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Page updated: November 3, 2022 |
Bumpers were typically shown right before a segment aired, during a segment, or at the bottom of the hour. The first type let viewers know what segment to expect next. The second type let viewers know that a segment would air following a local forecast or commercial break. The third type let viewers know what segments were coming up at the top of the hour. Bumpers varied with some consisting of just a graphics card, while others blended graphics and video.
The Business Travel Forecast was a segment that showed the forecast for 18 cities across the country superimposed upon a graphic symbolizing the city covered. Renamed the Extended Travel Forecast in 1995, the segment was upgraded to show a five day forecast in place of an individual graphic for each city. Depending upon time of day, the set of cities covered in the original Business Travel Forecast varied. During overnight hours, more western cities were featured. Smaller cities such as Little Rock and Oklahoma City were featured in the late 80s.
Throughout 1987 and 1988, The Weather Channel frequently aired forecasts for outdoor events across the country. The forecasts became less frequent after 1988, with most of them only airing during a prime time segment like Headlines or Evening Edition. Some of the events covered in these segments included the Winter Olympic Games, professional sports and holiday themed events such as parades.
Many segments were preceded by their own video intro, such as Skier's Forecast, Tropical Update (in the early 90s), and the Local Forecast (later renamed "Local on the 8s"). Holiday Weekend forecasts also had video intros.
The cornerstone of The Weather Channel and the main reason for its early success. The Local Forecast evolved over time, from simple text overlaying a plain blue or purple screen to text with animated graphics arranged on a template. The graphics became more sosphiticated over time, with a significant change introduced in 1999. Originally, the Local Forecast used forecast data from the National Weather Service/NOAA. The Weather Channel eventually switched to their own forecasts.
On Camera Meteorologists (or OCMs) are the talented people who present the weather to you every day on The Weather Channel. Following their tenure at The Weather Channel, many OCMs went on to other ventures such as local TV affiliates. We cover this on the Former OCMs: Where Are They Now page.
Like most TV networks, The Weather Channel frequently aired commercials for their programs (or segments as they are referred to on this site), a group of programs, and the network in general. The Michelin Driver's Report and Days Inn Five Day Business Planner were synonymous of Weather Channel programming in the late 80s and early 90s.
An array of videos that do not fall within any of the basic categories here. Some focus on broadcasting changes made at The Weather Channel. Others cover some of the banter between the OCMs.
A collection of videos covering many of the programs (or segments) that aired reguarly on The Weather Channel. Segments include the Fall Foliage Report, slope conditions from the Skier's Forecast, and the Year in Review.
In 1987, The Weather Channel aired its first live call-in show called "Eye Of The Storm." The special was such a success that they regularly produced and aired specials or documentaries about weather-related topics over the next decade. The practice was largely discontiuned after that, but there were a few specials in the 2000s.
As the name might suggest, these are segments that were created to help advertise a product for a sponsor. They aired randomly and usually featured a familiar On Camera Meteorologist giving advice that features the product. The relationship with weather was usually weak, but the advice was pretty solid.
Like most TV networks, The Weather Channel had a number of advertisers that received a lot of air time. Included here are some of the more memorable ones (the good, bad, and cheesy).
Station IDs generally aired at 44/45 minutes past the hour. They generally featured video of some kind of natural scene with The Weather Channel logo on top, as well as your cable company, channel number, and (later) Weather STAR id number. The video pieces accompanying the Station IDs were often season or holiday specific.
The first of the three iterations of The Weather Classroom began airing during the fall of 1992. It was taped in the studio and presented by two On Camera Meteorologists. The second version was taped both in studio and on location, and was presented by several teen-aged actors. The third version was also a mix of in studio and on location segments, but was presented by an On Camera Meteorologist.
The Weather Channel has covered a number of big weather events over the years. Sending OCMs into the field became a regular part of The Weather Channel's coverage of major weather events in the late 80s. Weather phenomenon such as hurricanes, blizzards, and tornado outbreaks covered by Jim Cantore and others gave The Weather Channel notoriety. Highlighted here are some of the most memorable ones.
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