Prime Time Changes For The Weather Channel

Original Programming with Live Updates and Local Weather On Screen Begins Weeknights at 8 p.m. ET

The Weather Channel announced Thursday a new prime time network schedule set to debut January 31 that will feature two-hour original programming blocks preceded and followed by one-hour editions of the popular live evening show Weather Center.

Beginning at 8 p.m. ET, viewers will see original programs such as Storm Stories, When Weather Changed History and It Could Happen Tomorrow. During all original programs, viewers will see hyperlocal current weather conditions and forecasts for their community on the bottom of the screen, along with “Local on the 8s” and live weather updates delivered at the top and bottom of every hour, making viewers never more than 30 minutes from a live forecast update.

“The Weather Channel has always had original programming – shows like Storm Stories have been viewer favorites for years. The new schedule will now make it easier for viewers to find those shows along with their local forecast on screen and ‘Local on the 8s,’” said Bob Walker, executive vice president, marketing and cross platform development. “Live weather coverage is the foundation of our network and makes up the vast majority of our content, and we think the addition of originals in prime time, featuring live updates twice an hour, gives our viewers more of what they have told us they want.”

Original programs on The Weather Channel will take a deeper exploration of the weather, going beyond forecasts to focus on the science behind weather and the impact of weather.

The mission of TWC is to be best at covering weather, locally and across the United States. When severe weather strikes, The Weather Channel preempts original programming to continue with its award-winning live coverage of weather events as it has done successfully for many years. This is a frequent occurrence – most recently, during the lake effect snow in early December and the Christmas weekend blizzard, original programming blocks were preempted every day to continue coverage highlighted by live field reports and analysis from the severe weather expert team.