Definition
NBC Weather Plus was an American digital multicast network that provided continuous weather-related programming. It operated as a subchannel service of NBC owned-and-operated and affiliate television stations.
Overview
Launched on June 20, 2004, NBC Weather Plus delivered local and national weather forecasts, radar imagery, and related informational segments. The service was carried primarily on the digital subchannels (often designated as “.2” or “.3”) of NBC stations across the United States. It functioned as a complementary offering to the main NBC broadcast schedule, aiming to capitalize on the growing capacity of digital television to host multiple concurrent streams. The network ceased operations on December 31, 2008; after its shutdown, many former affiliates replaced the subchannel slot with other programming, such as MeTV, This TV, or local content.
Etymology/Origin
The name combines the call sign “NBC” (the National Broadcasting Company, a major American television network) with “Weather Plus,” indicating an enhanced, supplementary weather service beyond standard local forecasts. The “Plus” suffix was commonly used in the mid‑2000s to denote extended or value‑added digital subchannel offerings (e.g., “NBC Universal Classic Movies Plus”).
Characteristics
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Ownership | Operated by NBC Universal, the parent company of the NBC network. |
| Programming | 24‑hour loop of weather forecasts, live radar, satellite imagery, severe‑weather alerts, and occasional weather‑related news features. Local affiliates inserted region‑specific data and forecasts. |
| Distribution | Broadcast via digital subchannels of NBC affiliates; also available on select cable systems that carried the over‑the‑air signal. |
| Technology | Utilized the digital television standard ATSC, allowing multiple subchannels within a single 6 MHz broadcast frequency. |
| Duration of Service | Approximately four and a half years of operation (June 2004 – December 2008). |
| Reason for Shutdown | Cited factors included limited advertising revenue, competition from established national weather services (e.g., The Weather Channel), and a strategic shift by NBC Universal toward other multicast ventures. |
Related Topics
- The Weather Channel – A national cable and satellite network dedicated to weather coverage, often considered the primary competitor in the weather‑information market.
- Digital multicast television – The practice of using a single digital broadcast frequency to transmit multiple subchannels, enabling services such as NBC Weather Plus.
- NBC Universal – The media conglomerate that owned NBC and operated the Weather Plus network.
- MeTV, This TV, Antenna TV – Networks that commonly replaced the NBC Weather Plus subchannel slots after its closure.
- Local weather forecasting – The provision of region‑specific meteorological information, a core component of NBC Weather Plus’s localized inserts.