Changes ahead for Met Office Forecast news on BBC
by RYA on 24 Sep 2015
BBC terminates Met Office contract RYA
Following the announcement that the Met Office has lost its weather forecasting contract with the BBC, we can confirm that the Shipping Forecast will continue to come via the Maritime and Coastguard Agency using Met Office data.
The UK's weather service has provided the data used for BBC forecasts since the corporation's first radio weather bulletin in 1922.
The terminated contract relates solely to weather presentation, data and graphics, and is only one of a number of contracts between the BBC and the Met Office. Other contracts include the public weather service contract, which covers the provision of the shipping and inshore waters forecasts, and the severe weather warnings service contract.
No change
The RYA would like to reassure its members that there is reported to be no change to the service that boaters currently receive. The BBC said it was legally required to secure the best value for money for licence fee payers and would tender the contract to outside competition.
We understand that the forecasts on television, weather apps and on the radio may not significantly alter either, as a private company could yet use Met Office data and overlay it onto the same graphics.
A new provider will be announced later this year.
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