TWC to Tackle Global Warming

Pasadena, Calif. -- First, The Weather Channel warned us about impending natural disasters. Now, it wants to educate us on global warming.

The network will launch a multiplatform content initiative under the umbrella term Climate Watch to delve into the issue, TWC Cos. president Debra Wilson said at the network's Television Critics Association Tour presentation here Tuesday.

TWC will debut The Climate Code with Dr. Heidi Cullen, a weekly series premiering in October that will explore the issues surrounding the earth's warming and its eventual effects.

The show will feature expertise, opinions and perspectives from policymakers, celebrities such as Ted Turner and world-renowned figures such as former Vice President Al Gore who are both knowledgeable and passionate about global change, TWC Networks general manager and executive vice president Wonya Lucas said.

The show comes on the heels of the network's weekly series, It Could Happen Tomorrow, which examines the impact of potential weather disasters in major metropolitan areas.

Along with Climate Code, TWC will launch a companion broadband-video Web site dubbed One Degree. The video-centric site will feature a mix of video developed exclusively for the site, along with content from TWC, according to TWC Interactive VP of broadband and consumer applications Matthew De Gannon. The site will also include content from Cullen's blog, as well as guest bloggers, news, forums and commentary.

"In addition, One Degree's original video content will provide an added dimension showing how climate change may already be affecting the lives of individuals, businesses, communities and families," De Gannon said.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.