• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

WBZ Accuweather?

B

bg02445

I just saw a quick ID on WBZ-TV which said "WBZ Accuweather..How about that weather."

So, I wonder if they have decided to partner with Accuweather, like WBZ-AM does?

Has anyone heard anything about this?
 
Likely a move similar to what CBS did in Philadelphia, dropping the Weather Channel service to use KYW's own meteorologists, and KYW sportscasters for updates on WIP. Of course, a money-saving move.

Did WBZ-TV use the Weather Channel?
 
DToTheJ said:
Likely a move similar to what CBS did in Philadelphia, dropping the Weather Channel service to use KYW's own meteorologists, and KYW sportscasters for updates on WIP. Of course, a money-saving move.

Did WBZ-TV use the Weather Channel?
Click to expand...

The difference is that, in Philly, WPVI has a longstanding relationship with Accuweather thus shutting KYW-TV out (though KYW radio does use Accuweather). Also, don't confuse TV with radio; the Weather Channel doesn't supply TV weather departments with data and information in the same way that it does for radio. Others fill that need (WSI, DTN/Kavouras, etc.).

In Boston, I see no reason why WBZ could not contract with Accuweather. As far as I know, I believe that such a relationship is fairly involved and would include Accuweather supplying model and forecast information, (potentially) some graphics, and being plugged with each weather segment (e.g. "...the Accuweather forecast is..."). On that level, not only does Accuweather compete with the Weather Channel on the radio, but with WSI and DTN/Kavouras (or whatever it's called now) when it comes to data and graphics for TV.

Personally, I was never impressed with Accuweather's graphics, but the local met can always customize them to work for his/her presentation. WSI (based locally in MA) always seemed to offer the best package for TV.
 
I think Accuweather is trying to get on the map with the young crowd; that's why they let that Jim guy do wahtever he wants and scream about the snow-mageddon and go viral. ;D
 
Terry Elaisen, executive weather producer at WBZ posted the following on the WBZ Beyond the Forecast blog this morning:

On March 29th WBZ-TV launched AccuWeather...you have probably heard an anchor mention it in a toss to one of our meteorologists or perhaps heard Todd, Melissa or Barry say something like "And now for a look at my AccuWeather 7 day forecast..."

We have received several emails and "curiosities" surrounding this launch and I would like to briefly describe to our viewers what exactly AccuWeather means to our weather operations here at WBZ.

First some background on the company Accuweather...AccuWeather provides local and world wide weather information to more than 175,000 clients including major media organizations, businesses, government agencies, and institutions. They have a team of more than 100 meteorologists focused on local weather information and analysis.

WBZ-AM Radio has been a partner with AccuWeather for over 25 years now. No doubt if you have tuned to 1030AM on your way to or from work you have heard their "Accuweather forecast" more than once. And likely are familiar with the name Elliot Abrams, who has forecasted on WBZ radio during the morning drive for decades.

So, while our forecasts on WBZTV will still come solely from our own staff here (Barry, Melissa, Todd, Sarah and Myself), AccuWeather will provide us with a very valuable additional resource. WBZ-TV will be able to use the vast array of AccuWeather indexes including allergy, heat, pollen indexes. AccuWeather will also provide additional online content augmenting the weather news and information available on wbztv.com. We will have access to their meteorologists who specialize in forecasting for other parts of the country when big weather news is happening elsewhere, as well as their many hurricane and severe weather experts.

So, in short, AccuWeather will in no way change or adversely affect our current forecasts, we will still use the same process we have for decades, pouring over all the weather models and debating internally over the forecast. It will simply serve as an additional service to our meteorologists. There to compliment what we believe is already one of the best weathercasts and best equipped teams in the country.
Click to expand...
 
So, basically, they ditched WSI or whoever they were working with and signed a contract with Accuweather. That will result in "the Accuweather forecast" being prominently featured and, perhaps, some freshened weather graphics.
 
BRNout said:
DToTheJ said:
Likely a move similar to what CBS did in Philadelphia, dropping the Weather Channel service to use KYW's own meteorologists, and KYW sportscasters for updates on WIP. Of course, a money-saving move.

Did WBZ-TV use the Weather Channel?
Click to expand...

The difference is that, in Philly, WPVI has a longstanding relationship with Accuweather thus shutting KYW-TV out (though KYW radio does use Accuweather). Also, don't confuse TV with radio; the Weather Channel doesn't supply TV weather departments with data and information in the same way that it does for radio. Others fill that need (WSI, DTN/Kavouras, etc.).

In Boston, I see no reason why WBZ could not contract with Accuweather. As far as I know, I believe that such a relationship is fairly involved and would include Accuweather supplying model and forecast information, (potentially) some graphics, and being plugged with each weather segment (e.g. "...the Accuweather forecast is..."). On that level, not only does Accuweather compete with the Weather Channel on the radio, but with WSI and DTN/Kavouras (or whatever it's called now) when it comes to data and graphics for TV.

Personally, I was never impressed with Accuweather's graphics, but the local met can always customize them to work for his/her presentation. WSI (based locally in MA) always seemed to offer the best package for TV.
Click to expand...

DTN/Kavouras went out of buisness several years ago. They developed a radar and sold it to several stations, the radar never worked and it brought the company down.

The main players in TV weather vendors are: WSI in MA, Weather Central in Madison WI, Baron in Huntsville, AL, and the for the cheaper budgets Accu-Weather in State college, PA.

Interesting side point: WSI is now owned by NBCU which was just bought by Comcast, the same company also owns The Weather Channel and Enterprise radar Co. in Alaabama.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom