Weather Channel cuts shows, staff amid uncertain future

The Weather Channel is becoming leaner as it faces a cloudy forecast for the future.

The Atlanta-based cable network told employees Wednesday that it is scrapping its general interest morning show with former “Good Morning America” forecaster Sam Champion on Oct. 30, and will no longer be in the market for unscripted series programs.

The channel is also shutting down its New York-based early morning show “Wake Up With Al” with Al Roker of NBC’s “Today,” on Oct. 2. About 50 of the channel’s 1,400 employees will lose their jobs as a result of the changes.

“In a world where everyone is chasing new original shows, we need to approach the world differently,” Dave Shull, president of the Weather Channel Television Group, wrote in an internal memo. “We need to focus on our unique strength — and that is the weather.”

The channel has already moved toward live programming that will appeal to weather enthusiasts. Last month, it launched a new daily live show done in partnership with Weather Underground, the website aimed at weather geeks who supply much of its local forecast information. Weather Channel parent Weather Co. bought the site in 2012 for an undisclosed price.

The cost-cutting moves come as Weather Co. owners NBCUniversal, Bain Capital and Blackstone Group are reportedly exploring a possible sale of the asset. A spokesperson declined to comment on the reports or the status of any sale talks.

According to Nielsen data for August, the Weather Channel reaches 89.3 million satellite and cable subscribers, down 10.6 percent from the same month in 2013.