LOS ANGELES, April 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Entertainment Studios, one of the largest independent producers and distributors of first-run syndicated television programming for broadcast television stations, and owner of eight 24-hour HD television networks now serving nearly 160 million subscribers -- including The Weather Channel television network and its streaming service Local Now – proudly announces the promotion of Nora Zimmett to Chief Content Officer and Executive Vice President, overseeing live and original programming for The Weather Channel, as well as its world-renowned storm coverage. Nora will continue to report to Tom O'Brien, President of Weather Group and Executive Vice President of Allen Media LLC.

In addition to continuing to drive the editorial and creative direction of The Weather Channel – the most trusted name in news media – Zimmett is adding the content development and team building for the first Spanish-language weather network – The Weather Channel en Español – to her portfolio.

"Nora Zimmett's elevation to Chief Content Officer/EVP is well-deserved and she is the perfect person to help lead our team as we continue to grow The Weather Channel's media and technology brand worldwide," said Byron Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO of Entertainment Studios. "Accurate and trusted weather content is an essential service and is needed to protect and save lives. Nora is an excellent executive who lives up to this enormous responsibility."

In her role as SVP of Content and Programming for the network, Zimmett led the team responsible for production of The Weather Channel's flagship morning show AMHQ (America's Morning Headquarters), WEATHER CENTER LIVE, its popular original shows, and its world-renowned storm coverage. Zimmett has also been instrumental in developing captivating segments by taking data and turning it into tangible information for viewers through its award-winning Immersive Mixed Reality (IMR) technology that goes beyond a typical forecast report. In 2017, Zimmett led The Weather Channel to record-breaking ratings and an Emmy nomination for the team's coverage of Hurricane Harvey. In 2018, time spent viewing for The Weather Channel leapt 31 percent year-over-year and delivered over 5,000 hours of live television.  

Last year, Nora was named one of the most creative people in business by Fast Company and one of the most powerful women in television by Cablefax. She is active in Women in Cable Telecommunications and is a fellow in the prestigious Betsy Magness Leadership Institute, the flagship leadership development program of the cable and telecommunications industry. Nora graduated with honors from Harvard University with a bachelor's degree in English. "I'm honored to serve as the network's Chief Content Officer and EVP. The Weather Channel is one of the most beloved and trusted brands in America. We will continue to serve as the leader in severe weather coverage and will produce the most innovative weather and information of any media outlet," said Nora Zimmett. "I am especially proud to help launch The Weather Channel en Español as we believe it is important to reach an underserved community and language should not be a barrier to lifesaving information."

About Entertainment Studios/Allen Media
Chairman and CEO Byron Allen founded Entertainment Studios in 1993. Headquartered in Los Angeles, it has offices in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Raleigh. Entertainment Studios owns eight 24-hour HD television networks serving nearly 160 million subscribers: THE WEATHER CHANNEL, PETS.TV, COMEDY.TV, RECIPE.TV, CARS.TV, ES.TV, MYDESTINATION.TV, and JUSTICE CENTRAL.TV. Entertainment Studios also owns the LOCAL NOW streaming service, powered by THE WEATHER CHANNEL and content partners, which delivers real-time, hyper-local news, weather, traffic, sports, and lifestyle information. Entertainment Studios also produces, distributes, and sells advertising for 43 television programs, making it one of the largest independent producers/distributors of first-run syndicated television programming for broadcast television stations. With a library of over 5,000 hours of owned content across multiple genres, Entertainment Studios provides video content to broadcast television stations, cable television networks, mobile devices, multimedia platforms, and the World Wide Web. Our mission is to provide excellent programming to our viewers, online users, and Fortune 500 advertising partners.

Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures is a full-service, theatrical motion picture distribution company specializing in wide release commercial content. ESMP released 2017's highest-grossing independent movie, the shark thriller 47 METERS DOWN, which grossed over $44.3 million. In 2018, ESMP also released the critically-acclaimed and commercially successful Western HOSTILES and the historic mystery-thriller CHAPPAQUIDDICK. Upcoming releases include the animated feature ARCTIC DOGS starring Jeremy Renner, Heidi Klum, Alec Baldwin, and Anjelica Huston, and the sequel to 47 METERS DOWN, 47 METERS DOWN--UNCAGED. The digital distribution unit of Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures, Freestyle Digital Media, is a premiere multi-platform distributor with direct partnerships across all major cable, digital and streaming platforms. Capitalizing on a robust infrastructure, proven track record and a veteran sales team, Freestyle Digital Media is a true home for independent films.

About The Weather Channel
Since its launch 37 years ago, The Weather Channel television network has become the top-rated and most widely distributed weather network in America. The Weather Channel television network has been the leader in severe weather coverage, providing the most comprehensive analysis of any media outlet and serving as the nation's only 24-hour source of national storm coverage. With trusted meteorologists who analyze, forecast and report the weather, its expertise is unrivaled. The network posted its highest ratings in its history during 2017's historic Hurricane Irma and was the highest-rated cable network during recent hurricanes Harvey and Michael. In 2018, The Weather Channel was nominated for an Emmy for its coverage of Hurricane Harvey and brought new life to weather forecasting by introducing its award-winning Immersive Mixed Reality (IMR) presentation. For eight years in a row, Harris Poll has ranked The Weather Channel as the "TV News Brand of the Year," and in 2018, the Ipsos poll ranked The Weather Channel as The Most Trusted Name in News media.

About Local Now
Local Now is a streaming service that is changing the way Americans get news about their communities. Powered by The Weather Channel and content partners, Local Now delivers real-time, hyper-local news, weather, traffic, sports, and lifestyle information. With unique technology that transmits localized information to hundreds of markets across the United States, Local Now delivers the same information seen in a 30 to 60 minute local news broadcast segment, on-demand and in a fraction of the time. Local Now is available on Sling TV, YouTube TV, MobiTV, fuboTV and other major OTT platforms. It is also available in the iOS, Android, Roku and Amazon Fire app stores as well as desktop.

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SOURCE Entertainment Studios, Inc.

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