THE WEATHER CHANNEL MOVES FULL SPEED AHEAD IN PREPARING TO AIR ALL STUDIO PROGRAMMING IN HD The Weather Channel is on track to begin live studio programming from its new studios on June 2. The construction of the new 12,500-square-foot facility for HD is well on its way to completion since the ground-breaking ceremony last May 2. After the structure of the new facility is completed in January, the next steps will be to install lighting and construct new sets. Then rehearsals from the new studio will begin in early May. Among the interesting facts about the new building that adjoins TWC headquarters in Atlanta are:
A new Master Control room for overseeing both SD and HD programming has already gone into operation. Meanwhile planning is continuing to transition the remaining aspects of the network to HD. Timeline for significant milestones February, 2008 – Completion of the structure of the new facility and HD studio. NEW ORIGINAL SERIES ADDED TO HIGH-DEF ATLANTA – The Weather Channel continues to demonstrate the enhanced capabilities provided by the High Definition TV format in a new series, When Weather Changed History. The new program, shot in native HD, looks at the power of nature and its incredible impact on modern history. When Weather Changed History, a series of one-hour suspenseful dramas, offers the often-surprising effects of weather on well known history events. TWC uncovers key moments with insider personal stories that disclose unexpected facts about history, revealing both mankind's heroism and hubris. The dramatic documentary series premiered on January 6 with an episode about the space shuttle Challenger. The series airs every Sunday night at 9 p.m. ET and 11 p.m. ET. "Each program engages viewers through strong drama, action video and stories of personal risk and heroism. The series delivers compelling content with all these qualities while including both the scientific facts and emotions involved with these events," said Janet Johnson, VP of long-form program planning and production at TWC. Each episode explores influential and exciting moments in history when the forces of weather intertwine with the forces of human nature to change the course of history. These weather-influenced experiences come from the fields of politics, exploration, the military, sports, entertainment and much more. The focus of the series is the epic struggle of man against the power of nature - and the dangers of underestimating that power. When Weather Changed History joins existing programs on TWC, Epic Conditions and Weather Ventures, as another program shot in native high definition that will be simulcast in HD and SD. The essence of HD – greater clarity and lifelike detail – enhances the viewers’ enjoyment of all new long-form programs produced by The Weather Channel. Weather Ventures, which airs Monday through Friday at 7:30 p.m, revels in the beauty of nature at destinations where everyone dreams of going. The factors of geography and weather mix powerfully in this program, creating unique destinations at their peak seasons. Horizon Entertainment, accompanied by TWC “Road Crew” host Jeff Mielcarz, is traveling throughout the Continental U.S. and to Hawaii and Alaska to create the series. “The High Definition capability enables us to show viewers the grandeur and spectacle of these icons of America,” said Kaye Zusmann, vice president of program strategy and development. “And because we are The Weather Channel,” she continues, “we add the dimension of exploring weather factors that affect the experience people have. Viewers learn that colder water is more transparent for scuba divers as the camera scans a kelp forest where 200-foot canopies of seaweed suggest a magnificent underwater cathedral.” Epic Conditions, which airs Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. ET, also makes the most of the HD format by highlighting high-action video of athletes performing in the ideal weather conditions for their sport. Warren Miller Productions, well-known for extreme sports features for TV, produces the series in native HD for The Weather Channel. Adventures include skiing in the Sierra, ice climbing in Ouray, heli-snowboarding in Alaska. Among the episodes in the new HD series, When Weather Changed History, are:
Please contact The Weather Channel Representative in your area for more information.
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