UPDATE: 11/25 I now have word from a reputable source close to TWC that Cullen was indeed part of the layoff. – Anthony
I’ve been following this story since yesterday, but the details kept being somewhat nebulous. Since WaPo has it, I’ve decided it is safe to consider reasonably accurate now. It looks like TWC has ditched their entire environmental unit, and possibly also host Heidi Cullen, who once said:
“If a meteorologist has an AMS Seal of Approval, which is used to confer legitimacy to TV meteorologists, then meteorologists have a responsibility to truly educate themselves on the science of global warming.” “Meteorologists are among the few people trained in the sciences who are permitted regular access to our living rooms. And in that sense, they owe it to their audience to distinguish between solid, peer-reviewed science and junk political controversy.” “If a meteorologist can’t speak to the fundamental science of climate change, then maybe the AMS shouldn’t give them a Seal of Approval.”
Needless to say, I and many other current and former TV meteorologists took exception to the issue. I posted on it almost two years ago here.
TWC’s Heidi Cullen
From the Washington Post: (h/t to Jason Samenow)
NBC Fires Weather Channel Environmental Unit
Some on-camera meteorologists also let go
*A very cold evening: PM forecast update*
NBC Universal made the first of potentially several rounds of staffing cuts at The Weather Channel (TWC) on Wednesday, axing the entire staff of the “Forecast Earth” environmental program during the middle of NBC’s “Green Week”, as well as several on-camera meteorologists. The layoffs totaled about 10 percent of the workforce, and are the first major changes made since NBC completed its purchase of the venerable weather network in September.
Keep reading for more on The Weather Channel cuts…
The layoffs affected about 80 people, but left the long-term leadership of the network unclear, according to a source who requested anonymity due to the continuing uncertainty at the station.
Among the meteorologists who was let go was Dave Schwartz, a Weather Channel veteran and a viewer staple due to his lively on camera presentations. USA Today reported that meteorologists Cheryl Lemke and Eboni Deon were also let go.
The timing of the Forecast Earth cancellation was ironic, since it came in the middle of NBC’s “Green is Universal” week, during which the network has been touting its environmental coverage across all of its platforms. Forecast Earth normally aired on weekends, but its presumed last episode was shown on a weekday due to the environmentally-oriented week.
Forecast Earth was hosted by former CNN anchor Natalie Allen, with contributions from climate expert Heidi Cullen. It was the sole program on TWC that focused on global climate change, which raises the question of whether the station will still report on the subject. Cullen’s future role at the network is not known.
By Andrew Freedman | November 21, 2008; 5:00 PM ET
TWC was good when we didn’t all have ready access through the internet to real-time weather data like local radar.
It became bad when it stopped doing weather and took on more of the MTV mode of not actually reporting on weather/providing music videos and more on global warming specials/Paris Hilton’s My New BFF.
On another positive note, World Climate Report has become active again. Pay a visit http://www.worldclimatereport.com/
Two years ago, I wondered at my luck to discover this site; “I was not alone” I thought. Then it went quiet. Idly, I popped over today to discover it has become active again, for a month or so.
It has Patrick Michaels contributing. Worth the time.
What is it about Canadians and climate that makes Canadians so contrarian WRT global warming? Could it be the Canadian climate? Here it is where I live http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/caon0512 … an dit’s still mid-November … grrrrr
Surprising as NBC is a sub of GE – major supplier of wind turbines – ie they have a stake in the green game. I really assumed when they bought TWC that was the whole play – as propaganda arm for their green businesses. Apparently not. Bravo NBC & GE!
I am encouraged by this. I think this is telling. Here’s my interpretation : the average Joe could give a rat’s a** about “climate change” (ie the ratings sucked with current programming) – if they turn on TWC – they want a forecast & weather info. Period. I think it follows that although popular media makes it appear that everyone is on the green bandwagon, the reality is that most aren’t. This is good. Not that I am for trashing the planet – I am just for a reasonable dialog on costs & benefits. If the majority (this is still a democracy) believe the benefits are worth the cost (and of course assuming a legitimate & open debate of the science says there is any benefits at all, in the case of AGW), then that’s the way it goes. But, this whole shove it down your throat, no debate, ad hom attacks if you disagree with me, all politics, no science approach just doesn’t work for me – whether is AGW or any other scientific subject that the average Joe probably cant begin to comprehend.
OK, got to say it, is it getting too cold to keep the hot hoax going?
Does anybody even care about global warming anymore? When surveys are done, global warming doesn’t even twitch the meter. People seem to have figured out it’s just a tax scam, like the tobacco settlement was.
Sit by the river long enough…
Dr. Cullen still has her link with Climate Central, http://www.climatecentral.org/team.html . The site says “Look for our full site coming in 2009” so maybe she’ll be working more with them, whatever they are.
Hey, now Mike Kelly, don’t be wishing for Heidi to come my way. We may be northern rednecks, but were not into that kinda of kinky stuff. LOL
If she did end up here, she’d be rethinking Global Warming pretty fast with a couple Winters under her belt.
Local met said we’re about 4 weeks ahead of schedule for this weather we are having. December, and January are going to get rough around here.
Yah, sure, you bet! Toivo, throw another log on the fire, ayy!
Take off, ayy!
Yah, to the Great White North, ayy.
We already live there, ayy.
Yah, sure, you bet!
Have they run out of money to publicise AGW or What? Don’t tell me that Al Gore has already spent his $300M of propaganda funds???
Bingo Jeff! In a nutshell…Also, Al gore won’t take an official role in The Obama administration. in theory, this would be perfect, with direct contact with the EPA circumvented by executive authority by Obama and immediate access for GOre. But then, hmm, what would be the hangup?..Oh yes , he would have to divulge his personal finaces and his participation in the green venture capital firm that just happened to be held by shearson Leaman and invlved swap credits. BTW I’m a formet Weather channel on air met. You should investigate what we call “The Penn State Mafia” and the connection to Sarbaines of maryland.
OT: from solarcycle24.com
Solar Update
11/22/2008 by Kevin VE3EN at 03:00
The sun remains blank for the fourth day in a row and solar activity will remain at very low levels.
The month of November has a sunspot number average of 6.7. Although being small, this is the biggest average since March and consists of only Cycle 24 activity.
The AOis negative and we have weak la Nina and low solar. Also a west QBO.
The Northeast gets crushed by a three day noreaster next week, after being twenty degrees below normal this weekend. Then , arctic air returns and huge Greenland block inverts and noses down east of Hudson Bay. the entire east Coast becomes vulnerable to a December blizzard. I hope Obama is greeted by blowing and drifting snow, 10 degrees f with a howling northwest wind.
Tom
I wrote an e-mail to the Weather Channel after the Heidi Cullen “if a meteorologist can’t speak to the fundamental science of climate change, then maybe the AMS shouldn’t give them a Seal of Approval” debacle. They never responded and so I stopped watching them on TV and visiting their website. I get my weather forecasts from the internet now anyway, so TWC is largely irrelevant. Plus, with Anthony and WUWT, who needs Forecast Earth??!!
I got zinged a couple of times for quoting the Heidster last March.
I’ll miss Cheryl Lemke..heard she got the ax, too…
Good riddance to Heidi…wasn’t a Forecast Earth fan at all….
http://www.cookevilleweatherguy.com
NBC is losing money because their audience is declining and I am sure their advertising dollars are falling so as a result TWC takes a hit. Their owner GE is also in trouble with poor leadership. I was turned off by Heidi’s droll delivery of balderdash and never watched again!
I wonder if she’s hedging her AGW theology with heavy winter clothing and inspecting possible sled dogs for transportation. She wouldn’t dare purchase a polluting snowmobile.
Think about it folks, Joe 6-pack sits on his recliner, his back sore from shoveling snow… and here’s Heidi yapping about the Earth boiling… up comes the remote and down go TWC ratings.
Hey, Anthony. Another honorable mention for your scrapbook.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/21/the-killer-frost-for-global-warming/
Anthony,
Welcome to 1984.
Once again the financial crisis saves us from AGW nutters; there might be something good to say about all these banking mess after all 😉
Well, the US East seems to be in a cold spell, Western Europe is getting snow. In the flatlands of northern Germany we woke up this morning with 3 inches of snow…last time I recall a snow this early was 18 years ago.
Seems like the table has turned on Ms Cullen. Looks like she’s been on the junk science band wagon, and not us sceptics.
GOOD RIDDANCE to ideologue driven science!
SC 23 speck
on the right side of the sun?
Unfortunately, I don’t believe this action had much to do with people not tuning in for the ACC agenda, as it did with people just not tuning in, period.
As many have posted, they just can’t compete with other sources that are delivered in an “on-demand” fashion, and tailored to a specific individual’s needs. This is the same battle printed media are facing. I’m always amazed when I hear a headline “Readership is down at the ____ Daily Times for the 3rd consecutive quarter!” Of course it’s down. How could it NOT be down, with more and more people turning to the convenience of other sources?
The only reason left for people to tune into TWC is to witness first hand major storm damage. Without that……who cares?
Jim
Is this a sign of the beginning of the end (of AGW alarmism)?
If this report holds up as accurate, this could be a good example of how to unwind from AGW:
Breakup the propaganda groups that inflame and and manipulate public opinion.
Neutralizing the real profiteers, like Gore and Hansen, will be much more challenging.
A good next step would be to do strong looks at why the GISS product is crap.
It could be done as an expose on wasteful government spending.
Another would be to explore how people who are selling ideas can easily manipulate numbers to rationalize to others why what they are selling should be bought.
“Are you bracing yourself for the cold weather?”
http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?sortBy=1&forumID=5687&start=15&tstart=0&edition=1&ttl=20081122134158#paginator
Tell the BBC