway]

I liked and truly miss a program back in the old days and it was on PBS "AM Weather" catering primarily to aviation every morning. It was primarily supported by aviation organizations.
One host of several, was Wayne Winston of the NWS. The show lasted one half hour i believe, filled with great forecasting graphics and explaination, including severe weather potential. It was really straight lace, which would probably not go well in todays entertainment environment. Baa. Anyway my two cents.

I agree with Charles. I would love to see a 15 minute segment similar to "AM Weather" back in the day. Maybe one in the morning and one in the early afternoon, especially on severe weather days. I think it was that show where I first learned what a jet streak was. A segment like that would keep us severe weather folks happy.

 

[Warren Faidley]

I agree with Charles. I would love to see a 15 minute segment similar to "AM Weather" back in the day. Maybe one in the morning and one in the early afternoon, especially on severe weather days. I think it was that show where I first learned what a jet streak was. A segment like that would keep us severe weather folks happy.

Well this of course dates us..lol... but yes AM Weather was a "must have" during the good old chase days. In fact, we would often stop at motels and ask if they had "PBS" and they would look at us like we had three heads and ask "why."

In reality, chasers and the public do not really need TWC type programming anymore. The Internet and social media fill the gaps now days and national news stations provide live coverage of breaking weather events. This puts WN in the driver's seat because they are providing simple wx data fused with social media, not all the goofy programming TWC has recently embraced, along with making chasers look like asses at times. That kind of programming really hurts their brand and credibility. Why not do a special about David Hoadley or the thousands of Storm Spotters?

Warren

 

[Timothy Finn]

Forgive me for being quite so bold, but I know how I would run a "weather channel".

1. For starters, weather. Good weather. Good forecasting. Available every so many minutes. Keyed off the location of your receiver.
2. Severe weather coverage - I would have severe weather coverage take precedence over any programming (weather related) that I may be showing at the time. That means I would be explaining what was happening, what conditions are causing it, and where it is heading, and what it looks to do as it heads that way. No scarecasting, just good solid facts.
3. Weather programming - for the slower times, I would air shows that would teach, and educate about various facets of weather phenomena, plus some forecasting shows, and basically as much educational stuff as I could.

Want a garden show? Watch HGTV. Want a home repair show? Find Bob Vila. Want a game show? Fine, tune to GSN.

This is weather.

Tim