Have you ever wondered how your phone can instantaneously tell you hyperlocal weather anywhere on the planet? We largely have groundbreaking companies like The Weather Company to thank.
In this comprehensive guide, you‘ll learn everything about The Weather Company that weather enthusiasts like us care about:
- Who founded this history-making weather forecasting pioneer
- How innovations like WeatherStar made localized 24/7 weather possible
- The evolution of their services and tech over 40+ years
- Major acquisitions that shaped the industry
- And why detailed weather data matters more today than ever
Let‘s get to it!
Chapter 1: The Launch of Revolutionary Localized Forecasting
Picture the 1970s, long before smartphones and the internet changed everything. At the time, TV weather reports were extremely limited – covering just one area where the station was located.
Visionary meteorologist John Coleman had a bold idea to change that. He dreamed of round-the-clock hyperlocal weather reporting across the whole country.
In 1980, Coleman took his idea to media executive Frank Batten. Together they founded The Weather Channel, Inc. in Atlanta, GA to make that dream a reality!
But how could they pull off such pioneering localized coverage across America‘s millions of viewers?
Enter WeatherStar: The Tech That Changed Weather Forever
Coleman and Batten‘s secret weapon was Coleman‘s breakthrough invention: the WeatherStar forecasting system.
WeatherStar units could integrate hyperlocal data into national broadcasts. This allowed for customized forecasts and alerts tailored to the viewer‘s area. It was revolutionary!
Fun fact: That familiar Weather Channel soundtrack that plays during localized segments? It‘s officially called the WeatherStar music!
On May 2, 1982, The Weather Channel was finally launched across cable television. Viewers were introduced to the channel by a smiling John Coleman:
"Hello everyone, I‘m John Coleman, President of The Weather Channel. Frank Batten, the Chairman of our Board is with me here today…We‘re proud to offer you the latest technology combined with the experience of meteorologists and specialists from all over the country."
With that, 24/7 localized weather forecasting was born!
Chapter 2: Explosive Growth and Industry Dominance
In its first year, viewership of this unique concept skyrocketed. But behind the scenes, tensions led Coleman and his bold vision to be ousted from the company.
Luckily, his creation took on a life of its own. Even without Coleman, growth continued as viewers were hungry for round-the-clock local forecasts.
By 1986, The Weather Channel reached 30 million households across cable providers – almost one third of the country!
To keep up with demand, TWC aggressively expanded their forecasting capabilities:
- Launching new WeatherStar model every 2 years
- Adding radar systems, data analytics teams
- Building an army of on-air meteorologists explaining forecasts
They also dominated cable weather:
| Year | Households Reached |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 90% of cable homes (70+ million) |
| 1999 | 98% of cable homes (80+ million) |
Simultaneously, TWC launched new initiatives like local newspaper and radio forecast partnerships.
Oh, and that beloved triple-beep sound before major alerts? Thank TWC for that gem too!
By the mid 90s, The Weather Channel was the unequivocal industry leader. But their next breakthrough was just around the corner…
In 1996, TWC launched weather.com in partnership with the WSI Corporation. It was one of the world‘s very first online weather forecasts!
Chapter 3: Entering the Digital Age
While TV forecasting made TWC a juggernaut, digital is where they continue to make history.
In the 2000s, as the internet reshaped industries, TWC was quick to expand into online properties. Key moves included:
- Weather.com: Growing into one of the top 15 US websites
- Mobile Apps: Pioneering weather apps across iOS, Android and more
- API Business: Providing weather data infrastructure across transportation, agriculture, renewable energy and countless other sectors
By relentlessly focusing on digital expansion, TWC products touched every facet of society.
To reflect its broadening scope beyond just TV, in 2012 parent company The Weather Company was formed. This managed TWC‘s growing digital portfolio including weather.com, mobile apps, and recent addition The Weather Underground.
In just over a decade, TWC evolved from TV innovator into an all-encompassing weather data titan.
But their most impactful digital milestones were yet to come…
Chapter 4: The IBM Acquisition Reshapes The Industry
By 2016, what began as a scrappy Atlanta cable channel had morphed into one of the largest weather institutions on Earth.
So it was no surprise when tech giant IBM purchased The Weather Company‘s digital assets for a reported $2+ billion.
For IBM, the weather data capabilities were a perfect fit for initiatives in cloud computing and AI.
Since then, IBM has supercharged The Weather Company‘s former offerings via:
- Global forecasting models: Combining TWC data with thousands of atmosphere/ocean sensors
- AI optimization: Machine learning for higher accuracy forecasts
- Industry solutions: Agriculture tech, renewable energy grid management, supply chain logistics and more
Meanwhile, The Weather Channel TV assets were purchased by Entertainment Studios.
Today, The Weather Company continues its groundbreaking innovations, now as part of the IBM behemoth. From WeatherStar to Watson AI, they‘ve stayed on the cutting edge of weather technology for over 40 years and counting!
So next time you check your hourly forecast, think fondly of the company history that made it possible!
