Fox News gets into the weather business. Will climate-conscious viewers take it seriously?
LA TimesWhenever consumers are asked to name their primary reason for tuning into a TV newscast, the No. It’s why Fox News Media is investing more than $10 million in a new digital service called Fox Weather that will be available as a free, live, 24-hour ad-supported streaming video channel available as a mobile app and on internet-connected TVs through services such as Tubi. The attitude spilled into the news coverage last month, when one of Fox News’ anchors, Bill Hemmer, put quotes around the term climate change during coverage of extreme weather that caused flooding in New York City. Colorado-based WeatherNation also supplies forecasts to TV stations and cable systems throughout the U.S. Sharri Berg, a 25-year veteran of Fox News who is overseeing the new venture, said the Fox Weather service will deliver accurate information to users and treat climate change as a reality. “It’s an area where consumers don’t mess around.” Fox News Media Chief Executive Suzanne Scott pushed the idea of a weather service as part of the company’s effort to expand its brand name and tap revenue streams beyond cable television.
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