MS NOW Inks Major AccuWeather Deal for Enhanced Climate Coverage

The soon-to-be-launched cable news channel MS NOW has secured a major partnership for weather reporting. The network has signed a multi-year deal with forecasting giant AccuWeather. This move was confirmed by industry reports from The Hollywood Reporter. The channel will be rebranded from MSNBC on November 15.

This partnership aims to fill a critical coverage gap for the new network. MS NOW is building its newsgathering operation from scratch following its split from NBC News. Bringing in trusted weather data is a key part of that foundational build.

AccuWeather to Power Forecasts Across New Network

The deal makes AccuWeather the exclusive weather source for Versant, the network’s parent company. This means forecasts and data will appear on MS NOW and potentially its sibling channel, CNBC. AccuWeather’s meteorologists and proprietary data will be featured in daily segments.

These segments are planned for flagship morning shows like Morning Joe and Squawk Box. Other coverage will be added as major weather events develop. The network has also hired specialized staff to bolster this focus.

David Parkinson joins as a senior weather and elections data analyst. Moses Small was hired as a dedicated climate reporter. These hires signal a serious commitment to weather and environmental journalism.

Strategic Partnerships Define New Network’s Build-Out

The AccuWeather deal is part of a broader strategy. MS NOW is using partnerships to quickly establish credible newsgathering. The network previously partnered with Sky News for international coverage.

According to a statement from senior vice president Scott Matthews, this fits the channel’s new mission. MS NOW stands for “My Source for News, Opinion and the World.” Reliable weather reporting is central to that promise in an era of extreme climate events.

The network’s new studios in Times Square feature a virtual reality space. This studio is likely to be used for high-tech weather forecasts and immersive climate reporting. It represents a modern approach to delivering information.

This strategic AccuWeather partnership provides MS NOW with instant credibility in weather reporting. It arms the new channel with a trusted tool for covering climate stories. The move underscores the growing importance of environmental news for audiences today.

Thought you’d like to know

Q1: What does the AccuWeather deal involve for MS NOW?

The deal makes AccuWeather the preferred weather source for the network. It includes daily forecast segments on major shows and access to all their data and meteorologists. The multi-year agreement covers both MS NOW and other Versant properties.

Q2: When does the MS NOW rebrand officially happen?

The channel will change its name from MSNBC to MS NOW on November 15. The operational split from NBC News was already completed last month. The full corporate separation from NBCUniversal is expected early next year.

Q3: Did MS NOW hire any weather experts directly?

Yes, the network hired David Parkinson as a senior weather and elections analyst. They also brought on Moses Small as a dedicated climate reporter. These hires complement the external AccuWeather partnership.

Q4: Why is weather coverage so important for the new network?

Extreme and unpredictable weather events are major news drivers. Providing accurate, trusted forecasts builds viewer loyalty and credibility. It addresses a key information need for the audience.

Q5: What other partnerships has MS NOW announced?

The network previously announced a content partnership with Sky News for international coverage. The AccuWeather deal follows a similar strategy of using established experts to fill coverage gaps quickly during their launch phase.