More original shows shine on Weather Channel
NEW YORK — The Weather Channel is in the midst of a transformation, one that can be traced in part to an idle afternoon Al Roker spent surfing the Web a couple of years ago.
Pleased with the ratings earned by some new series, the network is increasing by 70 percent the amount of original programming it had planned to offer this year, and will debut at least one new show each month for the rest of the year.
Once the home primarily to meteorologists standing in front of maps, the new Weather Channel will be featuring Arctic pilots, iron workers, wind turbine and power line repairers and Coast Guard rescuers in both icy and tropical climates.
"It's an evolution, not a revolution," said Michael Dingley, the network's senior vice president of content and development, who came to The Weather Channel from HGTV 10 months ago. "You want to respect the core viewers, but let's invite new viewers into the tent."
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I can see it now... Live programming 4 AM-5 PM during the week and 5 AM-2 PM on the weekend, the rest is "original programming".