More than Weather on the Weather Channel?......Weather Channel Upfronts 2013

I am about to sound like an idiot but, there are actual shows on the weather channel? I thought the only thing that played on the weather channel was well the weather. So it was a huge surprise when I  saw that not only did they have an upfront, but that they were adding 9 new shows, bringing their total original series to 20 for the 2013 television season.

NEW ORIGINAL SERIES:

“Reel Rivals “ (Premieres May 7)

“Reel Rivals “ captures the adventure, excitement and fierce competition of this unique world, where rivaling captains do whatever they can – in any weather – to help people bring their trophy fishing dreams to life,” said Michael Dingley, senior VP of content and development at The Weather Channel. “It’s a wild ride to see them in action, whether it’s battling big fish, weather conditions, or each other.”

“Secrets of the Earth” (Premieres May 23 at 8 p.m. ET)

"Secrets of the Earth" explores our planet with the same sense of awe and wonder normally reserved for alien worlds. Computer graphics, visual analogies and a recurring cast of expert scientists combine to reveal new aspects of the world you think you know, from canyons of gravity that warp space and time to rain triggered by cosmic rays. “Secrets of the Earth,” produced by Flight 33 Productions (“Deadliest Space Weather,” “Rocket City Rednecks”), will feature 9x 30-minute episodes.

“Weather That Changed The World” (Premieres June 6 at 9 p.m. ET)

Severe drought, torrential rain, extreme cold and unpredictable winds are among nature's most powerful forces. Those extreme conditions have also created dramatic turning points in history. Evidence from historic battles and lost civilizations shows how underestimating or incorrectly predicting the weather has often had unexpected consequences. How did an iceberg cause the Titanic to sink? When did bad weather save the U.S. Capitol? How and when did weather and natural forces wage war directly on entire populations - sometimes erasing them completely? "Weather That Changed The World," through past extreme weather footage, reconstructions and surprise insight from experts, reveals how the history of the world has been defined by weather and how weather-shaped events impact us today. 

“Storm Warriors” (Premieres August 2013)

“Storm Warriors” combines the power of incredible machines and extreme conditions to show how people survive and work in the world’s worst weather environments – weather so bad, no sane person would dare to brave it unless they had to. From ice-breaking in the Arctic to saving a community from floods in Fargo, ND, to making desperate repairs to a pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico—it’s engineering on the edge of reason, in the most extreme weather. “Storm Warriors” is produced by WAGTV and will feature 6x 30-minute episodes.

“Strangest Weather on Earth” (Premieres September 2013)

Big hail, high winds, and extreme lightning shows are nothing compared to the real “Strangest Weather on Earth” – from raining frogs to volcano smoke rings, instant ice storms to huge sandstorms – this series presents fascinating explorations as to what causes each one. Each episode will feature several examples of weird, wacky and extreme weather such as airborne fish, saucer clouds, and a wave made of rock. “Strangest Weather on Earth,” also produced by Pioneer Productions, will feature 12x 30-minute episodes.

“Freaks of Nature” (Premieres September 2013)      

“Freaks of Nature” introduces viewers to extraordinary people who possess the power to control, manipulate or conquer nature, performing feats that could harm or kill the average human. They may brave sub-zero temps in just a pair of shorts; pass electricity through their body and out their fingertips in a bolt of lightning; set themselves on fire, claiming to be fireproof; and fly like a human-bird at speeds more than 100 mph. “Freaks of Nature” is produced by Off The Fence and will feature 12x 30-minute episodes.

Lava Chasers (October 2013)

Lava flows through the Hawaiian Islands as if it's their lifeblood, shaping the landscape, ecology and economy. In fact, Hawaii wouldn't exist without volcanoes. But they are also part of its potential downfall, with the ability to destroy the paradise they created. “Lava Chasers” follows the adventurers, residents and scientists who go out looking for the rivers of 2000°F molten rock, to help understand these volcanoes and keep others out of harms way. Produced by Electric Sky (“Nature’s Greatest Journey - the Wildebeest Migration,” “Secret Life of the Rainforest”), “Lava Chasers” will feature 4x 30-minute episodes.

Tipping Points (October 2013)

The phenomena of “tipping points” follows the concept that, at a particular moment in time, a small change can have a large, long-term consequence on a fragile climate system already in a state of flux. Localized ecological systems are known to shift abruptly and irreversibly from one state to another when they are forced across critical thresholds. Further, when the situation is pushed past the “tipping point,” it will potentially lead to a chain reaction, putting other ecosystems around the globe in peril.

Breaking Ice (October 2013)

Breaking Ice will take viewers into two Polar Regions simultaneously to give viewers access to life onboard these cities at sea. Breaking Ice will go to the planet’s extremes, taking audiences where they’ve never been before, on billion-dollar, custom-built masterpieces of engineering that must sustain life at the outer limits of survivability in earth’s unforgiving extremes.

 Three new web series premiering online this summer – the first time the site will feature series specifically produced for the web.

“Brink” (working title, launches June 3)

“Brink” follows eco-heroes fighting to save embattled species on the brink before it’s too late.

“The Bucket List” (WT, launches July 1)

“The Bucket List” takes viewers on a journey to the most stunning natural places on Earth.

“The Explorers” (WT, launches August 5)

“The Explorers” profiles the world's toughest pioneers who've battled the most extreme weather on Earth and lived to tell. 

Returning Series Include:

These New Shows will join weather channel original series that are currently on air or set to premiere in 2013-14, including “Coast Guard Alaska,” “Coast Guard Florida,” “Deadliest Space Weather,” “Forecasting the End,” “Hacking the Planet,” “Hurricane Hunters,” “Iceberg Hunters,” “Lifeguard!,” “Loaded,” “Prospectors” and “Reef Wranglers,”. 

Breezy’s Recap

This is not really my thing, the extent I want to watch or know about what is going on with the weather is whether or not I need an umbrella. All of these series seem unscripted reality documentaries that some may enjoy. If you want me to review any of them you are going to have to let me know, otherwise I can tell you now I won’t be watching. Let me know what you think in the comments. Is there anything here that you will be watching?