Last Week's TWC "A&B" Program

[Frank2]

Last evening TWC's prime-time "A&B" program (8-9 ET) once again caused anxiety among it's many viewers, by needlessly running reports that the current Gulf system had required "oil rig evacuations", and, had placed New Orleans under a state of emergency, even though the disturbance was not even a tropical depression at that time. In addition, it's very likely that TWC meteorologists (not OCM's, but, their staff meteorologists) already knew that this system would remain weak and would soon make "landfall" in the Florida panhandle - as it is doing at this time, as a minimal subtropical depression...

It seems that TWC Management is now on a very agressive prime-time campaign that includes telling lies - which in turn brings the public needless worry and anxiety...

Perhaps it's time the FCC reign in such false reporting. Freedom of speech means being responsible for one's statements - but does not mean a person (or media outlet) can say whatever they please, for the sake of high ratings (and profits), while creating a possible panic situation.

As many here know, it's not my style to say something this harsh, but, I do not apologize when it comes to derailing such careless reporting...

[hurricanetrack]

Agreed. That is what you call "spinning" something with very little spin.

[Frank2]

True - what they should have focused on (and the public could have used) was reporting of the severe outbreak in north-central Florida, instead of worrying viewers by giving untimely information on the upgraded New Orleans levee system...

As of this hour, there are TS Warnings for the New Orleans area, but, per the TCD, more only as a precaution, than anything...

It might sound picky, but, my angst is directed towards those tightly-wound people that read the news (or direct them to) - I suppose I'm just old enough to remember a time when the people that read the news (or weather) were talented, mature and sensible enough to know the difference between reading facts to inform the public, instead of aggressively encouraging anxiety or rumour, by making more of a situation than was necessary...

About three years ago, about the time TWC changed their logo (to the bland one they use today), they mentioned that they would embark on a more aggressive form of programming - they have done that, that is sadly true, but, in the process, their integrity seems to have fallen by the wayside...

[Recurve]

snip....

I'd say it's time the FCC reign in such false reporting. Freedom of speech means being responsible for one's statements - but does not mean a person (or media outlet) can say whatever they please, for the sake of high ratings (and profits), while creating a possible panic situation.
...

Frank, I agree with your frustration, but I'm sorry to say you're wrong about the freedom issue. The First Amendment guarantees that the government cannot stop you, me, or TWC from saying anything they want. Thank goodness. There are some narrow exceptions, but in general, overhyping forecasts is not something the government should interfere with.
I'd like to stop them from smiling and sounding so upbeat when they talk about huge storms that destroy neighborhoods, but they are trapped in a happy-talk format these days with that show.
(Sorry if my post has veered into politics)

[eaglegirl]

As a long time viewer of The Weather Channel, I have to say that I am increasingly disappointed by all of their broadcasts... in more ways than I can count.

I find the A&B program totally insulting to anything nearing intelligence.


On another note, I could not believe what I heard and saw yesterday afternoon...

When they were reporting on the severe weather in the continental USA, Vivian Brown came on several times saying something like "we're sorry to interrupt your your regular programming to bring you this news" when reporting on the area.

Hello???

Isn't that what The Weather Channel is for????

[Category 5]

I've come to expect nothing less from the weather channel anymore. They've become like fox news, except with head on ads.

[Tampa Bay Hurricane]

I've come to expect nothing less from the weather channel anymore. They've become like fox news, except with head on ads.

Those ads- ugh...they are well....intriguing...

[Category 5]

I've come to expect nothing less from the weather channel anymore. They've become like fox news, except with head on ads.

Those ads- ugh...they are well....intriguing...

They really are, I still don't know where to apply it.

[swimaster20]

I agree with all of y'all, but I just want to clarify something. TWC was not lying when they talked about oil rig evacs and New Orleans in a state of emergency (well, not NOLA per se, Louisiana was.) Although, I still think it was pointless to talk about it.

[Ed Mahmoud]

Can the FCC regulate cable broadcasts anyway? Isn't that how HBO can have nudity and people dropping "F" bombs?

[Recurve]

Good point Ed. They don't have any say over content as they do for broadcast stations. They do regulate the cable industry to some degree, but there are not the same "acceptable content" standards -- that superbowl wardrobe malfunction wouldn't have mattered on cable, as far as I know.

Broadcast stations used to operate under the "Fairness Doctrine," but that has been practically eliminated as well.

[RL3AO]

I agree. Also I want to say YOU ARE THE WEATHER CHANNEL! You shouldn't have a primetime lineup.

[Frank2]

Thanks to all for your comments (glad everyone agreed, too - LOL)...

Per recurves comment, well, I understand what you meant, but, there's a fine line between unbridled freedom and anarchy (that would include speech)...

As Perry Mason would, say, your Honor (in this case, admin), please bear with me, as this pertains to TWC's recent behavior...

If we all said what was on our mind, we'd likely be in a fight of some kind almost everyday, but, with freedom of speech, comes a conscience effort to do or say the right thing, for the right reasons - many times that means a decided sacrifice, for the benefit of others, and, in the case of TWC, that would have been to refrain from making too much of a weak depression, so as to not upset their viewers - especially those in Katrina-affected areas...

Unfortunately, they are so into their profit margin (known as ratings), that they've lost sight of their true mission...

I still have the TWC 30th Anniversary tape from 2002, and, during that show their original OCM's mentioned that TWC (in the 1980's) was a workplace for those who loved the weather - I'm sure many of their employees would agree that this seems to have ended...

Sadly (per eaglegril's comment), I doubt it will get any better, with their two new feature shows scheduled to begin next week - they seem to be more of the stock travelogue-type shows that I won't be watching. And, I agree that the "A&B" show is insulting to watch - the only thing that consistently comes to mind when it concerns that program is the word "silly"...

My guess, per the recent trend of "channel-themed related movies" (such as the trend of movies now appearing on TVLand, VH-1, etc.), I'd expect that we'll see a weather-themed movie or two appearing on TWC sometime in the near future (of course this will still include "Local on the 8's" - for now, anyway)...

[GeneratorPower]

Freedom of speech does not extend to yelling "fire" in a crowded theater. Neither should freedom of press extend to yelling "hurricane" in a crowded New Orleans.

[Frank2]

I so agree with you - when TD10 made "landfall" on Friday evening, one TWC OCM said that the Gulf (at the point of landfall) was so calm, a person could water ski - on the other hand, immediately after this comment, a live reporter in New Orleans (not a TWC OCM), was giving an untimely comment about bus service for those (in the city) who wanted to be taken to a shelter...

When I worked at the NHC, sometimes, a system would be found to be much weaker by recon, or, it'd suddenly become sheared, and, that sometimes would leave the media in an awkward situation of having to back-pedal their media "hype" of the system (which sometimes meant that they'd pack up their tents and leave the office within 30 minutes), and, sometimes they would tell the truth, but, sometimes they wouldn't, for at least a few hours - still, if they are honest enough, they'll just report that the system has suddenly weakened - and live with the fact that this will mean some or many will then turn to another channel...

Instead, then and today, those in media seem to willfully continue to build on the situation - even though they know that the danger has passed...

I hope it never happens, but, perhaps a lawsuit or two (dozen) will show them that they should not endanger the public by false reporting (a/k/a telling lies)...

[GeneratorPower]

But, you have to admit, more times than not in the past they have been on the other side of the issue, blatently ignoring possible homegrown threats until the last minute. That's why I use storm2k, because people are on top of things.

Historically, by the time TWC started sounding the alarm the evac traffic was already stop-and-go. Too late for me, thank you.

The news media is lazy, uninformed, and driven primarily by hype and profits. I say throw them overboard, turn off TWC permanently, and go with NHC, weather.gov, and storm2k.org.

[Frank2]

Yes, I agree again - in general, today's media is scary - they seem so concerned about their physical appearance (forgive me, but, the truth is, especially many (not all, but many) of the women in the industry), that they seem to not care about what they are saying, as long as it helps their careers...

Just 15 years ago, TWC's OCM's always presented themselves professionally (including their physical appearance), but, that was all - even that seems not to matter anymore, with some likely saying that is too "Grandpa-ish"...

As you said, they often seem so uninformed (or mis-informed) that it is a wonder that any good information is quoted, at all - again, they seem to only care about their standing in the ratings...

I don't know - perhaps they all need a good slug in the stomach from Danny Zuco...

[eaglegirl]

But, you have to admit, more times than not in the past they have been on the other side of the issue, blatently ignoring possible homegrown threats until the last minute. That's why I use storm2k, because people are on top of things.

AMEN!!

I was on 4 websites tracking the actual data and images as Humberto approached the coast.

In the background, I had The Weather Channel on TV. I was flabbergasted that the information they were giving was totally incorrect!! As a very active disaster responder, I was appalled.

I was actually yelling out loud (to no one but myself), what are these people doing... just reading from a teleprompter... or is someone at The Weather Channel actually watching these storms???

In my opinion, even a novice could have seen that Humberto was not doing what they were saying.

What upsets me the most is that the "general public" has come to rely on The Weather Channel... believing that they are receiving accurate and up to date information. Even if they had the guts to stand up and say something like "we're not sure what this storm is doing", at least some people might take cover or look elsewhere for more accurate information.

Sadly, when people ask me where to turn when a system is approaching, I tell them not to rely on The Weather Channel.

Personally, when I watch The Weather Channel, I've come to expect that I will see and hear about what happened an hour ago. For that reason, it's great for catching up on what I missed.

On a more positive note, I am personally grateful to those of you who provide the services on Storm2K and to everyone who posts here. This is an AWESOME site. For me, it has been a great relief to be able to provide links here to those who may be in an effected area. It gives them a better chance at survival... which is always a good thing.

The sights and smells in a debris field are bad enough. I prefer the ones without fatalities. Accurate weather information makes that possible.

[Frank2]

It sounds like you've seen a lot out there...

Per what you mentioned, last evening, TWC seemed even more off-balance than ever, with their awkward "coverage of the first day of Fall" (guess they thought something would happen when the big moment came, similar to "Did I hear a leaf fall?")...

During the early evening, there were two OCM's that gave me the impression that they were fighting during the commercials (I've been witness to that, so, know it happens sometimes), and, the next lucky pair also seemed very awkward because they were both made to stand before the camera - while only one was speaking, so, it seems, by my inexperienced eye, that TWC is trying so hard to be so much to so many, that they've lost sight of what they were originally so good at...

I have a very old VHS tape of a TWC OCM segment from almost 15 years ago (think I was home sick that day), and, the change between then and now is very obvious, unfortunately...

I feel the most sorry for those long-time OCM's who've seen their beloved channel deteriorate - at their middle age, it must leave them feeling very vunerable when it comes to not knowing what will become of their jobs...

P.S. I only hope that some at TWC will make note of these comments...

[Dean4Storms]

What can you expect, we even have a certain political party trying to panic everyone over global warming, its the norm today.