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Present - The Weather Channel 2000 => Programming and Graphics => Topic started by: Adrian on September 01, 2015, 07:40:49 PM

Title: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: Adrian on September 01, 2015, 07:40:49 PM
http://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/weather-channel-cancels-al-rokers-wake-up-with-al/271007 (http://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/weather-channel-cancels-al-rokers-wake-up-with-al/271007)

"The Weather Channel has decided to cancel its early morning show, Wake Up With Al, after six years. Al Roker‘s show will have its last airing later this month, according to several sources familiar with the network’s plans. The show’s New York-based production team was told of the decision Monday."

I wonder what will happen to Stephanie Abrams. She may reunite with Bettes on his new show. It is still unknown what will replace WUWA but I will not be surprised if AMHQ gets extended.
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: alex979 on September 01, 2015, 08:20:17 PM
What the hell is going on at TWC today? Vivian Brown out, now WUWA. I'm very surprised about this cancellation. I really hope they're planning a big shakeup in the AM schedule, because IMO "Weather channel mornings," especially AMHQ, is unwatchable.
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: jrhtwc on September 01, 2015, 08:33:35 PM
What the hell is going on at TWC today? Vivian Brown out, now WUWA. I'm very surprised about this cancellation. I really hope they're planning a big shakeup in the AM schedule, because IMO "Weather channel mornings," especially AMHQ, is unwatchable.

AMHQ is very watchable compared to WUWA.

As for WUWA, OMG! I'm Shocked! I NEVER thought this would happen until Roker retired. Unless there's a bigger announcement coming?(Roker leaving TODAY???) I wonder if this means Roker is done with TWC???

This might be a BIG step in the right direction for TWC! Putting Steph on WU would be another Awesome move! Didn't Sarah on WU used to be A & B's producer for a few shows?

Making WU go past 8 would be another step in the right direction! And PLEASE TWC!!!! Don't put Longform in WUWA's Timeslot!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: WeatherWitness on September 01, 2015, 09:00:40 PM
The article says that TWC will likely find another use for Al as he is "well liked" at the network.  Something tells me he will find his way onto AMHQ, although with that running at the same time as "TODAY" I don't know.  Maybe they will try to find some way to have dual-feeds between the two shows.  That would be kind of neat.  Although I can't decide who I think I more annoying: Al Roker or Sam Champion.

I feel like Stephanie will be on AMHQ as well.  This is just my opinion, but Stephanie does NOT belong on WUTV.  I know she and Mike always worked well together, but I feel she would dumb down the show too much, which is not good since its primary purpose it to appeal to the "nerdy" audience.

It seems like TWC is running into financial problems, resulting in these recent cuts (which, as I look back on an AdWeek (http://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/storm-clouds-are-gathering-over-the-weather-channel/259911) article from April, is true).  They are wanting to sell portions of their company, they perhaps laid off another veteran OCM (https://twctodayforums.com/forums/ocms/vivian-brown-done-at-twc/msg193814), and they cancelled WUWA because the show "resulted in expensive production costs."
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: toxictwister00 on September 01, 2015, 10:23:52 PM
Not gonna lie, I'm kinda surprised by this one.

I feel like Stephanie will be on AMHQ as well. 


Either that or worse case scenario is she'll be on the chopping block as well.

It seems like TWC is running into financial problems, resulting in these recent cuts (which, as I look back on an AdWeek ([url]http://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/storm-clouds-are-gathering-over-the-weather-channel/259911[/url]) article from April, is true).  They are wanting to sell portions of their company, they perhaps laid off another veteran OCM ([url]https://twctodayforums.com/forums/ocms/vivian-brown-done-at-twc/msg193814[/url]), and they cancelled WUWA because the show "resulted in expensive production costs."


That makes sense, other than maybe AMHQ, I would assume WUWA was TWC's most expensive show to produce. I would imagine it cost a lot of money to broadcast out of state from the main HQ than it would be in-house here in Atlanta.
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: jrhtwc on September 01, 2015, 10:31:39 PM
Would TWC do better/have less longform at another network...like ABC?  It's very rare now NOT to see weather on World News. I wonder who started that? Charile, Diane, David?
ABC only has 2 OCM, 1 in Dec when Ginger has her baby. Sam or whatever TWC OCM could go on World News with Ginger and Rob doing field reports. and Ginger and Rob could stay at GMA.
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: Steve-O on September 01, 2015, 10:45:29 PM
I read that it was cancelled because of production costs but I also read that the cancellation may be the result of NBC Universal trying to sell the channel...

From CNNMoney: There has been speculation inside the channel that the "Wake Up" cancellation is related to that, but the sources said it is actually a financial decision. "Wake Up" is the channel's only show that emanates out of New York, where production is particularly expensive.
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: CartoonJazzLover on September 01, 2015, 10:50:59 PM
Well, the people who doesn't liked/enjoyed waking up with Al is definitely gonna be satisfied. I was never a fan of this show for obvious reason since I preferred waking up with the old Your Weather Today team (before Abrams and Bettes move to the morning). Could it be a sign of NBC selling TWC, which means that most of the NBC-associated stuff are gonna vanish by the time they stop owning TWC?
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: alex979 on September 01, 2015, 11:04:41 PM
I feel like Stephanie will be on AMHQ as well. 

Either that or worse case scenario is she'll be on the chopping block as well.

I wouldn't think so, but she did make an interesting Instagram post about "not living in fear" and "everything will work out in the end," so now I'm nervous. https://instagram.com/p/7FZm3cOJ_l/

Could it be a sign of NBC selling TWC, which means that most of the NBC-associated stuff are gonna vanish by the time they stop owning TWC?
I do wonder about that. This definitely adds fuel to the "NBC is selling its stake in TWC" fire.
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: TrevortonG16 on September 02, 2015, 09:00:38 AM
TBH, Atlanta is a cheaper place to run a cable channel out of. NYC is too expensive to run a cable channel out of, despite it being the media center of the world. That's why CNN/TBS is still headquartered in the ATL after all these years.

But yes, hopefully this is another step in the right direction. We're making progress.
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: 02Justin10 on September 02, 2015, 09:23:02 AM
Really?  Wow...I would have never pictured WUWA getting axed, at least not unless Roker decided to quit.  I usually avoid TWC in the mornings so I do not know whether to cheer or shrug shoulders wondering what this means for the network down the road.  They would not possibly air long form programs at 6am...would they?
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: Adrian on September 02, 2015, 10:12:53 AM
Really?  Wow...I would have never pictured WUWA getting axed, at least not unless Roker decided to quit.  I usually avoid TWC in the mornings so I do not know whether to cheer or shrug shoulders wondering what this means for the network down the road.  They would not possibly air long form programs at 6am...would they?

They could air reality shows at 5AM and extend AMHQ to 6AM ET (like the weekend schedule). I could see that happening.
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: twcclassics on September 02, 2015, 10:33:28 AM
Good riddance! :)
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: huta958 on September 02, 2015, 12:57:44 PM
They could bring back the 4am weather center live and could have Steph and someone else host it until 7am. Also, Alex Wallace and Keith Carson hosted Weather Center Live at 7pm before WUTV took over, could that maybe happen?
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: alex979 on September 02, 2015, 06:41:53 PM
They could air reality shows at 5AM and extend AMHQ to 6AM ET (like the weekend schedule). I could see that happening.
Weekend AMHQ is 5-9 AM ET....

Honestly, my best guess is they will have AMHQ be 5-9 every day, and just do three hour WCL shifts from 9AM to 6PM.
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: Localonthe8s on September 02, 2015, 07:57:06 PM
Never liked the show, so I'm glad to see it gone though I'm not sure that's a fair comparison because I am never up early enough to catch WUWA on TWC nowadays. They will probably just add more longform to fill in the time.
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: jrhtwc on September 02, 2015, 08:10:01 PM
Never liked the show, so I'm glad to see it gone though I'm not sure that's a fair comparison because I am never up early enough to catch WUWA on TWC nowadays. They will probably just add more longform to fill in the time.
I'm sorry but, if TWC does that They lost it! There has to be a limit on longform!
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: Localonthe8s on September 02, 2015, 08:41:49 PM
Never liked the show, so I'm glad to see it gone though I'm not sure that's a fair comparison because I am never up early enough to catch WUWA on TWC nowadays. They will probably just add more longform to fill in the time.
I'm sorry but, if TWC does that They lost it! There has to be a limit on longform!
I hope I'm wrong! But that seems to be the direction TWC is facing nowadays. I highly suspect the LOT8s will be history soon. They keep showing fewer and fewer locals. Makes sense to get rid of it because nobody is going to wait every 10 minutes for the weather when they can just check their phones or computers.
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: TV Shows Fan on September 03, 2015, 08:41:59 PM
Nooooo! I loved this show. :(
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: Anistorm on September 03, 2015, 10:12:26 PM
From what I can tell @ Steph's instagram, I honestly think she's gonna get the chop. It's just...wow, I'm not sure how this move is going to affect her, seeing that primarily she moved to NYC SOLELY for WUWA.

I don't mind seeing her back with Mike again, but she's better off doing something else imo.
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: Lightning on September 04, 2015, 01:49:21 PM
Good riddance! :)
I completely agree with you! Nice to see that show go! :) I just hope Vivian Brown doesn't go too.  :fear:
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: WeatherWitness on September 04, 2015, 02:33:38 PM
Good riddance! :)
I completely agree with you! Nice to see that show go! :) I just hope Vivian Brown doesn't go too.  :fear:

Uh, you might want to check this topic (https://twctodayforums.com/forums/ocms/vivian-brown-done-at-twc/msg193847/)...  :unsure:
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: Star4000 Fan on September 04, 2015, 04:51:59 PM
It kind of surprises me that this show would be gone.  At least I won't have to hear "woo-wah" anymore.

They probably kept AMHQ with changes after that show was lagging in the ratings.  I would have expected to see Sam Champion gone first.  They brought in Jim Cantore to save the show and possibly money with a contract buyout with Champion if the show failed.  That's the only reason he's on the network.
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: alex979 on September 05, 2015, 01:12:34 PM
Rumors are swirling about the WUWA situation this weekend... It's from the TV gossip websites, so take it with a grain of salt, but apparently Al got in an email spat with the TWC executives regarding coverage of Tropical Storm Erica interfering with coverage of the Katrina anniversary. Several websites have picked up on the story.
http://www.theroot.com/blogs/journalisms/2015/09/al_roker_s_show_on_weather_channel_canceled_after_tense_emails_between_him.html (http://www.theroot.com/blogs/journalisms/2015/09/al_roker_s_show_on_weather_channel_canceled_after_tense_emails_between_him.html)
http://pagesix.com/2015/09/04/al-rokers-weather-channel-show-ends-after-email-fight/ (http://pagesix.com/2015/09/04/al-rokers-weather-channel-show-ends-after-email-fight/)

Once again, who knows how much of this is true, but this is pretty scathing:
Quote
The reason we are in the trouble we're in is an intransigence of management when it comes to a decision and an unwillingness to pivot.

Keep in mind who (reportedly) said this. Al Roker. If one of their biggest stars is getting angry with management, he most certainly can't be alone.
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: Star4000 Fan on September 05, 2015, 08:19:50 PM
Rumors are swirling about the WUWA situation this weekend... It's from the TV gossip websites, so take it with a grain of salt, but apparently Al got in an email spat with the TWC executives regarding coverage of Tropical Storm Erica interfering with coverage of the Katrina anniversary. Several websites have picked up on the story.
[url]http://www.theroot.com/blogs/journalisms/2015/09/al_roker_s_show_on_weather_channel_canceled_after_tense_emails_between_him.html[/url] ([url]http://www.theroot.com/blogs/journalisms/2015/09/al_roker_s_show_on_weather_channel_canceled_after_tense_emails_between_him.html[/url])
[url]http://pagesix.com/2015/09/04/al-rokers-weather-channel-show-ends-after-email-fight/[/url] ([url]http://pagesix.com/2015/09/04/al-rokers-weather-channel-show-ends-after-email-fight/[/url])

Once again, who knows how much of this is true, but this is pretty scathing:
Quote
The reason we are in the trouble we're in is an intransigence of management when it comes to a decision and an unwillingness to pivot.

Keep in mind who (reportedly) said this. Al Roker. If one of their biggest stars is getting angry with management, he most certainly can't be alone.


Tropical Storm Erika was a fiasco.  There was too much coverage, even after the thing fell apart!  They were still talking about it as if it had major flooding impacts.  It ran into dry air!  It was like they were on live with nothing to talk about.  In the "vintage" days, there would have been plenty to discuss, but they don't do that anymore.

Fred and new Tropical Strom Grace are going to meet the same fate.

This happened on September 1st, so it could even have been a fiscal year thing.
Title: Re: Cancelled: Wake Up With Al
Post by: ndinminot on September 12, 2015, 06:19:33 AM
Not a bad thing that WUWA was cancelled. There maybe hope for TWC after reading all the sweeping changes