The Weather Network
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
| Type | Cable television specialty channel |
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Availability | National |
| Owner | Pelmorex Media Inc. Landmark Communications |
| Key people | Pierre L. Morrissette, President/CEO Paul J. Temple, Sr. VP Regulatory & Strategic Affairs Bryan Bodnar, Director, Programming Mitch Charron, VP & GM - The Weather Network |
| Launch date | 1 September 1988 (as WeatherNow) 1 May 1989 (as current) |
| Website | theweathernetwork.com |
The Weather Network, is a Canadian cable television specialty channel and web site which provides weather information 24 hours a day. The channel is similar to the American Weather Channel, but is owned and operated by a Canadian company, Pelmorex. In turn, Pelmorex is also partly owned by the same company, Landmark Communications, who owns and operates The Weather Channel.
Based in Oakville, Ontario, The Weather Network also operates a French language channel called MétéoMédia. The station also has a separate feed for the Greater Toronto Area, much like MétéoMédia's separate feed for Metropolitan Montreal, Quebec.
Pelmorex employs its own in-house meteorologists to make forecasts and graphical weather products. Pelmorex meteorologists use an in-house technology called Pelmorex Forecast Engine or PFE. Pelmorex also uses a system that can localize weather forecasts for up to 1,200 centres across Canada.
[edit] History
[edit] Early Years (Montreal, Quebec)
The Weather Network began in September 1, 1988 as WeatherNow. In the early years, the station had been noted for the number of technical difficulties since TWN and MétéoMédia shared a single television signal -- The two originally shared an analogue transponder on one of the Anik satellites, with computer-generated local forecasts airing on one while the video feed of a live forecaster or TV commercials aired on the other. The channel gained its present name on May 1, 1989. The two stations ran as separate stations soon after in Montreal.
Local forecasts were generated using the same systems owned by The Weather Channel in the U.S. called WeatherStar. [1] TWN began using its own systems called PMX in 1997 which is still in use today.
The Weather Network launched its web site in 1996.
[edit] May 1998 - November 2005 (Mississauga, Ontario)
On Saturday, May 2, 1998, The Weather Network started broadcasting nationally from its Mississauga studio (1 Robert Speck Parkway, Mississauga, Ontario) after relocating from Montreal. Many new presenters had arrived at this time including Anwar Knight, Kim MacDonald, and Rory O'Shea.
The Weather Network launched its redesigned web site in September 1999, promising users a more dynamic and integrated web experience. New content such as regularly updated severe weather warnings, a national weather map illustrating current conditions, course-specific golf forecasts, ski resort conditions, as well as UV, air quality, and pollen forecasts were incorporated in the new web site. [2]
Late 2001 would mark the point when the network would make a number of significant changes. The 7-Day Outlook would debut on the Local Forecast at the start of the winter season programming.
On March 25, 2002, The Weather Network debuted "Metacast Ultra", a new state-of-the-art weather presentation system which consisted of weather maps featuring more than 1200 local communities, commuter routes and regional highways, animated weather icons, as well as higher resolution weather graphics. [3]
The Weather Network unveiled a newly redesigned website in 2003 that was faster, more localized, and easier to use. The re-designed site would now offer clients the opportunity to produce 'weather-triggered ads.' In addition, clients would now be able to localize their ads by tagging location-specific information onto a particular city or area. [4]
On March 29, 2004, The Weather Network debuted a new 14-day trend outlook as part of the local cable weather package that could be seen every 10 minutes on the 10’s. It provided a two-week look at how the weather would trend compared to normal temperature values and weather conditions for that particular time of year. [5]
In June 2004, TWN took legal action against Star Choice after moving TWN on a new bundle without giving any notice to its subscribers. TWN would try to prevent Star Choice from moving the channel as subscribers would need to pay an additional $7 to watch the channel. In late 2004, TWN made improved Local Forecast coverage, enabling more localized forecasts that would be seen in more centres across Canada.
[edit] November 2005 - Today (Oakville, Ontario)
The Weather Network relocated its headquarters to Oakville, Ontario in November 2005. The local (Toronto) morning show made its debut at the brand new broadcast facility on Tuesday, November 29, while the network's national programming started broadcasting from the new facility on Friday, December 2.
On March 27, 2006, The Weather Network launched an Hourly Forecast, available during the Local Forecast every ten minutes on the tens and online at theweathernetwork.com. The report gave Canadians the expected temperature and sky conditions for the upcoming twelve hours on air and an extended 24 hours online.[6]
[edit] Hourly Programming Schedule
The Weather Network follows a schedule which repeats itself each hour, based on the current season. The spring/summer programming schedule often starts on the last Monday of March. It switches to the fall schedule the day after Thanksgiving, with the winter schedule going into effect on the first Monday of December.
| Mornings | Afternoon | Evening | Weekends |
|---|---|---|---|
| :00 Local Forecast | :00 Local Forecast | :00 Local Forecast | :00 Local Forecast |
| :02 National/Regional | :02 National/Regional | :02 National/Active Weather | :02 National/Regional |
| :06 Long Range | :06 Long Range | :06 Long Range | :06 Long Range |
| :10 Local Forecast | :10 Local Forecast | :10 Local Forecast | :10 Local Forecast |
| :12 Weather News | :12 Weather News | :12 Weather News | :12 Weather News |
| :17 Active Weather | :17 Active Weather | :17 Travellers Forecast/Active Weather | :17 Travellers Forecast/Active Weather |
| :20 Local Forecast | :20 Local Forecast | :20 Local Forecast | :20 Local Forecast |
| :22 Travellers Forecast | :22 Driving Forecast | :22 Weather In-Depth | :22 Driving Forecast/Highway conditions |
| :25 Highway Conditions | :23 Highway conditions | :25 Highway Conditions | :26 Ski Conditions/Weatherwise/Climate Change |
| :28 School-Day Forecast | :26 Climate Change/Weatherwise | ||
| :30 Local Forecast | :30 Local Forecast | :30 Local Forecast | :30 Local Forecast |
| :32 National/regional | :32 National/regional | :32 Regional/Active Weather | :32 National/regional |
| :35 Long Range | :36 Long Range | :36 Long Range | :36 Long Range |
| :38 Cold/Flu Report | :38 Cold/Flu Report | :38 Cold/Flu Report | :38 Cold/Flu Report |
| :40 Local Forecast | :40 Local Forecast | :40 Local Forecast | :40 Local Forecast |
| :42 Weather News | :42 Weather News | :42 Weather News | :42 Weather News |
| :46 Highway Conditions | :46 International Forecast | :46 Ski Conditions | :46 Ski Conditions |
| :50 Local Forecast | :50 Local Forecast | :50 Local Forecast | :50 Local Forecast |
| :52 Travellers Forecast | :52 Driving Forecast/Highway conditions | :52 Weather In-Depth | :52 Driving Forecast |
| :56 Highway Conditions | :57 Feature | :53 Highway Conditions | :53 Highway Conditions |
| :57 Feature | :57 Feature |
[edit] Weather Segments
[edit] Local Forecast
A notable feature of The Weather Network is its useful Local Forecast. On satellite providers, it is simply a two minute runthrough of local weather conditions in various major centres across Canada. It gives viewers the current temperature, wind speed and weather conditions, as well as that same information for the rest of the day and the two days subsequent to that. On cable providers, a comprehensive report for the nearest weather station to the cable head-end is given, from current conditions all the way to two-week forecasts. The Local Forecast occurs "every 10 minutes on the tens".
[edit] National & Long Range Forecast
A detailed analysis of the current weather across Canada including the the weather expected nationwide over the next 5 days. National Forecast airs following the Local Forecasts at the top and bottom of every hour.
[edit] Weather News
Airs at :12 and :42 Minutes after the hour. The segment is a brief coverage of significant weather stories and environmental issues.
[edit] Other Segments - Year Round
- Travellers Forecast
- School Day Forecast (Weekday Mornings)
- International Forecast (Weekday Afternoons and Weekends)
- Weather In-Depth (Weeknights)
[edit] Weather Segments - Spring/Summer
- Pollen Forecast
- Lawn & Garden Forecast
- UV Report
[edit] Weather Segments - Fall/Winter
- Highway Conditions
- Ski/Snowboard Conditions
- Cold & Flu Report
[edit] Special Weather Features
- Weather Wise
- Climate Change
- Weather & Your Home
- Under the Weather
- Pets and Weather
- Facts of Fishing (Summer)
- Golf Tips (Summer)
- Lawn & Garden (Summer)
- Vacation Bound (Winter)
- Ski Safety Tips (Winter)
[edit] Other Weather Services
In addition to its web site, The Weather Network has an e-mail service called WeatherDirect, which sends weather forecasts via e-mail. There is also an e-mail service for Pollen Conditions and Road Conditions. TWN has a text message service which sends forecasts on wireless phones. TWN has a small desktop application that can be downloaded free called WeatherEye, which displays current weather conditions, short term and long term forecasts on the desktop. In 2006 Bell ExpressVu and The Weather Network started an iTV interactive version of The Weather Network, enabling viewers to set their city and view specific forecasts everytime.
[edit] All Channel Alert
Pelmorex has undertaken a project that would create a national warning system called All Channel Alert, similar to the Emergency Alert System in the United States. This system is still awaiting CRTC approval.
[edit] Criticism
The network has gained some criticism for its excessive use of advertising through commercials and forecasts that are brought to you by various companies. There is less time for detailed forecasts and more time spent on advertising. The same problem also occurs in the U.S. based Weather Channel. In the past, there was little to no advertising. The station has also been criticized for putting more focus over the weather in Southern Ontario than the rest of Canada during its national segments, although there have been improvements over the years. The network had also been noted for the number of technical difficulties in the early years when the network and its sister station MétéoMédia shared the same station.
[edit] Current On-Air Personalities
[edit] Weekdays
| Timeslot (All Times Eastern) |
Hosts | CMOS Certified? |
On TWN Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5:00 - 9:00 am | Ross Hull | No | 2005 - Present |
| Carrie Olver | No | 2004 - Present | |
| 5:30 - 9:00 am (GTA) | Karen Johnson | Yes | 2002? - Present |
| Tom Reynolds, Traffic Specialist | No | 1995? - Present | |
| 9:00 am - 2:00 pm | Kim MacDonald | Yes | 1998 - Present |
| Chris Murphy | Yes | 1999 - Present | |
| 2:00 - 6:00 pm | Suzanne Leonard Feliz | Yes | 1999 - Present |
| 6:00 - 11:00 pm | Sheryl Plouffe | Yes | 2000 - Present |
| Chris Scott, On-Air Meteorologist | Yes | 1998 - Present | |
| 11:00 pm - 5:00 am | Anne Marie Sweeney | No | 1999 - Present |
[edit] Weekends
| Timeslot (All Times Eastern) |
Hosts | CMOS Certified? |
On TWN Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6:00 am - 3:00 pm | Chris St. Clair | No | 1996 - Present |
| 3:00 - 7:00 pm | Kevin Yarde (Saturday) | No | 2001 - Present |
| Michelle Leslie (Sunday) | Yes | 2004 - Present | |
| 7:00 - 11:00 pm | Candice Batista | No | 2004 - Present |
| 11:00 pm - 6:00 am |
[edit] Bureau Correspondents
- Kelly Noseworthy (2006—present) (Toronto Bureau Correspondent)
- Oga Nwobosi (1998—present) (Western Bureau Correspondent)
- Shelley Steeves (2000—present) (Maritimes Bureau Correspondent)
[edit] On-Call Presenters
- Anne Gaviola (2006 — present)
- Chris Mei (2006 — present)
- Michelle Jobin (2006 — present)
[edit] Meteorologists CMOS Presenters
Chris Scott is The Weather Network's on-camera Meteorologist. He and six other TWN presenters are members of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (CMOS). TWN has more CMOS based presenters than any other Canadian weather media sources.
[edit] Former On-Air Personalities (In Alphabetical Order)
- Zuraidah Alman - Now Morning News Anchor on CIII (Global) in Ontario
- Allison Annesley - now Daytime Co-Host on Rogers Television Mississauga
- Debra Arbec - Now news anchor at CFCF Montreal
- Gary Archibald - Was CKVR York Region Transit Reporter in September 2006; whereabouts now unknown
- Halina Balka - was fill-in traffic reporter on Good Morning Toronto, now traffic reporter for CFTR 680 News in Toronto
- Nadine Blayney ( ? - December 2, 2005)
- Eramelinda Boquer - now radio personality with CJAD 800 in Montreal, and voice-over artist
- Jane Brown - Now with CFRB 1010 News Anchor on Ted Woloshyn Morning Show.
- Rene Brunet - Former On-Camera Meterorologist until 1998. Now an Environment Canada meteorologist.
- Lianne Castilino - now CFCF sports reporter/anchor
- Frank Cavallaro - now weather presenter at CFCF
- Rina Chandarana - Now weather anchor/reporter for CFPL-TV in London
- Sherrie Claridge - last heard of working for STA Communications in Montreal
- Carla Collins - now stand up comic and Canadian television personality
- William Coulter - Now weather anchor at Global
- Helena DeVries ( ? - June 29, 2006) Now with Shaw Community TV in Calgary
- Camilla Di Giuseppe - Now news reporter for CKY-TV in Manitoba
- Al Dubois - Former gameshow host, and narrator on History Television shows - Now CKMI This Morning Live Weather/Sports Anchor in Quebec
- Lila Feng - Now CNN Asia Weather Anchor
- Rosalie Ferguson (2006) - Former TWN Programming Coordinator as well
- Linda Freeman - Former Good Morning Toronto Host and presenter when TWN was in Montreal
- Liza Fromer - Former Good Morning Toronto Host
- Martine Gaillard - Former Good Morning Toronto Host - Now Rogers Sportsnet Sports Anchor
- Marlene Gerson - now working for Jewish Community Foundation in Montreal, QC.
- Anton Granic - (2003-2005)
- Kim Handysides - current whereabouts unknown, believed to be out of industry and still living in Montreal
- Rob Haswell - Now WITI TV FOX Milwaukee On-Air Meteorologist (formally with WOKR?)
- Steve Jacobs - left to work at CFTO in Toronto; Steve is now the Chief Meterologist at KIII-TV in Corpus Christi, Texas.
- Sandra Jansen - Now CTV Newsnet Anchor
- Carolyn Jarvis - Now news anchor/reporter at CITV in Edmonton
- Carole Jeghers - last seen as an actress (as Carol Clement Jeghers) and author
- Colette Kennedy - last heard of working for WMAR (ABC) in Baltimore, MD
- Anwar Knight - Now CTV Weather Anchor, Actor,Radio Personality
- Les Krifaton - former presenter in both Montreal and Toronto, Western Bureau Correspondent out of Vancouver, and Sea to Sea Host - Now KVVU-TV Las Vegas News Reporter
- Mark Kriski - Now KTLA Los Angeles on-air personality
- Michael Kuss - Now CITY Toronto On-Air Meteorologist
- Jordanna Lake - Now Producer for CBC Weather Centre
- Joe Leone - last heard as radio personality in Montreal
- Dana Levinson - (1998-2000) Last seen as CTV Newsnet weather presenter.
- Neil Mathur - (1994?) Now Humber College Instructor in Toronto
- Marcia MacMillan - Now CTV Newsnet Anchor
- Lise McAuley - current whereabouts unknown
- Jackie Meretsky ( ? - September 18, 2005) - Now NBC Weather Plus Meteorologist
- Kerry O'Reilly - current whereabouts unknown
- Rory O'Shea - Now voice-over actor
- Andy Peplowski - now This Morning Live Host/News Anchor on CKMI in Quebec
- Leianne Pereira - Former Toronto Bureau Correspondent
- Irene Preklet - last heard of as on-air personality at CKVR in Barrie, ON
- Natasha Ramsahai - Former On-Air Meteorologist - Now CBC Newsworld On-Air Meteorologist
- Randy Renaud - Now CHOM-FM Montreal Saturday Evening Announcer and That CHOM 80's Show Host and occasionnally seen at CFCF
- Waub Rice - Former Toronto Bureau Correspondent, now works as freelance writer
- Susan Rogers - current whereabouts unknown
- Gary Ryan - Now Voice-Over Artist
- Christine Schmidt - now known as Christine Crosbie, health specialist for Global Ontario
- Michelle Schurman - Former Maritimes Bureau Correspondent, EarthWatch and Across Canada Host - Now news reporter with CICT in Calgary.
- Tarah Schwartz - now known as Tarah Black; now CFCF News Anchor
- Murray Sherriffs - now news anchor and morning personality on CJFM "Mix 96" in Montreal.
- Cindy Sherwin - now CFCF news reporter
- Scott Simms - Now Member of Canadian Parliament.
- Sonya Singh - Now Global Weather Anchor - Former CHRO Weather Specialist
- Jill Taylor - Now CFTR AM 680 Toronto On-Air Meteorologist
- Kim Taylor
- Gwen Tolbart - now news anchor for WTTG TV in Washington, DC.
- Robin Ward - Former Good Morning Toronto On-Location Reporter, now retired
- Jillian Warry - now known as Jillian Barberie, now at-large TV personality and weather presenter for Fox NFL Sunday
- Elaine Yim
[edit] Former Programs (Before 2002)
- Across Canada
- EarthWatch (East)
- EarthWatch (West)
- Good Morning Toronto
- May 26, 2000 - Show expanded its coverage area to include Georgetown, Acton, Ancaster, Dundas, Milton and Erin
- January 2, 2001 - Debuted with a fresh, new look that included a state-of-the-art cyberset
- 2001:
- Sheryl Plouffe (Anchor),
- Tom Reynolds (Commuter Reporter),
- Rob Haswell (Weather Presenter),
- Robin Ward (On-Location Reporter)
- Morning Report
- Sea to Sea
- This Weekend
- First show debuted on Saturday, March 24, 2001
- Weekend Report
[edit] Former Programs (Before 1995)
- Across Canada
- Good Morning Weather
- Weather of the day
[edit] See also
- The Weather Channel, the American equivalent of The Weather Network.
[edit] References
- ^ "WeatherStar4000 In Canada" [1]
- ^ Press Release - The Weather Network Launches a new web site at www.theweathernetwork.com - "[2]", September 27, 1999
- ^ Press Release - The Weather Network like you’ve never seen it before - "[3]", March 27, 2002
- ^ Press Release - The Weather Network.com takes on a bold new look - "[4]", May 21, 2003
- ^ Press Release - The Weather Network launches its spring programming - "[5]", March 29, 2004
- ^ Press Release - Spring has Sprung at The Weather Network - "[6]", March 29, 2006
