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Thursday, January 2, 2014

FAVORITE TV HOST: Nicole Karkic, The Weather Network Canada


Nicole Karkic

Nicole Karkic


Nicole believes that all Canadians share a deep interest in the weather because of the profound effect it has on our daily lives. The weather can play a positive role, but can also be the root of many disastrous situations. This powerful relationship that we have with the weather compels us to study its phenomenon on a daily basis. Some of Nicole's favorite memories outdoors include a big family ski trip to the beautiful hills of Mont Tremblant, summers lake side at camp in Ontario and an unforgettable rainy spring in Vancouver studying voice work at the UBC campus. Nicole's path to broadcasting started as a love for arts and drama, which led her to study Theatre at Queen's University. Upon completing her degree, Nicole returned to her native Toronto and pursued roles in both theatre and film. However, through years of auditions, Nicole found herself drawn to hosting work instead and began working as a presenter for various networks such as Global, Rogers and The Score Television Network. From this experience her passion for broadcasting grew; in order to hone her skills as an on-air presenter, Nicole enrolled in the Broadcast Journalism program at Seneca College. Nicole was offered a position at The Weather Network in 2009. She is very enthusiastic to be a part of such an esteemed weather information team. In her role as a weather broadcaster, Nicole is committed to provide accurate, informative and enjoyable forecasts for years to come. One of Nicole's top travel goals is to take the time to travel across Canada to experience each beautiful province. You can catch Nicole on weekday evenings on The Weather Network.

The Weather Network

 
The Weather Network
TWN Logo 2011.svg
The Weather Network logo
LaunchedSeptember 1, 1988
Owned byPelmorex Media Inc.
Pierre L. Morrissette - 59.64%
The Weather Channel (NBCUniversal, Blackstone Group & Bain Capital) - 30%
Other Canadian investors - 10.36%[1]
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
(2011–present)
480i (SDTV)
(1988–present)
SloganPlan For Anything
CountryCanada
Broadcast areaNational/Regional
HeadquartersOakville, Ontario
Formerly calledWeatherNow (1988–1989)
Sister channel(s)MétéoMédia
WebsiteThe Weather Network
Availability
Satellite
Bell TVChannel 505 (SD)
Shaw DirectChannel 398 (SD)
Cable
Available on most Canadian cable systemsCheck local listings, channels may vary
Satellite radio
Sirius138
IPTV
FibreOPChannel 14 (SD)
Bell Fibe TVChannel 505 (SD)
MTSChannel 16 (SD)
Channel 1016 (HD)
Optik TVChannel 128 (SD)
SaskTelChannel 17 (SD)
The Weather Network is a Canadian English language Category A weather news and information specialty channel that is owned by Pelmorex, which itself is principally owned by Pierre L. Morrissette in partnership with the similar American service, The Weather Channel (itself controlled by NBCUniversal).[2] The channel is based in Oakville, Ontario.
Pelmorex holds a single licence to broadcast in both English and French;[3] the French-language component of the service (a separate 24-hour feed) is branded as MétéoMédia. TWN has a separate feed for the Greater Toronto Area, much like MétéoMédia's separate feed for Metropolitan Montreal, Quebec. An audio-only simulcast of the channel is also broadcast on Sirius Canada channel 138.
Pelmorex employs its own meteorologists to compile forecasts and graphical weather products. Pelmorex meteorologists use an in-house technology called Pelmorex Forecast Engine (or PFE). Pelmorex also uses a localization technology known as PMX, a proprietary system that is able to deliver separate forecasts for over 1,200 locations across Canada.

 


History

Screenshot of the channel's logo under the name WeatherNow.
The Weather Network was licensed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission on December 1, 1987[4] and began broadcasting on September 1, 1988 as WeatherNow, under the ownership of engineering firm Lavalin Inc. (now known as SNC-Lavalin) and Landmark Communications.[5] The channel gained its present name on May 1, 1989. In the early years, TWN, and its sister channel, MeteoMedia, shared a single television feed via analogue transponder on one of the Anik satellites, with computer-generated local forecasts airing on one while the video feed of a live forecaster or commercials aired on the other. The two services began to run separately starting in 1994, while both were still based in Montreal. Local forecasts were generated using the same systems owned by The Weather Channel in the U.S. called WeatherStar.[6] TWN began using its own system called PMX in 1996, which is still in use today. Pelmorex purchased The Weather Network from SNC-Lavalin in 1993, two years after the merger of SNC and Lavalin.[5] The channel launched its website in 1996.
Early Local Forecast segment from August 15, 1992. Major communities began receiving graphic forecasts in 1992 with almost all areas receiving the same graphic format by 1996.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, The Weather Network's broadcasts were divided into different programming blocks. One of the most notable was "EarthWatch", which originally began as a five-minute news segment discussing environmental and weather-related issues. The show had expanded as a full evening programming block in the mid-1990s, and the news segment later spun off as the current "Weather News" segment. Other programming blocks included the "Morning Report" and "Sea to Sea", two morning blocks that focused toward the eastern and western parts of the country respectively; an unnamed afternoon block which would later be known as "Across Canada"; and the "Weekend Report", later known as "This Weekend". These programming blocks were discontinued in 2002, although "This Weekend" continued to air for some time afterward.
On May 2, 1998, The Weather Network started broadcasting nationally from a new studio facility in Mississauga, Ontario after relocating from Montreal. This led to the departure of several presenters, notably those who were on air during weekends. Several new presenters arrived at the time, while many of the Montreal presenters initially relocated, most departed from the channel over time, many of whom moved back to Montreal. To date, Chris St. Clair is the only presenter from Montreal remaining.
The original logo, used from 1989-2011. The logo is still used on some occasions.
Late 2001 marked the beginning of a period of gradual, but significant changes with The Weather Network's programming, starting with the launch of a seven-day and short term precipitation forecast during the Local Forecast. In 2002, The Weather Network introduced "Metacast Ultra", a weather presentation system that consisted of weather maps featuring more than 1,200 local communities, commuter routes and regional highways, animated weather icons, and higher resolution weather graphics.[7] On March 29, 2004, The Weather Network introduced a new 14-day trend outlook as part of the local cable weather package. It provided a two-week look at how the weather would trend compared to normal temperature values and weather conditions for that time of year.[8] In June 2004, The Weather Network took legal action against Star Choice (now Shaw Direct) after moving TWN on a new bundle without giving any notice to its subscribers. The channel's management tried to prevent Star Choice from moving the channel as subscribers would have to pay an additional $7 to watch The Weather Network. In late 2004, TWN made improved local forecast coverage, providing more localized forecasts in up to 1,200 communities across Canada.
The Weather Network relocated its headquarters to Oakville, Ontario in November 2005. The channel's morning show for the Toronto area made its debut at the brand new broadcast facility on November 29, 2005, while the network's national programming started broadcasting from the new facility on December 2, 2005. The Weather Network has gradually introduced new local weather products including an hourly forecast for the next 12 hours in 2006,[9] long term precipitation forecasts in 2008 and improved satellite and radar maps in 2009.

Programming

The Weather Network broadcasts in a news-wheel format, featuring various forecast or weather-related segments throughout the hour. The Weather Network broadcasts from provincial divisions as of January 2013, featuring stories only relating to the broadcast area.

Local forecast

A notable feature of The Weather Network is its local forecast. On cable providers, a report for the nearest weather station to the cable headend is given, from current conditions to two-week forecasts. The local forecast occurs "every 10 minutes on the tens" (analogous to The Weather Channel's "Local on the 8s"). The segment is well known by frequent viewers for its background music. In January 2010, an online poll was held that allowed viewers to vote for their favorite Local Forecast music, which would play during the morning hours.[10]
On most satellite providers, the segment is a two minute runthrough of weather conditions and three-day forecasts for major cities across Canada. Some digital television providers in Canada (primarily IPTV services, such as Bell Fibe TV and Telus Optik) may also offer The Weather Network iTV, an app which allows users to view expanded local forecasts.

National segments

"National and long range forecasts" provide a detailed analysis of the current weather across Canada, including the weather expected nationwide over the next four days in the long range forecast. The national forecast airs following the local forecast at the top and bottom of each and every hour.
For residents in southern Ontario, particularly the Greater Toronto Area, forecasts have been changed for the viewing area. At the top and bottom of the hour, one of the presenters gives a "Regional Forecast" focusing on current conditions around the Toronto area, in the style of a local news weathercast. Immediately following is "Your Long Range Forecast", giving southern Ontario weather conditions for the next four days. The new programming is a continuation throughout the day of Good Morning Toronto.
The Weather Network's news department won the first annual Adrienne Clarkson Diversity Award for network television. This award is given by the Radio and Television News Director's Association (RTNDA) for the best news reports on a subject of cultural diversity. The Weather Network then won for its 2006 two-part news series on weather and black history. The Weather Network also won a World Medal from the NY Festivals International TV Broadcasting Awards for a 2007 story on a blind woman learning to sail who uses her other senses to determine changes in wind patterns and potential storms. It won the same award again in 2008 for a story on a man and his seeing-eye dog trying to adapt to a harsh New Brunswick winter.
"Force of Nature" airs every 10 minutes on the :3's and explains the natural disasters that are going on around the world. There is also "Force of Nature Extended" segment where a news reporter talks and describes what is happening in the video.

Other segments – year-round

  • School Day Forecast - Airs weekday mornings from 5-11 a.m. ET from September to June
  • Active Weather - Provides a detailed synopsis of active weather across Canada for the short term period.
  • Force of Nature - Gives an outlook on international stories with videos. Airs every 10 minutes in the :3's.
Uncut: :13's, :33's, :53's
Extended: :03's, :23's, :43's

Weather segments – spring/summer/fall

  • Lawn & Garden Forecast
  • Pollen Forecast (currently N/A)
  • UV Report (currently in the :47's)
  • Air Quality Health Index (currently on the :07's)

Weather segments – winter

  • Flu Report
  • Highway Conditions
  • Ski & Snowboard Conditions

Weather features

  • Climate Change
  • Dave Mercer's Facts of Fishing (Spring/Summer)
  • Lawn & Garden Report (Spring/Summer)
  • Weather and Your Pets (used to be Pets & Weather)
  • Weather and Your Car (Winter)
  • Under the Weather
  • Vacation Bound (Winter)
  • Weather and Your Home
  • Weather Wise
  • The Great Outdoors
  • Going Green

Hourly and seasonal programming schedule

The Weather Network follows a schedule that repeats each hour, based on the current season. The spring/summer programming schedule often starts on the last Monday in March. It switches to the fall schedule the day after Thanksgiving, with the winter schedule going into effect on the first Monday in December.
In the Greater Toronto Area, the national forecast that airs at the top and bottom of every hour will be replaced instead with another following a similar broadcast of a separate feed with the regional and long range forecast segments.

The Weather Network HD

The Weather Network HD logo
The Weather Network HD is a 1080i high definition simulcast of The Weather Network that launched on May 30, 2011. It is currently available on Cogeco, EastLink, MTS, and Rogers Cable. The HD simulcast for cable and IPTV providers currently do not offer local forecasts unlike the standard definition feed.

Satellite services

In 2006, Bell TV and The Weather Network started an ITV interactive version of The Weather Network, enabling viewers to set their city and view specific forecasts every time.

Web and mobile services

In addition to its website, The Weather Network runs an e-mail and text messaging service called WeatherDirect, that sends weather forecasts via e-mail. There is also an e-mail service for pollen conditions and road conditions. The Weather Network also operates a Twitter and Facebook account, which include Severe Weather alerts and Weather News.

WeatherEye

WeatherEye is a free widget application available for PC and Mac desktops. The application includes local weather conditions and forecasts, video forecasts, and user-submitted photos and videos. WeatherEye 5.0 is the latest version. WeatherEye HD is a tablet version of the application that is currently available on iPad and BlackBerry PlayBook.

The Weather Network Mobile

The Weather Network Mobile (formerly WeatherEye Mobile) is an app available on most smartphones. The Weather Network Mobile is currently available on iPhone, BlackBerry and Android smartphones.

Criticism

The network has been criticized for its excessive use of advertising through commercials and forecasts and some weather segments (e.g., hot spots, picnic/barbecue report, etc.) – which has led to less time for detailed forecasts and more time spent on advertising. The same problem also occurs with U.S.-based The Weather Channel. In the past, there was little to no advertising. Currently, local forecasts are sponsored using static logos during and after forecasts.
The channel has also been criticized for putting more coverage over the weather in Southern Ontario than the rest of Canada during its national segments. The 2008 launch of local programming for the Greater Toronto Area had also further limited updated forecasts throughout the rest of Canada.[11]

On-air presenters

On-air presenters (starting July 15, 2013)

Weekdays

Timeslot
(All Times Eastern)
HostsCMOS
Certified?
On TWN Since
5:00-9:00 a.m.
Carrie OlverNo2003
Chris MurphyYes1999, 2012
Kevin YardeNo2001
5:30-9:00 a.m. (GTA)Emily VukovicNo2007
Tom ReynoldsNo1995
Kevin YardeNo2001
9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.Chris MeiSheryl PlouffeYesYes20061998, 2013
2:00-7:00 p.m.Suzanne LeonardYes1998
Jaclyn WhittalNo2012
7:00-11:00 p.m.Gary ArchibaldNo2002, 2010
Nicole KarkicNo2009
11:00 p.m.–5:00 a.m.Kim MacDonaldYes1998

Weekends

Timeslot
(All Times Eastern)
HostsCMOS
Certified?
On TWN Since
6:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.Chris St. ClairNatalie ThomasYesNo19952008
2:00-7:00 p.m.Michelle NelsonNo2012
7:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.Michelle NelsonNo2012
12:00–6:00 a.m.Nadine PowellYes2008

On-Call, Video On Demand hosts[edit]

Weather AnchorVideo on DemandOn-callOn TWN Since
Kasia BodurkaYesYes2011


CMOS members[edit]

Seven TWN presenters are members of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (CMOS). The Weather Network and MeteoMedia have more CMOS-endorsed presenters than any other Canadian weather media sources. On TWN, Chris Murphy, Kim MacDonald, Chris Mei, Suzanne Leonard, Chris St. Clair, Sheryl Plouffe and Nadine Powell are all CMOS certified.

Former on-air presenters[edit]

See also

References

  1. Jump up ^ CRTC ownership charts
  2. Jump up ^ NBC press release[dead link] - included in the list of items to be acquired: "The Weather Channel also holds a minority interest in Pelmorex, a Canadian weather company."
  3. Jump up ^ Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (2011-07-22). "Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2011-438". Retrieved 2012-05-10.
  4. Jump up ^ Decision CRTC 87-899 CRTC 1997-12-01
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Sarah Dougherty, Weather Network bucks media-business trend, Canwest News Service via The Gazette (Montreal), December 31, 2008
  6. Jump up ^ "WeatherStar4000 In Canada"
  7. Jump up ^ Press Release - The Weather Network like you've never seen it before - "[1][dead link]", March 27, 2002.
  8. Jump up ^ Press Release - The Weather Network launches its spring programming - "[2][dead link]", March 29, 2004
  9. Jump up ^ Press Release - Spring has Sprung at The Weather Network - "[3][dead link]", March 29, 2006
  10. Jump up ^ Weather News: we Have a Winner! - The Weather Network
  11. Jump up ^ "Complaints TWN focus on southern Ontario".

External links[edit]

      

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