What Weather Channel is doing today is literally making me want to punch something. It's the most despicable, manipulative and cynical treatment of an audience that I've ever seen. Even Cartoon Network's lame attempts to add live-action programming were less reprehensible.
Yes, they have more resources and technology and meteorologists and all that. NOBODY is disputing that. When they do provide coverage of breaking news stories, they generally do a very good job. They were indispensable during Sandy.
But they're literally saying LIVES WILL BE THREATENED if DirecTV pulls the network. They're arguing that it's a utility.
If it's a utility, then they have no business airing ANY weathertainment programming, much less devoting 40% of the schedule to it. And up until Saturday, what were they promoting to death? The reality shows. Certainly I don't think shows like "Prospectors" count as public service, do you?
Okay, so maybe WeatherNation offers taped forecasts on a loop, with graphics and staff that aren't as experienced as The Weather Channel. And maybe it isn't an alternative to the "critically important programming". But I'll take a rougher, taped presentation that's available 100% of the time over their critically important service that they only devote 60% of the schedule to.
And they just ran an ad for Highway to Hell, airing tonight at 9. That better not air.
