The Weather Channel (TWC) is a pay TV channel owned and operated by the Allen Media Group. Originally, it was launched as a 24-hour weather channel and initially used to offer 24/7 weather forecasts.
However, over the years, the channel has undergone several programming changes (and even changes in ownership), which has greatly affected the content offered. Below is a detailed story of the Weather Channel over the years.
A brief of the history of the Weather Channel
The Weather Channel was founded by John Coleman (a TV meteorologist who worked as ABC’s chief meteorologist) and Frank Batten (the president of Landmark Media Enterprises, the channel’s first owner).
The channel officially launched on May 2, 1982. It used to provide local and regional weather forecasts with information from the National Weather Service before moving its operations onsite to its headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
When did the Weather Channel introduce original programming
TWC started adding programming to its 24/7 weather forecast format soon after it was launched. Initially, the additional programs were educational weather segments, such as the Meteorological Minute, one-minute vignettes to educate the public
The one-minute later turned into 1-hour segments featuring various popular weather events. Then, in the 1990s, the channel launched the show The Weather Classroom, consisting of 30-minute programs covering various weather topics.
In 2001, The Weather Channel launched the Storm Week series, a program covering intense weather events. This was followed by another program, Storm Stories, the channel’s first primetime TV show, which covered famous severe weather, the survivors, and their stories.
TWC continued to add to its original programming with shows such as When the Weather Changed History, Weather Ventures, Wake Up With Al, Twist of Fate, Storm Riders, Pyros, Ice Pilots, and more.
The Weather Chanel ownership change
In 2008, The Weather Channel changed ownership for the first time after NBC Universal purchased it alongside private equity firms Bain Capital and The Blackstone Group.
In 2015, IBM acquired The Weather Company (which owned the channel) and several of its assets. However, the cable network itself was not acquired, so TWC continued to be owned by NBC Universal.
In 2018, The Weather Channel (except for assets sold to IMB) was acquired by Entertainment Studios (now Allen Media Group).
During the change of ownership period, TWC underwent several changes, such as laying off several staff members. Another major change was phasing out the original long-form programming, with the network reverting to its weather forecast-focused programs.
Why did The Weather Channel phase out its original programming?
In 2015, The Weather Channel announced that it would be removing most of its original non-weather-related shows from its program.
One major reason for this shift was the growing discontent of TWC fans. Many loyal viewers felt the network was no longer true to its roots.
In a memo, the channel explained:
“Our most passionate fans come to us for the weather and the science behind the weather, not our original shows.”
In addition to the viewers’ discontent, the channel faced stiff competition from other networks, leading to major contract losses.
For example, in 2014, DirecTV dropped the channel from its lineup in favor of its service, Weather Nation. In addition Verizon dropped TWC in 2015 in favor of rival service AccuWeather.
TWC expansion to a streaming service
Another major change to the channel was the expansion into the streaming space with the launch of The Weather Channel TV app in 2022.
The app offers a direct-to-consumer subscription-based streaming service of the channel’s content.
TWC app allows users to access current and past original shows on demand. It also offers 24/7 weather alerts and updates, a local forecast, and real-time weather maps.
The app is available on major streaming platforms like Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Vizio, Samsung TV, and Android TV.
What programs are still available on the Weather Channel?
As of 2024, TWC offers weather-focused programming. It primarily focuses on weather forecast news programs, such as America’s Morning Headquarters, Weather Unfiltered, Pattrn, and Weekend Recharge.
However, TWC also airs long-form (weather-related) shows such as Deadline to Disaster, Highway Thru Hell, Prospectors, Strangest Weather on Earth, So You Think You’d Survive, Uncharted Adventure, and more.
Channel fans can enjoy related services like the on-demand streaming app.
The channel also has a sister channel, Local Now, which offers local forecasts, traffic reports, news local news on a 24/7 loop. The service is available on various OTT streaming services.