Boosted by recent launches by Cox Communications Inc., Comcast Corp. and
Charter Communications Inc., The Weather Channel said its Weatherscan Local
spin-off will end 2001 with some 3.3 million subscribers.
That subscriber count represents a 27 percent jump from the 2.6 million homes
the network had as of year-end 2000.
Weatherscan Local added some 41,000 homes in Cox's system in Phoenix on Dec.
11, according to TWC executives.
The launch came just after recent rollouts by Charter in
Greenville/Spartanburg, S.C.; Comcast in Nashville, Tenn.; and Cox in Omaha,
Neb.
'We recognize the value of high-quality local weather programming on our
digital lineup, and Weatherscan Local has met that need in a number of markets
where we've launched the service,' said Cox vice president of video production
management Lynne Elander in a statement.
'While it is customized for each area served, the programming has a
consistent look and feel that's scalable across all of the areas we serve.'
Weatherscan Local - which is co-branded with the local MSO - also has
affiliate deals with AT&T Broadband and Time Warner Cable.
In an effort to burnish that branded image, Weatherscan Local will add a
'digital retention screen' by year's end, according to a TWC spokeswoman.
The screen will house a customized message for the MSO, which will note that
the service is only available on the operator's digital tier in that market.
The service provides customized content for each individual market,
encompassing data on local conditions, observations for surrounding communities,
local radar, regional radar, satellite images, 36-hour forecasts, extended
forecasts, watches and warnings, and an almanac page.
Additionally, cable affiliates have the option of presenting tailored
lifestyle information that relates the weather to local sporting events, outdoor
and water activities, fall foliage, health and aviation.
