The Weather Network: Difference between revisions
| Line 263: | Line 263: | ||
||2011 |
||2011 |
||
|- style="text-align:center;" |
|- style="text-align:center;" |
||
||'''Farah Dhalla''' |
| style="text-align:center;"|'''[[Farah Dhalla]]''' |
||
||Yes |
||Yes |
||
||Yes |
||Yes |
||
Revision as of 18:34, 23 May 2011
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2008) |
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Oakville, Ontario |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Pelmorex Media Inc. Pierre L. Morrissette - 59.64% The Weather Channel (NBC Universal, Blackstone Group & Bain Capital) - 30% Other Canadian investors - 10.36%[1] |
The Weather Network (TWN) is a Canadian English language cable television specialty channel that provides weather information 24 hours a day. Based in Oakville, Ontario, The Weather Network also operates a French language channel called MétéoMédia. The station has a separate feed for the Greater Toronto Area, much like MétéoMédia's separate feed for Metropolitan Montreal, Quebec. An audio-only simulcast of the channel is also broadcast on Sirius Canada channel 138.
TWN is owned by a Canadian company, Pelmorex, which is itself principally owned by Pierre L. Morrissette in partnership with the similar American service, The Weather Channel (now controlled by NBC Universal).[2]
Pelmorex employs its own meteorologists to make forecasts and graphical weather products. Pelmorex meteorologists use an in-house technology called Pelmorex Forecast Engine or PFE. Pelmorex also uses a localization technology known as PMX, a proprietary system that is able to deliver separate forecasts for over 1200 locations across Canada.
History
Early Years
The Weather Network began on September 1, 1988 as WeatherNow, under the ownership of engineering firm Lavalin Inc., now known as SNC-Lavalin.[3] In the early years, the station had been noted for the number of technical difficulties since TWN and MétéoMédia shared a single television signal—the two originally shared an analogue transponder on one of the Anik satellites, with computer-generated local forecasts airing on one while the video feed of a live forecaster or TV commercials aired on the other. The channel gained its present name on May 1, 1989. The two stations began to run separately starting in 1994, while both were still based in Montreal. Initially, a separate feed was set up for MétéoMédia subscribers in the Montreal area, while the shared satellite signal remained in other parts of the country.
Local forecasts were generated using the same systems owned by The Weather Channel in the U.S. called WeatherStar.[4] TWN began using its own system called PMX in 1996, which is still in use today.
Pelmorex purchased The Weather Network from SNC-Lavalin in 1993, two years after the merger of SNC and Lavalin.[3] The channel launched its web site in 1996.
Relocation to Mississauga
On Saturday, May 2, 1998, The Weather Network started broadcasting nationally from its Mississauga studio (1 Robert Speck Parkway, Mississauga, Ontario) after relocating from Montreal. New presenters had arrived at this time, as the ones from Montreal had the option of losing their jobs and staying there or relocating (today, Chris St. Clair is the only presenter from Montreal remaining). These new presenters included Anwar Knight, Kim MacDonald, and Rory O'Shea. While many of the Montreal presenters initially relocated, including Sherrie Claridge, Lila Feng and Randy Renaud, most were gone from TWN within a year, and generally moved back to Montreal.
The Weather Network launched its redesigned web site in September 1999, promising users a more dynamic and integrated web experience. New content such as regularly updated severe weather warnings, a national weather map illustrating current conditions, course-specific golf forecasts, and ski resort conditions, as well as UV, air quality, and pollen forecasts were incorporated in the new web site.[5]
2000-Current
Late 2001 marked the beginning of a period of gradual, but significant changes with The Weather Networks programming, starting with the launch of a 7-day and short term precipitation forecast during the Local Forecast. In 2002, The Weather Network introduced "Metacast Ultra", a weather presentation system that consisted of weather maps featuring more than 1200 local communities, commuter routes and regional highways, animated weather icons, and higher resolution weather graphics.[6]
The Weather Network unveiled a redesigned website in 2003 that was faster, more localized, and easier to use. The re-designed site offered clients the opportunity to produce 'weather-triggered ads'. In addition, clients were able to localize their ads by tagging location-specific information onto a particular city or area.[7]
On March 29, 2004, The Weather Network introduced a new 14-day trend outlook as part of the local cable weather package. It provided a two-week look at how the weather would trend compared to normal temperature values and weather conditions for that time of year.[8]
In June 2004, The Weather Network took legal action against Star Choice (Now Shaw Direct) after moving TWN on a new bundle without giving any notice to its subscribers. TWN tried to prevent Star Choice from moving the channel as subscribers would have to pay an additional $7 to watch the channel. In late 2004, TWN made improved local forecast coverage, providing more localized forecasts in up to 1,200 communities across Canada.
The Weather Network relocated its headquarters to Oakville, Ontario in November 2005. The local (Toronto) morning show made its debut at the brand new broadcast facility on November 29, 2005, while the network's national programming started broadcasting from the new facility on Friday, December 2, 2005.
Over recent years, The Weather Network has gradually introduced new local weather products including an hourly forecast for the next 12 hours in 2006,[9] long term precipitation forecasts in 2008 and improved satellite and radar maps in 2009.
Television
Local Forecast
A notable feature of The Weather Network is its local forecast. On cable providers, a report for the nearest weather station to the cable head-end is given, from current conditions all the way to two-week forecasts. The local forecast occurs "every 10 minutes on the tens" (analogous to The Weather Channel's "Local on the 8s"). The segment is well known by frequent viewers for its background music. In January 2010 an online poll was held that allowed viewers to vote for their favorite Local Forecast music, which would play during the morning hours.[10]
On most satellite providers, the segment is a two minute runthrough of weather conditions and 3-Day forecasts in major centres across Canada. Those subscribed to the Bell TV satellite service have the option of viewing a similar local forecast to that of cable providers, using ExpressVu's iTV service.
National Segments
National and Long Range forecasts provide a detailed analysis of the current weather across Canada including the weather expected nationwide over the next four days across Canada in the long range forecast. The national forecast airs following the local forecast at the top and bottom of each and every hour.
For residents in southern Ontario, particularly the Greater Toronto Area, forecasts have been changed for the viewing area. At the top and bottom of the hour, one of the presenters gives a 'Regional Forecast' focusing on current conditions around the Toronto listening area, in the style of a local news weathercast. Immediately following is 'Your Long Range Forecast' giving conditions for the next 4 days in southern Ontario. The new programming is a continuation throughout the day of Good Morning Toronto.
Weather news Airs at :12 and :42 minutes after each hour. This is a four- to five-minute newscast highlighting weather stories and environmental issues and includes packaged news reports. The Weather Network news department won the first annual Adrienne Clarkson Diversity Award for network TV. This award is given by the Radio and Television News Director's Association (RTNDA) for the best news reports on a subject of cultural diversity. The Weather Network then won for its 2006 two-part news series on weather and black history. The Weather Network also won a World Medal from the NY Festivals International TV Broadcasting Awards for a 2007 story on a blind woman learning to sail who uses her other senses to determine changes in wind patterns and potential storms. It won the same award again in 2008 for a story on a man and his seeing-eye dog trying to adapt to a harsh New Brunswick winter.
Other segments – year-round
- Travellers Forecast
- School Day Forecast - Airs weekday mornings from 5-11 AM ET from September to June
- Active Weather - Provides a detailed synopsis of active weather across Canada for the short term period.
Weather segments – spring/summer/fall
- Lawn & Garden Forecast
- Pollen Forecast
- UV Report
- Air Quality Health Index
Weather segments – winter
- Flu Report
- Highway Conditions
- Ski & Snowboard Conditions
Weather features
- Climate Change
- Facts of Fishing (Spring/Summer)
- Lawn & Garden Report (Spring/Summer)
- Weather and Your Pets
- Weather and Your Car (Winter)
- Under the Weather
- Vacation Bound (Winter)
- Weather and Your Home
- Weather Wise
- The Great Outdoors
- Going Green
Hourly and seasonal programming schedule
The Weather Network follows a schedule that repeats each hour, based on the current season. The spring/summer programming schedule often starts on the last Monday of March. It switches to the fall schedule the day after Thanksgiving, with the winter schedule going into effect on the first Monday of December. As of Monday, December 7, 2009, The Weather Network will operate on the winter schedule season.
In the Greater Toronto Area the top and bottom of every hour which airs the National Forecast will be replaced instead with another following similar broadcast of a separate feed with the 'Regional Forecast' and 'Your Long Range Forecast'.
High Definition
On July 6, 2010, The CRTC approved an application to allow The Weather Network to be made available in high definition.[11] Currently, MTS TV is the only provider that carries The Weather Network HD. [12]
Satellite Services
In 2006 Bell TV and The Weather Network started an iTV interactive version of The Weather Network, enabling viewers to set their city and view specific forecasts every time.
Web and Mobile services
In 2001, The Weather Network launched an e-mail service called WeatherDirect, that sends weather forecasts via e-mail. There is also an e-mail service for pollen conditions and road conditions.
WeatherEye
WeatherEye is an application developed by The Weather Network that is available for PC and Mac desktops and for most smartphones. The application displays current conditions and forecasts as well as severe weather warnings and alerts.
Criticism
The network has been criticized for its excessive use of advertising through commercials and forecasts and some weather segments (e.g., hot spots, picnic/barbecue report, etc.) - which has led to less time for detailed forecasts and more time spent on advertising. The same problem also occurs with the U.S. based Weather Channel. In the past, there was little to no advertising. Currently, local forecasts are sponsored using static logos during and after forecasts.
The station has also been criticized for putting more focus over the weather in Southern Ontario than the rest of Canada during its national segments. The 2008 launch of local programming for the Greater Toronto Area had also further limited updated forecasts throughout the rest of Canada.
The network had also been noted for the number of technical difficulties in the early years when the network and its sister station MétéoMédia shared the same satellite transponder and facilities. During a technical difficulty, it often showed a repeated version of an earlier broadcast, or the feed from the opposite language network (either its audio or video, virtually never both).
Viewers have also criticized the Weather Network for "never changing the music". One song had been the only song to be played on the forecasts for more than 3 years.
On-air presenters
On-Air Presenters (Accurate as of January 7th, 2011):
Weekdays
| Timeslot (All Times Eastern) |
Hosts | CMOS Certified? |
On TWN Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5:00 - 9:00 am | Kim MacDonald | Yes | 1998 |
| Chris Murphy | Yes | 1999 | |
| Kevin Yarde | No | 2001 | |
| 5:30 - 9:00 am (GTA) | Emily Vukovic | No | 2007 |
| Karen Johnson (Mat Leave) | Yes | 2002 | |
| Tom Reynolds | No | 1995 | |
| Kevin Yarde | No | 2001 | |
| 9:00 am - 2:00 pm | Carrie Olver | No | 2003 |
| 2:00 - 7:00 pm | Suzanne Leonard | Yes | 1998 |
| Chris Mei | Yes | 2006 | |
| 7:00 - 11:00 pm | Gary Archibald | No | 2002, 2010 |
| 11:00 pm - 5:00 am | Anne-Marie Sweeney | Yes | 1998 |
Weekends
| Timeslot (All Times Eastern) |
Hosts | CMOS Certified? |
On TWN Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6:00 am - 2:00 pm | Chris St. Clair | No | 1995 |
| 2:00 - 7:00 pm | Natalie Thomas | No | 2007 |
| 7:00 - 11:00 pm | Nicole Karkic | No | 2009 |
| 11:00 pm - 3:00 am | Lyndsay Morrison | No | 2010 |
On-call, Video On Demand and segment hosts
| Weather Anchor | Video on Demand | On-call | On TWN Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kasia Bodurka | Yes | Yes | 2011 |
| Farah Dhalla | Yes | Yes | 2011 |
| Nadine Powell | Yes | Yes | 2009 |
TWN Reporters
| Bureau Correspondents | Area | On TWN Since |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Dawson | Northern Ontario | 2005 |
| Michelle Simick | British Columbia | 2009 |
| Kelly Noseworthy | Southern Ontario | 2006 |
| Oga Nwobosi | British Columbia | 1999 |
| Shelley Steeves | Maritimes | 1998 |
| Tina Wagner | Maritimes | 2005 |
| Ted Henley | Prairies (Alberta) | 2009 |
CMOS members
Six TWN presenters are members of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (CMOS). The Weather Network & MeteoMedia have more CMOS based presenters than any other Canadian weather media sources. On TWN, Chris Murphy, Kim MacDonald, Sheryl Plouffe, Suzanne Leonard, Karen Johnson, and Chris Mei are CMOS certified.
Former on-air presenters
See also
- The Weather Channel, the American equivalent of The Weather Network.
- MétéoMédia, French version of The Weather Network.
References
- ^ CRTC ownership charts
- ^ NBC press release[dead link] - included in the list of items to be acquired: "The Weather Channel also holds a minority interest in Pelmorex, a Canadian weather company."
- ^ a b Sarah Dougherty, Weather Network bucks media-business trend, Canwest News Service via The Gazette (Montreal), December 31, 2008
- ^ "WeatherStar4000 In Canada"
- ^ Press Release - The Weather Network Launches a new web site at www.theweathernetwork.com - "[1][dead link]", September 27, 1999.
- ^ Press Release - The Weather Network like you’ve never seen it before - "[2][dead link]", March 27, 2002.
- ^ Press Release - The Weather Network.com takes on a bold new look - "[3][dead link]", May 21, 2003
- ^ Press Release - The Weather Network launches its spring programming - "[4][dead link]", March 29, 2004
- ^ Press Release - Spring has Sprung at The Weather Network - "[5][dead link]", March 29, 2006
- ^ Weather News: we Have a Winner! - The Weather Network
- ^ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2010‑459 "[6]"
- ^ MTS Channel Listing "[7]"
External links
| Television | |
|---|---|
| Emergency communication | |
| Former assets | |
| Shareholders |
|
| Network information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programs (list) |
| ||||
| Weather Stars | |||||
| Related operations | |||||
| Albums | |||||
| Defunct regional versions | |||||
| Former owners | |||||
| Entertainment | |
|---|---|
| Family and health | |
| News | |
| Religion | |
| Sports | |
| Canadian | |
| Other | |
| Internet radio | |
| Discontinued |
|
