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Present - The Weather Channel 2000 => Local Forecast => Topic started by: WeatherSTAR on April 01, 2014, 11:51:27 PM

Title: Station ID segment? Should it return?
Post by: WeatherSTAR on April 01, 2014, 11:51:27 PM
Should the station ID segment on TWC return? I would be happy for it to, since it gives info such as the STAR ID.  :yes: Anyone else?
Title: Re: Station ID segment? Should it return?
Post by: TWCJim on April 02, 2014, 12:18:02 AM
Definitely. I miss the backgrounds with the landscapes that represent a particular season. Plus the STAR ID numbers are very useful for my STAR database website.  :yes:
Title: Re: Station ID segment? Should it return?
Post by: Eric on April 02, 2014, 04:41:21 PM
I don't think it's terribly necessary anymore, despite its attractive appearance.  30 years ago it had a function, since not all cable boxes back then displayed channel numbers, and it was helpful to remind people what channel to change to when they wanted to watch The Weather Channel.  Today, in the age of on-screen programming guides and hundreds upon hundreds of channels, I don't think it serves the same function.

Considering TWC airs only 60-second local forecasts now and so much long-form programming, maybe crowding the brodacast time with mere eye candy isn't the best choice to make.
Title: Re: Station ID segment? Should it return?
Post by: WeatherSTAR on April 02, 2014, 11:00:49 PM
Definitely. I miss the backgrounds with the landscapes that represent a particular season. Plus the STAR ID numbers are very useful for my STAR database website.  :yes:
I would have to agree there. I miss them as well...  :(
Title: Re: Station ID segment? Should it return?
Post by: WeatherSTAR on April 02, 2014, 11:02:31 PM
I don't think it's terribly necessary anymore, despite its attractive appearance.  30 years ago it had a function, since not all cable boxes back then displayed channel numbers, and it was helpful to remind people what channel to change to when they wanted to watch The Weather Channel.  Today, in the age of on-screen programming guides and hundreds upon hundreds of channels, I don't think it serves the same function.

Considering TWC airs only 60-second local forecasts now and so much long-form programming, maybe crowding the brodacast time with mere eye candy isn't the best choice to make.
True, but it could help people report STAR problems to their cable company, maybe. It is attractive, you do have to admit!
Title: Re: Station ID segment? Should it return?
Post by: Eric on April 03, 2014, 06:48:19 PM
True, but it could help people report STAR problems to their cable company, maybe. It is attractive, you do have to admit!

Two very good points.  I agree with you 100% on the first one, but I'm sure there must be another place they can put the ID.  How about in the corner of the screen during the clock segment of the local forecast?
Title: Re: Station ID segment? Should it return?
Post by: toxictwister00 on April 03, 2014, 07:26:08 PM
I never quite understood why before the station ID was discontinued they never displayed the STAR ID on the LDL of legacy STARs during the Lot8s, but they did on the black/blue LDL for the IntelliSTAR.
Title: Re: Station ID segment? Should it return?
Post by: WeatherSTAR on April 03, 2014, 10:59:16 PM
True, but it could help people report STAR problems to their cable company, maybe. It is attractive, you do have to admit!

Two very good points.  I agree with you 100% on the first one, but I'm sure there must be another place they can put the ID.  How about in the corner of the screen during the clock segment of the local forecast?
You know, that would be a good place. Nice thinking.
Title: Re: Station ID segment? Should it return?
Post by: gt1racerlHDl on April 04, 2014, 04:01:17 AM
they could put the Star ID on the LDL after all 3 cities cycle through during programming.
Title: Re: Station ID segment? Should it return?
Post by: HulkieD on April 05, 2014, 02:48:36 PM
The reason you don't see an ID anymore is programming flow.  Networks want shows to "flow" seamlessly, with no commercial breaks, for fear of audience turnover.  That's why, instead of a commercial break leading up to the :58 local, the OCM will simply toss to LOT8s and say "we'll be back in sixty seconds".  No network airs a regular ID anymore, for similar reasons.

I do think the Local Weather ID should be shown, somewhat prominently, at least once per hour.  I don't know when or how, but it should be shown or made available for technical reasons.
Title: Re: Station ID segment? Should it return?
Post by: TWCJim on April 07, 2014, 11:49:43 AM
I wouldn't mind having the Local Weather ID appear at some point on the LDL.  :yes:  I do agree that the ID should appear for technical reasons because it's very useful for TWC's tech support if a viewer needs to report errors with their LOT8s.
Title: Re: Station ID segment? Should it return?
Post by: WeatherSTAR on April 07, 2014, 11:14:08 PM
I wouldn't mind having the Local Weather ID appear at some point on the LDL.  :yes:  I do agree that the ID should appear for technical reasons because it's very useful for TWC's tech support if a viewer needs to report errors with their LOT8s.
Should the part where it shows the cable/satellite provider be returned though?
Title: Re: Station ID segment? Should it return?
Post by: Eric on April 07, 2014, 11:49:11 PM
Should the part where it shows the cable/satellite provider be returned though?

That was simultaneous with the channel number.  Again, you got a pretty picture to go with it, but why eat up time on the schedule needlessly?  Don't most people know what their cable/satellite company is?  Do these companies need that much "free advertising" to subscribers they already have?
Title: Re: Station ID segment? Should it return?
Post by: Joe The Dragon on April 08, 2014, 08:06:28 PM
have the 2 min LOT8's come back.
Title: Re: Station ID segment? Should it return?
Post by: HulkieD on April 11, 2014, 04:25:33 PM
Here's something I put together in like five minutes.  It would display only at :29 and :59, immediately after the local forecast. 

(http://hulkied.com/tvnt/TWCLocalWeatherID.jpg)
Title: Re: Station ID segment? Should it return?
Post by: TWCJim on April 12, 2014, 12:31:10 PM
Here's something I put together in like five minutes.  It would display only at :29 and :59, immediately after the local forecast. 

([url]http://hulkied.com/tvnt/TWCLocalWeatherID.jpg[/url])


I like it. Well done!  :clap:

IMO the local weather ID should appear first thing when the programming LDL cues after every LF and then reappear after the 3-4 city loop.  :yes:  Hopefully somebody out there can suggest this to TWC...
Title: Re: Station ID segment? Should it return?
Post by: phw115wvwx on April 12, 2014, 04:50:09 PM
Why not just use the introduction screen saying "Here is your local on the 8s" to put the STAR ID either in a corner or at the bottom?  To me, the introduction to the local forecast needs more information if we're not going to make it really nice with graphics and backgrounds like it used to be years ago.  I could even argue titles to songs you're about to hear for that particular local forecast could go on that screen, too.  You already have screens that barely show anything despite the limited time of one minute, so why not use them?