NBC buys The Weather Channel, plus hurricanes in HD!

I’m actually pretty embarrassed to admit I don’t watch The Weather Channel as much as my friends might think. I’m a weather nut, I constantly watch the radar and the skies during the summer monsoon months here in Phoenix, Arizona.

But I rarely watch that station. Even now when they have a new high-definition studio and more and more HD programming.

I do have two news items of note to pass on regarding The Weather Channel. It’s now owned by NBC Universal, which includes not only the station, but their web-based business. According to Engadget, it’s a good move for NBC:

It of course behooves us to mention that NBC hasn’t been a numerical leader among the largest of television networks as of late. Some of its properties are no doubt doing well in their respective markets. But on the whole, its often been the bronzer amid grander content giants. The boost given by The Weather Channel will definitely go to help buff its industrial image. Netting a gem like Weather.com is no insignificant win by any means.

On the visual side of things, The Weather Channel has all-new high-definition cameras, production trucks and a studio ready for the upcoming hurricane season.

We’d rather not see a massive hurricane strike the U.S. of course, but if we do see action later this summer, at least we’ll experience it in crystal-clear HD.