Sky News Weather Channel started broadcasting on 1 January 1999 under the name "Weather 21": channel 21 on the Austarchannel line-up. Weather 21 was set up by Cox Inall Communications and the meteorological firm The Weather Company and was owned by Austar. The programming was pitched to Austar's largely rural and regional audience. Initial presenters on the channel were Allan Humphries, Lyndal Davies, and meteorologist Mark Hardy, broadcasting live from 6am to 10pm daily, with the overnight programming consisting of an automated loop of forecasts, satellite, and radar, accompanied by music. In early 2000, no longer located at 21, the name was changed to "The Weather Channel". As the hours of live presentation were extended, presenters Tracey Malmborg, Jaynie Seal, Rebecca LeTourneau and Garry Youngberry were added. In 2003 Austar sold the channel to XYZ Networks and TWC appeared on the Foxtel network, morphing to better suit the now largely metropolitan audience. Foxtel's Digitals platform extended its distribution with an Open TV interactive weather application, Weather Active. Major changes in 2004 included logo, graphics, programming line-up and a new version of Weather Active for Foxtel Digital. In the middle of June 2008, the Weather Channel again had a major change with its graphics as its programming line-up grew. Weather content on the channel is provided by Metra Information Limited and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
Change of management and re-branding
In the wake of the 2012 merger of Foxtel and Austar, and the subsequent dissolution of XYZ Networks, it was announced that from 30 November 2012 management and operational responsibility for The Weather Channel would be assumed by Sky News Australia, with The Weather Channel to be re-launched as Sky News Weather in 2013. The rebrand took place on 25 January 2013.
Digital services
On Foxtel and Austar digital services, an interactive weather service is available. It provides local weather information, such as current conditions, marine and surf reports, dam information, 28-day rain forecast, capital city forecast and forecasts for the user's postcode. It also provides a state radar, national satellite and national lightning tracker.
