THE WEATHER CHANNEL TAKES AMBITIOUS APPROACHTO PROVIDING ALL-WEATHER PROGRAMMING IN HIGH-DEF FORMAT

The Weather Channel announced last spring that part of the plan to provide programming in the new high-definition format will include creating a new HD studio in a separate construction adjoining its existing headquarters in Atlanta. 

“Weather is so visual.  From the swirl of champagne snow by skiers in Epic Conditions to the beauty of a night skyline in the background of a city forecast, weather is one of the types of programming that will most vividly showcase the benefits of the clarity, crisp resolution and richness of HD,” said Debora Wilson, president and CEO of The Weather Channel.

 The Weather Channel is unique in being the only existing cable TV network to construct an entirely new studio dedicated to the presentation of HD.  It will also be innovative in creating new systems, infrastructures, and operations for weather presentation that don’t even exist today.  

The new 12,500-square-foot facility will also have the distinction of being designed to be a “LEED-certified” building using guidelines created by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for buildings that are environment-friendly and energy-efficient.  Last May, The Weather Channel announced that Brasfield & Gorrie, well-known and highly regard throughout the Southeast, most recently for the construction of the Georgia Aquarium, will be the general contractor for the project.
The Weather Channel will launch HD programming on October 1 with two series shot in High Definition that vividly showcase the great appeal of the weather-and-natural-forces genre of programming when presented in HD.  

The essence of HD – greater clarity and lifelike detail -- is ideal for the new program Weather Ventures which will revel in the beauty of nature at destinations where everyone dreams of going.  This series centers around two factors that are enhanced by HD – geography and weather.  The two mix powerfully in this program, creating unique destinations at their peak seasons.  Horizon Entertainment, accompanied by TWC “Road Crew” host Jeff Mielcarz, is traveling throughout the Continental U.S. and to Hawaii and Alaska to create the series.

“The High Definition capability enables us to show viewers the grandeur and spectacle of these icons of America,” said Kaye Zusmann, vice president of program strategy and development.  “And because we are The Weather Channel,” she continues, “we add the dimension of exploring weather factors that affect the experience people have.  Viewers learn that colder water is more transparent for scuba divers as the camera scans a kelp forest where 200-foot canopies of seaweed suggest a magnificent underwater cathedral.”

Another production in HD exclusive to The Weather Channel is Epic Conditions.  The series – popular for its high-action video when it first ran on The Weather Channel earlier this year – will be even more exciting in HD.  Warren Miller Productions, well-known for extreme sports features for TV, is producing all-new episodes which will air in native HD on The Weather Channel starting October 1. New adventures will include skiing in the Sierra, ice climbing in Ouray, heli-snowboarding in Alaska.  Other programs will focus on surfing, windsurfing, kite boarding, skydiving, kayaking, rock climbing and mountain biking from areas that offer the best conditions for each sport.

Upon completion of the network’s move to its new HD studio next year, virtually 100 percent of live studio programming will be in native HD by the end of 2008. The first two live studio programs, “Evening Edition” and “Your Weather Today” will launch next June with all other studio programs to roll out in HD over the following months.

“We whole-heartedly believe that HD is the next important technological leap to take in order to provide consumers with the best weather programming that anyone can offer,” Wilson said.

Please visit The Weather Channel Press Room for the latest news.

Please contact The Weather Channel Representative in your area for more information.

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