Advances in Emerging Technologies for Forecasting and Broadcasting

Weather broadcasters use AR, AI, OTT platforms and applications, and the cloud to deliver news remotely, effectively, and time-sensitively.

FREMONT, CA: Broadcasting had to innovate its broadcasting practices from remote locations during the pandemic. Broadcasting away from sites was difficult as the equipment was heavy to transport. Local viewers saw a 10 percent increase in viewership when meteorologists crafted powerful visuals from data from weather radar and forecasting models to help viewers prepare for incoming storms.

 Broadcasters are looking to use tools like augmented reality to increase viewership and the accuracy of forecasts.

Broadcasters are looking to continue implementing pandemic-era innovations after the pandemic.

Introducing new technologies in weather forecasting will impact the industry in the future. Broadcast companies solve challenges and enhance the quality of forecasts. Technologies broadcasters are using are:

Augmented Reality (AR): Some broadcasters are integrating AR with its current processes and enhancing them with set extensions, streaming radar, severe weather tools, satellites, cameras, and model forecasts. Companies are also using OTT platforms to distribute information, such as regular news program simulcasts and anchorless newscasts with news and weather. OTT is a revenue stream for some stations.

Applications: Weather broadcasting is moving from television to social media and apps. It is more beneficial for reporting weather events on short notice. Viewers can keep track of weather updates in the form of notifications.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI can automatize video publication on multiple platforms. Machine learning and deep learning obtain weather trends periodically and accurately. Companies are widening their scope of operation from just producing forecasts to relevant informational segments about weather events. In connection with AR technology, AI will provide more information and explain the reason for meteorological phenomena and other scientific events in daily weather reports. Demographics like Latino audiences benefit the most as they originate from regions that do not experience frequent weather events like hurricanes, tornados, storms, or hail. 

Cloud: Data, using cloud technology, allows producers to deliver higher resolution content for specific regions and use less bandwidth. Cloud technologies enable broadcasting regardless of whether producers are on-site or working remotely. 

Broadcasting companies are integrating emerging technology to effectively widen the scope of weather forecast production while including other services.