Comments on: The Weather Channel On The Market For $5 Billion+ http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/ Startup and Technology News Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:36:15 -0800 hourly 1 By: adam http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1917574 adam Sun, 13 Jan 2008 00:26:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1917574 i think this could be a good opportunity for google because the weather channel consists of a website and a tv station. they could start their video ads on the weather channel and possibly venture into weather predicting technology. i think this could be a good opportunity for google because the weather channel consists of a website and a tv station. they could start their video ads on the weather channel and possibly venture into weather predicting technology.

]]> By: Tom http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1898834 Tom Fri, 04 Jan 2008 12:25:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1898834 This is a rare opportunity for one of the large media companies, or other potential buyer. The Weather Channel is a profitable and very well run company. It is poised to give some savvy buyer the competetive edge in feeding people's insatiable appetite for weather. This company will dominate on television as well as the web for as far ahead as anyone can see. This is a rare opportunity for one of the large media companies, or other potential buyer. The Weather Channel is a profitable and very well run company. It is poised to give some savvy buyer the competetive edge in feeding people’s insatiable appetite for weather. This company will dominate on television as well as the web for as far ahead as anyone can see.

]]> By: stebeballmer http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1897976 stebeballmer Thu, 03 Jan 2008 21:47:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1897976 No thanks, there isn't that much weather in the world. fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com No thanks, there isn’t that much weather in the world.

fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com

]]> By: Tom http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1897923 Tom Thu, 03 Jan 2008 21:06:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1897923 Wow, that's a bunch of money. All the comments remind me of an article I read a few months ago: <a href="http://www.omninerd.com/articles/Internet_Weather_Forecast_Accuracy" rel="nofollow">Internet Weather Forecast Accuracy</a> It's a detailed study that concluded the following: "In seeking high temperature forecasts, it looked best to use IntelliCast or The Weather Channel in the long term, but there wasn't a clear leader in the short to mid term. BBC seemed unreliable in all cases, as well as MSN in the long term. The Weather Network, CNN and Unisys all had blemishes (3, 4 and 0 days in advance, respectively), but were generally in with the pack. In seeking low temperature forecasts, IntelliCast and The Weather Channel were again the choice in the long term, joined by Unisys in the short term. BBC was still a dud in anything but the very short term, and MSN performed horribly in nearly all cases, as well as Accuweather in the long term. Accuweather was the clear leader in anything greater than 10 days in advance, being the only site providing a weather forecast." Wow, that’s a bunch of money. All the comments remind me of an article I read a few months ago:

Internet Weather Forecast Accuracy

It’s a detailed study that concluded the following:

“In seeking high temperature forecasts, it looked best to use IntelliCast or The Weather Channel in the long term, but there wasn’t a clear leader in the short to mid term. BBC seemed unreliable in all cases, as well as MSN in the long term. The Weather Network, CNN and Unisys all had blemishes (3, 4 and 0 days in advance, respectively), but were generally in with the pack.

In seeking low temperature forecasts, IntelliCast and The Weather Channel were again the choice in the long term, joined by Unisys in the short term. BBC was still a dud in anything but the very short term, and MSN performed horribly in nearly all cases, as well as Accuweather in the long term.

Accuweather was the clear leader in anything greater than 10 days in advance, being the only site providing a weather forecast.”

]]> By: Rogee http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1897751 Rogee Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:57:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1897751 I prefer weather.gov. @ .rb : In Google, simply search for "San Diego weather" (substitute your city name) I prefer weather.gov.

@ .rb : In Google, simply search for “San Diego weather” (substitute your city name)

]]> By: JS http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1897690 JS Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:19:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1897690 I own a company that makes horseshoes for horse-drawn carriages. I believe I will sell my company for 14 trillion dollars. Everyone needs horse shoes, right? Right? I own a company that makes horseshoes for horse-drawn carriages. I believe I will sell my company for 14 trillion dollars. Everyone needs horse shoes, right? Right?

]]> By: FlipKey Blog - Expanding the Vacation Rental Market » Blog Archive » The Weather Channel Puts Its Self Up For Sale – How does this affect their recent entry into the vacation rental market? http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1897524 FlipKey Blog - Expanding the Vacation Rental Market » Blog Archive » The Weather Channel Puts Its Self Up For Sale – How does this affect their recent entry into the vacation rental market? Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:35:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1897524 [...] hopes of leveraging its traffic and SEO assets to carve out a viable competitor to HomeAway. Today TechCrunch reported that TWC is putting itself up for sale for an estimated $5 [...] [...] hopes of leveraging its traffic and SEO assets to carve out a viable competitor to HomeAway. Today TechCrunch reported that TWC is putting itself up for sale for an estimated $5 [...]

]]> By: .rb http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1897470 .rb Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:58:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1897470 Just popped into my head... why doesn't weather.google.com exist? .rb Just popped into my head…

why doesn’t weather.google.com exist?

.rb

]]> By: Josiah http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1897423 Josiah Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:13:50 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1897423 Weather.com is horrible (layout, design, ads) I hope the new owners redesign the site and hire real web people. Social weather forecasting is what's new in 2008: http://www.otherweather.com Weather.com is horrible (layout, design, ads) I hope the new owners redesign the site and hire real web people.

Social weather forecasting is what’s new in 2008: http://www.otherweather.com

]]> By: Jared W. Smith http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1897379 Jared W. Smith Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:35:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1897379 <strong>For Sale: The Weather Channel...</strong> The Weather Channel’s days as a privately owned cable network are numbered. There’s a lot of wondering why they’re up for sale for as much $5 billion. They certainly have prime-time Web real estate (weather.com), but I think people ... For Sale: The Weather Channel…

The Weather Channel’s days as a privately owned cable network are numbered. There’s a lot of wondering why they’re up for sale for as much $5 billion. They certainly have prime-time Web real estate (weather.com), but I think people …

]]> By: Jared W. Smith http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1897378 Jared W. Smith Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:35:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1897378 <strong>For Sale: The Weather Channel...</strong> The Weather Channel’s days as a privately owned cable network are numbered. There’s a lot of wondering why they’re up for sale for as much $5 billion. They certainly have prime-time Web real estate (weather.com), but I think people ... For Sale: The Weather Channel…

The Weather Channel’s days as a privately owned cable network are numbered. There’s a lot of wondering why they’re up for sale for as much $5 billion. They certainly have prime-time Web real estate (weather.com), but I think people …

]]> By: Greg Andrew http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1897370 Greg Andrew Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:29:08 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1897370 The Weather Channel is an enormously successful enterprise. It is by far the biggest independent basic cable channel left and virtually every big media company has tried to buy it at some point over the years. And its web site, like it or not, is one of the most successful properties on the web. This is a huge deal. Landmark will get very close to its $5 billion . It is also a deal that is far more important to the web than people know. The Weather Channel has been a major supporter of the National Weather Service and others who want to keep the weather data produced by the government free to anyone who wants to use it. That position has been very important in preventing Accuweather and its allies from using their influence in Congress to have bills passed that would prevent the government from giving away the data that taxpayers pay the government to collect. Though Accuweather no longer has its personal Senator, Rick Santorum, in the Senate to try and push through those bills, I am concerned that the Weather Channel might shift its position if it is bought by a major media conglomerate. Those bills would cripple the many independent weather sites on the web. They would also hurt the economy and cause the loss of jobs, because having the government produced weather data out there has produced a lot more of a vibrant weather economy than there would be if only a few companies were able to afford the data. The Weather Channel is an enormously successful enterprise. It is by far the biggest independent basic cable channel left and virtually every big media company has tried to buy it at some point over the years. And its web site, like it or not, is one of the most successful properties on the web. This is a huge deal. Landmark will get very close to its $5 billion
.
It is also a deal that is far more important to the web than people know. The Weather Channel has been a major supporter of the National Weather Service and others who want to keep the weather data produced by the government free to anyone who wants to use it. That position has been very important in preventing Accuweather and its allies from using their influence in Congress to have bills passed that would prevent the government from giving away the data that taxpayers pay the government to collect. Though Accuweather no longer has its personal Senator, Rick Santorum, in the Senate to try and push through those bills, I am concerned that the Weather Channel might shift its position if it is bought by a major media conglomerate. Those bills would cripple the many independent weather sites on the web. They would also hurt the economy and cause the loss of jobs, because having the government produced weather data out there has produced a lot more of a vibrant weather economy than there would be if only a few companies were able to afford the data.

]]> By: Mock http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1897333 Mock Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:56:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1897333 @Spiel Actually intellicast.com is a WSI site and WSI is owned by Landmark Communications. This makes intellicast.com the sister site to weather.com. WSI is also the provider of TWC's computers and graphics systems. Of course, these two branches of Landmark Communications also share data. WSI targets industry, while TWC goes after the general consumer. @Spiel

Actually intellicast.com is a WSI site and WSI is owned by Landmark Communications. This makes intellicast.com the sister site to weather.com.

WSI is also the provider of TWC’s computers and graphics systems. Of course, these two branches of Landmark Communications also share data. WSI targets industry, while TWC goes after the general consumer.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1897332 Kevin Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:56:37 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1897332 Can someone explain why Alexa is still used for on-the-fly user statistics over Compete or Quantcast? Can someone explain why Alexa is still used for on-the-fly user statistics over Compete or Quantcast?

]]> By: Erik Peterson http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1897296 Erik Peterson Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:25:50 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1897296 I've never seen a discussion of weather.com without the statement "weather.com sucks", and this one is no exception (@#2). I got sick of weather.com, so I made my own barebones weather site (<a href="http://forecaster.ws" rel="nofollow">forecaster.ws</a>). I’ve never seen a discussion of weather.com without the statement “weather.com sucks”, and this one is no exception (@#2). I got sick of weather.com, so I made my own barebones weather site (forecaster.ws).

]]> By: acca http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1897260 acca Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:04:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1897260 "Web site, weather.com, are already attracting interest from some of the biggest names in media, including NBC, a unit of General Electric; the News Corporation; and Comcast" This is interesting. “Web site, weather.com, are already attracting interest from some of the biggest names in media, including NBC, a unit of General Electric; the News Corporation; and Comcast”
This is interesting.

]]> By: Shalom http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1897244 Shalom Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:49:34 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1897244 Looking at the November uniques from weather.com it seems like they're looking for around $1 billion valuation for the website of business, based on comparable sales. That would leave around $4 billion for a channel that employs some 800 people, 125 of which are the core group, meteorologists. Cable is old media, and not too many properties have been on sale, but I would say that they are not going to get $4 billion dollars for the cable side of business, unless their profitability proves otherwise. Looking at the November uniques from weather.com it seems like they’re looking for around $1 billion valuation for the website of business, based on comparable sales.

That would leave around $4 billion for a channel that employs some 800 people, 125 of which are the core group, meteorologists.

Cable is old media, and not too many properties have been on sale, but I would say that they are not going to get $4 billion dollars for the cable side of business, unless their profitability proves otherwise.

]]> By: Spiel http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1897242 Spiel Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:49:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1897242 Weather Channel? People still watch that on TV? Better yet, people use that online? It sucks, I swear it always says the opposite will happen. Nothing beats Intellicast.com Weather Channel? People still watch that on TV? Better yet, people use that online? It sucks, I swear it always says the opposite will happen.

Nothing beats Intellicast.com

]]> By: Nascar http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1897220 Nascar Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:29:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1897220 Does 5 billion make it sunny every day? If so, some one please make it happen. Does 5 billion make it sunny every day? If so, some one please make it happen.

]]> By: micfo.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1897212 micfo.com Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:26:55 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1897212 I think they need to work on to forecast accurately about any natural disaster in advance to alert people. I think they need to work on to forecast accurately about any natural disaster in advance to alert people.

]]> By: Jon http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1897181 Jon Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:10:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1897181 Here we have a company with a lot of potential with a huge marketplace yet it gets a valuation a third that of a passing fad (facebook)? Something doesn't make much sense, either they are way under priced or facebook is over priced ;-) Jon Here we have a company with a lot of potential with a huge marketplace yet it gets a valuation a third that of a passing fad (facebook)? Something doesn’t make much sense, either they are way under priced or facebook is over priced ;-)

Jon

]]> By: mojaam http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1897005 mojaam Thu, 03 Jan 2008 09:27:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1897005 I must admit, that's a lucrative domain name. Even if there are too many weather websites out there, that comes of the top of an average person first. The channel, I'm sure I have it but umm I don't even know which one is it. I must admit, that’s a lucrative domain name. Even if there are too many weather websites out there, that comes of the top of an average person first. The channel, I’m sure I have it but umm I don’t even know which one is it.

]]> By: MP3 Nation http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1897000 MP3 Nation Thu, 03 Jan 2008 09:21:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1897000 Check out the top 50 songs of 2K7 & even download them!!! <a href="http://mp3nation.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">MP3Nation</a> Do post your replies..... Check out the top 50 songs of 2K7 & even download them!!!

MP3Nation

Do post your replies…..

]]> By: Elisha http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1896959 Elisha Thu, 03 Jan 2008 08:55:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1896959 The Weather Channel, very competitive site. The Weather Channel, very competitive site.

]]> By: Chris http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/comment-page-1/#comment-1896920 Chris Thu, 03 Jan 2008 08:21:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/the-weather-channel-on-the-market-for-5-billion/#comment-1896920 WTF? weather.com sucks. $5 billion? Hopefully Rupert buys it - that way we can get ALL of our news from a fair and balanced mega-corp. <a href="http://weather.gov/" rel="nofollow">weather.gov</a> is free of ad-spam and straight to the facts. It's probably where all those other sites get most of their info anyway! WTF? weather.com sucks. $5 billion? Hopefully Rupert buys it – that way we can get ALL of our news from a fair and balanced mega-corp.

weather.gov is free of ad-spam and straight to the facts. It’s probably where all those other sites get most of their info anyway!

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