WeatherBug® VideoCast Advances Internet and Broadcast News Beyond RSS and Podcasts by Combining a Live, Comprehensive Neighborhood Weather Report with Broadcast Meteorologists Via One Click

Business Wire, Feb 14, 2006

GERMANTOWN, Md. -- WeatherBug(R), the leading provider of live, local weather information services, today announced the debut of WeatherBug VideoCast (http://videocast.weatherbug.com/). The revolutionary, web-based application offers end-users a unique and personalized video forecast. In a technological advancement in news and information delivery, the WeatherBug VideoCast combines the industry's only live, neighborhood weather conditions presented by local broadcast meteorologists in a comprehensive one-on-one, Internet broadcast... on demand. WeatherBug VideoCast takes Internet news beyond pre-packaged, one-size-fits-all news currently available on traditional news websites, RSS or Podcasts to an unprecedented level of intimacy and personalization.

The WeatherBug VideoCast commences when and where the viewer chooses "on command" vs. traditional broadcast or "canned" news segments directed to a broad audience. In short, each WeatherBug VideoCast summons the designated meteorologist with a click of the user's mouse -- to deliver the end user's individualized, comprehensive weather report of live weather data as the end user is viewing the actual report itself.

"If you can imagine your favorite local meteorologist available at your beck and call to deliver your own personalized weather conditions and forecast streaming to you live from your very own neighborhood, then that's WeatherBug VideoCast," said WeatherBug president and CEO Bob Marshall. "This is in stark contrast to prepackaged newscasts that claim to be 'live' and 'local' but are actually computer estimates based on hourly data from area airports. More importantly, this service is free and available to Internet surfers anywhere at any time."

WeatherBug VideoCast features: actual (not computer modeled) live, streaming weather conditions for the designated zip code, weather alerts, 3 day and 7 day forecasts, radar and satellite views plus a fun photo of the day submitted by WeatherBug users.

The new application currently resides on the WeatherBug website at http://videocast.weatherbug.com/default.asp and through the WeatherBug applications. When users click on the WeatherBug VideoCast icon, they are prompted to enter their zip code and select a meteorologist, which then launches the VideoCast.

WeatherBug VideoCast will initially feature WeatherBug's and selected broadcast partners' meteorologists. Like news videos currently available on traditional news sites, WeatherBug VideoCast will commence with 15-second video spots. Initially, WeatherBug will air public service announcements (PSAs) developed in collaboration with the Ad Council. Shortly, WeatherBug will feature ads, enabling viewers to enjoy the VideoCast free of charge. The new ad vehicle will offer advertisers a non-intrusive vehicle to reach end users via an intimate, personalized setting in a far less competitive environment than previously available.

"WeatherBug VideoCast gives consumers live weather information that is relevant to them when and where they need it," said Michael Rosen, senior vice president of advertising and marketing sales for WeatherBug. "Though video and weather have been available for years, the WeatherBug VideoCast hearkens a new era of next-generation, live news - personalized and localized for the user and delivered by their own local broadcast meteorologist. Live news coverage has always been a high-demand, effective environment for advertisers. Providing consumers with this cutting edge technology to deliver news now gives advertisers an innovative way to reach consumers through a more targeted, intimate setting."

WeatherBug owns and operates the world's largest weather network. Approximately 8,000 WeatherBug Tracking Stations and 1,000 WeatherBug Cameras across the U.S. stream crucial weather conditions to enable organizations and individuals to protect their property and lives. What makes WeatherBug so unique is its network and neighborhood level data (generated every two seconds) and the diverse industries that rely upon its depth and granularity. Alternative weather sources offer computer modeled forecasts and data based upon hourly reports from area airports.

WeatherBug continues to innovate and has established a variety of ways for consumer and business users to access its rich, proprietary weather information. Consumers can choose from free and premium versions of its downloadable software application WeatherBug, as well as SMS alerts, a Windows Mobile(TM) Smartphone application, and on-air distribution through broadcast partnerships with over 100 local TV station affiliates. WeatherBug also offers customized solutions for schools, energy companies, facilities managers, government agencies, businesses and more.

WeatherBug, available at weatherbug.com, had 16.5 million unique visitors in December 2005, according to comScore Media Metrix. It is the #2 ranked news and information property, in terms of daily reach, and ranked among the top ten properties overall in terms of days visited per user per month, which is a key indicator of consumer loyalty.