Messages

31

Everything Else TWC / Re: General TWC Discussion

« on: March 30, 2016, 11:31:10 PM »

Sans "Live By It" era sonic brand, this is the track i was referring to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWzOK5mq0w8

32

Local Forecast / Re: Smooth Jazz Return!

« on: March 30, 2016, 10:37:51 PM »

I'd make the case that visually, the channel looked much more like a slapdash college project prior to the 2013 update. You had, at that point, five years worth of differing graphics packages, many of them poorly done or very generic. There was no unifying brand, visual or otherwise. Simplified as the current package may be, it's incredibly clean, unified, and a distinct visual brand that they can identify with. To me, the current brand is a classic example of "less is more." Every icon, for example, gives you a very clear idea of conditions expected. Could a previous set with skeumorphic gradients, shading, and animations do the same thing? Sure. Does it need any of those things to serve its purpose? Nope. Design is very much cyclical, if you study the channel's history. I'm sure a rebrand will come within the next few years, but I'd expect it to be an evolution of the current brand, not a full revolution, like 2013 was. Visual tastes differ from person to person, but, you have to give them credit for making an honest effort to unify their visual identity for the first time since 2008, and arguably since 2003.

Reference video: check out the hot mess that was on-air graphics in August of 2013 at 0:10
http://youtu.be/j9X3rP_HXRQ

33

Local Forecast / Re: Smooth Jazz Return!

« on: March 27, 2016, 06:34:21 PM »

Well the jazz return would boost my viewership. I'm pretty sure for everyone too. I love it because it gives a little variety to the most repetitive thing on the planet.

The number of people flocking to the channel for the 60 seconds of music played during the local forecast segment is, in all likelihood, so infinitesimally small that it's no skin off their backs to play it, or not to. While it's great to see the channel "warming up" to its fan base in a lot of ways, keep in mind that we represent a very tiny minority of the viewing demographic. The whims and wishes of our little group are not the primary driving force behind the choices of Dave Clark, et al. That they give us an audience and ear at all is more than a lot would do.

34

Everything Else TWC / Re: General TWC Discussion

« on: March 23, 2016, 10:00:43 PM »

Sounds like the 2003-2005 Storm Alert theme (sans overplayed sonic brand chimes) is being used for segments during winter storm Selene coverage.

35

Local Forecast / Re: Smooth Jazz Return!

« on: March 22, 2016, 02:32:43 PM »

It's been over a week, and still no jazz music yet. 
I'm probably just impatient but I've been waiting for this since 2012! January 11, 2012 was the last day a jazz song played on lo8s with the exception of March 11, 2016. I have tweeted the producers multiple times and no one wants to speak!They probably deleted all their past songs because they were probably under the impression that they'll never play it again and are now re investing in new music. Which is probably why they tested it. To see if it's a worthy investment. Well a lot took notice. I hope it airs tomorrow but I've been eagerly waiting since last Saturday and the lack of info is driving me crazy! 

Probably because that's not the primary focus of their day and, if larger- scale changes are in the works, they have better things to do...

36

Local Forecast / Re: Smooth Jazz Return!

« on: March 15, 2016, 10:01:06 AM »

Honestly, how many regular viewers care about the music that's played on the LOT8s anyway?   Especially with the shorter locals, the narrations seem to take up 80% of the time any more, and you can't even hear the music.  And I highly doubt someone is going to turn off the LOT8s because they are so offended that jazz is playing.

Why would one be offended by it?

Well, maybe "offended" wasn't the correct word, but I am not sure why TWC got rid of smooth jazz in the first place.  Were they really losing viewers because jazz was playing on the LOT8s?  I guess I just don't understand how LOT8s music even matters to the average viewer. Apparently it does if TWC is "testing" all this stuff, but like I said, most of the LOT8s time is taken up by narration anyway (with the exception of the National Feed), and I guess I just can't wrap my head around an average viewer who refuses to watch the LOT8s because they don't like the music that's playing.

When you're in a rush to "rebrand" or re-energize the channel, and are in the mood of changing pretty much anything, the stuffy, old-guard music is probably gonna get the axe. Especially if you have a younger producer or director calling the shots in that department.

37

Everything Else TWC / Re: General TWC Discussion

« on: March 14, 2016, 01:04:20 PM »

if you haven't been to the Local Forecast section today, then you haven't noticed the two threads about it

but, guess what returned to LOT8s for the first time in a long time.

it's Smooth Jazz. as much of a Rock and Metal music guy, but hearing Smooth Jazz on LOT8s just feels right and i hope this might be the end of the generic LOT8s Music that debut between Nov. 2013 to 2015.

i also hope when they go to red mode they bring back the iconic Storm Alert theme that debut in 2005.

Wouldn't count on that last point. They invested a lot of time and money into the current sonic brand (which isn't that bad). If anything new pops up at this point, my guess is that it would be a new theme entirely, if they plan on phasing out the current brand (coming up on 3 years)> Again, I wouldn't count on either.

38

General Discussion / Re: Is WeatherNation content allowed here?

« on: March 01, 2016, 11:23:16 AM »

I don't see any reason why you can't. How do you get Weather Nation without cable?

If I remember correctly, both an online steam and OTT app/stream are available.

39

Local Forecast / Re: New song during local on the 8s?

« on: February 17, 2016, 01:44:33 PM »

Really feelin' the love today.

40

OCMs & Personalities / Re: Kelly Cass and Nick Walker moved from OCM to Contributor Role

« on: January 04, 2016, 05:59:27 PM »

What is freelancing?

"A freelancer or freelance worker is a term commonly used for a person who is self-employed and is not necessarily committed to a particular employer long-term. Freelance workers are sometimes represented by a company or a temporary agency that resells freelance labor to clients; others work independently or use professional associations or websites to get work. "Independent contractor" would be the term used in a higher register of English that designates the tax and employment class of this type of worker, the term freelancing is most common in culture and creative industries and this term specifically motions to participation therein."

Translation: It means that she's not on contract with TWC for a set period of full-time employment, and can also work at other locations of her choosing.

41

Programming and Graphics / Re: Sweeping Changes Coming: Champion Cancelled, Less Reality Shows

« on: November 05, 2015, 11:20:40 PM »

will they return old grapichs and shows?

What are you talking about?

42

TWC Today News / Re: Martin's passing and the future of TWC Today

« on: October 31, 2015, 07:01:18 PM »

If any assistance is needed, do let me know. Such a heartbreaking turn of events, especially for a young and passionate individual.

43

Everything Else TWC / Re: Weather Channel for Sale

« on: October 30, 2015, 09:36:45 PM »

well, now that IBM is buying out everything but the TV channel, here's something interesting about this, i decided to type up the potential new TWC domain names and got some results.

so far i got this:
NBCweather.com (if TWC rebrands to NBC weather if NBCUniversal keeps TWC the channel) : got nothing, CBSweather.com (if CBS buys the TV side out and renames it): it redirects to the CBS corporate site.
theweatherchannel.com and weatherchannel.com (if TWC name is retained in new ownership or NBCUniversal keeps it): redirects to weather.com.
ABCweather.com (in event of Disney buyout and name change): a domain squatter bought this domain and using it to try to harm computers.
FOXweather.com (in event of Fox buyout and name change): went to a site unaffiliated to 21st Century Fox, so it's possible they may redirect to Fox News' website's weather section if Fox does buy it out and renames it.
CNNweather.com (in event of Time Warner/Turner Networks buyout and name change): nothing, no site exist.

so basically, looks like CBS may buy out The Weather Channel TV network and maybe rebrand it to CBS Weather with the fact the CBSweather.com domain redirects to cbscorporation.com

Not sure how you got to that conclusion but alright. Corporations sit on domains all the time. Nothing new.

"The cable channel will continue to be owned by the partnership of NBCUniversal, with a 25% stake, and investment banks Bain Capital and Blackstone, which acquired Weather Co. in 2008 for $3.5 billion."

44

General Discussion / Re: The Pot Belly Stove

« on: October 30, 2015, 08:27:21 PM »

I have no details, other than what's listed on the page. But, for those who may not be aware...(see attached)

45

Programming and Graphics / Re: Weekend Recharge

« on: March 15, 2015, 06:19:13 PM »

TWC really needs some help. 2 years ago they decide to consolidate most of their shows into WCL, and then they decide to split it into new titles again.

Lest we forget that they did the same thing in the late 90s, up through the early 2000s, which spawned shows such as First Outlook, Your Weather Today, Day Planner, etc....... It's cyclical.