Local Now - The Weather Channel's New Over-The-Top Network

[livefromButler]

Hello everyone.  As of recently, TWC launched Local Now, a 24/7 Local Information Channel that streams exclusively on web television provider Sling TV.  The channel uses graphics that have a slight TWC feel to them, especially in the forecast segment.  The Akko font is used throughout the graphics, and Jim Cantore narrates most of the segments.  The entire cycle is roughly 5 minutes in length.

The lineup of segments currently is:
Local Now ID Bumper (0:05)
60now Bumper (0:05) "All the latest news, in 60 seconds"
60now Segment (1:00) - Associated Press
Weather Bumper (0:03) "Here's how the weather is shaping up in your area"
Weather Segment (0:59) - The Weather Channel
   Current Conditions (0:09) "Currently in our area, (temp) degrees, (condition phrase)"
   Doppler Radar (0:11) "The radar loop shows the movement of precipitation over your area, over the past three        hours.
   36 Hour Forecast + 7 Day Outlook (0:39) follows IntelliStar 2 style, except 7 Day: "Here's the outlook for your week ahead!"
Traffic Bumper (0:04) "Traffic Information coming up for your area, now!"
   Traffic Map Segment (0:14)
   "Key Routes" Segment (0:24)
Local News and Sports Bumper (0:04) "And now your latest local news and sports headlines"
   Local Headlines (0:25) - Associated Press
   Local Sports (0:25) - Associated Press
   Sports Scores (1:00) - sportradar.us

The channel shows an LDL which displays current time, current segment, and forecasts for local cities.
Here is a clip I recorded early this morning.

<a href="https://youtube.com/v/uZGuilX0j7I" target="_blank" class="new_win">https://youtube.com/v/uZGuilX0j7I</a>

[Tyler]

I've watched the feed and j can say it's disappointing. The weather isn't local. If anything it's less local than LOT8s because the feed is for the nearest major city, not the nearest cable headend. Also the maps look unprofessional (bing maps, really?). All in all it is sloppy and seems rushed to me.

[toxictwister00]

I agree with Tyler, I'm not impressed either. I think it could use some "touching up". Since it's still early, I guess it's still possible some things graphically/timing will change.

[alex979]

What's even the point of this?

The AP news/sports segments are kind of useless, IMO. Do they expect people to sit and just watch random sound bytes, or simple headlines appearing on the screen? People can get more info in the same amount of time by pulling out their phones. This whole thing seems very sloppily done, and not particularly well thought out. Luckily it doesn't look like they spent too much money on it.

[Mike M]

Can they keep the volume of the voiceovers consistent? So Jim is not SHOUTING on one screen and the next he's whispering?

[TWCJim]

Those graphics look kinda boring and lackluster in my opinion. This concept would have been much better:

The Weather Channel LocalNow Concept

[toxictwister00]

Those graphics look kinda boring and lackluster in my opinion. This concept would have been much better:

Well that's a major understatement Jim. 

Seriously though, this is another example of one of those things I find to be extremely annoying about TWC. They always come up with awesome prototypes like this and then they take 10 steps back. It really boggles my mind.

If you were to ask me what version of this LocalNow was the final product, I would assume it was the video Jim posted because it looks a million times better.

[cc17926]

Those graphics look kinda boring and lackluster in my opinion. This concept would have been much better:

The Weather Channel LocalNow Concept

let me guess... this is a nail in the coffin for weatherscan?

[hen7713]

I just keep laughing about how terrible it is. The basic design doesn't even match what they use on air at all and it seems to lack any real direction.

[curtjr4]

Looks awful to me. Having just switched off my cable, this isn't going to be a TWC alternative for me. I'll stick to WeatherNation. If they make this look more professional, then maybe I'll consider using this.

[livefromButler]

Just in case anyone cares about the music used on LocalNow, it appears they are all from Killer Tracks.
YouTube Content ID identified two of the songs used in the segment I recorded above as "41st and 3rd" and "Ain't It Funky".  It's strange, you'd think at least the music would match TWC's On Air format.  Honestly, an average person probably wouldn't be able to tell that LocalNow is a TWC product.

[TWCWyatt]

I'd rather have WeatherNation for free OTA then watch this unprofessional half-ass final product

Those graphics look kinda boring and lackluster in my opinion. This concept would have been much better:

The Weather Channel LocalNow Concept

o-oH GOD
t H I S RIGHT HERE ^^^^
THIS ^^^^
T^H^I^S^
Sorry about that but THIS would've at LEAST been nice! It really fits the "Weather All The Time" thing they're getting into. Why not use that?!?!?!? It's just like what toxictwister said, they make astounding prototypes but then they take 10 steps back!!!

[Mike M]

Does anyone know who does the music for this channel, particular the News & Sports segment? Is it by the same company that made the LOT8s music?

Looks awful to me. Having just switched off my cable, this isn't going to be a TWC alternative for me. I'll stick to WeatherNation. If they make this look more professional, then maybe I'll consider using this.

[crazybangles]

Oh my gosh, I really hope that it isn't as bad as what it looks like right now. It will probably improve along the way, because as of right now, in my opinion, Weatherscan still has better graphics. But LocalNow is a good concept though.

[Steve-O]

Traffic Information coming up for your area, NOW!