Changes coming to TV weather at local stations including WSIL

Big changes are coming to dozens of local TV stations around the country owned by Allen Media Group, which owns WSIL.

Trade publication NewscastStudio has reported that Allen Media Group will use a hub in Atlanta to replace all the local meteorologists in the company. The hub would be in the studios of The Weather Channel, which is also owned by Allen. 

Public announcements from forecasters within the group at stations in Flint, Michigan, and Terre Haute, Indiana were the first signals of the change that will eventually make it to WSIL in Harrisburg and WEVV in Evansville. 

West Kentucky Star Chief Meteorologist Lew Jetton said the move is about saving money. "Obviously, this is a cost-cutting measure employed by these stations and I think we'll see more of this in the future. Sinclair, another broadcast group,  already subs out a lot of their local newscasts to remote studios." Adding that, "Local TV stations are facing increasingly tougher times because of streaming, and the way people consume news. Now, local TV stations are facing a lot of the challenges which local newspapers started facing years ago."

Not having local forecasters and meteorologists could slow the flow of information to the public during severe weather outbreaks, especially as the spring severe weather season approaches. Technical issues and presenters unfamiliar with a region could be potential dangers as well. 

Jetton said, "The thing which concerns most people is what would happen during local severe weather events. Will meteorologists forecasting for these stations be able to track the storms live? More than likely not and obviously that would affect response times for viewers." He said with his experience, "I find this move, very alarming, and possibly dangerous for public safety."

NewscastStudio reached out to Allen Media Group for comment but has not gotten one. West Kentucky Star has attempted to contact WSIL and is awaiting a response.

Allen Media Group owns local television stations in small and medium markets, The Weather Channel, a motion picture studio, and a host of free ad-supported streaming channels. Byron Allen, a comedian and television presenter heads the group.

Some source material from NewscastStudio

Photo courtesy of Allen Media Group