A little harsh, that headline. But still. Remember when cable channels could be described in two words or less? "Weather Channel." "Headline News." "Entertainment and Sports Programming Network." OK, that was four words but it arguably did not allow for "The Junction Boys." Nor did Headline News mean a green light to give Nancy Grace yet another soapbox. But we digress.
The Weather Channel made a presentation to critics today, its first appearance on press tour (I'm told) in its 23-year history, to pitch "It Could Happen Tomorrow." Wait, I feel compelled to put that in the all caps font they use in the logo: "IT COULD HAPPEN TOMORROW"! It kind of yells at you, which is what makes its presence on The Weather Channel so jarring.
But Weather is facing the same problem a lot of legacy cable channels are facing: You can get what they offer pretty much everywhere. So now what? Well, you put entertainment programs on the air to fill the time between storms and keep the Nielsens this side of pathetic.
See the press release on the jump.
During the luncheon they showed critics a clip from the pilot, which it said was filmed in April 2005. The pilot asked: What would happen if a Category 5 hurricane hit New Orleans? You won't see that one on The Weather Channel, for obvious reasons, but you will see: What if a 8.0 earthquake hit San Francisco, 100 years after the 1906 quake. What if a hurricane hit NYC. What if The Weather Channel went commercial-free and replaced all the spots with product placements and sponsor banners so it wouldn't have to pander for viewers with shows like this one?
I had heard they were going to also have Lewis Black on the WEather Channel? Is that true?
And "It Could Happen Tomorrow" sounds like some sort of scare program. I'm scared already, actually.
Posted by: DeAnn | January 13, 2006 at 03:47 AM
Already happened.
http://blogs.kansascity.com/tvbarn/2005/11/the_latest_late.html
Posted by: Mark Jeffries | January 13, 2006 at 01:10 PM