Weather Group Through the Years

Explore a snapshot of our company journey from its inception to becoming an award-winning brand.

1982
TheWeather Channel (TWC) launches.
1983
Some are ready to pull the plug, but the company makes hard decisions to stay on the air. Dramatic progress is made as network sees 44% increase in subscribers.
Weather channel archive photo
1986
TWC upgrades talent, adopts the anchor concept and adds more video footage. Now, it reaches 25 million households.
1988
TWC commits to breaking news, covering the drought and Hurricane Gilbert.
Weather channel archive photo
Weather channel archive photo
1999
TWC launches Weather scan channel on select cable systems, delivering exclusive local weather conditions and no national forecast. First availability of 24-hr local conditions from a national provider.
2001
TWC launches StormWeek series which sets ratings record during non-severe weather.
2003
TWC launches its first ever primetime series, Storm Stories. Also, launched the HIRAD system, which dramatically increases the accuracy of weather condition information and increases frequency of updated forecasts, radar and observed conditions. Network now reaches 85m+ households.
2005
TWC sets new record with total day rating of 2.2 during Hurricane Katrina coverage.
Hurricane graphic
2012
TWC becomes first national organization in North America to proactively name winter storms.
2015
The Weather Underground TV show premieres on TWC. The network launches live interactive augmented reality weather presentations.
Weather channel archive photo
2016
IBM purchases The Weather Company, which owns TWC, was spun up as a new entity thus creating two separate businesses, The Weather Group (the entertainment branch which includes TWC), and The Weather Company which houses product and technology assets.
2017
The Weather Channel covers Hurricane Irma.
Meteorologist reporting from the field
2018
Byron Allen acquires Weather Group. Immersive Mixed Reality (IMR) debuts, harnessing the power of our UnReal Engine and green-screen studio. Ipsos poll ranks TWC as the most trusted name in news media.
Photo of Byron Allen
Jim Cantore reporting from the field
2019
The Weather Channel wins an Emmy for Outstanding Science, Medical or Environmental Report for its segment on the dangers of tornadoes using Immersive Mixed Reality storytelling. TWC is also named one of the ‘Most Loved Brands in America’ by Morning Consult.
2021
The Weather Channel named as the HarrisPoll Equitrend® TV News Brand of the Year for the 11th consecutive year.
2022
The Weather Channel celebrated its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of weather reporting and delivering on its mission of keeping people safe and informed.

Also, on May 2, 2022, The Weather Channel en Español, the first 24/7 Spanish-language free-streaming weather news network in the United States made its network debut.