NBC Fires Weather Channel Environmental Unit

[deminks]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalweathergang/2008/11/nbc_fires_twc_environmental_un.html

NBC Universal made the first of potentially several rounds of staffing cuts at The Weather Channel (TWC) on Wednesday, axing the entire staff of the "Forecast Earth" environmental program during the middle of NBC's "Green Week," as well as several on-camera meteorologists. The layoffs totaled about 10 percent of the workforce, and are among the first major changes made since NBC completed its purchase of the venerable weather network in September.

The layoffs affected about 80 people, but left the long-term leadership of the network unclear, according to a source who requested anonymity due to the continuing uncertainty at the station.

Among the meteorologists who was let go was Dave Schwartz, a Weather Channel veteran and a viewer staple due to his lively on camera presentations. USA Today reported that meteorologists Cheryl Lemke and Eboni Deon were also let go.

The timing of the Forecast Earth cancellation was ironic, since it came in the middle of NBC's "Green Week," during which the network has been touting its environmental coverage across all of its platforms. Forecast Earth normally aired on weekends, but its presumed last episode was shown on a weekday due to the environmentally-oriented week.

[Dogmudgeon]

1. Not Dave Schwartz!

The BASTARDS!

"Green Week" my lily-white ASS!

--p!

[MidwestTransplant]

2. You should have stopped at pale!

[Dogmudgeon]

3. This is BEYOND the pale!

However, thinking better of it, I did edit my reply.

--p!

[Deja Q]

4. Surely "on-camera" would be easier to read?

Otherwise it sounds like he's ON the camera.

[seafan]

5. Axing global climate change reporting from The Weather Channel?

NBC Fires Weather Channel Environmental Unit, November 21, 2008

.....

Forecast Earth was hosted by former CNN anchor Natalie Allen, with contributions from climate expert Heidi Cullen. It was the sole program on TWC that focused on global climate change, which raises the question of whether the station will still report on the subject. Cullen's future role at the network is not known.

.....

[regnaD kciN]

6. Remember, NBC is owned by General Electric...

I assume they're not too happy about coverage of global warming...

[Burbguy]

7. Dave Schwartz and TWC

I'd like to just go off and say something like:  ' Those
bottom line bean counters at NBC who don't have a clue how to
make a subject as dull as the weather interesting, have
revealed to us all what IDIOTS(!) they are by axing their most
entertaining and possibly informing weather person on TWC. 
Usually when we see cuts like this, you can also expect to see
new hiring around the corner, ( No doubt since we are talking
corporate DEEP THINKING bean counters) , of buxom blond dead
heads at 1/4 the salary of what was one of their most valuable
resources, Dave Schwartz '   But know this, I won't say that
since it's not publicly ' PC ' but it's what I was thinking. 

Bring Back Dave Schwartz NOW !
NBC nightly news is going to lose lots of viewers as they make
more stupid decisions like this one.  They don't have a clue!

And now that I'm done venting here, have a nice rest of the
weekend.
jd

[deminks]

8. Vents are always welcome and

welcome to DU!

:hi: