The Weather Channel

[popo79941]

I hate AccuWeather.......how come customers did not have a choice or a vote to keep The Weather Channel???? AccuWeather stinks, there are no REAL stories nor do the show any weather people out in the field......this is the worst, I watch the weather channel everyday. I might just think about changing my service to someone who has The Weather Channel!!! I hate this.....ugh !

[CRobGauth]

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And I looked at the Facebook pages (there are several of them).  I didn't find a single one which had more "I'm glad it's gone" responses than "I want it back".  In fact, it was a huge list of complaints about it being gone.

As for it being "generally understood"... It's also generally understood that this forum is hard to find and even harder to get an ID for.  There would be a lot more people posting about TWC being gone if the forum were well-known amongst users and easier to get into.

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How about Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2014-10-09/weather-channels-web-mobile-growth-leads-to-advertis...

They say exactly the same thing.

I can't find any article to back up Rocky's claims of ratings increase (Bloomberg quotes Nielsen for its numbers).

As for the FB posts I mentioned, it was not a page, but one of those sponsored ads that pop up from time to t ime. If I see it again, I will be more than happy to post it.

. I am just a customer. I think that people should be fully informed on what is going on.
Do I think that Verizon always makes the right decisions. No.

I certainly think this could have been handled better (and still could be).

Do I think Accuweather is a suitable substitute for TWC. Not at this time, but willing to take them at their word that they intend to upgrade.

I almost never watched TWC as I dod not find it very useful. I for one use smartphones and PC more for weather than I do TV anyway.

[JDavid]

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@CRobGauth wrote:

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How about Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2014-10-09/weather-channels-web-mobile-growth-leads-to-advertis...

They say exactly the same thing.

I can't find any article to back up Rocky's claims of ratings increase (Bloomberg quotes Nielsen for its numbers).

As for the FB posts I mentioned, it was not a page, but one of those sponsored ads that pop up from time to t ime. If I see it again, I will be more than happy to post it.

. I am just a customer. I think that people should be fully informed on what is going on.
Do I think that Verizon always makes the right decisions. No.

I certainly think this could have been handled better (and still could be).

Do I think Accuweather is a suitable substitute for TWC. Not at this time, but willing to take them at their word that they intend to upgrade.

I almost never watched TWC as I dod not find it very useful. I for one use smartphones and PC more for weather than I do TV anyway.

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Again, you're looking at old data.  Completely worthless.  And you're claims of a "sponsored ad" on Facebook are also without merit.  Of course Verizon would be interested in sponsoring an ad which defends it.

And no, you aren't "just a customer".  You have your opinions - and try your best to say your opinions reflect the majority of the Verizon viewers.  They do not, especially in this case.

Accuweather has been in business for 50 years - and this is the result?  Totally laughable.

I DEPEND on accurate weather for my business.  I NEED to know what's going to happen so I can schedule my employees.  And with severe weather season coming up (I'm also a SKYWARN Spotter for the NWS), accurate weather is even more important.  And PCs and smartphones just don't compare.

Accuweather is a piece of crap.  But just because YOU don't find it useful doesn't mean a lot of other Verizon users feel otherwise.  This thread is proof of that.

[frankc1200]

Enough already, bring back the weather channel and drop MSNBC and CNN. I get news online. Thanks for nothing Verizon....

[joker211]

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Rocky18

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I can not figure out how to do quotes of other posts.  But I want to thank you for your post about "keep The Weather Channel.com

I did not know about that website.  I learned a lot,  Such as I thought.  The break up was not done nicely.   Acording to TWC Fios just stoped talk to them and never informed TWC or FIOS coustomers that TWC was to be dropped from the line up.

Is this how Fios conducts business?   Not nice or profession at all.   Like little children.  Also acording to that website TWC says Fios will not return their calls.   WOW.  Just WOW.

How can you have a multi-billion company and act like a child?

Also as I said before I agree with you.   1200 + replys on this thread must represent Millions of unhappy customers.

I do not understand Crob or his point of view.

[Rocky18]

Joker

I've been to so many websites in the last 10 day's or so my head is spinning. I was going to forward the article I stated to Crob But could not find it again (GRIN). I did find a great quote that made me laugh FIOS New Slogan Should Be "Created By Geniuses,Run By **bleep**" now that guy is a thinker.  You can't help but laugh at the stupidty, and the nickel and dime stuff like removing the clocks from the DVR's to save  0.25 cents. We can only hope that FIOS becomes so unprofitable for Verizon that they sell it off (Like Texas and Florida) and then hope and pray the new owners will care about their customers. Verizon was on their way to greatness, But they've lost their way BIG TIME.

[knw1]

Accuweather is in no way a substitute for the Weather Channel.  I relied on Local on the 8s because I knew that I could get my LOCAL weather at XX:X8.  I had to wait at most 10 minutes. I used the Weather Channel every morning and every evening to check the weather.

I live in DC. Now, whenever I check Accuweather, they are showing the forecast for Harrisburg or Pittsburg or somewhere else in PA --- which is not relevant to me in the least. 

Verizon: suck it up; lose a little of your profit; make your customers happy; bring back the Weather Channel.

[SinCara]

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@knw wrote:

Verizon: suck it up; lose a little of your profit; make your customers happy; bring back the Weather Channel.

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That will never happen. If anything your bill would go up.

[SinCara]

I'm not a fan of Accuweather myself, but honestly I never watched TWC either. If I want weather I can easily access local channel's weather at anytime by several ways.

I'm amazed that people will actually cancel their service over the TWC when they can easily access weather elsewhere. I'll bet half of those that say it never do. Even if I watched it, just because it was dropped isn't going to cause me to cancel service. I could see a major channel, but TWC?  I'd much rather have my bill stay the same then see an increase just because of TWC. To each their own I guess. 

[Bayrunner]

You would be surprised how many people still only have cable TV and a landline phone.  Verizon seems to be more for the younger generation but there are millions of older folks who don't use a computer or have cell phones.  I myself have a flip phone but in order to get weather on my phone, I will have to pay $30 more a month to Verizon for internet (that I really don't want)  to get what I used to get on my TV that I am already paying for.  The world doesn't seem to care about the less fortunate or the elderly anymore. Sad, very sad.   

[rockyddogg]

  The weather channel is one of the top watched cable channels in the country, and there are many people who like to watch when big storms threaten and the hurricane season and sever weather season, and winter snowstorms are here. Where I am they supply the regular weather channel plus weather scan which is just the local forcasts for my region. This is available when you need it or want it. Waiting for a local tv channel you have to wait for the news. Some people depend on the local weather at that moment for thier Livelyhood, and recreation so its good to have accurate current info when you need it not just at 7 in the morning and 5 and 11 at night

'

 CAll Fios and tell them your mad as HECK and our not gonna take it anymore, Bring back the weather channel or your leaving! Dump FIOS NOW!

[CRobGauth]

Latest figures I can see for TWC is that they get close to 300K average viewers.

And that was for the month of Feb and was their highest in 4 years.

Mainly related to all of the snow storms.

That is out of nearly 100M possible viewers ( I have read that they have the highest possible viewers of all cable channels)

TWC didn't make the top 30 for the week of 3/15 (last one with NCAA Basketball).

And for 2014, didn't make the top 50: http://p1cdn01.thewrap.com/images/2014/12/AD-SUPPORTED-YTD-1.jpg

Am I saying that Accuweather is equal. No.

But TWC is no where near the top of the ratings chart that people keep thinking.

[JDavid]

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@CRobGauth wrote:

TWC didn't make the top 30 for the week of 3/15 (last one with NCAA Basketball).

And for 2014, didn't make the top 50: http://p1cdn01.thewrap.com/images/2014/12/AD-SUPPORTED-YTD-1.jpg

Am I saying that Accuweather is equal. No.

But TWC is no where near the top of the ratings chart that people keep thinking.

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Of course TWC didn't make the top 30 for the week of 3/15 - not only was NCAA Basketball on, but if you recall correctly, FIOS dropped it on 3/10.  So with millions of viewers unable to watch it, it's no wonder!

And you are comparing apples to oranges.  We don't normally watch TWC for an hour or two at a time.  We checked it for a few minutes every morning to see what the day's and week's weather will be.  Occasionally we'll check it in the evening to see what the next day has.  About the only time it's on for any length of time is when there is severe weather in the area.  Occasionally we'll watch one of the reality shows, but not very often.

OTOH, the shows on USA and the other channels are not less than 30 minutes, and can run up to two hours.  When we see a show of interest on those channels, we'll watch for the entire show.

These ratings indicate the number of people-hours watched.  It's like comparing a burger joint to a fine restaurant, counting the number of tables in use.  Sure, the fine restaurant will usually have more tables full, because people will sit there for an hour to an hour and a half. But the burger joint will have more customers, even though they're only there for 10-15 minutes.

[Bayrunner]

Today I came home to find a 3rd Verizon phone book at my door. Stating that you cancelled TWC because it was too expensive, why don't you cut back on the distribution of phone books and get the weather channel back. You could put a notice in your monthly bill asking customers if they want a book or not and go from there. You would save a lot of money and save a lot of trees in the process.

[Rocky18]

This keeps getting more ridulous everyday and with every statement VZ puts out. Lets see if I got this straight, VZ and 3 addition providers acted as a group to draft a new agreement with the weather channel. Three out of the four have signed and accepted that agreement VZ who boldly boasts we are the best, failed to sign. Failed to sign an agreement that they themselves helped put together. The richest and most expensive service in the industry can't/or won't spend 14 cents to keep their customers happy. Verizon this is doing wonders for your image which wasn't exactly great in the first place. Good Job I'm selling my VZ shares asap. And Tax day is my cutoff date, no TWC by then, no more $300.00 a month from me. You burned me once, and I'm letting you do it again SHAME ON ME

[rockyddogg]

AS of 8 am tomorrow I will be an optimum subscriber> I like fios's picture much better and thier internet speed and the movie Bundle they enticed me to renew with, BUT The weather channel was one of my favorite channels, and nessecary channel. # weeks is enough! SO ill get optimums wifil and free security package and free dvr for a year and pay about the same.. QUality wise its a drop but they give me no choice. GREED!!!! ADIOS Fios! I wont come back again!

[CRobGauth]

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@jerry1234 wrote:

Of course TWC didn't make the top 30 for the week of 3/15 - not only was NCAA Basketball on, but if you recall correctly, FIOS dropped it on 3/10.  So with millions of viewers unable to watch it, it's no wonder!

It was week ending 3/15 so NCAA was not included.

And if memroy serves, Nielsen ratings are based on people watching at least 6 minutes of a show/channel.

Thought is that if you watched for at least 6 minutes, you have also watched a commercial.

[JDavid]

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@CRobGauth wrote:

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@jerry1234 wrote:

Of course TWC didn't make the top 30 for the week of 3/15 - not only was NCAA Basketball on, but if you recall correctly, FIOS dropped it on 3/10.  So with millions of viewers unable to watch it, it's no wonder!

It was week ending 3/15 so NCAA was not included.

And if memroy serves, Nielsen ratings are based on people watching at least 6 minutes of a show/channel.

Thought is that if you watched for at least 6 minutes, you have also watched a commercial.

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Your memory is faulty.  And even if it were six minutes, that's immaterial.  The MOST we watch in the mornings is 10 minutes (1.67 of your six minute test).  But when we're watching other channels, we're watching anywhere from 30 (5x) six minutes to two hours (20x of your sixx minutes) of the channel.

And YOU'RE the one who brought up NCAA - not me.

[bherran]

I find it ironic that Verizon advertised the removal/ shift for every (previous) line-up change of Verizon/ FiOS programming - well in advance - to its subscribers. BUT, with the removal/ failure to renew the contract with TWC, Verizon's (unannounced) "excuse" is that "there's an app for that, and we think people would rather view weather on their smartphones."   Which is the answer/ excuse I received when I called Verizon to complain about the change.  And, like most of the rest of you, I find "ACCUWEATHER" isn't even in the same league as TWC.  Admittedly, it is a win-win for Verizon as they want you to use some lame-xxx app and then charge you for using your "data" on your wireless plan (aka PROFIT).  Smart move for Verizon's profit margin - bad move for Verizon's customer satisfaction ratings.  I have yet to find any weather app that even comes close to the actual "THE WEATHER CHANNEL" program that was part of my TV line-up.  You can't get the "Local on the 8's" anywhere else.  Waiting around for a half hour+ watching ACCUWEATHER in hopes that you may happen to catch the weather in you "vicinity" is absurd.  Do yourself a favor Verizon and get rid of ACCUWEATHER altogether if you want to save some money – no one watches it anyway!  Too bad I recently renewed my 2-year agreement (like many others here).  It’s becoming clear that it's worth the early termination fee and find another service provider. Too bad, been with VZ/ FiOS since 2004...

[CRobGauth]

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@bherran wrote:

  Admittedly, it is a win-win for Verizon as they want you to use some lame-xxx app and then charge you for using your "data" on your wireless plan (aka PROFIT).  Smart move for Verizon's profit margin - bad move for Verizon's customer satisfaction ratings.  I have yet to find any weather app that even comes close to the actual "THE WEATHER CHANNEL" program that was part of my TV line-up. 

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You couldn't access TWC outside of your home.

So if you compare apples to apples and are accessing weather apps (TWC has an app which should have the same data as TWC) in your home, then you should be able to use WIFI (I assume you have Internet access to be able to post to this forum).

I don't believe there was anything nefarious to drop TWC other than cost cutting.

[plumbago]

Of course everyone writing here has internet access! But those people that do not have the internet, of course can't write their concerns here...grandmothers, great-grandmothers, great-aunts, and they are not being counted. Much of that generation will never learn to use the internet, and the ones that do try, at least in my circle, get frustrated trying to navigate the web, have no idea what an app is, and do not know what cut and paste is. That group of people are not being heard, even when calling Verizon on the phone. Verizon is telling these 65+ people to use weather apps and websites. Imagine telling your 80 yr old grandmother to download a weather app on her smart phone that she does not own . It is not realistic. Not everyone is young. Not everyone was born with a smart phone in their hand. Not everyone has this technology in their home. Someone here mentioned using other options to replace TWC. That's fine for some people, but The Weather Channel was ALSO AN OPTION that worked perfectly for many people. Why take away a perfectly good option to help keep people safe, especially during these horrible storms we have. Simply push the remote and there it is, The Weather Channel, no surfing through a bunch of frustrating technology. I agree with the previous posting that said Verizon could save money by removing AccuWeather. I honestly tried to be open minded about AccuWeather, but it has no value and frankly Verizon should feel ashamed for providing this low quality substitute. And for the posting that said it was worthless for us to be wrting here because Verizon doesn't look at it. I'm sure someone from Verizon is reading this stuff. And even if they aren't, there is no place else to discuss our concerns, so why not do it here. And why not switch providers? A contract.  

[gs0b]

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@plumbago wrote:

And even if they aren't, there is no place else to discuss our concerns, so why not do it here.  

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If you want to discuss the removal of TWC, sure, this is as good a place as any to do that.

However, most posters here are trying to "send Verizon a message" to get them to bring TWC back.  The simple fact is Verizon doesn't monitor these forums for those types of posts.  People posting here thinking Verizon will "hear their voice" are just wasting their time.  They might as well stand on a sidewalk and shout "VERIZON: I WANT TWC BACK."  It would work just about as well as posting such demands here.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the only way to "send Verizon a message" that they will hear, is to cancel your service and tell them why.  You can cancel while under contract, it simply costs more money.  The question is very simple; how much is TWC worth to you?  If you don't want to pay the switching costs to go to another carrier, then I'd say it isn't worth that much to you.

Oh, my 75+ year old mother and in-laws all have smart phones, tablets and computers.  The older generation isn't as out-of-touch as you think.

Enjoy.