Weather Center (1998–2009)
- For the current Weather Center that airs on evenings, see Weather Center Live
| Weather Center | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Opening theme | https://soundcloud.com/sam-richardson-26/weather-center-intense-bumper |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Production | |
| Location(s) | Atlanta |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | Variable |
| Release | |
| Original network | The Weather Channel |
| Picture format |
480i (SD) 1080i (HD) |
| Original release | March 10, 1998 – March 1, 2009 |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | WeatherScope |
| Followed by | Weather Center Live |
Weather Center (originally WeatherScope) was a news/weather program produced by The Weather Channel in Atlanta, Georgia. Initially, Weather Center was the lone news program for The Weather Channel. By 2000, the show had started being significantly pared down. By the end of 2008, Weather Center only aired for one hour a day during the week and two hours on weekends. The 4pm hour of Weather Center (2006 to 2009) was replaced by PM Edition.
History
In 1995, The Weather Channel introduced WeatherScope, programming on an hourly "wheel" format. WeatherScope was carried through the 1996 channel redesign. In its early days (before 1996), WeatherScope This Morning was a morning version, differing only in presentation. In 1997, the weather wheel system was retooled with a new TWC programming schedule.
WeatherScope was renamed Weather Center on March 10, 1998. The show continued to be the bulk of the channel's schedule, running for the entire program day (excluding the 30-minute overnight The Weather Classroom program for Cable in the Classroom). TWC's meteorologists would show weather forecasts and current conditions around the United States as well as international forecasts. From its debut in 1998 through early 2000, the program was divided into 3 blocks: Weather Center AM at 5am to 12pm, Weather Center 12pm to 7pm, and Weather Center PM at 7pm to 4am. In February 2000, much of Weather Center AM was replaced with First Outlook and Your Weather Today, and in August 2001 much of Weather Center PM was replaced with the Weather Channel Evening Edition. In April 2001, Weekend Now replaced the entire Weather Center AM block on weekends. A revamp of the channel's presentation in June 2001 dropped the "AM/PM" distinction; this revamp also saw a slew of programs to erode the Weather Center evening and weekend time slots; by 2008, only one hour remained.
Beginning in September 2003, the official hosts were Rich Johnson and Jeanetta Jones. On September 25, 2006, TWC announced major PM changes. Both hosts departed as a result of this. The new hosts became Vivian Brown and Jeff Morrow. Johnson left for Evening Edition and Jones left TWC altogether. In May 2008, Morrow moved to First Outlook, and was replaced by Nick Walker. Brown and Walker were the last official anchors.
On Sunday, March 1, 2009, the original Weather Center was discontinued and a new program with the same title debuted with an entirely different format.
Former Hosts
- Vivian Brown (2006-2009) (program cancellation)
- Rich Johnson (2003-2006) (left for Evening Edition)
- Jeanetta Jones (2003-2006) (left TWC)
- Jeff Morrow (2006-2008) (left for First Outlook)
- Nick Walker (2008-2009) (program cancellation)