The Weather Channel

[x013573]

I own a 721 and a 501 receiver and I'm happy with both of them. Recently my local channels now are associated with their regular channel numbers for my area (a great idea). My question is if Dish can tell which local channels I have and can associate their channel numbers for my area, why can't they determine my local weather forecast on the Weather Channel?

[James_F]

It has to do with the way The Weather Channel is distributed to the local cable companies. They aren't really broadcasting the local forcasts from TWCs studio, it comes from the cable company. You'll never see local TWC forcasts like you do on cable systems.

[Scott Greczkowski]

Your local channels can easily be mapped because of your ZIP Code and the locals package for your area.

To do weather channel weather for each area (like on cable) would be impossible as the graphics and forecasts need to be generated and broadcast for each city. The DBS companies know people want their local forecasts which is why both companies now offer Local Weather on their interactive receivers.

[Steve Mehs]

James is right, but what we can see is interactive weather applications. On The 501 or any OpenTV receiever chanek out channel 9500 or Dish Home ->option 2-> option 1. DirecTV also has something similar with the Interactive Weather Channel from Wink.

You can customize the forcast by your location.

[Rych]

One question regarding regional TWC... Spotbeams???

[scooper]

One answer - BANDWIDTH ! Most of the spotbeam bandwidth is being used by the LOCAL channels. In some spots, there isn't any more ROOM for something like a regional TWC. Even where there is room, it's going to affect the PQ for the rest of the channels in the spot.

Not to mention the extra costs in adding extra equipment to deal with a regional Weather channel. Besides, think of all the other options you have - OTA, your PC, radio, etc.

[DarrellP]

When the Portland locals first went on spots the PQ was outstanding, now it is back down to mediocre, so please, nothing else on the spots.

[Jacob S]

Why not have a local radar in the OpenTv application downloaded to the receiver via phoneline.

[Steve Mehs]

Besides interactive weather apps, a good solution would have been the regional weather channels from Intellicast/MSNBC Weather. When D* bought out P* I was really surprised they never picked them up. Now with bandwidth and compression problems I don't think E* or D* would be interested in picking up a buch of weather channels, if they're even around still. Intellicast was a service offered by MSNBC that included 7-10 channels of regional weather. They had the country sectioned off by The Great Plains, New England Area, Mid Atlantic, and so on. I always liked the idea, haven't hed anything of Intellicast in years though.

[Jacob S]

I remember seeing those channels on Primestar and thought those were nice. I also think Dish and Direct should add them.

[jerryez]

I can get faster weather on the internet, than wasting my time watching Weather Channel, which takes 30 minutes to get a weather report. Everyone on this forum has a pc connected to the internet. Why would you want to waste your time with the Weather Channel. Some good links. All you need.

http://www.wunderground.com/

http://www.intellicast.com/Local/USLocalWide.asp?loc=kmsy&seg=LocalWeather&prodgrp=SevereWeather&product=RadarSummary&prodnav=none

http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/environment/imagery/goes.pl?8ir-full