TWC Staff Let Go, including Dave Schwartz

[jasons2k]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capita ... al_un.html

NBC Fires Weather Channel Environmental Unit
Some on-camera meteorologists also let go

NBC Universal made the first of potentially several rounds of staffing cuts at The Weather Channel (TWC) on Wednesday, axing the entire staff of the "Forecast Earth" environmental program during the middle of NBC's "Green Week," as well as several on-camera meteorologists. The layoffs totaled about 10 percent of the workforce, and are among the first major changes made since NBC completed its purchase of the venerable weather network in September.

Keep reading for more on The Weather Channel cuts...

The layoffs affected about 80 people, but left the long-term leadership of the network unclear, according to a source who requested anonymity due to the continuing uncertainty at the station.

Among the meteorologists who was let go was Dave Schwartz, a Weather Channel veteran and a viewer staple due to his lively on camera presentations. USA Today reported that meteorologists Cheryl Lemke and Eboni Deon were also let go.

The timing of the Forecast Earth cancellation was ironic, since it came in the middle of NBC's "Green Week," during which the network has been touting its environmental coverage across all of its platforms. Forecast Earth normally aired on weekends, but its presumed last episode was shown on a weekday due to the environmentally-oriented week.

Forecast Earth was hosted by former CNN anchor Natalie Allen, with contributions from climate expert Heidi Cullen. It was the sole program on TWC that focused on global climate change, which raises the question of whether the station will still report on the subject. Cullen's future role at the network is not known.

NBC released the following statement in response to questions about the firings:

The economic realities of recent months have created challenges for everyone in our business. In addition, when NBC Universal purchased the Weather Channel earlier this year, we expected that there would be cost synergies as part of a company reorganization. While it is always difficult to lose valued employees, we are doing our best to minimize the impact, and remain committed to providing the highest quality content that our viewers have come to expect from the Weather Channel.

[jasons2k]

Just saw there is a thread in the USA Weather thread on this:

viewtopic.php?f=24&t=104003

[azsnowman]

Good....I HATED that program anyways but letting Dave go, well, that's like letting Andy Rooney from 60 minutes go, Dave was the ROCK TWC was built on

[Stephanie]

I loved Dave Schwartz!

I can't imagine what the rhyme or reason was for letting David go since he has been there for ever (salary maybe?). I also liked Cheryl, but she never had the fun personality that David had.

[Brent]

People still watch TWC?

Seriously, Dave Schwartz? He's been at TWC for as long as I can remember.

[Miss Mary]

I hardly ever watch TWC anymore. You can receive instant wx info, via online (well duh you all know this). But back in the day, TWC had the best info. And the best team.

That was then and this is now. Not surprised they're cleaning house.

If you want to realize time has really flown by, take a look at Kristina Abernathy! Wow, time hasn't exactly been kind to her.

[Brent]

I hardly ever watch TWC anymore. You can receive instant wx info, via online (well duh you all know this). But back in the day, TWC had the best info. And the best team.

Yeah, back in the 90's before I had internet I used to watch them all the time. Now the only time I watch usually is during a major weather event. They were quite good during Ike, better than the cable news networks were. I don't think I've watched them since though.

Ever since they started running all that taped stuff they lost me as well.

[CajunMama]

Has anyone ever considered they changed their format because of the internet? I mean even people i know that aren't weather weenies like us go directly to the internet for weather info which is more current than anything on tv.

[Miss Mary]

Well Kathy, my husband stills looks outside the window! (and has to tell me about it too)

LOL!

Those windows - amazing inventions!!!!

[CajunMama]

Well Kathy, my husband stills looks outside the window! (and has to tell me about it too)

LOL!

Those windows - amazing inventions!!!!

The man's a genius!!! and i bet he's never wrong about the weather!

[Category 5]

I'm pissed about Dave Schwartz, but good riddens to Forecast Earth.

[Stephanie]

Has anyone ever considered they changed their format because of the internet? I mean even people i know that aren't weather weenies like us go directly to the internet for weather info which is more current than anything on tv.

Yeah, but in the morning I usually sit and have a cup of coffee with TWC on. I'm a creature of the same habit I've been in since they first came on. I do flip to the local news as well.

It's just sad. I really did like it back in it's heyday.

[bvigal]

Did they fire Vivian Brown? She was my favorite of all the OCMs, always level-headed, never sensational, very articulate - and she didn't stand in front of the islands like so many of their knuckleheads! Of course, I don't watch TWC any more now that they are owned by NBC, since I've been boycotting NBC for almost 4 years now.

[Miss Mary]

Well Kathy, my husband stills looks outside the window! (and has to tell me about it too)

LOL!

Those windows - amazing inventions!!!!

The man's a genius!!! and i bet he's never wrong about the weather!

LOL!!! True, that.....

We also have a digital thermometer. With daily forecasts. They even show birds. Which we find hilarious. So he's been known to say - we have birds in the forecast tomorrow!

One invention I do rely upon in severe wx and definitely when our snowstorm chances increase, is my wx alert radio. It's in the kitchen and I tend to listen to it when I'm cooking or ironing. But I do something that is heavily frowned upon, I turn it off. The times I've left it on, the alarm has gone off on hours I've been away from home and it's that shrill sound that gets me every time, it's been going off all day long and the poor dog's ears must be going crazy.......so it's almost always in the off position. But since I'm pretty much "informed", LOL, I like to think I'd know if severe wx was coming. But that freak wind storm from Hurricane Ike took me by surprise. Sigh......wished I had known about it, we all would have gassed up our cars, I would have stocked up on canned goods, etc. Oh well......

[Frank2]

I'm sorry to hear about the OCM's, and, while Eboni was still fairly new and not known to many, Dave and Cheryl had been with TWC for almost 20 years - both had been able to survive previous changes and staff reductions, even taking the hardship early morning Sunday hours, so, I'm sure this loss is especially hard on them...

It's terrible that these layoffs were done just before Thanksgiving - at least both should have been given an early retirement option...

Eboni seems like the type of OCM that will land on her feet pretty fast, considering that she is very young, but, both Dave and Cheryl are in the 40 and over crowd, which makes it very hard for them to find suitable employment, in an industry that favors young adult OCM's...

I was afraid that NBC would start to make themselves felt at TWC, considering NBC already decided to shut down NBCWP at the end of next month...

Terrible, but, considering how callous NBC was towards conservative voters in this past election (to the point of ridiculing people on camera, per NBC's Saturday Night Live, etc.), I'm not surprised that they did what they did, unlike the NBC of the "Little House" days, when management still had a thread of decency at "30 Rock".

Frank

[cycloneye]

I hope that they dont fire Jim Cantore,because it will be the end of its viewing from me and I am sure for many.

[Frank2]

My suggestion - TWC employees should buy back the company and make it as it was in 1982 - a company started by on-camera meteorologists, for those who love the weather...

[Stephanie]

I hope that they dont fire Jim Cantore,because it will be the end of its viewing from me and I am sure for many.

I was thinking the samething.

TWC was sued for discrimination by an OCM named Marley - I can't remember her last name, but I can picture her. I can kind of see another one coming along from David and Cheryl. NBC really screwed up a good thing.

[azskyman]

TWC tried to get back to some of its roots the second half of the year after the negative publicity surrounding OCM Bob Stokes. In some ways they made some progress, I think.

Dave is a guy who clearly loves the weather...did a nice job on TWC in trying to "localize" the forecasts and reports. So too have some others over its history.

The workings of large media companies consumed by other large media companies almost always take a toll on people. The economy, the expense of the new HD studio and broadcast capabilities, are surely a part of the big picture decisions too.

I've always thought the prime time hours on TWC should remain focused on current weather. It lost that compass with Storm Stories and other segments that are, in substance, often interesting and educational. Like most of you, when current weather was a big concern, turning to TWC to find live information preempted by taped and produced videos, seemed to fly in the face of its original purpose.

I'm a believer in TWC...maybe because I have some friends and acquaintances there, but I hope they can find that compass again. I know I encourage those on the inside to do that whenever I can.

Meanwhile, I still appreciate the time and effort given by Dave and Cheryl and many others over the years. While they all had their own motivations for being part of TWC, most made some real contributions for people like us.

[Miss Mary]

Another spin on the situation Steve. Thanks for another viewpoint.

I wish TWC would find it's compass again and begin with pleasing it's fans, first and foremost.

Sure would be nice if they still offered forums, then we could post our well wishes and appreciation for mets we've all come to admire and respect over the years.