The Weather Network
The Weather Network (TWN) is a Canadian English-language discretionary weather information specialty channel available in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. It delivers weather information on television, digital platforms (responsive websites, mobile and tablet applications) and TV apps.
"TWN" redirects here. For other uses, see TWN (disambiguation).Country
National/Regional
September 1, 1988
WeatherNow (1988–1989)
The company is owned by Pelmorex Media which is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
Their specialty television networks are among the most widely distributed and frequently consulted television networks in Canada. TheWeatherNetwork.com is among Canada's leading web services, and their mobile web property is ranked #1 in the weather category and the second largest mobile website in Canada.
TWN was launched on September 1, 1988 as WeatherNow by Lavalin Inc. and Landmark Communications, the owner of The Weather Channel and renamed to its present name on May 1, 1989. With ownership changes over the years, Pelmorex acquired TWC's stake in 2015.
The network offers regional feeds for Alberta, Toronto, Atlantic Canada and British Columbia. It also operates counterpart brands including MétéoMédia; Canadian, Eltiempo Spain, Wetter Plus Germany, and Clima Latin America.
Programming[edit]
Studio/Live Programming[edit]
The Weather Network broadcasts in a news-wheel format, featuring various forecast or weather-related segments throughout the hour.
For some regions including the Greater Toronto Area, Alberta and the Maritime provinces, "Regional forecasts" are shown every half-hour, featuring forecasts and weather stories specifically for its respective region. For some areas, traffic reports are also presented during the morning and afternoon commute. For other regions "WeatherWATCH" provide a detailed analysis of the current weather across Canada, including the weather expected nationwide over the next three days. WeatherWATCH airs for three minutes just before the local/regional forecasts.
The remaining half-hour cycle features various weather stories from across the country and around the world. In addition, TWN airs a variety of smaller segments including:
The Weather Network the news department won the first annual Adrienne Clarkson Diversity Award for network television. This award is given by the Radio and Television News Director's Association (R-T-N-D-A) for the best news reports on a subject of cultural diversity. The Weather Network then won for its 2006 two-part news series on weather and black history. The Weather Network also won a World Medal from the NY Festivals International TV Broadcasting Awards for a 2007 story on a blind woman learning to sail who uses her other senses to determine changes in wind patterns and potential storms. It won the same award again in 2008 for a story on a man and his seeing-eye dog trying to adapt to a harsh New Brunswick winter.
Satellite services[edit]
In 2006, Bell Satellite TV and The Weather Network started an interactive version of The Weather Network, enabling viewers to set their city and view specific forecasts every time.[19] This service is no longer available as of August 1, 2021.[20]
Criticism[edit]
The channel has been criticized for its excessive use of advertising through commercials and forecasts and some weather segments (e.g., hot spots, picnic/barbecue report, etc.) – which has led to less time for detailed forecasts and more time spent on advertising. The same problem also occurs with U.S.-based The Weather Channel. In the past, there was little to no advertising. Currently, local forecasts are sponsored using static logos during and after forecasts.
The channel has also been criticized for putting more coverage over the weather in Southern Ontario than the rest of Canada during its national segments. The 2008 launch of local programming for the Greater Toronto Area had also further limited updated forecasts throughout the rest of Canada.[22]