NBC affiliates launch NBC Weather Plus, first all digital broadcast network
Nov 23, 2004 8:00 AM, News Technology Update e-newsletter
 WNBC-TV was the first station in the country to launch NBC’s new 24-hour Weather Plus channel via Time Warner Cable. NBC Weather Plus uses a distinctive L-bar on the perimeter of the screen to provide local weather information even during commercials. |
The NBC Affiliate Board and NBC Universal have initiated NBC Weather Plus, a 50-50 joint venture that will launch the first-ever 24-hour all digital, national-local broadcast network. Anchoring the Nov. 15 debut was WNBC-TV in New York City.
NBC Weather Plus provides weather and related local community information to viewers. The new network demonstrates the potential of digital over-the-air broadcast technology. The network will roll out nationwide in phases, with the first including stations owned by leading broadcast groups. The markets have been targeted to include all time zones, regions and geographies, and to allow testing and optimization of the proprietary digital broadcast infrastructure.
The first 15 markets launching over the next 90 days include:
- WESH-TV in Orlando
- KCRA-TV in Sacramento, CA
- WXII-TV in Winston-Salem, NC
- KING-TV in Seattle
- KGW-TV in Portland, OR
- WCNC-TV in Charlotte, NC
- WDIV-TV in Detroit
- KPRC-TV in Houston
- KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City
- WRC-TV in Washington, D.C.
- KXAS-TV in Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX
- WNCN-TV in Raleigh, NC
- WMAQ-TV in Chicago
- WTVJ in Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This group covers 50 percent of U.S. households and 10 of the top 20 media markets. The remainder of NBC affiliates will be invited to join the venture in 2005.
NBC Weather Plus will draw on a network of more than 1000 local reporters and meteorologists in more than 200 markets.
It launches with an inventive design, including a distinctive L-bar on the perimeter of the screen, providing local weather information in real time, 24 hours a day, even during commercials - a first for a weather network.
The broadcast will feature a balance of national and local coverage, with live broadcasts throughout the day from national and local forecasters, and a mix of real-time video, meteorological reports and dynamic graphics. Back to the top
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