Bloomberg reports that ratings are down 20% over three years, and with the sort of programming they continue with, such as this lame “forecast from 2050” with Sam Champion and go-to storm chaser guy Jim Cantore, where in a CGI based forecast, he laments rising sea levels while standing in fake water.
Here is the fake forecast video, sponsored by the World Meteorological Organization (part of the U.N.):
It doesn’t look like their ratings and viewers will rebound any time soon, much like global warming itself, which is now in an extended pause that may last as long as 30 years.
Bloomberg reports:
DirecTV dropped the Weather Channel for about three months earlier this year after failing to come to an agreement about how much the network should be paid in affiliate fees. The Weather Channel agreed to cut back on its reality programming to include more local weather updates when DirecTV agreed to a new deal in April.
…
DirecTV, with 20 million subscribers, had pushed for a reduction of more than 20 percent in the fees it pays the Weather Channel, which had asked for an increase of 1 cent a month per subscriber.
The Weather Channel, based in Atlanta, averaged 13 cents a month per subscriber in 2013 and in 2012, according to estimates from researcher SNL Kagan. It averaged 214,000 daily viewers in 2013, down from 264,000 in 2011, according to data provided by Nielsen.
Maybe “Fat guys in the Woods” (yes that is really a TWC show) will save them:
Bloomberg also mentions that “the companies that own The Weather Channel—including Bain Capital, Blackstone, and NBC Universal—appear to be in the beginning stages of talks to sell the Atlanta-based weather behemoth”.
The billion dollar question is: who would buy it? NBCUniversal bought TWC in 2008 for about $3.5 billion. They’d be lucky to get half of that today in a sale, and any potential buyer would be even luckier to see any profit from it after the sale. Maybe Al Jazerra?
I used to watch the Weather Channel multiple times a day, especially when a storm was near, but after NBC bought them the programming has gotten near useless.
Now, when there is a storm, there will be a program on Alaska or the Coast Guard on the Weather Channel.
Here in the Baltimore-Washington corridor, there is a 24/7 channel on XFINITY covering only local weather that has the Weather Channel logo. WUSA (ch9) in DC has the most accurate forecasts, though. They also have a channel that gives national forecasts a la TWC but none of the silly programming. WUSA also has a weather app with up to the minute radar images and forecasts. Don’t know if it’s useful outside of the corridor.
TWC still has an overabundance of “reality” programming, but it seems to have grown an info bar at the bottom of the screen with local weather programming. Still bad, but better. I prefer the secondary digital channel from the local CBS station. It has continuous simulated weather radar and other wx related info about 22 hours a day.
Seems to me that TWC lost track of its audience at some point. TWC viewers for the most part want information and are willing to tolerate some commercials to get weather information. If they were looking for entertainment, they’d be tuned to some other channel.
The shock value of global warming grows weak when the common viewer knows that the climate porn of burning to a crisp that is being pushed hasn’t been true for almost 2 decades. So, the viewers are going elsewhere seeking their “shock and awe” thrills from something else.
I’m not at all sure that the “common viewer” does know that. Everyone I talk to, it’s a surprise.
As the shock value of global warming grows weak they have turned to freezing temps as a sure sign of global warming. Yet these fools thing we have forgotten what they earlier said about snowfalls and warmer winters.
I hope AlGorzeera, the Qatar oil funded TV channel, do buy them up.
Correction
“Yet these fools think we……”
Subject: The Weather Channel 2050 Climate Forecast. How I responded to them a few days back.
I think it is arrogant and wrong.
Let’s look at the current trends in the state of the climate and address each topic.
TOPIC 1 – Hurricane Activity and Sea Level Rise
Hurricane activity on a global basis is trending down (look at the Ace Index) while sea level rise is neutral at best.
TOPIC 2- Heat Waves in Chicago
The number of days of temperatures above 90 (heat waves) has been decreasing over the last several decades. The 1930’s decade being the hottest(most heat waves) and driest for the U.S.A by far. In addition forest fire area coverage (acreage) is currently near record lows and the global temperature trend for 18 years and counting has not risen.
TOPIC 3- Drought in the U.S.A
Nothing in contrast to the 1930’s . Look at the Palmer Drought Index. In addition world wide drought data shows a zero increases in all the various drought categories or levels since 1980 to the present. Also past data clearly shows a direct correlation between the phase of the PDO and drought or lack of drought conditions in the S.W. U.S.A .
TOPIC 4 – Arctic Sea Ice Will Be Gone
Arctic Sea Ice has s been shown through data to be tied to the phase of the AMO. In addition Antarctic Sea Ice is at record highs, while the Arctic Sea Ice decline has ended post 2007.
MY FORECAST GOING FORWARD
Less hurricanes, less tornadoes ,no sea level rises, no mega S.W. U.S.A drought , less heat waves and more cold waves as the global temperature trend going forward will be down.
Here is what the IPCC has to say about mega droughts in the USA west of the Mississippi. The US suffered worse droughts during times of lower co2 in the atmosphere. They really are growing desperate. Other references for US droughts and mega-droughts during the Holocene.
No wonder these guys hate us sceptics.
As a general principle, I avoid supporting propagandists anytime I can. So, when I saw that the Weather Channel was engage in deceit and lying over CAGW I stopped watching them altogether. But, on the other hand, I have hardly watched any TV over the last 15 years so I guess they will not miss me much. If the wife did not watch TV (she listens to the Jazz channel mostly), I would get rid of cable outright.
I get my news on sites like this one.
We got rid of cable over a year ago – we don’t miss it.
On the other hand, I thought somebody could make good money creating a weather channel that gives the weather, a history channel that show history shows and a music channel that plays music videos.
DirecTV channel 351 is Weather Nation. A 24/7 weather-only channel.
Oops, 361.
To “On the other hand…”
So true! (and so sadly funny)
what a concept! Why we could have a Discovery Channel that features programs about important scientific discoveries, or a News Channel featuring actual news, or a public broadcasting channel showing truth-based items of interest to the public. If this gets started there’s no telling where it could go.
We just got rid of cable completely as well.
Amazed at how quiet the house has become without the loud ads and loud political arguments.
Also missing are the silly TV shows of no interest to anyone around here; programming I am forced to pay for under the cable TV model of doing things.
I asked the cable TV guy why they couldn’t just allow me to pay for what I want to watch? Well, we just can’t do that. OK, then I won’t pay for something I don’t want. And it was getting expensive.
We now check out movies from the library, for free. These include old TV series we find entertaining. Again, no ads.
I believe we are witnessing the end of cable and satellite TV networks. The model is falling apart because they offer no choice at a very high price. People want internet connections to content producers who actually produce something worth paying for. Wait until the NFL, NBA, and other sports content providers have their own channels on the internet.
I can pay $2.50 for the one game I want to catch.
Or I can just go down to the bar for the occasional football game.
How long do you think a restaurant would last with menus following the cable TV model?
Let’s see…
Meal one:
Two drinks.
Appetizer (very expensive one.)
Large lobster salad.
Huge meal.
Huge desert.
No choice.
“Could I just have a small salad and iced tea?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Our produce providers will not provide produce unless we also get pies, cakes, steaks, lobster, etc.”
“OK I’ll just go home.”
What Weather Channel has done is fail to provide what the audience wants. They really don’t want propaganda, they want the local weather. Even those who believe the propaganda. When my wife observes my reaction to the Weather Channel, she worries about my blood pressure.
“Why do you watch it?”
Good question. Now we have the answer.
Weather Underground.
Just facts please.
My life’s work is in ruins. My heart aches.
Sorry John. I still appreciate your forecasts and honesty here in SD. I remember you and your wife? had a cart at the West Student Commissary at SDSU when I was going to school there in the 90s, you still there?
maybe you should buy it back for 2 cents on the dollar and fix it. (or hire it fixed).
Keep up the good fight, John. You’re a hero to many of us…
I feel for you! As an Atlanta resident, I once took pride in TWC. I turned it off for good a couple of months ago when I saw a prime time show claiming there was a correlation between tornados and bigfoot and UFO sitings! How sad!
“My life’s work is in ruins. My heart aches.”
I join you in the heartache and pain. But it is TWC that is in ruins, not you, who made it great. Thanks for all the good work!
John, it has to be tough to watch this crap. I used to love the Weather Channel particularly when we moved to Colorado over 20 years ago and had to stay on the alert. I don’t know what they think they are doing. It’s funny to watch to a degree but the joke is getting old. I haven’t looked at the WC for weather, or anything else, in years. Hey like the guy said above, buy them back when they go tits up, get back in the saddle, and make it what it should be. I am sure there are some young guns out there who would follow your lead.
I hold you in the highest regards for being brave and speaking truth Mr. Coleman.
It pretty sad when other do that to you, come up with a winning formula, and someone always knows better. The scifi channel suffered the same fate I think when it statred showing, was it wrestling… oh and cancelled startgate universe! You can cut cost, but only so far that the product quality doesn’t suffer, and no more.
For what its worth, if you want to start over I could lay a killer concept on you!
I feel for you john. I applied for my first job after graduation from The University of Michigan in 1981, at TWC, when you guys were getting everything together but was told you only wanted meteorologists with experience.
It worked out great because you hired Dale Dackus, who had been working in Cincinnati at WLWT and “Weather Scene” and they hired me to replace Dale.
In 1985(you were gone then I think), when I was at WEHT, TWC offered me a job doing the midnight shift and I decided to stay here in Indiana for my wife/family.
Ended up being a good choice but in the 1980s into the 90s, it was at the top of my list for best jobs……..working with so many other meteorologists and sharing info
John, it wasn’t in vain. I loved the Weather Channel in the early days. It was innovative and informative and featured real meteorologists and great forecasting. Then some execuitive decided the viewers weren’t sticky enough with just weather and they went full tilt into infotainment instead. Nowadays, it’s infotainment mixed with Heidi Cullen style propaganda, which is even worse.
The last straw for me was proably 15 years ago when I was trying to time a trip north and needed to see the forecast on a storm moving into the southeast. Unfortunately, the Weather Channel was running some show with P. Allen Smith bleating about holiday greenery or some such and after an hour or so, I gave up. It has been well over a decade since I watched TWC other than when I was stuck in a hotel room or in passing in an interstate welcome center. I’m always amazed that it’s still on. Lots of far better online alternatives these days.
John, you are an Icon, and your good work is you. So please enjoy the breeze, and do not let the wof dampen you spirit. (wof = wall of fog for those not familiar with a John Coleman weather forecast.
Metaphorically CAGW is certainly a wall of fog over science.
John, I’m sure it does pain you to see what’s become of the Weather Channel. I’ve watched you since I was a kid. So, your “life’s work” lives in many of us here, John! I remember your forecasts along with your great sense of humor. You’ve done so much for so many, John. Thank you!
John, your life’s work is thriving and growing right here. Do you think all of these people would be on this site if it hadn’t been for you? You made people aware of the world around them–and we are now changing that world. Bear up, we are winning. TWC is losing, as is Climate Central and RealClimate. Like we all do, look at the numbers!
Cheer up John. My 12 year old knows who John Coleman is, he runs his own weather station in our back yard, and he knows the Global Warming theories are total crap. Surely, that counts for something.
Can you be specific? Here is one very specific climate problem that I have. It concerns the warm “bump” of global temperature they all show from 1940 to 1945 which is purely imaginary. What really happened was a catastrophic temperature drop in 1940 just as World War II was getting under way. It is simply not mentioned anywhere. It is quite likely that you have never heard of the battle of Suomissalmi that was fought in the winter of 1940 at minus 40 degrees Celsius. That was in the Finnish Winter War when Russia attacked Finland after making a pact with Hitler. In this battle the Finns completely destroyed two Russian divisions that were attempting to cut Finland in two, captured their tanks and ammunition too. All official temperature curves show this period as a global warm peak. Or, has anyone wondered how it was possible for German tank engines to freeze during the battle in front of Moscow? These facts are well documented in history books but they fly in the face of so-called climate “science” we.are asked to believe. It is true that the warm peak is shown to be followed by steep cooling but the climate charts have it all wrong: their cooling happens after 1945 when the war was over. These so-called “scientists” are even more clueless than you can believe because now they blame that cooling on aerosols from war production which actually followed the real thing.
No. What you did was of value. What you still do is of value.
When TWC had your name on it, it was of value. Your name is no longer on it.
Your legacy is what you did and do, not what others have done with what you did.
Isn’t it about time we stopped talking about “the Pause” and started talking about “the Cessation” ?
To call it a “pause” requires unwaivering faith in the models, depite their continued failure!
or a very long timeline. Someday it will be hotter.
I prefer “Unforeseen Cessation”. More accurate, IMHO.
Actually I’m in favour of calling it ‘The Peak’. It’s short, catchy, and makes the message very clear. Thoughts?
How much are the other TV channels down over the last three years?
There is this new thing called the Internet that provides new competition.
Exactly. I haven’t watched TWC in years, but I do visit their webpage several times a day for local weather.
Like ESPN’s score ticker scrolling across the bottom of the screen, the Weather Channel is losing to the internet.
IIRC, the ratings are expressed in % of all viewers actually watching something, so if all stations fall due to overall fewer viewers, the % will not change for each. The 20% value here seems to indicate market share; IOW, their slice got smaller, while (supposedly) the pie itself (market) got smaller.
Yup, now one can get their forecast instantly via mobile device, whereas 20 years ago Local on the 8’s was a great service. The internet killed that model and TWC had to adjust in some way. If they were showing weather maps the last 3 years, their ratings would have declined anyway. Probably more, but we can’t know that for sure.
Last year, I had to “overnight” in a motel near Indianapolis, Indiana. I sure coulda used a weather forecast that night, I had already had to dig my van out of soft snow and needed to learn if more was on the way before morning. So, of course the Weather Channel, dependable as always, had an all-night “Freaks of Nature” marathon. Not a break for local weather all night. Not on the 8s like they used to do, not at the top or the bottom of the hour, not any. Just “Freaks of Nature” all night long. In the morning, one of the local stations finally came on with a local forecast. TWC was useless as a screen-door on a submarine all night long.
Now, the funny thing about it is that about this time, TWC was having a problem with Dish Network, which stopped carrying their programming. TWC warned us repeatedly that Dish was endangering us by not carrying their up-to-the-minute weather forecasts. Uh…… riiiiiggggghhhhhht. I’m sure missing “Freaks of Nature” endangered everybody who had Dish Network. For the rest of us– if we wanted up-to-the-minute forecasts, we had to go somewhere else because TWC simply wasn’t doing that.
About that night: As it happens, it didn’t snow any more that night, and the roads, though still atrocious, at least didn’t get any worse. I was able to make the delivery I was scheduled to make on time.
Weather? There’s Weather Nation. A bit rough and looks like a work in progress, but at least it is what it is … weather.
As for TWC … a better option would be Syfy.
For news these days i follow only the accredited Agency feeds, Al Jazeera and Russia Today PLUS a few trustworthy blogs that have stood the test of time and rational thinking, such as this one.
For the weather I look outside at the sky and consult my trustworthy thermometer, marine barometer and bit of rope – in unabashed Will Rogers style.
Not for nothing, but hasn’t TV viewership (especially pay cable and satellite TV) been dropping for the past few years? There’s plenty of competition for eyeballs from Internet based options, like Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, etc. And on the weather info front, there are almost too many ‘net based options to count.
Anyone believe the weather channel will even be around by 2050?
TWC will be in a significantly different format or gone by 2017. A weather channel devoted to actual weather will fill the void TWC has created by trying to become the MTV of weather/climate.
Well MTV hasn’t played much music for quite a while, so a weather network without weather is right inline.
What a morbid fantasy, their forecast from the future 2050, an insult to even the average Joe out there.
The best part of weather channel is the page on the website where you can see the current surface weather map. Careful of the forecast pages, however.
Typical warmists. They keep piling on the alarmism even though it plainly doesn’t work, and actually turns people off. Anyone in the mood for throwing up should take a gander at the global warming blog over at AccuWeather…Stupefyingly mindless.
If I owned TWC, I would turn it into a bastion of skepticism. I’m virtually certain ratings would improve. Current ownership just can’t see it.
To reply to my own comment, all they have to do it compare traffic on the skeptical Internet blogs with the likes of the ludicrous Skeptical Science. Propaganda is nothing if not boring.
Maybe there’s an angel investor out there who could give John Coleman the money to buy it back, that would be poetic justice 🙂
Very difficult to give any credibility to an organization that prattles on about “Extreme Weather”,
Force of nature and endless propaganda, yet can’t produce an accurate 3rd day forecast.
I keep wondering as I change the channel, has any of these paid actors ever been outside?
Out in a real storm?
I mean really, wetting ones self over blowing rain or snow in a North American winter…weak, pathetically weak and their apparent contempt for the intelligence of the viewer seems to have no limit.
Who do they see as their market?
Persons who have never left the integrated Apartment tower/Mall?
People should just get their weather info off internet sites now.
Every time I turn on the Weather Channel they won’t run the weather. Kinda makes them useless…
Too many irrelevant programs with too much propagandizing.
I like the way they artificially aged Ban-Ki Moon to his 2050 looks.
What’s the rating success on cable? Fox. Why? Well, blonds with big knockers sure didn’t hurt.
Knockers? I haven’t heard that since they became hooters! LOL
Expat, what makes you associate Ban Ki-Moon with boobs? The two o’s in his name?
Is he Emperor of the World by then?
( I didn’t watch it. I couldn’t watch it.)
TWC was a real weather resource, John Coleman an inspiration.
I hope it gets taken over by some common-sense enterprise.
That channel needs to get back to its roots… beautiful young women giving weather reports. Now that was a recipe for success.
I turned off after seeing the Jim’s trousers were wet to his crotch before cutting over to him but only just above his knees after the cutover (at 0:53). Continuity, anyone?
Also, how come they had not been building levee banks or other structures to stop the flooding as the sea level rise would have occurred gradually over 50 years rather than from one year to the next . Did they not notice this 10, 20 or 30 years ago?
The fool that calls them an idiot is no drongo
Exactly, look how low that flooding was , I’m sure that technological marvel “a pile of dirt” along the coastline would have kept his undies unsoiled.
TWC has really tanked, but they are no TLC!!!
I used to like the weather channel. I would have it as background music. One of the great things about it was that you could see the weather coverage. Now, not so much.
I think their new show “Weather forecasts post sky-falling” is so awful that I cannot watch it long enough to be appalled at the propaganda aspect of it, if any. At least I like the fat guys show, except for the sap-fest last 3 minutes of every show.
Next it will be “Weather forecasts for bridezilla”. Watch and learn.
Dont even joke about ALgore Jazerra buying it.