DirecTV vs Weather Channel

The Weather Channel (TWC) has recently launched a campaign against DirecTV, as the satellite broadcaster will be dropping them from their lineup this week if the two cannot come to an agreement over a new contract.  DirecTV recently added a new weather mogul, WeatherNation, and took a direct shot at TWC by placing them right next to the long standing weather entity in their channel lineup.  The following is an excerpt taken from a  piece by the LA Times:

“DirecTV recently added a channel called WeatherNation, which is also in the forecasting business but does not have the size or brand equity of the Weather Channel. It placed WeatherNation right next to the Weather Channel on the channel lineup, a move that irked Weather Channel executives and was seen as a negotiating ploy.

“Customers will continue to get round-the-clock hard weather news, free of any interruptions from reality TV, on Weather Nation,” DirecTV said.

The line about reality TV was a dig at the Weather Channel’s efforts to broaden its programming beyond straight weather with shows such as “Highway Thru Hell,” described as “a series about man versus Mother Nature,” and “Breaking Ice,” about ships that travel through ice-covered waters.”

I have no dog in this fight, but it seems TWC’s focus on “Reality TV” and choice of shying away from real-time weather coverage has finally bit back.  According to DirecTV, TWC airs reality tv or taped programming ~40% of the time now.  Aside from that, their bold decision to start naming winter storms hasn’t gained them any fans in the weather community, which has caused nothing more than a huge headache for those of us involved in providing weather information.  Don’t believe me?  If you could take a look at my e-mail inbox from normal, everyday viewers of this blog, you would understand the confusion.  

I would like to make it clear that I have nothing against any of the personalities or behind-the-scenes employees at TWC.  This is not their fault.  Those higher up made these questionable decisions that they are forced to carry out.

TWC  can attempt to be what they once were, and I would love nothing more than to see them return to more actual weather coverage.  The type of coverage I grew to love through the 1990s as a kid.  They have professionals who are able to provide important information, so why not use them more often?

One thing is for sure…I’ll be keeping my DirecTV service whether they continue to offer TWC or not.