New Morning Show: "AMHQ with Sam Champion"

[TWCC_DJK5555]

You don't need a degree to be a weather person.

On that note, didn't David Letterman do weather in his early days? 

I know Pat Sajak was a "weatherman," and I don't think he has a degree in Meteorology.

[TWCToday]

So now we have two TWC broadcaters who have their own show but don't have an actual meteorology degree. Perfect!  (Sarcasm)

That begs the Question: Why did WABC/GMA & WNBC/Today Hire them?

Couple reasons probably......

When he came to WABC in 1988 there weren't many meteorologists with degrees on tv. In fact if you look at a lot of chief meteorologists across the nation... you would be surprised at the number who didn't initially have a degree when they started out on air. In a way it makes sense considering the technological limits. With no easy way to get forecast data or reliable radar/model data.... tv stations heavily relied on third party sources for weather forecast data.

Also there simply weren't that many meteorology graduates. Today I would say its nearly impossible to start out in the business with no degree.... unless you are REALLY good looking

Sam got promoted from a station in KY to WABC. That NEVER would happen today. It's unheard of to go from a weekend wx person in market 81 to an on air personality in the #1 market in America. Once he got to WABC there really wasn't a huge need for someone with extensive weather knowledge. NYC doesn't exactly have lots of major weather events. Therefor he was able to build up an image and personality that took him to where he is now.

Al Roker and Sam Champion are a rare exception in the tv industry. I think both have worked hard and after doing weather for 30+ years I'm sure they have picked up quite a bit of knowledge. That being said I hope equal air time is dedicated to the existing degreed mets on the network

[IceManNYR]

Al announced Monday that on March 17th when the new AM show launches Jen Carfagno and Reynolds Wolf are going to become full time OCMs for Wake Up With Al.

[weatherfan_2013]

New set pieces arrive for AMHQ!

[IceManNYR]

When the remodeled studio was first shown it appeared to me as if they only were using half of it and the rest of it could be turned into useable studio space and the new AM show was a reason for them to do that.

[Adrian]

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/sam-champion-it-all-starts-with-the-weather_b216104

This quote alarms/concerns me the most: New Managing Editor of The Weather Channel Sam Champion assured advertisers yesterday that the additions of news, sports, and documentary programming to the network won’t take away from what viewers want to see most.

[IceManNYR]

That was not worded the best by Champion.  TWC is not adding news or sports shows.
They are adding news and sports reports to AMHQ.

[Bryan]

I don't like Sam Champion's looks.   That guy just rubs me the wrong way.

[luesjo12]

I'm so excited to see how the new set will look!!

[toxictwister00]

Is Sam Champion trying to make his show like his version of GMA? I saw this on mediabistro under the On the Move section.

Anaridis Rodriguez joins The Weather Channel’s new morning show, “America’s Morning Headquarters,” as news anchor. Rodriguez comes from WWLP in Springfield, Mass.

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/category/on-the-move

[gt1racerlHDl]

Is Sam Champion trying to make his show like his version of GMA? I saw this on mediabistro under the On the Move section.

Anaridis Rodriguez joins The Weather Channel’s new morning show, “America’s Morning Headquarters,” as news anchor. Rodriguez comes from WWLP in Springfield, Mass.

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/category/on-the-move

I don't have a good feeling about this, TWC's direction of becoming "News Central" may end up hurting the network in the long run.

[IceManNYR]

The AMHQ set is in the back left corner opposite the main desk.  I believe that is where the green screen used to be and it appears they moved the green screen to the side wall.
http://t.co/OPmmAQ2QEr

To the right of the desk is a video wall and wood floor.
http://t.co/YDwUjQU7j1

Mike tweeted another photo today.
They did move the green screen to empty wall that is to the left of the AM show desk.
https://twitter.com/mikebettes/status/445232202138546177/photo/1

[wxmediafan]

So, who watched "AMHQ?"  I see it's getting a lot of negative feedback on Facebook.  Apparently not much weather?  I only caught the last 3 minutes so I obviously have no opinion on it.

[toxictwister00]

I saw the first 15 mins of the 8am hour and I thought it was ok. I have nothing negative or positive to really say. At least Sam's show is more watchable than WUWA. The only time WUWA is watchable for me is when Al is not there.

Regarding the graphics/show intro, I really do like them. I think it's the best one out of all the shows imo. Theme music is not too bad either.

[IceManNYR]

I can understand why people are complaining.  They have made this to much of a news style AM show than a weather show.
There is no need for a news anchor in studio. In the 9am hour the B, D & E blocks had no forecast segments.
It's the Weather Channel and the show needs to be much more about Weather as less like GMA or Today.
Also in the 9am hour Mike and Sam did the forecast segments while Maria just sat in her chair with everyone else.

WCL is not back in the main studio today. They are still using the smaller 1C.
Kelly Cass said it might a few weeks before WCL is back in the main studio.