American Urban Radio Networks and The Weather Channel Join Forces to Provide Urban Stations With Local Weather Forecasts

American Urban Radio Networks and The Weather Channel Join Forces to Provide Urban Stations With Local Weather Forecasts

PITTSBURGH, March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) has reached an agreement with The Weather Channel to broadcast its customized forecasts to urban radio stations across the country. AURN and The Weather Channel (TWC) will provide format specific live and recorded local weather forecasts on weekday mornings. In addition, scripted custom local weather forecasts will be available for all other dayparts seven days a week.

AURN Affiliate stations will also have ready access to exclusive severe local weather coverage in cases of emergency situations and approaching storms. The complete local weather picture will be customized to meet the needs of urban stations. "We're pleased that we can bring America's most trusted brand in weather to Urban Radio. Research shows female listeners of urban radio stations list weather as one of the most important things they listen for and women are dominant listeners to urban formats," said Jerry Lopes, President of Program Operations & Affiliations for American Urban Radio Networks. According to a recent Arbitron study, 72 percent of female urban and urban adult contemporary radio listeners strongly agreed that weather was one of the most important things they listen for compared to 52 percent of women listening to other formats.

"We customize our radio services to meet the varying formats, target audiences, and music genres of each of our client stations," said Harold S. Lewis, Vice President and General Manager of The Weather Channel Radio Network. "Urban and Urban Adult Contemporary radio listeners deserve the best and we are very excited to now have the opportunity to work with AURN to provide our outstanding suite of radio weather products to Urban and Urban AC radio listeners nationwide. We believe that The Weather Channel will be a unique and highly-valued enhancement for listeners and an added driving force to AURN's efforts to connect brands to Urban America."

The Weather Channel Radio Network's weather information team for AURN will be headed by the talents of Twana James, a radio broadcast meteorologist who joined TWC following more than 10 years in radio broadcasting.

"This is a unique opportunity to bring a new service to urban radio stations," said AURN's President Jay Williams. "You should expect more information and unique weather data from each of our stations through this Major alliance with The Weather Channel. This is another great improvement in our service to Urban Radio for over 30 years."

About American Urban Radio Networks

American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) is the only African-American owned radio network company in the United States. It is the largest network reaching Urban America. Through four programming networks and one promotion network, AURN reaches more African Americans than any other medium in America and produces more urban programming than all other broadcasting companies combined. AURN broadcasts news, entertainment, sports and information programming to more than 475 radio stations nationwide. With more than 300 weekly shows, AURN reaches 25 million weekly listeners. Our SPM Urban Network, provides brands with national promotions and fully integrated marketing programs. AURN has offices in New York, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles and Washington, DC.

About The Weather Channel

The Weather Channel (TWC), a 24-hour cable weather network, is seen in over 88 million U.S. households. Its Web site, weather.com, reaches more than 25 million unique users per month. The Weather Channel also operates Weatherscan, a 24-hour, all-local weather network distributed to almost 7 million households, The Weather Channel Radio Network and The Weather Channel Newspaper Services. TWC is the leading weather information provider for emerging technologies. This includes broadband and interactive television applications, with wireless weather products accessible through high-speed Internet services, phones, pagers, Palm Pilots, and other personal digital assistants. The Weather Channel is owned by Landmark Communications, Inc., a Norfolk, VA-based, privately held media company.

Jerry Lopes American Urban Radio Networks 412-456-4039

Connie Malko The Weather Channel 770-226-2180

Source: American Urban Radio Networks

CONTACT: Jerry Lopes of American Urban Radio Networks, +1-412-456-4039; or Connie Malko of The Weather Channel, +1-770-226-2180

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