The NFL Making Weather Cool Again?

CBx Vibe: Let it Rain” Shy Glizzy

By CultureBanx Team

  • The Weather Channel is forecasting football game time weather in mixed reality
  • Byron Allen acquired The Weather Channel for $300M in March

If you’ve wondered what your favorite athletes are feeling weather wise while on the field, The Weather Channel has you covered. Byron Allen’s latest media purchase will now forecast football game time weather in mixed reality by making it entertaining, instead of a daunting television watching chore. In a video received by Axios they take viewers on an immersive weather experience beyond maps and temperature readings.

Why This Matters: Television’s transition to digital was a key consideration in Allen’s Entertainment Studio’s $300 million acquisition of the climate network, off the previous owners clearance rack. The Weather Channel plans to use mixed reality technology in 80% of its programming by 2020, according to Axios. This isn’t the first mixed-reality video the channel has produced, earlier this year it released viral videos showing the potential dangers from a hurricanes storm surge, wildfires and tornadoes.

Even though there are several stadiums with retractable roofs that can lock inclimate weather out during sporting events, most football games are still played outside. So weather is always a factor and may have a significant impact on a players game strategy. In the demo video on Axios you can see meteorologist Stephanie Abrams and former Vanderbilt quarterback Jordan Rodgers using the technology to depict how rainy, windy and sleety conditions can affect plays on the turf.

The Weather Channel plans to use mixed reality technology in 80% of its programming by 2020

This Weather Channel acquisition from Comcast-subsidiary (CMCSA -0.32%) NBCUniversal, Blackstone (BX +2.31%), and Bain Capital makes perfect sense, as the reality of climate change shows up in dramatic weather events. Not to mention Allen was able to scoop up the company at an extreme discount, since the aforementioned businesses paid $3.5 billion for the media property in 2008.

Situational Awareness: The Weather Channel attracted 70 million viewers in 2017, a year where several hurricanes and wildfires captivated U.S. viewers. Scientists predict several cities could see temperature increases over three degrees Fahrenheit by 2020. When it rains, it pours success for The Weather Channel!

CBx Vibe: Let it Rain” Shy Glizzy

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