Hotels that have DIRECTV television deals as part of their in-room entertainment for guests will find that the provider has recently dropped The Weather Channel from its line-up.
The Weather Channel has taken issue with DIRECTV's claim that hotels will need to take no action as a result of this change. The Weather Channle charges that many in-room printed materials and graphic menus will need to be reprinted if DIRECTV does not change its decision.
Below is a statement for the hotel and hospitality industry from The Weather Channel to help clear up what it claims is misleading information from DIRECTV:
"The Weather Channel is no longer available on DIRECTV, which refused to come to an agreement on a market-based carriage deal. You may have been contacted by DIRECTV saying that there was no impact to your hotels and there was no action that you needed to take. As a key component of our nation's public safety infrastructure, we must tell you that DIRECTV is not correct. There is ACTION you need to take to keep your hotels, employees and guests safe.
Call your corporate office or owner group know. To help minimize the impact to your hotels and guests, we are asking you to please contact DIRECTV and demand inclusion of The Weather Channel in order to keep true local weather information available to your guests.
Despite what DIRECTV may have told the hospitality industry, its decision to remove The Weather Channel from its lineup requires changes by hotel groups. The Weather Channel would like to clear up some misleading statements from DIRECTV:
1. "DIRECTV already has a great alternative available to your guests. Weather Nation is now appearing on the channel previously occupied by The Weather Channel."
Truth: Weather Nation is not an alternative. You have lost all localized weather content for your hotels in your guest rooms. As of 1/14/14 your guests no longer receive "Local on the 8s" that so many of them have demanded. This also includes the ability for them to receive severe weather alerts and bulletins from The Weather Channel. 100% of The Weather Channel programming includes access to regional forecast information (via the ticker at the bottom of the screen) and hyperlocal weather information 24/7/365 via The Weather Channel interactive application on DIRECTV.
2. Weather Nation provides 24/7 coverage of current and severe weather news and information and is 100% dedicated to weather related news."
Truth: Weather Nation is not live. Its programming is taped, does not offer up-to-the-minute weather information, and does not provide live, in-field coverage during severe weather to the level of The Weather Channel. The Weather Channel is a trusted resource before, during and after the storm, and it is proven to be more accurate, have more innovative technology and have more proprietary resources than other weather options. Additionally, The Weather Channel team of more than 220 meteorologists throughout the country provides best-in-class information at a hyper-local level, something that no other weather service is equipped to do. Our weather experts and our comprehensive live reporting from the field provides insights that cannot be replicated by any other service, including Weather Nation.
3. "There is no action you need to take."
Truth: No in-room documents or print materials can represent Weather Nation as The Weather Channel. You have many in-room guides, printed materials and on-screen graphic menus that display The Weather Channel on them that will need to be reprinted and changed if DIRECTV doesn't change their decision. Since this is an infringement on The Weather Channel trademark, all hotels utilizing DIRECTV will need to reprint all in-room and print materials that provide channel listings or refer to The Weather Channel.
4. "40% of The Weather Channel programming schedule was dedicated to original programming, instead of live weather coverage."
Truth: 100% of The Weather Channel programming is live weather coverage when severe weather is happening, and 100% of all of its programming includes regional and local weather information. This 40% claim includes overnight hours when households watching TV is lower and many other networks are showing paid programming or infomercials.
5."We hope to resolve our negotiations with The Weather Channel soon, but during this process, DIRECTV remains committed to providing our customers with the most comprehensive weather and climate related information available."
Truth: There are no current conversations or negotiations going on between the two companies. DIRECTV has not reached out at all to continue negotiations with The Weather Channel, and the weather information they now provide is a poor, uncomprehensive alternative."
