History of The Weather Network in Timeline

The Weather Network (TWN) is a Canadian English-language specialty channel providing weather information via television, digital platforms, and TV apps across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. It specializes in delivering weather forecasts, alerts, and related content to its audience through various media.

December 1, 1987: Licensed by CRTC

On December 1, 1987, The Weather Network was licensed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

September 1, 1988: TWN Launched as WeatherNow

On September 1, 1988, The Weather Network was launched as WeatherNow by Lavalin Inc. and Landmark Communications.

May 1, 1989: Renamed to The Weather Network

On May 1, 1989, WeatherNow was renamed to The Weather Network.

1993: Pelmorex Purchased The Weather Network

In 1993, Pelmorex purchased The Weather Network from SNC-Lavalin, two years after the merger of SNC and Lavalin.

February 7, 1994: GTA Broadcast of Morning Report

On February 7, 1994, the GTA broadcast of Morning Report occurred, with a runtime of 4 hours.

1994: Services began to run separately

In 1994, The Weather Network and MétéoMédia began to run separately, while both were still based in Montreal.

1996: TWN Began Using PMX

In 1996, The Weather Network began using its own system called PMX, which is still in use today. The channel launched its website in 1996.

May 2, 1998: Broadcasting from Mississauga, Ontario

On May 2, 1998, The Weather Network started broadcasting nationally from a new studio facility in Mississauga, Ontario after relocating from Montreal.

2000: Launch of seven-day and short term precipitation forecast

In late 2000, The Weather Network launched a seven-day and short term precipitation forecast during the Local Forecast.

2002: Programming blocks discontinued on weekdays

In 2002, The Weather Network discontinued programming blocks on weekdays.

2002: Introduction of Metacast Ultra

In 2002, The Weather Network introduced "Metacast Ultra", a weather presentation system.

March 29, 2004: Introduced 14-day Trend Outlook

On March 29, 2004, The Weather Network introduced a new 14-day trend outlook as part of the local cable weather package.

June 2004: Legal Action Against Star Choice

In June 2004, The Weather Network took legal action against Star Choice (now Shaw Direct) after moving TWN on a new bundle without giving any notice to its subscribers.

2004: Programming blocks discontinued on weekends

In 2004, The Weather Network discontinued programming blocks on weekends, although "This Weekend" continued to air until 2007.

November 2005: Headquarters Relocated to Oakville, Ontario

In November 2005, The Weather Network relocated its headquarters to Oakville, Ontario.

November 29, 2005: GTA Morning Show Debut at New Facility

On November 29, 2005, The Weather Network's GTA morning show made its debut at the brand new broadcast facility.

December 2, 2005: National Programming Broadcasts from New Facility

On December 2, 2005, The Weather Network's national programming started broadcasting from the new facility.

2006: Launched Interactive Version on Bell Satellite TV

In 2006, The Weather Network and Bell Satellite TV started an interactive version of The Weather Network, enabling viewers to set their city and view specific forecasts every time.

2006: Hourly forecast for the next 12 hours introduced

In 2006, The Weather Network introduced an hourly forecast for the next 12 hours.

2006: Adrienne Clarkson Diversity Award

In 2006, The Weather Network news department won the first annual Adrienne Clarkson Diversity Award for network television for its news series on weather and black history.

2007: World Medal from NY Festivals International TV Broadcasting Awards

In 2007, The Weather Network won a World Medal from the NY Festivals International TV Broadcasting Awards for a story on a blind woman learning to sail.

2007: "This Weekend" discontinued

In 2007, the programming block "This Weekend" was discontinued on The Weather Network.

2008: Long term precipitation forecasts introduced

In 2008, The Weather Network introduced long term precipitation forecasts.

2008: Won a World Medal again

In 2008, The Weather Network won a World Medal from the NY Festivals International TV Broadcasting Awards for a story on a man and his seeing-eye dog trying to adapt to a harsh New Brunswick winter.

2008: Launch of local programming

In 2008, The launch of local programming for the Greater Toronto Area limited updated forecasts throughout the rest of Canada. It has also been criticised for putting more coverage over the weather in Southern Ontario than the rest of Canada during its national segments.

2009: Improved satellite and radar maps introduced

In 2009, The Weather Network introduced improved satellite and radar maps.

2009: Must-Carry Status Granted by CRTC

In 2009, The Weather Network was granted 9(1)(h) must-carry status by the CRTC, under the condition that Pelmorex develop a "national aggregator and distributor" of localized emergency alert messages.