The Weather Channel informed employees on Wednesday that it would be cancelling former "Good Morning America" anchor Sam Champion's general-interest morning show, airing its final episode on Oct. 30, in an effort to cut costs and shift its focus back to weather-related news and its digital business, according to the Los Angeles Times.
"Viewers turn to The Weather Channel and our experts for the most locally relevant and precise forecast, and for the best live coverage of severe weather events available anywhere on television," the company said, according to Variety. "In a fragmented world, where it's no longer about scale but about a passionate core following, we recognize the need to be hyper-focused on providing our viewers exactly what they come to us for - weather."
Champion will instead focus on weather coverage during primetime and "create editorial content and host on-screen segments as we launch our new 'Local Now' product for OTT providers. His deep understanding of local television will be crucial in helping us build our network of local content with the major broadcast station groups," the network said.
The Atlanta-based cable network also announced that it would be pulling the plug on its New York-based morning show, "Wake Up With Al," with Al Roker Oct. 2 onwards. Nearly 50 employees out of the channel's 1,400 workforce will be laid off due to the company's new restructuring plan.
The Weather Channel has seen tremendous growth in its digital business, including the popular weather.com. The product and technology business is now the most lucrative part of the company, overtaking the TV division for the second quarter this year, according to CNN Money.
