OCM Layoff- Bill Keneely

[wxmediafan]

Jim is pretty much the "face" of The Weather Channel, so I HIGHLY doubt they will let him go.

As for Stephanie, heck, is she even around at TWC anymore or on assigment somewhere else? Who does WUWA now? I never watch it (nor will I) to find out.

But it is sad that these "classic" OCMs are being laid off. I'm just interested to know WHO TWC likes and WHY they like them. For example, why are Jen and Adam the ones hosting the Summer Beach Party? I like them both...I think they would do a great job, but WHY are they the ones hosting.

We don't know!  As far as we are concerned, it is because The Weather Channel wanted them to host Would you be asking this question if Samantha Mohr and Steve McLaughlin were the one's hosting it?  Probably not. 

I completely agree with Billy's statement, eventually the, with all due respect, "older" OCM's retire or the unfortunate event, get fired, the company probably wants other familiar faces to represent their network.  In the broadcast business, change happens A LOT, and you just have to get used to it.  It's a business, and that's the way they run their business.

[Localonthe8s]

Or it could be because they no longer can afford the higher salaries of the experienced OCMs...think about the economy folks.

I think you are exactly right, Molly. TWC is probably firing the old (good) OCMs to hire new ones for a lot lower salary to save money.

This is really a sad shame, though, to see Bill go. I hope he is able to quickly find work somewhere else.

While I will agree that NBC wants younger, more attractive OCMs to please the public audience (similiar to Terry Coleman vs Marny Stanier) I think the reason so many OCMs are laid off at once is for the economy. I'm sure 4 or 5 OCMs wouldn't laid off at once just because of NBC...IIRC they couldn't afford to pay the salaries of Lemke, Dion, Schwartz, etc because they would require more pay then those who stayed on the network less, therefore they had to lay them off as their last resort. Someone confirm this for me

[Mike M]

I agree with Molly. The layoffs of the older people were made primarily because to help ease the payments TWC has to make, as people get paid more the longer they have been with TWC. Though laying off Eboni didn't really apply to this as she was only with TWC for six years (2002-2008).

[TWCToday]

On the contrary I believe costs have little to do with this. NBC wants their own people in there and are kicking out most of the older folks. As Rich Johnson said on this issue "NBC is methodically putting its own stamp on the weather channel".

[Nick]

I agree with Rich Johnson on this one. They're removing the "established" names that were associated with the "old" weather channel and replacing them with new younger faces.

[Mike M]

Seems that NBC just wants to forget about the old TWC...

[Eric]

Seems that NBC just wants to forget about the old TWC...

True... and very sad. 

[lfmusiclover]

Very sorry to see Bill go. As someone else said, he wasn't one of TWC's flashier personalities, but he sure did a good job. Just another reason my only interest in TWC is its past. I just can't stand what TWC has become.

[CartoonJazzLover]

Very sorry to see Bill go. As someone else said, he wasn't one of TWC's flashier personalities, but he sure did a good job. Just another reason my only interest in TWC is its past. I just can't stand what TWC has become.

Agreed

[WeatherSTARIII]

That's really sad to hear this. He had been with the network since its launch. I liked watching Bill Keneely.    I would also have to agree with Beanboy89 for mentioning that if Jim and all of the other good OCMs leaves the network, TWC won't be the same. I rarely watch TWC these days ever since the big relaunch five years ago.

[TWCToday]

Seems that NBC just wants to forget about the old TWC...

Depends on how you define the "old TWC". NBC just took a more direct approach at moving the networks direction. TWC (pre-NBC) was slowly introducing more long form and they even first started the idea of movies.

Jim is pretty much the "face" of The Weather Channel, so I HIGHLY doubt they will let him go.

As for Stephanie, heck, is she even around at TWC anymore or on assigment somewhere else? Who does WUWA now? I never watch it (nor will I) to find out.

Mark my words.... Jim Cantore will NEVER  be let go from TWC. The only chance he has of getting axed is if he asks for too much money and even then I doubt he wants to loose his image. TWC has purposely built a base around Jim and Stephanie because they need a way to market the channel and network. Showing those two faces on long form and major events does the trick.  Its branding and marketing! Stephanie is there more often then you think but true it seems like she isn't around much. Mike or Jen will usually fill in on WUWA.

[twcclassics]

How does The Weather Channel compete with MTV? I don't really see the connection there 

Easy. Both show programming that has nothing to do with their original concept.

I would also have to agree with Beanboy89 for mentioning that if Jim and all of the other good OCMs leaves the network, TWC won't be the same.

TWC hasn't been the same since 2000 or so.

[TWCmatthew]

 Now I'm getting disappointed in TWC! They're letting all classic and very knowledgable meteorologists go. Who's next, Jim Cantore, Mike Bettes. I don't want to know...

[lfmusiclover]

How does The Weather Channel compete with MTV? I don't really see the connection there 

Easy. Both show programming that has nothing to do with their original concept.

I would also have to agree with Beanboy89 for mentioning that if Jim and all of the other good OCMs leaves the network, TWC won't be the same.

TWC hasn't been the same since 2000 or so.

Agreed 100%. 

[TWC Fan]

The last time I saw him was in the afternoon time.