TORONTO—Quickplay has announced that it was involved in “another banner year” of OTT transformation at scale that saw the company involved in the launch of multiple new services for MSG+, YES Network, Pilipinas Live, Allen Media Group's Local Now and The Weather Channel and others.

"What we accomplished in the past year was hands-down an industry record," said André Christensen, CEO and Co-founder of Quickplay. "Our team and our superior architecture were exceptional in driving massive change that accelerated the streaming ambitions of some of the industry's biggest brands, as well as in roadmapping and executing on the next wave of streaming innovation. We have become the No. 1 trusted go-to-partner for Tier 1 sports and entertainment for future-proofing and solving their transformation needs."

The company reported that its cloud-native, open architecture platform supported the simultaneous migration and launch of multiple new Tier 1 services across the globe, while at the same time accommodating significant growth from existing customers. 

The Quickplay platform handled the most complex and diverse use cases in the industry and expedited the ability of customers to future-proof their businesses, reshaping sports and entertainment experiences for tens of millions of consumers around the world, while laying the groundwork for an AI-driven future.

"Architecture matters in OTT: ours is enabling customers to control their own roadmaps and monetization strategies, leading to better business outcomes and time-to-market advantages in delivering innovation to their consumers," Christensen continued. "These architectural advantages have also allowed our customers to set the pace in applying AI marketplace capabilities that enhance customer engagement and drive monetization."

Quickplay also reported that Tier 1 providers such as MSG Networks' MSG+, Rogers Sports & Media's Sportsnet SN NOW, PLDT Smart, Cignal TV, Pilipinas Live, aha, and others are leveraging the platform’s architecture to control their product roadmaps.

Quickplay's architecture helped power the company to multiple awards, most notably a second straight Google Cloud Industry Solution Technology Partner of the Year Award for Media & Entertainment and that Quickplay's latest collaboration with Google Cloud, which debuted at IBC 2023, also provides generative AI-powered consumer engagement, satisfaction, and monetization tools

"In the near future, AI and super aggregation both will be essential to OTT providers' success," said Paul Pastor, CBO and Co-Founder of Quickplay. "Our platform's seamless integration with cloud providers' AI marketplaces and the ability to aggregate video and digital services will enable service innovation and differentiation – defining market winners in the years to come."'

Quickplay will be hosting meetings in its suite at the Aria Resort and Casino at CES 2024 in Las Vegas Jan. 9-12. 

NEW YORK—As advertisers look for new ways to reach consumers with CTV advertising, BrightLine has launched Proteus Experience Engine, a new tech offering that allows streamers to overlay dynamic, interactive, and shoppable moments within shows, films, and sports content outside of traditional ad pods. 

The company also announced that some streaming service providers have already bought into the idea. Launch partners for Proteus XE are Allen Media Group’s The Weather Channel TV app and its Local Now free-streaming app.

BrightLine is pitching the Proteus XE technology as a way for streaming platforms to  revolutionize the advertising experience by seamlessly integrating dynamic, interactive, and shoppable moments directly within content, breaking away from the limitations of traditional ad pods. 

This allows streamers and advertisers to create new and engaging CTV ad experiences beyond those powered by BrightLine's OTT Accelerator suite, the company said. 

“From day one, our mission has been to transform the viewing experience by incorporating advertising that leverages the full potential of new viewing technologies,” said BrightLine president & co-founder, Rob Aksman. “We recognize that ad revenue plays a crucial role in funding diverse and captivating programming, as creating exceptional content often requires substantial budgets. With Proteus XE, streamers now have innovative avenues to engage audiences through interactive and sponsorable enhancements.” 

“By breaking free from the limitations of the traditional ad pod, we have a remarkable opportunity to help agencies and advertisers engage and cater to viewers in ways that align with their viewing preferences,” added Michael Bologna, BrightLine chief accelerator. “Data shows that consumers love to be engaged on their favorite topics and content, which makes our extension into programming itself a huge opportunity. The ability to allow viewers to engage with the content on screen or submit votes during reality and sports programming will revolutionize what’s possible for brands and networks.”

ATLANTA—The Weather Channel will begin giving Vizio customers access to its 24/7 streaming app, expanding the relationship that the weather news and information source has with the TV set manufacturer.

The Weather Channel streaming app offers customizable local weather information and on-demand original programming. It allows subscribers to customize local weather information, live stream news and view on-demand original programming.

Features include:

• Real-time weather observations as well as hourly, daily and weekly forecasts with pressure, wind speeds and other conditions. 
• User choice of up to five favorite locations for easy access.
• A complete suite of full-screen maps for user control. 
• Live radar, satellite, alerts and more.
• Severe weather alerts and future forecasts for subscribers.

“We are pleased that millions of Vizio users now have access to America's most trusted news source,” said Byron Allen, founder, chairman and CEO of The Weather Channel parent company Allen Media Group. “Through this agreement with Vizio, we are able to expand our reach to include millions of Vizio users who can now access personalized weather tracking and best-in-class weather, news and entertainment content on the Weather Channel streaming app.”   

The Weather Channel is offering a seven-day free trial for a limited time to new app subscribers. Viewers who have access to The Weather Channel via their cable and satellite provider can subscribe by authenticating their accounts using their provider credentials.

More information is available on The Weather Channel website. 

ATLANTA—The Weather Channel television network and the Google News Initiative have launched a new SKYFX Camera Network aimed at gathering weather data and visuals that will enhance the network's weather coverage. 

"The SKYFX Camera Network in partnership with Google News Initiative furthers our mission to keep the public informed and prepared on weather conditions and threats across the country," said Byron Allen, founder/chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group, parent company of The Weather Channel. "We take our position as the most trusted news network very seriously and we will continue to innovate and launch new tools that enable us to deliver real-time, critical weather news and information that empowers individuals to take actionable steps to safeguard themselves and their loved ones during severe weather events."

As part of the partnership, which aims to collect better weather data in a time of climate change and global warming, The Weather Channel and Google have joined forces to install advanced weather monitoring devices in multiple locations throughout the country. The SKYFX Camera Network will pair high-end 360-degree video cameras with individual weather stations to collect real-time meteorological data and live streaming video. Footage from the SKYFX Camera Network will be used in the network's weather coverage and will be available on The Weather Channel Streaming App.

The partnership between Google and The Weather Channel builds on Google's strategic relationship with The Weather Channel parent company, Allen Media Group, which already works with Google in a number of areas including YouTube, Google Play, Android Mobile, Google TV, Marketing and Google Cloud.

"This project exemplifies two key principles of Google and our Google News Initiative: using technology to help people all over the world. SKYFX Camera Network demonstrates how a media outlet can develop a technological concept to provide its users with relevant information, as well as a product that will be used for the benefit and improvement of people's lives. We are thrilled to be a part of this project," says Chrissy Towle, director of News Partnerships at Google.

Allen Media Group--parent company of The Weather Channel television network--has named Tony Leadman Executive Director of International Distribution. Leadman is responsible for developing and leading a business unit that will distribute The Weather Channel's hit original programming worldwide.

"Tony Leadman is highly accomplished and respected in the international broadcast industry," said Byron Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group. "With his extensive experience in media, sales and marketing, we are confident Tony will help us achieve our international programming initiatives and goals."

Prior to joining The Weather Group, Leadman was the architect of CTV and Bell Media's international program distribution business. He was responsible for numerous international co-productions, commissions and licensing deals securing millions in annual revenue. Before his time with CTV and Bell Media, Leadman was the Canadian Executive Manager of MGM Studios television division. During his tenure with the MGM Studios, he managed the distribution business and secured the Canadian financing of the hugely popular Stargate SG-1 series as well as Poltergeist.

"The Weather Group ownership and management consist of hugely talented and committed people. I am absolutely thrilled to be part of this team and to spearhead our international plans," said Leadman. "We intend to form partnerships and supply agreements with the world's major broadcasters and producers. It's exciting to be joining a progressive team as The Weather Channel continues to innovate and adapt their primetime programming."

ATLANTA—The Weather Channel television network has announced that it has launched a subscription-based live stream of The Weather Channel Television Network on its updated connected TV app. 

This marks the first time that the network has offered its own direct-to-consumer subscription, significantly expanding access to its weather information at a time when cord cutting has reduced the reach of distribution on traditional cable video services. 

The service is priced at $2.99/month for The Weather Channel's live stream and on-demand library of original programming, as well as interactive features such as local forecasts, 24/7 weather alerts, real-time maps and radars. 

Viewers who have access to The Weather Channel via their cable and satellite provider can receive the same upgrades for free by authenticating their accounts using their provider credentials.

"This is a huge step for The Weather Channel television network, as we expand access to our best-in-class weather news and entertainment content," said Byron Allen, founder/chairman/CEO of The Weather Channel parent company, Allen Media Group. "Our upgraded app allows subscribers to tailor their TV viewing experience to their location and needs. As many regions in the country prepare for the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, it was very important to launch this new app experience to ensure that our life-saving weather information is available to everyone, 24/7."

The Weather Channel CTV app is currently available on Amazon Fire TV and Android TV and will be coming soon to Roku, Samsung Smart TV, Vizio, and Xfinity Flex. 

NEW YORK and ATLANTA—CBS News is teaming up with The Weather Channel to offer enhanced weather news and information to its viewers, the two companies announced today. 

The Weather Channel will provide its Emmy Award-winning Immersive Mixed Reality (IMR) technology to give CBS News viewers a "Virtual View" into American communities' weather conditions. Originating from TWC’s Atlanta studios, its IMR technology allows viewers to visualize future weather forecasts—to see how snow, rain, floods or tornadoes can affect a community before the conditions arrive. The partnership also draws upon live reporting from meteorologists Stephanie Abrams, Jim Cantore and Mike Bettes, as well as the entire Weather Channel meteorological and newsgathering team.

(Read: How The Weather Channel Virtually Destroyed its Studio)

The Weather Channel's reports will be featured during CBS News' award-winning morning and evening newscasts, "CBS Mornings," "CBS Saturday Morning" and "CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell." CBS News' 24/7 digital streaming news service will also showcase regular reports from The Weather Channel. 

The CBS News investigative team and the Weather Channel's meteorological and newsgathering teams will also partner on special investigative climate reports.

"By bringing together CBS News and the Weather Channel's weather teams and virtual view technology, we will not only be able to forecast the weather but show viewers what it's really going to look like," said Neeraj Khemlani, president and co-head of CBS News and Stations. "This is a holistic partnership that brings together the scale of both companies' reporting teams, technologies and audiences. In addition to the virtual forecasts and live reporting, we will also collaborate on field reporting and pair our investigative teams to expand our environmental investigative efforts. Together we will deliver deeper coverage of one of the most important stories of our time — the impact of the climate on the communities we live in."

"This year, the Weather Channel celebrates its 40th anniversary, and there's never been a more important time to provide viewers cutting-edge visual presentations and compelling storytelling about our weather," said Byron Allen, founder, chairman and CEO of the Weather Channel's parent company, Allen Media Group."This new collaboration is designed to offer the CBS News audience the most innovative weather reporting, as well as greater reach for the Weather Channel's brand. CBS News and the Weather Channel will work closely together to explore and investigate issues related to climate and our environment."

CHICAGO, Ill.—Several companies and networks owned by Byron Allen have filed a civil suit against Nielsen alleging that its “outdated and unreliable” ratings significantly undercounted audiences, particularly for smaller networks, and that Nielsen's inaccurate audience measurement cost media companies “billions of dollars.” 

“Based on Nielsen’s false representations, half-truths, and concealment, Nielsen received millions in fees per year to provide fundamentally unreliable and flawed services,” from networks owned by Allen, the suit alleges. 

The Civil lawsuit was filed by Byron Allen’s CF Entertainment, Inc., Entertainment Studios Networks, Inc., Weather Group, LLC, and Weather Group Television, LLC. in Circuit Court Of Cook County, Illinois, County Department, Law Division.

The lawsuit argues that “Nielsen’s panel system [for audience measurement] may have worked decades ago when there were a handful of networks that could be viewed only over the air on a television set. With changes in the television industry, viewers now have hundreds of channels to choose from. They can watch video by subscribing with distributors, such as satellite or cable providers, or stream over the Internet through services and apps that can be viewed on Smart TVs, computers, cell phones and tablets.”

This audience fragmentation makes Nielsen’s ratings for smaller networks particularly unreliable, the suit said, citing widespread industry criticism of Nielsen’s ratings during the pandemic by the MRC, the VAB and a number of media companies. 

Moreover Nielsen’s position as a “monopoly” provider of industry-wide currency for ad sales allowed it to delay reforms, the suit claims. 

“Nielsen has known about the problems for years but has not invested to make its ratings system reliable and up-to-date,” the suit said. 

“This monopoly position allowed Nielsen to dominate the market without developing new and improved ratings services to keep up with the rapidly changing market for  television networks and programming,” the suit alleges. 

“Nielsen knew that, based on the limitations of its panel system and the increased  fragmentation of television viewership, it could not reliably rate smaller networks,” the suit said.

Nielsen “concealed this highly material fact from Entertainment Studios” in “2017 when Nielsen caused Entertainment Studios to pay Nielsen to rate the networks,” owned by Allen’s Entertainment Studios. “Nielsen also made false promises and told half-truths to obtain millions in fees to rate The Weather Channel,” which is also owned by Allen. 

“Plaintiffs are not alone,” the suit claimed. “Many other media companies have been led astray and have paid millions of dollars to Nielsen in exchange for unreliable and flawed services. It is estimated that Nielsen caused these media companies billions of dollars in damages.”

The suit also claims that “Nielsen’s inability to reliably rate Entertainment Studios’ networks was well known within Nielsen. On information and belief, Nielsen employs teams of statisticians who keep track internally of statistical data that can affect the accuracy and reliability of Nielsen’s data. Through these internal reviews, Nielsen knew that its ratings services were unreliable, especially for networks like those owned by Entertainment Studios. Nielsen knew that,  when distribution for a network is limited in the number of subscribers, the sample errors in  Nielsen’s reports increase dramatically making the service fundamentally unreliable.”

The suit did not list a specific amount for damages. 

BOSTON—Actus Digital is getting into the weather business, announcing that it has provided The Weather Channel with its broadcast monitoring platform to ensure the TV networks video and audio quality comply with industry requirements for both linear and OTT channels.

The Actus Digital broadcast monitoring system supports mandatory compliance features like SCTE-104/35, loudness, closed captions and NAVE while providing The Weather Channel with real-time alerts on a host of A/V impairments. The platform is also integrated with The Weather Channel’s automation system, which expands content search and navigation and allows the broadcaster to track the loudness of each asset. OKTA sign-on is fully integrated into the system as well for security and user authentication.

With the Actus Digital system, The Weather Channel can now record content at high bitrates and resolutions, which allows for the exporting and editing of high-quality clips.

"Performing tasks beyond mere compliance, the Actus Digital platform serves our broadcast monitoring needs now and will support us in the future with enhanced new workflows for content repurposing and AI integration,” said Michael Smereski, vice president of Broadcast Engineering at The Weather Channel.

For more information, visit www.actusdigital.com.  

ATLANTA—Weather Group LLC, parent company of The Weather Channel television network, has named Fred Bucher as senior vice president and chief marketing officer. He will lead the marketing, communications and research/insights areas for The Weather Channel and free streaming service Local Now.

 “With the opportunities smart media companies have in a world of ever-changing viewer behavior, it’s even more important to ensure we are optimizing our marketing and audience development efforts to reflect our innovative approach to storytelling and the technical capabilities that we’ve been advancing for years,” said Tom O’Brien, president of Weather Group. “Fred has a great strategic marketing mind, and his creativity and passion will be a perfect complement to our team at The Weather Channel and Local Now and help us remain ahead of the curve.”

 Bucher brings more than 25 years of experience in marketing leadership roles. He was most recently senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Spectrum Reach, the advertising sales division of Charter Communications. He also previously served as the senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Time Warner Cable Media and vice president of marketing solutions at ESPN, where his responsibilities included managing sponsor-driven marketing programs across ESPN’s on-air networks, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine and ESPN mobile properties.

LOS ANGELES—A deal has been announced with Evoca and Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios that will have the Evoca subscription television service distribute Entertainment Studios’ eight global television networks, which includes The Weather Channel.

Evoca is a new TV service that was designed to use the NextGen TV standard to deliver HD over-the-air content at a lower cost to customers. Evoca has a proprietary receiver and an OTA antenna to deliver its channel bundle, and the service says it will not be impacted by available internet bandwidth or network conditions.

Based in Boise, Idaho, Evoca is targeting a launch in more than 50 million households in small and mid-sized markets where bandwidth and broadband options are limited and cable or satellite can be expensive, the company says.

As part of the deal with Entertainment Studios, Evoca will carry eight, 24-hour networks that feature travel, automotive, culinary, pets, comedy, celebrity entertainment, courtroom drama and weather content.

The channels included in the deal are The Weather Channel, Cars.TV, Comedy.TV, ES.TV, MyDestination.TV, Pets.TV, Recipe.TV and JusticeCentral.TV.

For more information, visit www.evoca.tv.  

LAS VEGAS—The Weather Channel has cut the ribbon on its new Reality Virtual Studio, which is brought to life by the help of advanced immersive virtual studio production tools from Zero Density.

Zero Density technology was added to The Weather Channel technology pipeline to visualize virtual graphics live. Specifically, this includes Zero Density’s Reality Engine.

A native Unreal Engine, node-based compositor, the Reality Engine offers photorealistic 3D virtual studio and augmented reality graphics. This will be used for The Weather Channel’s Immersive Mixed Reality Experiences, according to Michael Potts, vice president of design at The Weather Channel.

The studio officially debuted on June 2.

The Weather Channel has been using immersive, virtual reality technology for the last few years, having previously shown the potential impacts of tornadoes to its studio with graphics by The Future Group.

Below is a video of how The Weather Channel is using Zero Density technology in its new studio.

ATLANTA—On June 20, 2018 The Weather Channel blew away its viewers by apparently bringing a tornado into its studio. With the help of 3D augmented reality graphics rendered by The Future Group’s Frontier graphics creation system (processed and played out by Ross Video’s UX control system) and Mo-Sys’ camera tracking system, TWC meteorologist Jim Cantore appeared to experience the real-time ravages of a tornado in-studio as it progressed from an EF0 (Enhanced Fujita scale; winds 65-85 mph) to an EF5 (winds over 200 mph).

As the twister intensified, TWC viewers saw Cantore jump back from a falling electrical pole pulsing with electricity inside the studio. He was subsequently menaced by a flying 2x4 wooden beam that blasted through a studio TV monitor, and narrowly missed by a mangled red sedan that crashed through the studio ceiling; the left front headlight still flashing and clicking as Cantore soldiered on with his commentary. (A hyper-realistic outdoor camera view was interspersed with the studio shots; allowing Cantore to explain the tornado’s evolution from EF0 to EF5 throughout the broadcast.)

Eventually the lights flickered as the TWC studio began to fall apart under the storm’s ferocity. Jim Cantore took refuge in a “safe room” before the signal was apparently “lost” as TWC went to commercial. After the commercial break, Cantore was seen standing outside in the apocalyptic chaos left by the EF5 tornado; until the TWC’s studio outline appeared around him in grid form, and then rematerialized to its original undamaged appearance. (For the record, Cantore’s introduction and after-commercial conclusion were done live; the rest was prerecorded.)

As convincing as the tornado vignette was to watch—the SFX was worthy of a Hollywood disaster movie—none of the mayhem was real. Which was precisely the point: TWC is adopting the wow factor of augmented and virtual reality graphics to make its TV content incredibly compelling. 

“This is our bold first step into immersive weather presentation,” said Michael Potts, vice president of design for the Weather Group. Referring to the channel’s approach as “immersive mixed reality,” Potts said “we’re dropping the boundaries between what is real and what isn’t real, so we can take our talent and put them into the weather, or bring the weather into our studio. The goal for doing so is to create a much more meaningful viewing experience for the audience.”

'EXPLAINER VIDEO'

Creating this complex “explainer video” (as Potts calls it) of TWC’s in-studio tornado was a massive effort, requiring “lots of brainstorming sessions between The Weather Channel and The Future Group,” said Lawrence Jones; head of North America Operations for The Future Group.

“After we had all these brainstorming sessions together, TWC sent us a script that we used to create movie-style storyboards of the tornado video,” Jones said. “Once we agreed upon those boards, we created concept art to depict what these graphics would look like; including the flying 2x4 and the photo-realistic car. For this to work, every graphic element and overlay had to be planned out perfectly, so that it could be done within the limits of the technology.”

It took two months for The Future Group’s teams in Bulgaria, Norway, and the United States to create the AR graphics for the video. The graphics included the virtual TWC studio that rematerialized around Cantore after the commercial break. Once reconstructed in full onscreen, the virtual studio was indistinguishable from the real studio.

These graphics were designed to run on The Future Group’s Frontier graphics engine, which is based on the Unreal Engine gaming graphics system created by Epic Games. Ross began partnering with The Future Group in 2015 when it announced a seven-figure investment in the company, followed by a technology partnership a year later.

“The original Unreal Engine wasn’t designed for broadcast,” said Gideon Ferber, director of product management and business development for Ross Video’s Virtual Solution division. “So The Future Group built their own version of the Unreal Engine that included broadcast features such as genlock, frame buffers, and Fill/Key output. Ross then added the tracking integration, control interface, and everything else you need to operate Frontier on-air in a broadcast setting.”

[Read: NAB Show: Epic Games Integrates Unreal Engine With Strategic Partners]

With The Future Group’s equipment in place at TWC’s Atlanta production center, the crew held rehearsals to iron out the bugs and ready the segment for broadcast. These rehearsals included an enthusiastic Cantore, who memorized theatrical-style blocking (knowing where he physically had to be at what time) and learning his lines, alongside his regular broadcast duties.

Cantore’s hard work resulted in a realistic, apparently spontaneous on-air performance as he endured (and educationally exploited) the tornado’s wrath.

“Jim brought an amazing amount of life to this,” said Potts. “Yes, the graphics are amazing, and the technology underneath it makes it possible. But our talent drives this thing. With a wonderful narrative to work with, Jim was the hero of this project.”

MORE CHAOS TO COME?

TWC’s success in blending real video and AR graphics in Cantore’s tornado segment has won the network lots of positive attention and justified its push into AR/VR-enhanced content. Right now, TWC hopes to produce 80 percent of its programming using AR/VR by 2020.

TWC will air its second AR-enhanced explainer video on July 31.

“We’re going to look at the power of lightning,” said Potts. This time Cantore can relax. Rather than TWC zapping him just weeks after dropping a car close to his head, “we’re going to spread the love and bring some other talent into this,” Potts said.

ATLANTA—The Weather Channel viewers this morning experienced the effects of a tornado in a new immersive environment via the network’s new “Immersive Mixed Reality” technology.

Courtesy of The Weather Channel

For several hours, on-camera meteorologist Jim Cantore narrated the evolution of a virtual tornado, explaining to viewers how they could stay safe during such an event, using the immersive AR technology to create visual effects that made it appear that the studio itself was being buffeted by the tornado's 200 mph winds, bringing down power lines and trees and even including a wrecked car that appeared to drop from the ceiling.

To create this scenario, TWC partnered with The Future Group, a Norwegian-based developer that uses its Epic Games Unreal game engine to create its version of “Interactive Mixed Reality.” The event used the latest camera tracking system from Mo-Sys with rendering provided by Unreal to provide high-realism scenery through state of the art features such as particle systems, dynamic textures, live reflections and shadows. The system works with partner Ross Video’s UX and VCC motion graphics system.

TWC says by 2020, it plans to use IMR technology in 80 percent of its programming. 

The year 2017 will go down in the record books as one of the most deadly — and expensive — years ever in terms of damage caused by natural disasters.

In one of the most active hurricane seasons ever, Harvey, Irma and Maria left a trail of wreckage in their respective wakes. Fires ripped through California, killing people and devouring more than 1.3 million acres, according to the state’s Department of Forestry. The bill in the U.S. alone is more than $300 billion, according to federal estimates.

In all this mayhem, viewers turned faithfully to one source with resources to provide visual updates and predictions: local TV weather.

Investors are paying attention, and stations are beginning to not only change the way they report the weather, but making investments in new digital strategies to deliver better weather news, faster. Just this month, comedian and entrepreneur Byron Allen acquired The Weather Channel in March for $300 million from Blackstone Group, Bain Capital and Comcast NBCUniversal, further affirming weather’s importance as a content draw across TV, digital and mobile platforms.

At a time when consumers want on-demand weather on a myriad of devices, local TV stations are doubling down on their weather investments. New technology, such as augmented reality, drones and sophisticated mobile apps, creates new ways to cover weather and deliver information. On social media, meteorologists can deliver live updates and intimate videos. It all plays to stations’ real edge in weather: market ties and beloved personalities.

“Local meteorologists have the weather knowledge,” Rodney Thompson, The Weather Co.’s VP of systems and software operations, said. “If it is sunny and nice, I can get that information many places. But when I need it broken down, I trust a hyper-local source.”

The Forecast: More Digital, Mobile and Social

As mobile devices become go-to sources for weather, local broadcasters say digital doesn’t cannibalize their audience, but rather creates new touch points. “Digital is a gift. It allows us to connect with viewers in ways traditional TV never allowed us to do,” Pete Delkus, chief meteorologist for Tegna-owned ABC affiliate WFAA in Dallas-Fort Worth, said. “So many people just want short bursts of information.” Delkus hosts a weekly Facebook Live session on Friday mornings previewing weekend weather from his home, giving viewers a peek into his off-screen life.

In Portland, Ore., Meredith-owned Fox affiliate KPTV chief meteorologist Mark Nelsen pens a weather blog and hosts a weather-themed podcast. “We do these things to peel back the curtain and share the process behind the forecasting,” KPTV executive news director Corey Hansen said. “We need to give our viewers options to get weather anywhere they want it.”

[Read: Driving Station Workflows in the Field]

Social media is a critical distribution channel, particularly during extreme weather. Univision said about 60% of its digital audience comes through social. “We go heavily with events and regular updates on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. … People are riveted by it,” digital managing editor Selymar Colon said. The stations often simply post live radar images and webcams, drawing large audiences, according to Colon.

In Los Angeles, social media even influences coverage of natural events. Before social, KNBC VP of news Todd Mokhtari said, stations typically reported earthquakes that registered a 4.0 or higher on the Richter scale. Now, he said, even small trembles prompt residents to post on social media, and KNBC will report a tremor as low as 2.5. Information may come from a news crawl or a push notification, or, for stronger shakes, live on-air. “If one person felt it, they all want to hear about it,” Mokhtari said.

During extreme conditions like tornadoes, Griffin Communications-owned CBS affiliate KWTV Oklahoma City dedicates a meteorologist to updating all social accounts. “Social allows us to have a two-way conversation with viewers and to provide them the most up-to-date weather and safety information no matter where they are,” chief meteorologist David Payne said. “We can spend an unlimited amount of time talking about the forecast and answering viewer questions in real time.”

In the last six months, CBS owned-and-operated TV stations have ramped up digital video production for both extreme weather and for more light-hearted fare, like a look inside the weather office. “These aren’t things you’d see on the broadcast side, but we can do on digital,” CBS Television Stations senior VP of news David Friend said. “It takes us beyond the realm of regular newscasts and breaks out of that straight jacket.”

Online and on mobile apps, station executives said live radar is a popular draw. “Even if we’re not on the air with news, it will give you a live sweep that includes where you work and where you live,” Ric Harris, president and GM of NBC-owned Philadelphia stations WCAU and WWSI, said.

On the TV screen, graphic innovations are improving forecasting as well. Outlets including ABC’s KABC Los Angeles, Tegna’s WFAA and Univision’s central weather operation, have introduced augmented reality graphics, which rise up from the studio floor and can simulate hard-to-visualize dangers, like flooding and tornadoes. “It is amazing new technology. It is eye candy to some degree, but also valuable info that you can’t get on your phone,” WFAA’s Delkus said.

Univision used similar imaging to depict Hurricane Harvey and Northeast snowstorms. “Our chief meteorologist can explain things not just by saying it or showing video, but also with graphics,” Colon said.

At Hearst Television, new graphics alert viewers to major upcoming weather events, like a yellow caution or a red animated image for severe weather. “We’re trying to do a better job of laying out to the audience to call their attention to things that will make them safe,” Hearst senior VP of news Barbara Maushard said.

“We could have the fanciest trucks and radar, but at the end of the day, it’s about communicating with folks at home … the technology is extremely important and you have to be able to communicate to the people at home and bring it home to the people,” WFAA’s Delkus said.

The 2017 Hurricane Season

Last year’s hurricane season tested TV stations’ ability and resolve. When Hurricane Harvey lashed Houston with heavy rain and flooding, local broadcasters struggled to stay on the air and cover the market.

ABC-owned KTRK used boats equipped with Dejero cell-sat technology to report live, show emergency conditions and assist stranded viewers. The station deployed a drone to survey conditions overhead until the station’s helicopter could resume flying, and simulcasted its TV broadcast on Facebook Live.

Also in Houston, Tegna-owned CBS affiliate KHOU leaned on its corporate cousin WFAA. After KHOU’s building flooded, knocking it off the air, WFAA stepped in as the temporary Houston affiliate and newsroom. Its ex-tended coverage was simulcast in Houston and streamed on Facebook Live.

“We became the Houston news operation,” WFAA’s Delkus said.

Weeks later, as Floridians braced for Hurricane Irma, broadcasters across that state activated disaster plans. With stations in Tampa, West Palm Beach and Orlando, Hearst Television held daily, group-wide calls to coordinate resources and coverage. Reporters from 11 different markets were sent to the state to assist.

WPBF, Hearst’s West Palm Beach ABC affiliate, launched into hurricane mode first, with more than two days of extended coverage. When the storm turned away from the Southeast coast, Hearst’s team pivoted, sending teams to Tampa and Orlando, although its crews avoided the Florida Keys.

NBC affiliate WESH Orlando’s weather team forecasted the storm would shift westward and travel up the central part of the state, which shaped its plans. “We have great tools and great people who understand markets and have watched storms for years,” Hearst’s Maushard said.

At Fox’s TV station group, new drones allow the stations to cover weather disasters sooner and from fresh perspectives. WTVT Tampa used its drone to capture lake flooding after Hurricane Irma, while WAGA Atlanta’s surveyed tornado damage. Nearly all of Fox’s markets now have drones, which have flown more than 600 missions to date and are manned by highly-trained pilots.

When Hurricane Maria made landfall on Puerto Rico Sept. 20 and devastated the island, Univision deployed reporters from its TV stations and digital team across 78 towns, and also connected about 100 families with their relatives on the mainland. With all three hurricanes, Univision stations leaned heavily on their digital assets, including live updates on station websites, YouTube and Facebook.

Western Wildfires

As fires burned across California, broadcasters across the state worked desperately to cover the fast-moving blazes and keep viewers informed and safe. In Los Angeles, stations used their own radars, as well as National Weather Service radar, to track smoke, fire conditions and wind patterns.

To cover the Los Angeles-area fires and their aftermath, KABC dispatched its drone to fly over Ventura neighborhoods devastated by the Thomas fire and broadcast live images. The station’s helicopter deployed its augmented reality mapping system to show before-and-after pictures, including dramatic images of the Montecito mudslide.

Advanced weather vehicles, some equipped with mobile radar, also assisted in difficult conditions. KNBC Los Angeles’ Storm Ranger sports utility vehicle, built by Accelerated Media Technologies, is equipped with radar that has a range up to 90 miles and can distinguish between smoke and smog. “You can put a radar truck someplace outside of L.A. and see a fire before anyone knows it is happening,” AMT president Tom Jennings said.

For KNBC executives, the Storm Ranger provided more coverage and security. “We need to be within 30 miles of a fire and we can pick up the smoke very accurately, and then we are not worried about truck and crew being near danger,” KNBC’s Mokhtari said. Meteorologists also traveled in a Jeep equipped with sophisticated weather tools and cameras, providing “a new tool to get meteorologists involved in fire coverage since so much of it is driven by weather,” Mokhtari added.

Similarly, in Sacramento, Hearst-owned NBC affiliate KCRA relied heavily on its weather technology to track air quality, smoke, fires and even mudslides. “The technology allows them to be engaged from a weather perspective,” Maushard said.

Sophisticated vehicles can help in smaller markets, too. In Montana, remote locations and mountains often make it difficult for stations cover fires. Accelerated Media Technologies is building a new Ford Explorer for Sinclair Broadcast Group-owned NBC affiliate KECI equipped with IP LiveU, combined with a Viasat Ka Band satellite that will allow the station to travel closer to fires and broadcast live. “The coverage wasn’t done before because the technology wasn’t available yet,” Jennings said. “Now they will be able to get high-resolution images and informations out of the mountains.”

Winter 2018 Nor’easters

Across the Northeast in March, storms blanketed the region under wet, heavy snow. After one storm, CBS O&O WCBS New York deployed its drone to survey damage in Westchester County, where downed power lines and trees “looked like Lincoln Logs,” Friend said, adding, “The drones were an incredible news gathering tool.” Anchor Chris Wragge set out in WCBS’ “Mobile2” vehicle and reported exclusively for digital outlets, a shift in strategy.

“It is an example of the importance we put on the digital portion of our coverage,” Friend said.

With varied conditions across the New York market, WCBS also relied on its user-generated content assets, including the Weather Watcher Network and Social Snow Patrol. All CBS O&Os have a select group of local weather aficionados who report conditions and share photos and video.

“That’s another way to drill down and make coverage as local and personal,” Friend explained.

In Philadelphia, NBC’s WCAU deployed its Storm Ranger vehicle to track storm conditions, one feature of its wall-to-wall storm coverage. With Storm Ranger’s mobile radar, “We were able to see different micro-climates, like where the snow was more intense and where it was beginning to taper off,” president/GM Harris said.

In Boston, no stranger to extreme winter weather, TV stations have relied on their well-crafted advanced preparations. At Hearst’s WCVB, Maushard said: “They were on with extended coverage in advance and that is more important than anything. They were aggressive early and they had people in place.”

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MONTREAL—In The Weather Channel’s continuous mission to provide its viewers with high-quality, up-to-date live broadcasts and information, the network has recently acquires some Grass Valley products to provide assistance. GV’s Kayenne K-Frame Video Production Center switcher and Ignite Automated Production System with the Katalyst Programmable Automation Panel are now a part of The Weather Channel’s infrastructure.

The Kayenne K-Frame offers full multiformat support, including 4K and 1080p. The switcher is configurable up to 192 inputs, 96 outputs and up to 9 M/Es with six keyers in every full M/E.

The Ignite Katalyst is a fast-access hardware control system that can work harmoniously with the Ignite system, per GV.

NEWARK, N.J.—A new wave of Panasonic cameras are arriving at The Weather Channel, as the network recently purchased four AJ-PX5000G 2/3-inch 2.2M 3-MOS P2 HD AVC-Ultra shoulder-mount camcorders. These cameras will replace an older generation of P2 gear previously used by The Weather Channel and will handle production for long-form programming.

The AJ-PX5000G models is a full-sized camera that offers versatile audio and features Wi-Fi. The camera is also provides uplink device support for LiveU products, which The Weather Channel will plan to take advantage of by pairing it with LiveU’s Central cloud-based IP management platform. The PX5000G can also wirelessly transmit high-resolution proxies.

The Weather Channel has been using Panasonic P2 cameras since the mid-2000s, according to the Panasonic press release.

OTTAWA—The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting that the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season will be “below-normal” in terms of storm activity. But weathercasters who cover North America’s Atlantic and Gulf coasts are taking no chances and are marshaling the latest in high-tech graphics for this year’s hurricane season, guided by an emphasis on clear, concise weather predictions.

Dr. Forbes shows real-time data using augmented reality, pulling data from Max Reality.

AUGMENTED REALITY
The Weather Channel is taking its viewers inside 3D models of this year’s hurricanes, using WSI’s “Max Reality” augmented reality software that allows the network to create realistic, miniature 3D weather systems that appear to exist in real-time within TWC’s studios. The weatherperson can walk around and interact with the AR graphic; apparently taming a tornado into a manageable in-studio companion.

TWC’s AR system uses Ncam Technologies’ Ncam Live tracking cameras to monitor the on-air talent’s location in real-time. “Our system mounts an Ncam Camera Bar onto each camera,” said Nic Hatch, CEO for Ncam, a U.K.-based provider of camera tracking technology. “The Camera Bar uses a stereoscopic lens system, plus a number of on-board sensors, to track the camera’s location and field of view in 3D.” The Ncam Camera Bars feed this locational data to the WSI Max Reality software to ensure that the 3D graphic is properly placed and framed within the live shot. Ncam does this without requiring visible markers in TWC’s studio, making it possible for WSI 3D graphics to “exist” within the studio space.

“Augmented reality takes the viewer right inside the weather to give them a more accurate picture of what is happening,” said Freddy Flaxman, senior vice president and chief operating officer for TWC. “Using the Ncam tracking system and WSI’s Max Reality, we will be able to give audience an unprecedented look inside hurricanes.”

“Our goal is to provide a unique on-air experience to help hold the audience longer,” said Bill Dow, GM/vice president of WSI’s Media Division. “64 percent of people within our research group told us that they would watch the weather longer if AR was coming up in the next segment.”

THE ‘HURRICANE INDEX’
WZVN-7, the ABC affiliate in Naples, Fla. has deployed the latest version of Baron’s Hurricane Index during this year’s hurricane season. “We use the Baron Omni graphics display system for our television broadcasts,” said John Patrick, WZVN’s chief meteorologist. Adding the new Baron Hurricane Index will give WZVN “a color-coded graphic that takes into consideration sea surface temps, wind shear, dust concentration and a few other factors to determine favorable areas for tropical development,” he said. “This, coupled with other tropical products, enable us to share our knowledge of tropical weather with viewers in a way that is easy for them to understand.”

WOFL-35, a Fox O&O in Orlando, Fla., also relies on Baron weather graphics. “The new Saharan Dust Concentrations graphic makes it easy for people to see how the heat, dry air, and dust that comes to us from the west of Africa can generate hurricanes,” said Glenn Richards, WOFL’s chief meterologist. “Baron’s 3D KML [key markup language] satellite weather photo files, which overlay on top of Google Earth, also allows us to show our viewers what is happening in a very clear yet detailed fashion.”

Is Your Weatherperson Truly Qualified?

WJZY Chief Meteorologist Rob Eicher is the current chairman of the AMS Board of Broadcast Meteorology. When it comes to TV weather forecasters, WJZY Chief Meteorologist Rob Eicher is truly qualified, with peer-reviewed certifications from the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the National Weather Association (NWA). Earning AMS and NWA certifications requires TV meteorologists to have their weather knowledge and on-air presentations evaluated by AMS/NWA-accredited broadcasters. Such is Eicher’s commitment to excellence in TV weathercasting, including keeping up with the latest in weather forecasting techniques and technology, that he has risen to become Chairman of the AMS Board of Broadcast Meteorology.

“The AMS and NWA processes make it possible for TV stations to certify and promote the fact that their meteorologists truly know what they are talking about,” said Eicher. “But these certifications are completely voluntary, as are any other qualifications achieved by TV meteorologists. And that’s a problem, according to Eicher. “There are no mandatory qualifications to do weather on TV,” he said. “Anyone can claim to be a meteorologist, and do so without any knowledge at all.” TV stations who have certified meteorologists are easy to spot: Their weatherpeople have the letters “AMS” and “NMA” after their names; such as WZVN’s John Patrick and WOFL’s Glenn Richards. “I’m extremely proud to have earned the AMS Certification and NWA Seal of Approval, the two highest standards of excellence for broadcast meteorologists,” said Patrick. “[I am also proud] that WZVN displays the WeatheRate seal, which TV stations earn when they are proven most accurate in their market." Savvy TV stations know the marketing value of having properly certified meteorologists on staff. This is why WOFL’s web page describes Richards as receiving his B.S. degree in meteorology from Northern Illinois University, and then working as chief meteorologist at WLFI-CBS and WFTV-ABC “until making the change to WOFL-Fox as the Chief Meteorologist in 2003.” So while it is true that anyone can do the weather at your station, it makes sound business sense to use trained, AMS/NWA-certified meteorologists than someone who has just come out of broadcast school, or has been hired primarily for their looks. “You need a license to cut someone’s hair, yet there is no requirement of any kind for someone to provide potentially lifesaving information during a weather emergency,” Eicher observed. “I think the value of the AMS/NWA certification programs is that they fill the void [for TV station owners] between not having any credentials and not necessarily wanting a legal requirement to be a meteorologist.” - James Careless

These satellite photos are due to improve substantially in 2016, after the launch and activation of NOAA’s new GOES-R (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite- R Series) satellite. “Right now, the photos we receive from the current GOES satellite are one pixel per 4 kilometers,” said Rob Eicher, chief meteorologist with WJZY-46, the Fox affiliate in Charlotte, N.C. “GOES-R will take this resolution down to 500 meters per pixel.” As well, the current GOES images only update every half hour. GOES-R images will update as often as every 30 seconds, “allowing us to show the rotation of the hurricane clouds in greater detail,” Eicher said.

For TV stations wanting to move away from the traditional green screen, AccuWeather’s StoryTeller interactive touchscreen system combines the company’s proven weather product/graphics with an 84-inch touchscreen 4K monitor to create “MinuteCast.” “Basically, MinuteCast allows a weatherperson to control and switch their on-screen graphics on air as easily as if they were using an iPad,” said Daniel Despot, AccuWeather StoryTeller’s product manager. “You can also use the system for all aspects of your newscast; not just weather.”

KEEPING IT CLEAR
Advances in TV weather graphics notwithstanding, broadcasters in the Atlantic and Gulf Coast regions are most focussed on keeping their hurricane coverage clear and concise. “Viewers are most interested in the 3-5 day projection cones and paths provided by NOAA,” said Aliana Perez, weather producer at WPLG-10, the ABC affiliate in Miami. “These graphics, plus predictions in straightforward language, is what our viewers count on.”

“Augmented reality looks really impressive, but our emphasis right now is on using our current graphics and Doppler radar system to best advantage,” said David Nussbaum, meteorologist at WWL-4, the CBS affiliate in New Orleans. “What our viewers want to know is what the predicted hurricane track will be and how it will affect them. This has been the case for years, even before Hurricane Katrina. That’s what WWL-TV will be giving people in New Orleans this hurricane season.”