TV Q&A: Do NWS cuts impact TV meteorologists?

Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen answers reader questions every Wednesday at TribLive.com in a column that also appears in the Sunday Tribune-Review.

Q: I know this might be difficult — or downright impossible considering potential political implications — to get an answer to: Have our three local weather stations seen any impact from the federal budget cuts to the NWS and NOAA?

Obviously, we’re not in the direct path of hurricanes here, but considering what happened in Texas, is there any concern among our local meteorologists that lack of info could hamper their forecasting abilities?

— David, via email

Rob: David’s correct that this question likely inspired fear. I sent David’s question to all 14 local TV news meteorologists working at KDKA-TV, WPXI and WTAE. None of them responded.

But some TV meteorologists have spoken up, including ABC’s Ginger Zee and NBC’s Chase Cain and WCNC’s Chris Mulcahy.

In June, John Morales, a forecaster at the NBC affiliate in Miramar, Fla., reminded viewers of hurricane coverage in 2019, per TheHill.com, saying, “Confidently, I went on TV, and I told you, ‘It’s going to turn. You don’t need to worry; it is going to turn.’

“And I am here to tell you, that I am not sure I can do that this year, because of the cuts, the gutting, the sledgehammer attack on science in general,” he added, due to federal government cuts to the National Weather Service and NOAA.

In addition, non-TV meteorologists have also spoken out in many different publications, including Scientific American.

But it’s also true that TV stations do not rely solely on the NWS. Most, if not all, Pittsburgh stations subscribe to weather data from a variety of companies. Meteorologists use that data to make their forecasts. That raises the question, where do those companies get their information?

According to State College-based AccuWeather, NOAA “foundational weather data is one of 190 sources that AccuWeather uses as inputs into our proprietary and patented Forecast Engine (SWIFT).”

In a prepared statement, AccuWeather said, “We have no indication at this time that the changes at NOAA will impact AccuWeather’s services. We remain committed to providing the highest levels of service to the public, the media, and our clients. …

“AccuWeather has long supported and testified in support of the importance of the National Weather Service’s core role, which includes gathering and disseminating foundational weather data, which includes the best radar and satellite coverage and weather observations on an equal opportunity basis to support a vibrant American Weather Enterprise; developing, operating and disseminating the world’s best numerical weather prediction models and forecast guidance and issuing weather warnings to the public for severe weather that threatens life and property.”

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Q: Are “Orphan Black: Echoes” and “The Dead Files” still in production?

— John, Green Tree

Rob: “Orphan Black: Echoes” was canceled last September after one season. “Dead Files” is also dead, per one of the show’s stars.

Q: What is going on with HGTV recently canceling several shows that my wife and I enjoyed? Is HGTV losing money paying the Property Brothers so much money? Why don’t they take some of the shows on HGTV and move them to Magnolia?

— Chris, Jeannette

Rob: Networks are loathe to say why they cancel shows — or even confirm they’ve been canceled shows in some cases — but HGTV did go on a cancellation spree in recent weeks, axing “Battle on the Beach,” “Farmhouse Fixer,” “Married to Real Estate,” “Izzy Does It” and “Bargain Block.”

My guess is this stems at least in part from the Warner Bros. Discovery strategic plan to cleave off its declining cable networks into their own company separate from the Warner Bros. studio and the Max streaming service. The cable networks will be managed for decline, meaning there will be even more concerted efforts to cut programming costs.

As for moving shows from HGTV to Magnolia, I’m not familiar enough with these HGTV series to know if they’d even fit the Magnolia brand. Regardless, both networks are in the same boat, bundled with other cable channels in exorable decline in WBD’s spinoff company.