The Weather Channel ramping up for HD
by Ben Drawbaugh 
posted Apr 27th 2007 at 6:39PM
The Weather Channel is investing $50 Million to convert their on-screen graphics to HD and to build a new studio in Atlanta for HD. They will break ground on the new building on May 2nd and it should be completed by January. Interestingly, DirecTV will add the TWC in HD in September, but will upconvert everything until the new studio is complete -- there's another one of those 100 HD channels -- and eventually when all of their programming is HD, they will down-convert the HD feed for those who don't have HD by then. No word on cable carriage yet, but they say they are getting a "positive reaction" from the cable companies.
Filed under: Cable, Satellite, New content
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
belcho @ Apr 27th 2007 7:56PM
Not interested at all. I would rather see EVERY other channel in HD before this one.
Michael @ Apr 27th 2007 8:08PM
That is a really stupid way to look at this. If a channel with something as simple as weather-related programming is willing to upgrade itself to HD, then that only means higher-rated channels will be more inclined to make the switch as well. It's not like there's a humongous demand among Americans for channels and programming in HD (let's hope that changes in the near future), especially for channels like the Weather Channel, so it seems to me these programmers are making the changeover more on their own volition in anticipation of the future. Regardless, we should be applauding them for moving ahead towards the future to encourage further switchovers, not sighing and saying "we really don't care."
Steve Shickles @ Apr 28th 2007 12:04AM
Maybe a new screensaver for the HD TV while I am in another room.
Michael @ Apr 28th 2007 2:20AM
Just imagine trying to get a live shot out from an HD Truck in 140 mph winds :)
I am studying meteorology in school, and have friends that work there...From what I hear when they are not in 16x9 mode, the "wings" will have all local weather information on them. Should be interesting to see how they do it.
riverside_guy @ Apr 28th 2007 12:35PM
Actually, widescreen is something very useful for things like maps.
Some of the movies on the premium channels are shown in widescreen SD (no, not TNT's distort-a-vision) and lemme tell you, that ain't bad.
Kyle @ Apr 28th 2007 1:04PM
What a waste of valuable HD channel bandwidth. Why do I need to see weather charts in HD?!
Jeff N. @ Apr 28th 2007 1:46PM
Our local station does weather in HD. It's pretty impressive. 3D Doppler looks great in HD.
ryan10ad @ Apr 28th 2007 4:27PM
Now we canfinnaly see if we are getting rain, or the next town is.
DStroyer @ Apr 30th 2007 9:14PM
For those who don't know... The Weather Channel isn't just weather maps and temperature readings 24 hours a day. Several of their evening hours are devoted to longform weather-related programs (shows about the top 100 weather stories of all time, shows about extreme weather conditions, etc.) which will surely look beautiful in HD ...Lots of outdoor scenery shots, since that IS where weather occurs :-) With the "action-packed" way those programs are being filmed now, and having them in HD, The Weather Channel is sure to pull in new people who never watched the channel before.
Also I just got Dish Network, and they carry the Voom "HDNews" network, and the maps look wonderful. I'm extremely impressed with the look of the weather segments.
Obviously, we're all entitled to our opinions as far as what we think is a waste of bandwidth and what isn't. I personally think most of the Voom ultra ultra ultra niche channels on Dish are a waste.