IABM and the cost of Weather Information

 1. The IABM accepts that broadcasters should contribute towards the cost of weather information. IABM does not represent broadcast companies, it represents the people involved in the work of weather broadcasting. Its members do not necessarily have a say at financial level within broadcast organizations.

  2. The particular problem with respect to weather information in Europe is that there is effectively only one supplier - EUMETSAT for satellite imagery, ECOMET for data, through the NMS’s - and the appropriate payment rate cannot therefore be set by “market forces”. Neither is there a regulatory structure to oversee issues of pricing and service.

 3. The members of the IABM represent the public face of Meteorology. They want access to the best possible information in order to do a good job, and to enhance the reliability of the forecasts they present. They are frequently in the position of needing quality data, but not in control of the budgets required to acquire that data.

  4. IABM supports the view that EUMETSAT and ECOMET should sit down with representatives of the European broadcasters to discuss these matters and come to an agreement on them. This may involve EUMETSAT and ECOMET conceding rights of representation to contributing organisations.

  5. The IABM wishes to co-operate with EUMETSAT to offer training in the interpretation of satellite imagery to broadcasters, many of  whom are members of the IABM, but do not work for NMS’s.