Archive for the ‘Weather’ Category

New CBS Atlanta WX graphics use interactive screen setup

Although with its new graphics package, WGCL-TV Atlanta is also using new weather graphics that allow the meteorologist to interact with the map by “touching” one of four “screens” on the graphic and making it expand to fill the entire screen; though this may have existed before the HD switch.

This is an interesting effect, but the illusion could be pulled off a bit better if the virtual pole-mounted screens looked a bit more realistic. In addition, the large white lettering in the labels looks like it was slapped on at the last minute; some more carefully styled text, such as the shiny 3D look found elsewhere, would improve the look.

NewscastTip: Outdoor weather works well this time of the year

Many areas of the country are headed into the snowy season and winter weather coverage is always a great wall to lure viewers.

There’s no better way to enhance your weather coverage than to report weather from outside, but you can consider taking your coverage beyond just live shots by assembling an outdoor weather studio.

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WX+ domains redirecting to Weather.com

As NBC continues to combine its operations with the Weather Channel, including referring to former WeatherPlus meteorologists as Weather Channel talent on air and utilizing the Weather Channel graphics and logo, the WeatherPlus.com site has been shuttered.

The site’s domains, which also include NBCWeatherPlus.com, are now redirecting to Weather.com, the official homepage of the Weather Channel.

WX Channel adds iPhone app

The Weather Channel has launched in iPhone application that provides weather information and video clips.

The new app includes a unique “multi-layer” design that allows users to customize the map view to their liking and with the information they find most relevant in very specific locations.

The program offers more than just maps and data, though. Users are able to access video forecasts and other video clips.

A tabbed navigation is designed to accomodate the many features of the application into the relatively small screen of the iPhone.

As shown in the screen grab at right, the app also includes advertising along the bottom to support the content.

Details and the download are available here from the Weather Channel’s mobile site.

Can broadcasters make better use of maps during hurricane coverage?

With the mini-radar map in the corner of the screen becoming a standard fixture on many cable networks, one must question the usefulness of such a feature. The map, by and large, is very small and is really only able to show a general, wide view of where the storm is.

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Tampa Fox station rolls MyFoxHurricane.com

From TVNewsInsider, we’ve learned that WTVT-TV, the Fox O&O in Tampa, Fla. has launched a dedicated hurricane news site called MyFoxHurricane.com. The URL is an interesting take on the “MyFox” branding that’s been proliferating throughout News Corp.-owned stations (and some say was spurred by the conglomerate’s purchase of MySpace).

That said, it’s an intersting idea since weather news is a top ratings and page view driver, especially during severe events such as Hurricane Fay.

The site itself gives the feel of a weather command central, with numerous maps, charts and live video being piped in. There’s also a live chat module and links to resources and more information.

Click here to visit the site.

NBC Weather Plus rolls out new on air look

Along with an updated WeatherPlus.com, NBC WeatherPlus has also redesigned their on air L bar.

The new design matches their new online presence and contains much lighter blues and a more airy feel. The L bar now features live radar which stations can insert. (more…)

WeatherPlus.com redesigns

Courtesy of the Online Design Digest blog, NBC has rolled out a new look for WeatherPlus.com. The new design features a light blue background with individual content modules topped by dark blue headers.

Internal content has also been better organized and now features some nifty dynamic effects.

The site’s navigation now features drop-down menus that have dashed outlines that make them look oddly like coupons.

It will be interesting to see how this new direction for WeatherPlus.com plays into NBC Universal’s planned acquisition of the Weather Channel, which includes the hot domain Weather.com.

WX+ reports from new location

MSNBC was using a different location for Weather Plus updates at 30 Rock this afternoon. The network had moved away from using the Manhattan studios for weather updates on MSNBC, opting to use WeatherPlus headquarters at CNBC in Englewood Cliffs, N.J. instead.

When weather does originate from New York City, it is typically done from the balcony area, but today Jeff Raineri was reporting from the newsroom floor, with a handheld camera used. Raineri used the desktop computers to control his on-screen graphics as well.

By the way, the cable on the right side of the screen is a nice touch.

UPDATE: About thirty minutes later Raineri was back up on the balcony:

Severe weather … or not

WESH.com, the Web site for WESH-TV, the Hearst-Argyle NBC affiliate in Orlando, Fla., was using its special “Severe Weather Alert” box on its homepage last Saturday.

The problem was the text beneath it: “There are currently no severe weather alerts.”

Plus the radars thumbnails look pretty clear over the greater Orlando area…

Examining WX Channel HD

Just a few observations about the Weather Channel’s new “Studio of the Future”:

• The centerpiece of the set, the giant rear projection screen, isn’t being used effectively. When viewed from the anchor desk, the background is washed out and blurry. However, the flexibility of displaying panoramic views of American cities and landmarks does add a nice touch to the set (unlike MSNBC’s somewhat bizarre decision to constantly showcase only Rockefeller Plaza despite the fact it’s a national cable network).
• The studio’s new key wall isn’t nearly as well lit as the previous studio’s — there is some noticeable green glow and harsh lines around talent.
• Overall, the set isn’t even seen that much, which was also true in the old studios. Since the majority of weather forecasting is full-screen chroma key, WeatherPlus’ minimalistic set makes more sense.
• “Abrams & Bettes” seemed to be originating from the old studios earlier this week, but this will likely change when the show goes HD June 16.

By the way, I have some mixed feelings about the Weather Channel HD logo. Using the vertical pipes is a unique way to integrate the “HD” into the logo — and a creative alternative to simply boxing the letters in a rectangle like other networks and television stations. However, perhaps the spacing could be a bit wider so the right half of the logo is a bit closer to the 16:9 shape.

Weather Channel’s new HD studio coming next week

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a preview of the Weather Channel’s new $60 million HD studio that will be unveiled next week, including some photos of the new facility.

The new studio set boasts a $400,000 HD projection screen that’s as big as a tennis court — plus over 5,000-square feet worth of other gadgets and broadcast space.