ITV Weather

ITV Weather is the national and regional forecast shown on UK terrestrial network ITV, and is provided by the Met Office (except the Channel Islands forecast, which is provided by the Jersey Meteorological Department). Bulletins are usually broadcast after every ITV News and ITV regional bulletin.

ITV National Weather

Overview

The national bulletin launched on 13 February 1989, and previously featured the longest sponsorship deal on UK terrestrial TV to date, Powergen (later renamed E.ON) being the sponsor from shortly after the launch until the end of 2007,^[1] when it was revealed that insurance firm esure/Sheilas' Wheels was to replace E.ON as the sponsor of ITV's national weather bulletins (except in Northern Ireland, where it was sponsored by Gocompare.com from January 2008 until December 2009). Most recently (Jan-July 2010) Confused.com have been the weather sponsor (Except in Central and Northern Scotland, where it was sponsored by Specsavers). During August 2010 the weather was shown without a sponsor for the first time since mid-1989. The weather forecast was later sponsored by Topps Tiles from autumn 2010 until December 2010, when The Co-operative Food took over. As of 1 January 2012, the ITV National Weather is without a sponsor.

ITV National Weather bulletins have a duration of about one minute. They are shorter compared to the BBC weather bulletins, due to the fact ITV has to make room for advertisements.

WeatherGens

From 11th November 1996 to 25th October 2001 when Powergen sponsored the weather, they used idents featuring the "WeatherGens" - human portrayals of the weather to show what it would be:

• Norwin: (Actor unknown) Strong winds.
• Frice: (Played by Anton Blake) Frost.
• Shivera: (Played by Jason Wong) Cold.
• Aurora: (Played by Viva Seifert) Sun.
• Brellina: (Played by Kate McGurgan) Rain.
• Crystella: (Played by Abigail Canton) Snow.
• Mirka: (Actress unknown) Fog.
• Cyan: (Played by Ivana Horvat).
• Nimbella: (Played by Angela Radcliffe,) Rain/thunderstorms.
• Helios: (Played by Rodney Charles) Morning mist.
• Florta: (Actress unknown) Light breezes.
• Gilda: (Played by Selina Giles) Sunny intervals.

There were five variations for the Norwin, Gilda, Brellina and Nimbella idents. The WeatherGens were commissioned from London design company Tutssels by Powergen, and they were produced by Lambie-Nairn. Their flamboyant costumes and make-up were put together by the talented Carolyn Corben and Harvey Bertram-Brown of the New Renaissance company, veteran designers of clothes, sets and pop videos. The WeatherGens were massively popular with viewers and gained a cult following online. As of 2011, two children's books have been published about the WeatherGens and a website exists detailing each character, the actors, the books and the making of the idents.

Current forecasters

Former forecasters

• Jo Blythe (2006-2008 on a relief basis, now with ITV Granada)
• Richard Edgar (1992)
• Laura Greene (mid 1990s)
• John Hammond (1996–2003, now with BBC Weather)^[3]
• Alex Hill (1989–1995, now working for the Met Office)
• Robin McCallum (2002–2005, now with ITV London)
• Jon Mitchell (2006-2008 on a relief basis, continues with ITV Yorkshire)
• Angie Phillips (1993–1995, now with BBC Newsline)^[4]
• Chrissie Reidy (2001–2005, now with BBC South East Today)
• Trish Williamson (1989–1990, later became current affairs producer for BBC English Regions - Died in 2007)

Regional Weather

ITV plc

STV

UTV

Channel Television

Notes

• A person marked by * has other positions within the ITV region(s).
• A person marked by ** is also a national ITV Weather presenter.
• A person marked by ~ is not contracted to a particular ITV region but works on a freelance basis.

References

External links