The Weekend Ticker: Hurricanes & Sharks, Silver & Politics, Press & Free Speech

By Alex Weprin 

  • The Weather Channel is counter-programming Discovery’s “Shark Week” with theme programming of its own: “Hurricane Week.” There will be a slew of programming related to the powerful Summer storms. Details below.

  • The Financial Times talks to Nate Silver about moving to ESPN, and in the process he says that CNN is at a disadvantage in the cable news space because “the energy in politics is on the extremes.”

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The Weather Channel Takes Viewers By Storm With Hurricane Week Aug. 5-11

WHAT: The Weather Channel will bring viewers danger and excitement with Hurricane Week, beginning Monday, Aug. 5 through Sunday, Aug. 11, on TV and online at weather.com.

The week will feature breathtaking, hurricane-themed original programming, including episodes of “Hurricane Hunters,” “Storm Stories,” “Storm Riders,” “Weather Caught On Camera,” “When Weather Changed History,” and “It Could Happen Tomorrow,” along with original specials “Sandy: Anatomy of a Superstorm” and “Coast Guard: HMS Bounty Rescue.” The network will cap off the week with the premiere of its new original series “Strangest Weather on Earth,” with back-to-back episodes on Sunday, Aug. 11, at 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET.

Live programming throughout the week will feature content dedicated to preparing viewers for hurricane season, including informative segments and safety tips.

Original Programming Highlights

Tune in all week for episodes of:

“Hurricane Hunters” – Catch up on the missions of the Air Force’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron based in Biloxi, MS as they take on the dangerous, yet thrilling, mission to fly planes into hurricanes to gather meteorological data that can only be gathered by flying into the eye of the storm. With each mission, they risk their lives to gather information that saves others.

“Weather Caught on Camera” – Catch on-camera meteorologist and host Mike Bettes in four new episodes featuring the most intense, dramatic and downright crazy weather ever captured on video.

“Storm Stories” – Chronicles the true stories of survivors and rescuers battling amazing weather events.

“Storm Riders” – Tune-in as maverick meteorologists Simon Brewer and Juston Drake continue their quest across the country to witness the most powerful storms.

“When Weather Changed History” – Hurricane-themed episodes of the series that uncovers how weather has impacted historic events.

“Sandy: Anatomy of a Superstorm” – An all-encompassing story of the massive impact Hurricane Sandy had upon tens of millions across multiple states, including its nighttime landfall and the revelation of mass destruction upon sunrise.

“Coast Guard: HMS Bounty Rescue” – A “behind the headlines” look at the daring and heroic rescue of 14 crewmembers onboard the HMS Bounty during Superstorm Sandy.

“It Could Happen Tomorrow” – A close look at unbelievable yet possible acts of nature, which could spell disaster for cities across America.

“Full-Force Nature” – Visually stunning weather clips viewers just can’t get enough of.

“Strangest Weather on Earth” – The Weather Channel adds to its growing Sunday night lineup with back-to-back episodes of its latest series. Carrying on the week’s extreme weather theme, each episode will feature several examples of weird, wacky and extreme weather such as airborne fish, saucer clouds, and a wave made of rock.

Sunday, Aug. 11, from 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET (2x 30-min. back-to-back episodes)

Live Programming segments include:

Live on Location – On-camera meteorologists and hurricane experts will be on-location talking to key government officials and residents to learn how each city has recovered from the devastation of hurricanes.

Monday – Stephanie Abrams in New Jersey; Jim Cantore in New Orleans
Wednesday – Jim Cantore in Galveston
Friday – Bryan Norcross in Miami
Top 5 – Tune in as The Weather Channel on-camera meteorologists count down the top five most powerful, costliest, most memorable and deadliest hurricanes of all time, and present the most amazing hurricane facts you’ll need to help keep you safe.

Hurricane Heroes – Amid the devastation of hurricanes, there are also incredible stories of heroism. The Weather Channel will talk to some of the people who risked their lives to help others, including the Manasquan, NJ football coach who braved icy waters to save dozens during Sandy.

When Seconds Count: Life Saving Tips – Sadly, it’s a scene we see time and again. Residents who don’t evacuate and find themselves trapped in their homes due to fierce rising waters from a hurricane like Katrina. It not only puts residents at risk, but also first responders. To better rescue these victims, a unique training facility has been built far from any ocean that teaches first responders the skills needed when it matters most. Jim Cantore takes a look at this life-saving facility.

Meteorologists Most Memorable Moments – Al Roker, Stephanie Abrams and Mike Seidel have been on the front lines covering numerous hurricanes. While meteorologists bring the action of the storm to viewers, the real drama sometimes happens behind the scenes. Find out what happened when the cameras stopped rolling during some of their most memorable hurricane experiences.

Hurricane Anniversaries – 2013 marks milestones for some of the most devastating hurricanes to hit the U.S. It’s been one year since Isaac severely impacted parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida, and since Sandy devastated the Northeast. It’s also been five years since Ike hit the Texas area and 10 since Isabel. The Weather Channel will look back at these storms and the lessons learned.

Be sure to check out a host of articles and safety tips on weather.com/hurricaneweek.

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