BURBANK, CALIF. — The Weather Channel, owned by Byron Allen‘s Allen Media Group, has partnered with the Google News Initiative for the launch of a new SKYFX Camera Network.
The pact is aimed at gathering weather data and visuals that will enhance the network’s weather coverage. The partnership between Google and The Weather Channel is a result of Google’s strategic relationship with Allen Media Group, which works with Google in areas including YouTube, Google Play, Android Mobile, Google TV, Marketing and Google Cloud.
“As the climate continues to evolve, it is more vital than ever to keep the public informed and prepared for severe weather and natural disasters,” AMG said. “With this shared mission in mind, The Weather Channel and Google have joined forces to install advanced weather monitoring devices in multiple locations throughout the country.”
The SKYFX Camera Network will pair high-end 360-degree video cameras with individual weather stations to collect real-time meteorological data and live streaming video. Footage from the SKYFX Camera Network will be used in the network’s weather coverage and will be available on The Weather Channel Streaming App.
“The SKYFX Camera Network in partnership with Google News Initiative furthers our mission to keep the public informed and prepared on weather conditions and threats across the country,” said Byron Allen. “We take our position as the most trusted news network very seriously and we will continue to innovate and launch new tools that enable us to deliver real-time, critical weather news and information that empowers individuals to take actionable steps to safeguard themselves and their loved ones during severe weather events.”
Chrissy Towle, Director of News Partnerships at Google, added, “This project exemplifies two key principles of Google and our Google News Initiative: using technology to help people all over the world. SKYFX Camera Network demonstrates how a media outlet can develop a technological concept to provide its users with relevant information, as well as a product that will be used for the benefit and improvement of people’s lives.”
