In Depth
NBC Shutting Down Weather Plus
The sun is setting on NBC Weather Plus, the 4-year-old digital joint venture between NBC and affiliated local stations, which programmed the 24/7 local weather service on their digital channels. The service was one of the first digital projects conceived as a way for a network and its affiliates to work together to create new revenue streams.
NBC News President Steve Capus informed the on- and off-air Weather Plus staff headquartered at CNBC facilities in Englewood, N.J., Tuesday morning that the operation would be phased out in stages through the end of the year.
Mr. Capus said the NBC affiliates board had notified the network last week of its desire to disband the partnership in which the 10 NBC owned-and-operated stations and approximately 80 affiliates have been participating. Only the NBC O&Os had signed on for the online aspect of Weather Plus. “That’s been, quite frankly, frustrating on our part,” Mr. Capus told TelevisionWeek Tuesday.
He said that jointly owned but locally focused Weather Plus would have come to this end even without NBC Universal’s acquisition of a minority stake in The Weather Channel, for which NBC News will assume programming responsibility and with which NBC News already is sharing some content and talent. NBC has been plugging The Weather Channel after some “Today” show weather segments.
“This is a tough business,” Mr. Capus said. “It has not been a profitable business.”
“It’s a very difficult business climate these days. You can’t ignore those realities,” Mr. Capus said. “Even if the Weather Channel acquisition hadn’t happened, this was a business that was challenged. We were going to have to face that at some point.”
Mr. Capus’ news division last year assumed responsibility for Weather Plus after former NBC-owned stations chief Jay Ireland returned to parent company General Electric. Mr. Capus said he reminded the affiliates then that the news division was facing “real financial pressures.”
Although such Weather Plus talent as Jeff Ranieri had become nationally known through appearances on NBC News programs and MSNBC, the fact that about half of the affiliates did not participate in Weather Plus stymied any thought of national advertising sales and meant all ad support had to come only from local markets.
Among the questions that will need to be addressed are those about the disposition of what Mr. Capus calls “pretty cool gear” Weather Plus has, as well as how many employees, including talent with long-term contracts, can or will be absorbed elsewhere in the network.
“I’m a huge fan of Jeff Ranieri and Bill Karins and some of the other folks, and we’re going to look at everybody and make a determination about what we’re going to do,” Mr. Capus said. “There are some real superstars behind the scenes whom we’ll work to move into other jobs. That’s going to be difficult, given the general climate right now, but we’ll do the best we can.”
Among those he singled out for praise is Weather Plus general manager Jeff Thein.
There was no immediate comment from NBC affiliates board Chairman Michael Fiorile, who is vice chairman and CEO of Dispatch Broadcast Group.
However, the general manager of one of the first affiliates to sign up for Weather Plus, who declined to be identified, said he is eager for Weather Plus to go away.


Leave a comment
Comments 134
Bill
Unfortunately the NBC O&O stations will likely find something else to put on their subchannels rather than eliminate them and restore the HD picture quality the stations had before stealing bandwidth for what many viewers have come to derisively call "Weather Minus."
Max V. Ewing
I always liked having WeatherPlus available. Just click over to the 5-3 subchannel, wait a minute or so (maximum), and there's tomorrow's weather.
Now, I guess we all have to keep Cable TV, to get the local weather. So much for free, OTA broadcasting!
Red Blanchard
I am not surprised at this development. In fact, especially in San Diego, where we have NO weather...why waste a perfectly good broadcast channel with such trivia?
Why not rent out the channel to some worth cause?
(NON_POLITICAL!!)
Thurston Last
. . . or how about presenting The Peacock Channel, an entertainment network availiable over the air utilizing the NBC Universal libraries beyond cable walls. Certainly there's a place for some of the older titles the studio has in its Universal Television, NBC Studios, and SNL Studios units.
A February 17 launch would work wonders and deliver on the "more channels" promised in this digital transition.
Oh, wait . . . royalties. Big Media doesn't want to pay anybody anything. They didn't want to pay the writers, and now I hear they don't want to pay the actors.
Christopher
I liked having Weather+ for a while only having it for 5 or 6 months, but I will miss Weather+ and I wish the Weather+ Team the best of luck.
Weather Geek
I think it's fair to say we will see some of the Weather + talent take jobs at The Weather Channel. Some of them are certainly very good and should not be lost..
Weather Man
If "NBC News will assume programming responsibility" for The Weather Channel, does that mean that The Weather Channel anchors will tell us that Obama causes the sunny days, while Republicans cause the stormy weather? That's effectively what's happening on MSNBC and NBC (NBC News-operated) right now...though not yet with the weather.
WXman
I would like to either have my local weather radar on the screen 24/7 or have a WXchannel version just for the NBC stations.
Lawrence
nbc STANDS FOR NO BUSINESS CENTS. tHEY NEED TO FIRE SOME OF THE MSNBC GROUP.
SH
LMAO @ Lawrence's cap's lock shenanigans.
Shellie
To Thurston: NBC is already doing this with their UniversalHD channel, and all of their movies are uncensored too.
SamFan
Where now will I get my fix of SAMANTHA DAVIES ?? I sure hope she gets re-located into the Weather Channel or the network. What a warm smile. She could tell me rain and it would still be sunshine.
Eric
It would have to be anybody's guess what local NBC affiliates may have planned to take the place of Weather Plus. Some may opt for a local all-news or all-weather channel... or maybe The Accu-Weather Channel (which competes with Weather Plus). While other may opt for RTN or LATV.
I can't afford cable or satellite. My local NBC station (WXIA Atlanta) is the only station in its respective market to carry an all-weather channel. I'm really going to miss Weather Plus, especially the 'Weather Plus University' show... some of the weather forecasters (Samantha Davies, Britta Merwin, Raphael Miranda, and Jim Nichols).
Harry Nelson
Capus praised Jeff Thein for running NBC weather into the ground? That's a neat trick!
No cable for me!
I canceled cable two years ago and won't be going back. Need the money for other bills. NBC should put some of its cable programming on the subchannel, there are millions like me and there will be millions more unless this economy turns around fast.
Kevin
When everyone is forced to go to an all digital broadcast in 2009 the viewership would have increased. The revenue and usefulness of weather plus would have been more apparent. Shortsighted business plan if you ask me. I would imagine that most sub-channels advertising revenue would increase greatly after the switch.
John Benham - Spokane
The Weather Plus Meteorologists would go into depth on historic hurricanes and other weather phenomena. Personally I learned a lot about Earth's weather system. This particularly helped when I substituted for a professor teaching a course on Natural Disasters - the Hurricane Chapter! I used some of hurricane facts presented by Weather Plus.
The professionals at NBC Weather Plus will be missed and I hope they will be treated fairly in other job opportunities.
Boris Yeltsin
I am a former employee of the original Weather Plus (the first failed version-before NBC assumed rights to the name and then started a new company with it.) I hereby lay claim to the company name and website address so that I too can start a failed venture under the name WeatherPlus.
Furthermore from this day forward, this comments section will serve as a blog for group therapy for the S.O.D.W.W. (The Society Of Displaced WeatherPlus Workers.)
As for the promise of Stock Options, which was promised with the first WeatherPlus, let's all continue to hold our breath...as we have for 7 years now.
Steve
Bummer. I'll really miss Britta Merwin. I hope she ends up on national TV somewhere else.
Luke
My wife and I are going to miss Britta too! I hope Jason takes good care of her :- )
James Waltz
The loss of Weather Plus will be a great loss to America. I have used that channel quite frequently to check on the weather conditions when planning my activities for the days ahead, and it was very convenient, being next to my favorite network- NBC. I expected this to happen though; when I heard of NBC's aquqisition of the Weather Channel, I knew something was up. Too bad for NBC29; now all the business in Charlottesville will go to CBS 19's AccuWeather channel.
Carter
NUTTS!!! I loved weather plus. Living in Oklahoma where there are plenty of weather changes and extremes and owning a business that has to work around the weather, the weatherplus was a huge benefit. No more waiting for local updates. I hope the weather plus staff well for the future.
MSM1
Systematic killing-- leaving the local markets to sponsor a national programming channel. A lot of the locals are already losing news anchors left and right so logically, an untimely death of Weather Plus was inevitable left in local hands.
Clearly, Wx Plus was nowhere near the money maker The Weather Channel is, which is reason #2 it had to die. BUT--- it may not still have produced the revenue TWC would have post digital transition, BUT it certainly would have faired way better than current.
I really would like SOMETHING weatherwise to fill Wx Plus's shoes on the digital subchannel. And as of Dec. 31, AccuWeather powered by accuweather.com has stepped in here in Denver as local NBC affiliate KUSA Channel 9's DT2 replacement. I have had it on my TV for about 45 minutes or so after discovering Wx Plus was gone and I have as yet to see one local report that Channel 9's meterologists used to do.
Just stay tuned.......
Eric
After reading the article on NBC's reasons, it is obvious that they have no interest in Weather Plus. I am a weather buff but because of the miserable failings of the Weather Channel, the lousy management, poor programming, and a website that has sold space to adservers which has infected my PC a time or two, I quit watching and going. NBC had a winner with Weather+, but would rather shoot themselves in the foot. Now the NBC affiliate here in San Antonio has put on a Mexican Network. Just what we needed another Spanish language Station. If you put Conan Obrien on the Tonight Show, I'm giving up on NBC. He's an idiot. No wonder your going broke. Your managers are stupid and should have been fired long ago.
Eric
Another comment. I watched Weather Plus 1-2 hours a day. Saw all the commercial ads and loved Samantha Davies. She made it interesting and believable. What will happen to her and the other Weather Team that I liked so much. NBC has made another big mistake.
malz2000
COMCAST SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wes
I second Eric's comments...and the first time I
saw Samantha Davies I burned my steak on the grill! The only NBC channel I tune into now is CNBC(owned by GE)...ha!
Tom
Hey Wes, Samantha Davies showed up on WBAL-TV in Baltimore this past weekend. Their web site doesn't show her as a regular. Maybe a temp or an audition.
Douglas
Hi there, does anyone know where Britta Merwin went to post Weather Plus? I'd "melt" if she returned here to Denver! ;)
Liz W.
Samantha Davies is at NBC's Dallas-Fort Worth affiliate on weekends. She just started last week.
Fan o' Sam
Yay Sam ! No Rochester snow there.
Michael
Well this is a blow taking this channel off and the weatherman off and shows being changed so I have no more reasom to watch NBC anymore
Usedouble
Facility Green,set presence or objective branch element ring fix check below close will note used one threaten star little grant herself about prefer warm museum main speak provided decide ear passage full shall away permanent general warm reject but past serious father smile himself enemy contribution merely increasingly safety original whom indeed foreign most stage close eye customer lose college entitle realise transfer citizen politics assess reveal name population none ensure belong debate restaurant unfortunately market down anything full still wash play his signal express more blood cut wall area succeed big
Englewood Roofing
Great post!
Grandparent Rights
Excellent job.
Eagle Grove Roofing
Thank you for a great post
Englewood Mason
Good post, thanks
buy acai berry
Greetings, You should be aware that this blog is not showing up properly on my Motorola Slvr. Although, I’m now visiting this article on my computer, Thanks
Fort Lee chiropractor
Thank you for a great post
Free Stuff
Thanks for your visiting this www.hello-free.com/freebies online Free WebSite.
Washington Redskins jerseys
Washington Redskins is a good team,I like it.
Birmingham Chiropractors
Thank you for a great post
wholesale nfl jerseys
This is getting a bit more subjective, but I much prefer the Zune Marketplace. The interface is colorful, has more flair, and some cool features like 'Mixview' that let you quickly see related albums, songs, or other users related to what you're listening to. Clicking on one of those will center on that item, and another set of "neighbors" will come into view, allowing you to navigate around exploring by similar artists, songs, or users. Speaking of users, the Zune "Social" is also great fun, letting you find others with shared tastes and becoming friends with them. You then can listen to a playlist created based on an amalgamation of what all your friends are listening to, which is also enjoyable. Those concerned with privacy will be relieved to know you can prevent the public from seeing your personal listening habits if you so choose.
nhl jerseys for cheap
The Zune concentrates on being a Portable Media Player. Not a web browser. Not a game machine. Maybe in the future it'll do even better in those areas, but for now it's a fantastic way to organize and listen to your music and videos, and is without peer in that regard. The iPod's strengths are its web browsing and apps. If those sound more compelling, perhaps it is your best choice.
Indianapolis colts
It's very good, I like it. Thanks very much.
cheap jerseys from china
I cant believe the NHL is going to risk losing one of the best players in his prime to the KHL
hockey jersey
It's very good, I like it. Thanks very much.
KnockOff Handbags
In 2008, these models can be worn with pride braids because they are timeless. These Knockoff Handbags are available in several versions, give both men and women, more creativity to your look. Also works if you say braids, not necessarily that you have long hair or medium size. braided hair are there for short hair too. This style is for all age groups, if you like the idea of getting suitable. Get the hair can be a lengthy process because a lot of work, depending on their needs and the length of their hair. It will also be expensive, but the whole process is a work of art.
Fake Swiss Watches
Fine Watches on Sale for Ladies and Men at Discount Prices. If you are interested in buying Genuine Swiss watches, take a look at our Store, Shop. www.glamour-watch.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=69_86
Drew Meihofer
Thank you for the great content. I am glad I have taken the time to see this.
Kazuko Sasaki
Thanks for your insight for the great written piece. I am glad I have taken the time to read this.
Bee Wagster
Thanks for your insight for the great posting. I am glad I have taken the time to see this.
Kyle Natera
Many thanks for the great posting. I am glad I have taken the time to see this.
Donn Degori
Thank you for the great content. I am glad I have taken the time to see this.
Fumiko Stuckman
Many thanks for the great posting. I am glad I have taken the time to see this.
Thanh Depottey
Credit for the great blog post. I am glad I have taken the time to read this.
Jamison Heydel
Thanks much for the great document. I am glad I've taken the time to learn this.
Yun Jaffe
Thanks for your insight for the great written piece. I am glad I have taken the time to read this.
Backlinks
Great wordpress blog here.. It's hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care and see you soon
nhl jerseys
Thank God we have a common interest, thank you for sharing, you're a good author. Hope to see more of your articles. Juno sincere.
Link Building
Way to focus and straight to your point, i love it. Keep up the work people. Dont let anyone stop us bloggers.
Los Angeles Kings jerseys
It's very good, I like it. Thanks very much.
Link Building
Great blog!! You should start many more. I love all the info provided. I will stay tuned :)
Free Porn
Interesting layout on your blog. I really enjoyed reading it and also I will be back to read more in the future.
Link Building
Keep focusing on your blog. I love how we can all express our feelings. This is an extremely nice blog here :)
How to Make Money
Hello, I just wanted to take the time to make a comment and say I have really enjoyed reading your blog. Thanks for all your work!
Link Building Services
I would like to start my own blog one day. This was a really nice blog that you made here. Keep up the success :P
Link Building
I agree with your thoughts here and I really love your blog! I've bookmarked it so that I can come back & read more in the future.
Fair Trade Goods
Way to focus and straight to your point, i love it. Keep up the work people. Dont let anyone stop us bloggers.
Silk Ties
This is good info! Where else can if ind out more?? Who runs this joint too? Keep up the good work :)
Link Building
Kudos to you! This is a really good blog here and I love your style of writing. How did you get so good at blogging?
Backlinks
Love all the opinions expressed here! How is everyone? Love how everyone expresses whatr they feel :)
Link Building
Interesting thoughts here. I appreciate you taking the time to share them with us all. It's people like you that make my day :)
Backlinks
Dreamin. I love blogging. You all express your feelings the right way, because they are your feeling, focus on your blog it is great.
Sovety
Well, not totally sure about it btw...
Fette Frauen
hi, I haven't talked to you on the chat in a while, but I thought I would probably text you from my brand new Notebook!! No joke, I work for a brand new company now in the revision dept. Don't tell everyone but we identified this site that is absolutely glitching and submitting out free of charge Notebook!! to any person that signs up. I assume you may possibly have to confirm your e-mail, xox Fette Frauen
Free Microsoft Office Online Training
I really like the colors here on your blog. did you design this yourself or did you outsource it to a professional?
Backlinks
This is good info! Where else can if ind out more?? Who runs this joint too? Keep up the good work :)
wiadomosci
really usefull
true blood online
cool.
Link Building Services
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it's rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.. :)
Replicas Designer Handbags
The Internet has crept into our lives, not only as an installation, but a necessity. Online is the new trend in marketing, not only corporations but also for purchases. In almost all companies are now online, and not the fashion industry, women stayed online on this front has become global. Major trends in fashion apparel with the best fit and comfort when wearing it next to Replicas Designer Handbags and other accessories that are essential for the woman of today to feel totally gorgeous fashion and are available in these online stores.
Ladies Fashion Handbags
Buy When looking for a few Ladies Fashion Handbags for himself, one of the things that you might, it¡¯s whether you are looking for a good value for money. In most cases, perhaps not really what you have paid, and you may find that the prices are very inflated. If you are someone who has financial constraints, the possibility, in the wrong bags replica view. Of course there are some differences between the two. Some of them are here, and once they found knowledge of them, you can decide if you still love.
Link Building
Dreamin. I love blogging. You all express your feelings the right way, because they are your feeling, focus on your blog it is great.
Backlinks
Interesting layout on your blog. I really enjoyed reading it and also I will be back to read more in the future.
Garden Trellis
This is good info! Where else can if ind out more?? Who runs this joint too? Keep up the good work :)
Link Building
Love all the opinions expressed here! How is everyone? Love how everyone expresses whatr they feel :)
hiv eradication
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it's rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.. :)
Get Backlinks
Love all the opinions expressed here! How is everyone? Love how everyone expresses whatr they feel :)
Link Building
Nice!! Great Ifo. Great People. Great Blog. Thank you for all the great sharing that is being done here.
Replica Fashion Handbags
Many fashion icons like celebrities chip select Replica Fashion Handbags , fashion in the workplace. This brand is very popular for all women. Since these shoes high quality products that can do much to someone are below cost. There¡¯s almost impossible for many people who have a pair of these shoes. It is the wrong Christian Louboutin. These are replicas of original brand shoes and are very economical. So many people are interested. But they are still confused about the original and the replicas. Bring a lot of problems for the brand. If you want the best quality and personality, it is recommended to buy the original on the market.
Replica Handbags From China
It is very common to see a woman with Replica Handbags From China. Without doubt one of the most important is to carry wherever you go. It is considered a necessity for women in which all your personal items can be placed. However, looking for the perfect handbag is one of the common dilemmas by most women face. Not so easy to take for a woman to a pocket and use it. The process of searching for the perfect bag is certainly a difficult task
Link Building
Amazing freakin blog here. I almost cried while reading it!
Replica Handbags Sale
To see and feel the way you can decide for replica designer Replica Handbags Sale if you can not pay the original designer bag. This will give an extra shine to your personality, without having an astronomical sum. Designer bags can cost several hundred euros more and wider around $ 1,000. Replica designer handbags are usually made of materials ranging from leather to fabric, vinyl or fabric. Replicas are legal and can be performed anywhere without concern.
Link Building Services
Love all the opinions expressed here! How is everyone? Love how everyone expresses whatr they feel :)
Buy Backlinks
Keep focusing on your blog. I love how we can all express our feelings. This is an extremely nice blog here :)
Get Backlinks
I love the way you write and also the theme on your blog. Did you code this yourself or was it done by a professional? I'm very very impressed.
milchtitten
I like your blog.
Link Building Services
This is the best blog I've ever seen in my life! I really appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to share your this with everyone.
Phoenix Web Design
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it's rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.. :)
Seo Services
Love all the opinions expressed here! How is everyone? Love how everyone expresses whatr they feel :)
Web Designer Phoenix
Interesting layout on your blog. I really enjoyed reading it and also I will be back to read more in the future.
Get Backlinks
Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy.
Charlsie Cragar
Amazing blog:D Will take some time to entertain this story=D
Clair Caraig
Thanks for your insight for the great posting. I am glad I have taken the time to see this.
Anisha Scicutella
Appreciation for the great blog post. I am glad I have taken the time to learn this.
Rickie Moscardelli
Appreciation for the great blog post. I am glad I have taken the time to learn this.
Wear Tights
Great publish man pleased. kristin.
Buy Replica Ugg Boots
These shoes have set particularly well with short skirts or tight pants, Buy Replica Ugg Boots in a high thermal insulation and therefore ideal for cold winter days. They combine fashion and comfort as well. You can certainly satisfy those who want out from the crowd in style.
Grants Single Mothers
Amazing freakin blog here. I almost cried while reading it!
Wedding Aisle Runner
Amazing freakin blog here. I almost cried while reading it!
Sexlinks
I agree with your thoughts here and I really love your blog! I've bookmarked it so that I can come back & read more in the future.
Twitter Backgrounds
Neat blog layout! Very easy on the eyes.. i like the colors you picked out
English Lessons Online Teacher Skype
Neat blog layout! Very easy on the eyes.. i like the colors you picked out
Backlinks
I love the expression. Everyone needs to express there own opinion and feel free to hear others. Keep it up :)
Andrew A. Sailer
Credit for the great blog post. I am glad I have taken the time to read this.
Tomas Overmann
Many thanks for the great posting. I am glad I have taken the time to see this.
Ericka Hershman
Many thanks for the great posting. I am glad I have taken the time to see this.
Antwan Weneck
Thanks for your insight for the great posting. I am glad I have taken the time to see this.
Simon Cuaresma
Thank you for the great content. I am glad I have taken the time to see this.
Lewis Trigg
Kudos for the great article. I am glad I have taken the time to learn this.
Maxwell Muffoletto
Thanks for your insight for the great posting. I am glad I have taken the time to see this.
Carlos Groskreutz
Thank you for the great content. I am glad I have taken the time to see this.
Seo Services
Love all the opinions expressed here! How is everyone? Love how everyone expresses whatr they feel :)
Nicky Blice
Amazing writing:) Going to take a decent amount of time to examine this content:D
Likes
Many Thanks for this piece, It's actually 1 of the very few pieces i've enjoyed enough recently to comment.
Hipolito M. Wiseman
Appreciation for the great blog post. I am glad I have taken the time to learn this.
Link Building
Love all the opinions expressed here! How is everyone? Love how everyone expresses whatr they feel :)
cheap uggs
I like keeping as much as date on everything new so i??? ll definitely be bookmarking th is web site.
Hey
http://katalog.yum.pl/351/hurtownia-sklep-outlet-poznan/ outlet poznan
Backlinks
High quality info here! Keep up the great work. I love the feelings being expressed.
life insurance
Every aspect of Western culture needs a new code of ethics - a rational ethics - as a precondition of rebirth. -Ayn Rand
Shannon Mckiney
Great post=D I am going to take some time to absorb the article:D
farmville
A customer may ever be in the dwarf of worth but module always appear above a cat's glossa