Arizona Gets Own Weather Channel

[azskyman]

State gets own weather channel

Randy Cordova
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 27, 2005 12:00 AM

Temperatures could reach into the 70s again today. Over Christmas weekend, Phoenix hit 78.

In other words, a Phoenix winter feels a lot like a Phoenix spring, which feels like a lot like a Phoenix autumn.

We live in a place that doesn't seem to have weather so much as varying degrees of heat. Still, water-cooler talk about the weather is just as hot here as it is in Buffalo, Miami or Denver. Consider: advertisement

• Weather segments are consistently among the most popular parts of local newscasts.


• Both Sirius and XM satellite radio networks devote entire channels to Phoenix weather and traffic.


• This week, the state gets its first local 24-hour weather station. At least one other Valley station is considering a similar venture.

Why?

"It doesn't matter if the weather has been the same for 364 days. It's just a gut-level, immediate concern that most people have," says Craig Allen, a professor at Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication.

Our fast-growing population of newcomers that still considers someplace else home could be a reason for local interest in national forecasts, says Jeff Mielcarz, host of the Weather Channel's Road Crew. He taped a segment on southeast Valley olive growers last month.

"It's somewhat of a transient place," Mielcarz said of the Valley. "Weather becomes something that connects you with your friends and family all over the country. It's like a bond."


Launch on Thursday
On Thursday, Channel 12 (KPNX) will begin broadcasting 12 News Weather Plus on the air and on the Internet at http://www.azcentral.com. The 24-hour station is being launched in conjunction with NBC Universal and will be devoted to Arizona's highs and lows, with some national forecasts thrown in the mix. KPNX is owned by Gannett Co., Inc., the company that owns The Arizona Republic.

Weather Plus is expected to be in 85 markets by the end of this year.

"This gives people the opportunity to get weather news from around the state when they want, at their convenience," says John Misner, president and general manager of Channel 12. "It really serves the viewers' needs."

Other TV stations in the Valley say they see the potential for a 24-hour Arizona weather channel, odd as it may sound.

"Weather is always one of the top three reasons that people watch local news," says Mark Demopoulos, director of programming for Channel 3 (KTVK). "They always want to know the weather."


Others have plans, too
That's one reason why Channel 15 (KNXV)is looking at launching its own 24-hour weather channel, according to Vice President and General Manager Bonnie Higgins.

"We are examining weather as well as other content," she says, noting that station owner EW Scripps is developing programming for its stations to use.

"Not a lot of content is this easy to put on, without a lot of expense and without new hires. Weather channel products are pretty easy to operate."

She said if Channel 15 did launch a weather station, it wouldn't be until the middle of 2006 at the earliest.


Eager for viewers
The stations are eager to snag viewers like Gayle Zierk of Phoenix. The retired administrative assistant watches TV weather regularly, even if Phoenix temperatures don't seem to vary very much.

"I like to see if it's going to snow up north," she says. "And there's a variety of temperatures in the southern part of the state. It's just fun to watch."

Twenty-five years ago, she moved to the Valley from Chicago, a place where they have real weather.

"That's when I started watching the weather," she says. "You had to watch it when you were in Chicago to know how to dress."

Bonnie Higgins, manager of Baker's Nursery in Phoenix, watches the Weather Channel every night and listens to National Weather Service forecasts that originate from Sky Harbor International Airport.

Two weeks ago, however, the Sky Harbor report predicted the evening temperature would go down to 39 degrees. Instead, it dipped to a chilly 28 degrees, which wound up destroying $200 worth of plants.

"It was only a couple of hundred of dollars," Higgins said. "But you can't afford to do that every week."



Reporter Annemarie Moody contributed to this article.

[azsnowman]

How KEWL But I do have to admit (insert sarcasim ) it should be VERY boring, all they have to do is to put a "Bright Sun" and "Above Normal" temps on the Blue Screen and play music, no need for a "On Camera Met!"

Sorry........this is GREAT, this will be a fantastic addition come Monsoon Season!

Dennis

[azskyman]

Probably one of the reasons why Arizona comes on board so early, Dennis, is that here in the valley, at least, we have some 317 days of sunshine every year. As you said, how hard is that to predict?

[wx247]

This is part of a widespread launch by all the NBC stations across the country to employ this weather channel. Unfortunately, it is being added to larger markets first before it works its way down to the smaller markets. I have seen it in St. Louis and I enjoy the product. Hope it helps you all.

[Tampa Bay Hurricane]

It would be downright AWESOME if Florida got it's own weather channel

[wx247]

It would be downright AWESOME if Florida got it's own weather channel

I know that Orlando has its own Weather Plus.

[Aslkahuna]

Down here we have a bit more variability which could make it hard for anything but a local station based in SV to catch. The monsoon is also more awesome down in SE AZ.

Steve