IBM is set to acquire The Weather Company’s Product and Technology businesses — but The Weather Channel will remain untouched from ownership and operational standpoints.
The Weather Company’s B2B, mobile and cloud-based web properties — including WSI, weather.com, Weather Underground and The Weather Company brand — will fall under IBM’s umbrella. The Weather Channel will license weather forecast data and analytics from IBM under a longterm contract.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory clearance and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016.
“The Weather Channel will continue to be owned and supported by our existing shareholders — Bain Capital, Blackstone and NBCUniversal — and operate as a standalone business,” said Dave Shull, chief executive officer, The Weather Channel Television Network.
The combo will become the foundation for the new Watson IoT Unit and Watson IoT Cloud platform, building on a $3 billion commitment made by IBM in March. The deal extends the reach of IBM’s cloud data services capabilities and The Weather Company’s business capabilities on a global scale, the companies touted.
“The Weather Company’s extremely high-volume data platform, coupled with IBM’s global cloud and the advanced cognitive computing capabilities of Watson, will be unsurpassed in the Internet of Things, providing our clients significant competitive advantage as they link their business and sensor data with weather and other pertinent information in real time,” said John Kelly, senior vice president, IBM Solutions Portfolio and Research. “This powerful cloud platform will position IBM to arm entire industries with deep multimodal insights that will help enterprises gain clarity and take action from the oceans of data being generated around them.”
“We see the next wave of improved forecasting coming from the intersection of atmospheric science, computer science and analytics,” added David Kenny, chairman and chief executive officer, The Weather Company. “Upon closing of this deal, The Weather Company will continue to be able to help improve the precision of weather forecasts and further deepen IBM’s Watson IoT capabilities by enabling the integration of global atmosphere and weather insights with enterprise information to create disruptive industry solutions that optimize decision-making.”
15 Gadgets and Stars to Get Excited About at 2015 CES (Photos)
Drone cameras will make a huge presence as manufacturers hope to combine action HD camera technology -- GoPro -- with consumer drones.
NBC's "America's Got Talent" host Nick Cannon will serve as the 2015 Ambassador for the Entertaiment Matters at CES program.
Getty Images
Dr. Phil McGraw will speak at the Digital Health Summit Jan. 8 at the Venetian.
CBS
4K Ultra HDTVs will come in larger sizes with smaller price tags from companies like Samsung, hoping to finally convince consumers its time to upgrade.
LG
Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson will sign autographs Jan. 7 at the SMS Audio booth.
Getty Images
Ryan Seacrest will headline address with iHeartMedia chairman and CEO Bob Pittman at C Space at ARIA Jan. 7.
NBC
Hyundia expands Blue Link's vehicle access features to Android Wear smartwatches, as wearable technology becomes more functional and fashionable.
Hyundai
Neil Young and PonoMusic will hold a press briefing on High Resolution Audio Jan. 6 at the Hi-Res Audio Workshop. Young will talk hi-res music in a SuperSession Jan. 7.
"The Biggest Loser" trainer Dolvett Quince launches Brookstone's BodyForm Roller, demonstrating techniques for the massage roller. He will also sign autographs Jan. 8 at the Brookstone booth.
NBC
3-D printing becomes more affordable as the next generation of the groundbreaking technology will be unveiled, looking to lure in consumers with its myriad possiblities.
CES
Tricia Helfer (Syfy's "Asension," "Battlestar Galactica") will sign autographs on behalf of Elektrobit Automotive Jan. 8 on the Ford Broadcast Stage.
Syfy
Phablets (phone-tablet hybrids) like Sony's Xperian Z4 are expected to make a huge impact at SEC 2015.
Sony
Shaquille O'Neal will attend Monster Products press conference on Jan. 5, along with Team USA track and field star Blake Leeper, who will host a fireside chat on Jan. 6 in Monster's booth.
Virtual reality headsets -- Oculus impressed last year with its Oculus Rift -- are expected to come to consumers with backing from Intel, Samsung and Sony.
The Internet of Things is coming home in 2015, with more household devices like ceiling fans and light switches being offered with Internet connectivity and smart capabilities, all managed from a singular device like a smartphone.
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Drones, 4K Ultra HDTVs, wearable technology and phablets are dominating buzz for the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show, which starts with press preview Monday in Las Vegas
Drone cameras will make a huge presence as manufacturers hope to combine action HD camera technology -- GoPro -- with consumer drones.