Other BBC choices may seem more simple, yet there’s something a bit a bit non-transparent – going on totally misty – about the blog from Nigel Charters, “project director of BBC weather re-procurement” announcing that the commercial MeteoGroup will be taking over all corporation weather forecasting next spring. Farewell, after 93 years, to the poor old Met Office. The move will “save us millions of pounds over the next seven or so years”. It means “a more personalised website with clearer and more searchable graphics and more information on screen and on air”.
The future is hi-tech, global and a thrusting wonder, but also cosily reassuring. “Some things won’t change though. We know how fond people are of our weather presenters. We have taken steps so the vast majority of our well-known and much-loved presenters will continue to front BBC Weather.”
But now a few questions emerge through the mist. How many millions over seven years? Why is this blog harder on warm adjectives than cold facts? How many “much-loved” weather presenters will follow the job and work for the BBC direct? Numbers, costs and pension details required. Where’s the advantage of the forecasts on the BBC, Channel 4, Sky and almost every national newspaper being identical – because they’ll all come from the same MeteoGroup?
Come to that, where’s the benefit in a profusion of forecasts if you want to know whether to take an umbrella in the morning? And – personal hobby horse time – what’s the continuing use of employing on-screen weather boys and girls around local TV and radio when a magically enhanced BBC app does the smartphone job much better?
This all seems belt, braces, sun cream and brolly stuff, choice but no choice – an infinitely changeable forecast, with a chance of raining on your parade.
