This is not your grandfather's weather channel

[Localonthe8s]

Not sure if anyone has seen this article before, but a local Florida news site published an article about TWC's recent changes. It gives some insight to the reasons and plans for all the recent longform on air.
http://www.ocala.com/article/20120320/WIRE/120319666

I didn't post this topic to create yet more complaints with TWC. I just thought it was unusual for their changes to be in a PR.

[toxictwister00]

I was only halfway through the article and the only thing that I could grasp in my head is why don't they just make Roker the Vice President over the programming since they're greenlighting every suggestion he puts on the table and I mean that seriously.

[IceManNYR]

While I understand why they are airing taped programming, there's more ways to get weather on the internet and mobile devices, one statement I don't like in the article is "Eventually, however, the goal is to expand to three hours of entertainment programming in prime time, and also air some of those shows during the day, he said."

Using the current schedule that would mean WCL at 7pm ET,  taped programming 8pm-11pm ET, WCL at 11pm ET and 12-3am  ET taped programming. Would they start First outlook early or air taped programming at 3am ET?

Going three hours between live shows is a big mistake.

I'm ok with the current two hours between live programming.

[twcclassics]

You want to respect the core viewers, but let's invite new viewers into the tent.

Is he kidding? In what way are they showing any respect for their core viewers (which I assume means people who - dare I say it - tune in to hear about the weather)?

James said he worries that weather will become secondary to profit-seeking at The Weather Channel.

Uh, it's been secondary for years.

Eventually, however, the goal is to expand to three hours of entertainment programming in prime time, and also air some of those shows during the day, he said.

And maybe someday that won't have to talk about this silly "weather" thing at all!

[Adrian]

This Article proves that Al Roker has completely ruined TWC with his Long-Form Programs.

TWC's schedule is now like a Normal TV Station's Schedule rather than a Cable Network News' Schedule .

[Eric]

This Article proves that Al Roker has completely ruined TWC with his Long-Form Programs.

TWC's schedule is now like a Normal TV Station's Schedule rather than a Cable Network News' Schedule .

You're right.

[ap215]

I was fearful when this merger was approved that this was going to be the direction by Comcast Bain Capital etc for TWC & that 70% mark explains it all now i guess we can call it "The Weathertainment Channel" now.

Plus i've been a fan of Al since the mid 80's but this quote really irks me.

"The previous management didn't really see the big picture," Roker said. "They didn't think the audience would watch these kinds of shows."

Well um Al could it be the reason why the previous management didn't do all of this compare to what Comcast is doing now is because they actually cared for their core viewers & were focused on doing WEATHER related stories this channel wouldn't exist if it wasn't for them.

[Localonthe8s]

If TWC was never put on sale, this wouldve never happened. Seeing NBC destroy the network each month is  pretty much normal now. I'm just surprised so many people even watch these reality programs. TWN up in Canada doesn't even show longform!

[twcclassics]

If TWC was never put on sale, this wouldve never happened.

You're probably right. Landmark seemed to really care about the integrity of TWC.

[toxictwister00]

There's so much contradictory in that article it makes it more humorous than informal. I won't bother going into details since the parts I'm talking about have already been addressed.

[TWCJim]

Speaking of the elderly, I can't imagine what one old person might saying if they came across long-form programming on TWC. They might be saying, "Hey, where's my weather?!?" I bet almost none of the old people have all the fancy computer and internet technology and smartphones like the younger people do, where they get their weather from nowadays. The elderly would just probably stop watching TWC altogether and just watch something else on the tube. I think the programming director at TWC needs to think about that IMO 

[toxictwister00]

Speaking of the elderly, I can't imagine what one old person might saying if they came across long-form programming on TWC. They might be saying, "Hey, where's my weather?!?" I bet almost none of the old people have all the fancy computer and internet technology and smartphones like the younger people do, where they get their weather from nowadays. The elderly would just probably stop watching TWC altogether and just watch something else on the tube. I think the programming director at TWC needs to think about that IMO 

They're outside of their 18-49 demographic.

[Jake]

It's only a matter of time before The Weather Channel becomes all long-form. Lets just enjoy the live broadcasts while they last.

[TampaMillTWC88]

It's only a matter of time before The Weather Channel becomes all long-form. Lets just enjoy the live broadcasts while they last.

I anticipate that too.

[WeatherWitness]

Is there evidence (and can there be) that TWC has attracted a younger audience with the addition of more long-form and new programs that have nothing to do with weather?  I mean, I can see a 20-year-old watching something like Lifeguard! or Coast Guard Alaska, but certainly not a 70-year-old.  Heck, even my parents think TWC shows too much long-form.

It's only a matter of time before The Weather Channel becomes all long-form. Lets just enjoy the live broadcasts while they last.

Somehow I have faith that this will never be the case.  And I don't know if you mean regularly or "permanently."  We obviously know that TWC pre-empts and goes nuts during hurricane season and some severe weather events, because this makes the ratings soar.