Just like all other topics of conversation, the weather is finally to get its own easy-to-use TV Channel. Well-known and experienced weather forecasters such as Harry Otten, Reinier van den Berg en Margot Ribberink will ensure that no weather detail will escape the viewer. The new 24 hrs weather channel (Weerkanaal) was developed by Meteo Consult in cooperation with chellomedia, and can be seen on UPC Digital TV from today. In the course of 2006 other distributors of television services will also be able to provide their customers with the new digital TV channel.
The weather channel will provide viewers with information about the weather 24 hours a day seven days a week, in televised programs updated every 15 minutes. The programs will regularly use three-dimensional radar images, that will indicate where it rains or snows. Live presentations will also soon be televised several times a day from the Meteo Consult studios. The fifteen minutes of weather will be divided into five minutes of Dutch weather, two minutes of European weather, three minutes of world weather and three minutes of travel weather. The other two minutes will be devoted to a channel demo plus potential commercials. In the near future the Weather Channel will offer interactive possibilities, such as demanding actual weather info 'on demand'. Meteo Consult is already providing the web weather service for the internet portal service of sister company UPC/chello, where shortly interactive components enabling web users to get a comprehensive and tailored service also will be offered.
Harry Otten, President of Meteo Consult on the weather channel: "In other countries, such as the United States and France, weather channels are a resounding success. Research by Meteo Consult and chellomedia shows that there is a great need for a weather channel in the Netherlands as well. A large majority of Dutch viewers say they want more and more updated information about the weather via a TV weather channel. In our fast changing climate people want to know what the weather is like every moment of the day, so they can prepare for it when they leave the house and step into their cars. But also, of course, as a subject for discussion."
Jeroen Bergman, Managing Director of chellomedia Benelux calls the launch of the weather channel an important step in the development of digital television: "The number of Dutch households potentially able to receive digital television has increased substantially in the past year and will increase further. This offers possibilities for the development of new theme channels with added value for the customer. We believe that the Weather Channel will meet a great need."
