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Present - The Weather Channel 2000 => Programming and Graphics => Topic started by: WeatherSTARIII on July 28, 2011, 07:32:38 PM

Title: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: WeatherSTARIII on July 28, 2011, 07:32:38 PM
...then there's this:
 
Quote
TCA: Weather Channel Greenlights 'Coast Guard Alaska'
Produced by Al Roker Entertainment; will premiere Nov. 9
By Tim Baysinger -- Broadcasting & Cable, 7/27/2011 2:46:43 PM
 
The Weather Channel Companies (TWCC) announced Wednesday that it has greenlit the new series Coast Guard Alaska (wt).

Produced by Al Roker Entertainment, the series will follow a team of coast guard swimmers who are stationed in Kodiak, Alaska.

"Coast Guard Alaska has all the elements we're looking for in original programming - great storytelling, action and adventure, and most importantly, how the weather affects someone's work and lifestyle," said Bob Walker, EVP/GM, networks and content, The Weather Channel. "This series fits in perfectly with the strategy we've developed for The Weather Channel's long-form content across all platforms."

Roker commented: "We just celebrated the second year of Wake Up with Al on The Weather Channel, so this was my anniversary gift to the network. In all seriousness, Coast Guard Alaska is a compelling series and one we feel will captivate The Weather Channel audience."

Coast Guard Alaska is expected to premiere Wednesday, November 9, at 9 p.m.

 
Source: http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/471611-TCA_Weather_Channel_Greenlights_Coast_Guard_Alaska_.php (http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/471611-TCA_Weather_Channel_Greenlights_Coast_Guard_Alaska_.php)
 
Seriously, what does this have to do with weather? I hate to bother, but it looks like Al Roker is starting to produce his own production shows. What's your reaction?
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: Eric on July 28, 2011, 07:54:08 PM
 :facepalm:
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: Anistorm on July 28, 2011, 08:00:46 PM
I personally saw that coming, and I think? it was part of TWC's coming soon lineup that I posted a long time ago. I'm not sure if they announced it earlier.

But yeah...boo. More longform, more crappy shows blah blah blah. This is starting to get old. >_>

3900th post. yay.
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: twcclassics on July 28, 2011, 08:49:51 PM
You're watching TWC, where we come up with a new show about weather affecting someone every month. Seriously, every show they come up with is the same topic with a different person/group as the focus. Are TWC viewers really this dull? Are they really this easily entertained? If you're not going to talk about weather, at least come up with original ideas! :rolleyes:
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: gt1racerlHDl on July 28, 2011, 09:00:18 PM
all TWC needs now is to pick up Ice Road Truckers and they're all set xD
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: toxictwister00 on July 28, 2011, 09:00:58 PM
A lot of these shows feel like copycat Storm Stories. (*cough* *cough* Twist of Fate) The only long-form show I could tolerate watching was When Weather Changed History and it doesn't even come on that much. I rather watch that than those same what 2 episodes of Full Force Nature and It Could Happen Tomorrow they run 6 feet into the ground on a daily basis.
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: Pop Light Brown on July 28, 2011, 11:28:03 PM
What the  :censored: ? Who cares about Alaska?

BTW, Al's been producing shows for a number of years.
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: TWCJim on July 28, 2011, 11:36:42 PM
          z
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:itsok:
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: Localonthe8s on July 28, 2011, 11:47:27 PM
Coast Guard Alaska reminds me of a spinoff version of a similiar show that's on the Discovery Channel..
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: TampaMillTWC88 on July 29, 2011, 01:10:38 AM
Yet another TWC program I won't be watching.  :yawn:
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: TWCToday on July 29, 2011, 02:55:31 AM
Coast Guard Alaska reminds me of a spinoff version of a similiar show that's on the Discovery Channel..
I thought the exact same thing!
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: Eric on July 29, 2011, 09:04:07 AM
Who cares about Alaska?

Alaskans?   :dunno:
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: Mike M on July 29, 2011, 10:46:28 AM
Awesome! Now let's introduce a cooking show, a home improvement show, and a crime documentary and now we have The Weather Channel! :D

 :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: Localonthe8s on July 29, 2011, 11:09:28 AM
Let's not forget a childrens cartoon weather show, a game show and Law and Order. Maybe some adult late night programming too :)
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: Eric on July 29, 2011, 11:16:23 AM
Let's not forget a childrens cartoon weather show, a game show and Law and Order. Maybe some adult late night programming too :)

I can honestly imagine everything but Law and Order.  :)
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: TampaMillTWC88 on July 29, 2011, 12:14:32 PM
Let's not forget a childrens cartoon weather show, a game show and Law and Order. Maybe some adult late night programming too :)

I can actually see all of that happening in the future, the way TWC is headed, except for Law and Order, of course.  :P
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: Anistorm on July 29, 2011, 01:14:26 PM
Totally doubt that there's going to be a Law & Order-like show. Maaaaybe some sort of a "Forensic weather" show, since meteorology also affects forensics...I wouldn't be surprised if they did that.
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: Eric on July 29, 2011, 01:17:41 PM
Totally doubt that there's going to be a Law & Order-like show. Maaaaybe some sort of a "Forensic weather" show, since meteorology also affects forensics...I wouldn't be surprised if they did that.

We don't have to give them ideas...  :censored3:
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: Anistorm on July 29, 2011, 01:18:45 PM
Totally doubt that there's going to be a Law & Order-like show. Maaaaybe some sort of a "Forensic weather" show, since meteorology also affects forensics...I wouldn't be surprised if they did that.

We don't have to give them ideas...  :censored3:

I....just did?  :bleh:
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: twcclassics on July 29, 2011, 03:25:20 PM
Totally doubt that there's going to be a Law & Order-like show. Maaaaybe some sort of a "Forensic weather" show, since meteorology also affects forensics...I wouldn't be surprised if they did that.
Now see THAT's a show I'd watch! :biggrin:

Especially if the intro was like the attached clip. Of course for TWC, it would have to be changed a bit. Maybe something like...

"In the weather justice system, mother nature is represented by two separate, yet equally important groups. The meteorologists with facts and the environmental nut jobs who persecute them for denying global warming. These are their stories."
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: WeatherSTARIII on July 29, 2011, 04:14:21 PM
I'm so glad I only watch whenever there is only live weather coverage. TWC is supose to have all weather information, all the time! (seriously)  :furious:
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: Zach on July 29, 2011, 04:26:44 PM
They do... its called the LDL ;)
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: Jake on July 30, 2011, 05:18:45 PM
Let's not forget a childrens cartoon weather show, a game show and Law and Order. Maybe some adult late night programming too :)

I'd watch that too, seems that could be interesting.
As for The Weather Channel, shame on you. I might as well not even look on tv for weather on the weekends, so I tend to check out accuweather instead.  :clap:
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: twcfan68 on July 30, 2011, 05:34:03 PM
Meh, I sort of saw it coming, too. My question is why is TWC airing shows like that? Do they get high ratings, or is it because they can't afford to do as much live weather coverage? Everyone I talk to about TWC watches for the weather, not shows about a tornado that happened 50 years ago. I don't watch TWC constantly anymore, so this doesn't really affect me that much.
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: Mike M on July 30, 2011, 10:41:34 PM
Maaaaybe some sort of a "Forensic weather" show, since meteorology also affects forensics...I wouldn't be surprised if they did that.
Wasn't something like that already in the works?
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: bobalong on July 30, 2011, 11:56:16 PM
all TWC needs now is to pick up Ice Road Truckers and they're all set xD
Since we're on an Alaska theme here, let's also add "Deadliest Catch." Weather does actually play a big role on that show.
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: Mr. Rainman on July 30, 2011, 11:58:17 PM
Holy cow, does it. I remember the episode where they were crab fishing out in a wicked storm, and a really strong wind gust dislodged a steel hook and slammed it right into a guy's nose. The weather is really brutal out there.
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: Trevor on July 31, 2011, 09:19:09 AM
Holy cow, does it. I remember the episode where they were crab fishing out in a wicked storm, and a really strong wind gust dislodged a steel hook and slammed it right into a guy's nose. The weather is really brutal out there.

I don't care much for that show, and I would definitely not want to see it on TWC :no:
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: Donovan on July 31, 2011, 09:32:12 AM
Holy cow, does it. I remember the episode where they were crab fishing out in a wicked storm, and a really strong wind gust dislodged a steel hook and slammed it right into a guy's nose. The weather is really brutal out there.
You can find weather In almost any show if you look for it... I don't think its a bad idea showing the brutal weather of the area, but making a mock and varied of Deadliest Catch is low...
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: WeatherSTARIII on July 31, 2011, 03:01:02 PM
I still think TWC needs to go back to its roots. At least we have AccuWeather in our area too. The only problem with our local AccuWeather station here is that we can only get it on over-the-air broadcast. We can't get it on DirecTV.  :angry:  I even wish we had WeatherNation and Weatherscan in our area too.
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: Travis(: on July 31, 2011, 05:26:49 PM
Yepp another sad move for the weather channel what else is new.   :thumbdown:
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: TampaMillTWC88 on July 31, 2011, 05:31:38 PM
At this point I really don't care anymore. TWC has made up their mind the direction they are going in, so the best thing is to watch the times when they actually cover weather.
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: twcclassics on July 31, 2011, 09:31:18 PM
At this point I really don't care anymore. TWC has made up their mind the direction they are going in, so the best thing is to watch the times when they actually cover weather.
So 4 in the morning? :P
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: twcfan68 on July 31, 2011, 09:45:39 PM
Ha-ha, that's actually when I watch. I really like Sunrise Weather. I wish TWC did coverage like that more often.

I still can't imagine how ratings for these weather entertainment shows can be so high. Maybe if they weren't so reptitive, they wouldn't be so annoying. But I can learn to cope and watch when they cover the weather. I should have better things to do than watch TWC all day anyway. :P
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: TWCToday on August 01, 2011, 12:24:42 AM
My question is why is TWC airing shows like that? Do they get high ratings, or is it because they can't afford to do as much live weather coverage? Everyone I talk to about TWC watches for the weather, not shows about a tornado that happened 50 years ago. I don't watch TWC constantly anymore, so this doesn't really affect me that much.
That's a very complex question. Lets first look at ratings.  If 100 people watch TWC for 5min and 75 watch for 30minutes, then the show that got 75 would be higher rated. It's about keeping people watching longer. Typically people tune in for 5min, get their weather and leave. From the perspective of TWC, if you can provide an automated forecast on the8s with an ldl, you can satisfy the needs of those 5min viewers. To the average person they could care less what the weather is like across the nation unless they are travelling. Now with longform you have the ability to attract people for longer periods of times, which means longer view times, higher ratings and thus higher revenue from ad sales.

So lets pretend you are a business executive and you own TWC. You need to find a way to continue to grow the network in the face of an exploding technological world. Fewer and fewer people tune into The Weather Channel just for weather. And why would they? I can get all the information I need from my phone or computer anytime I want. Unlike us here people don't find weather fun to watch. So you are losing viewers to technology but the people you are losing probably only watched for 5minutes. By producing a long form show you grab those viewers looking for something interesting on TV to watch and still probably get most of those 5min viewers if you keep local on the 8s. So do you A. keep the same business model the company had through the late 90s and continue to see viewership decline or B. add alternative content to grow the audience diversity and at the very least sustain viewership?

As weather channel junkies we know the choice we want but what would you decide if you were in the place of the executive seeing falling numbers? I don't agree with some of the programming decisions but details decide the decisions made were reasonable. Hopefully we can see a good balance between longform and weather programming come back.
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: TWCmatthew on August 01, 2011, 09:52:31 AM
Let's not forget a childrens cartoon weather show, a game show and Law and Order. Maybe some adult late night programming too :)
Law and Order: Weather Edition... :P

But, seriously, there is enough long-form programming.
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: twcfan68 on August 01, 2011, 01:35:34 PM
Wow, thank you for your post, Martin. The ratings for the entertainment shows must be higher than I originally thought then. I guess I would do the same thing if I were the owner of TWC, too, because it is all about the money in the end. I'm okay with the weather entertainment programming, but I just watch for the weather and the Tropical Update. I also watch for the music on the LOT8's, lol. I actually think they have a good blend of weather coverage and entertainment right now. They do the entertainment when I'm mostly busy with school-related work, anyway. (I just don't like it how, say, Samantha Mohr will do a live weather update, and she'll say something like, "While you're watching Storm Stories, we'll be watching the severe weather across the North Dakota." I want to watch the severe weather in ND...lol.)

I'm sure, in time, I'll get more used to TWC's ways of adapting to the new technological world. Again, thank you for your insight. That clears a lot up for me.

Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: WeatherSTARIII on August 01, 2011, 06:05:28 PM
I still would rather see live weather coverage and forecasts. I always still find it to be more entertaining than the long-form shows.  :rofl:
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: Anistorm on August 01, 2011, 06:14:31 PM
Maaaaybe some sort of a "Forensic weather" show, since meteorology also affects forensics...I wouldn't be surprised if they did that.
Wasn't something like that already in the works?

Yeah...but it never aired or anything. xD

Quote
Forensic Weather – See how Mother Nature helps solve crimes with forensic meteorologists who take viewers on a fascinating step by step journey to uncover the evidence and the impact of weather  on the investigation. The show revisits crimes and accidents reconstructing actual weather conditions using high-end graphics and dramatic, stylized re-enactments. Interviews with witnesses and victims bring these compelling stories to life.  (Launch date: 1Q 2011)
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: Eric on August 01, 2011, 07:18:10 PM
I still would rather see live weather coverage and forecasts. I always still find it to be more entertaining than the long-form shows.  :rofl:

I completely agree!
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: TampaMillTWC88 on August 01, 2011, 08:12:14 PM
I still would rather see live weather coverage and forecasts. I always still find it to be more entertaining than the long-form shows.  :rofl:

I completely agree!

Me too. We just have to get used to it. After 5pm, look elsewhere for weather.  :hmm:
Title: Re: If Al Roker wasn't enough...
Post by: Charismatic Applesauce on September 23, 2011, 05:39:02 PM
*bump*

Turns out Coast Guard Alaska is coming out after all. I just saw a promo of it.