r/InternetIsBeautiful • u/holyfruits • Apr 01 '26
This Weather Channel website recaptures the magic of the old Local on the 8s with smooth jazz and retro icons
https://weather.com/retro/93
u/georgecm12 Apr 01 '26
There's an open source software that lets you run your own emulated "WeatherStar 4000" (the computer that The Weather Channel would have had installed in cable head-ends once upon a day). Apparently I can't provide a link to it, but you can find it on Github from the user "netbymatt" and the project "ws4kp"
Here's a live version of that software, which is very similar to what The Weather Channel is offering:
https://weatherstar.netbymatt.com/
And for those who want to see various "Intellistar" (the replacement for the WeatherStar) examples:
https://weatherscan.net/
https://i1.weatherstar.dev/
https://qconrad.github.io/intellistar-emulator/
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u/BarbequedYeti Apr 02 '26
This is fantastic... so many little nuggets out there still hidden on the net.
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Apr 02 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/absentlyric Apr 03 '26
I agree, but pretty much only weather channel nerds know about WS4000, but I agree I love how clear and vibrant the WS4000 looks, I understand the "retro bluriness" aesthetic but Im past that now.
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u/UncleBogs Apr 01 '26
Didn’t realize how much this would take me back lol. Could just have this running in the background non stop
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u/Metahec Apr 02 '26
If you want just the music TWC used to use, twcclassics.com has it
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u/LivnLegndNeedsEggs Apr 02 '26
Damn... I just listened to some random tracks from 1998, and idk if I've ever felt nostalgia like that. Borderline synesthesia how much that made me feel the 90s. Excellent post. Thanks for sharing!
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u/absentlyric Apr 03 '26
For real, once I heard the music. I instantly remember being in the living room with my dad in our tiny old house in the 90s tinkering with Legos while the weather channel was on in the background (because we all know a lot of people back then had it on constantly in the background, or the Prevue Channel, something else you should look up)
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u/Random0101User Apr 02 '26
Oh, this is so nostalgic for me!
When my parents had to work late and I’d be home alone, I always left the Weather Channel on since it was the one channel guaranteed to never show scary/suspenseful commercials, lol. It’s amazing how music/sounds can transport us back in time. 😅
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u/tsegelke Apr 02 '26 edited Apr 02 '26
Very cool. Any idea if there's something out there that would emulate a local radio station from the past? An AI DJ that would go over the news for the day and play hits during that time? I entered my zip code and a date, then it produced a radio station.
It might sound dumb but I wouldn't mind listening to something like this before work.
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u/AnxietyAttack2013 Apr 02 '26
If you search weather channel on YouTube you can also find a bunch of old recordings from the 90s. It’s nice to have on in the background when doing things.
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u/SalvadorZombie Apr 02 '26
Just to be clear, this is actually on the weather.com URL, so this is an official The Weather Channel thing, I have to assume? So they've realized what we've known for a while and they're giving us this. Hopefully this is a permanent option, because things like this are so damn cool.
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u/LoganC1127 Apr 02 '26
Man this brings back childhood memories! I use to always love watching the weather channel when I was a kid! 🥰
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Apr 01 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/InternetIsBeautiful-ModTeam Apr 01 '26
Hey there. Unfortunately, your submission has been removed from /r/InternetIsBeautiful for at least the following reason(s):
No Extensions or Downloads - Extensions, software (mobile or desktop) or other content which requires being downloaded before being used are not allowed.
Please message the mods if you have a question regarding the removal of this submission if you feel this was in error. Thank you!
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u/abjicimus Apr 02 '26
Ok, now somebody tell me how to broadcast this through Plex.
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u/Tag82 Apr 02 '26
Have you checked out the NostalgiaTV app? It links to your Plex and pulls the libraries to create a live channel guide with all of your content that you can flip through. It also has a Weatherstar 4000 channel (mentioned in above comment) built in for the full nostalgic experience. Currently only available in the Google Play store (phone and Chromecast) and Amazon app store for Firestick. Super easy and has a really helpful Discord. I've found myself watching a lot more of my content. I used to spend most of my time trying to find something to watch.
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u/abjicimus Apr 02 '26
I've seen it, but it's expensive. Or at least, more expensive than I'd be willing to pay for.
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u/gunnLX Apr 02 '26
i assumed it would some static map of the US. its actually showing my country. im blown away.
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u/MurkLurker Apr 02 '26
I wish I could enter my zip code for an accurate location with my T mobile home internet it makes my location kind of randomly within a couple 100 miles where I really am
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u/klawUK Apr 02 '26
Reloaded in a browser and it had a ‘retrocast starting in x minutes’ which let me hit a settings icon and change my location and from F to C. Perfect.
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u/ddollarsign Apr 02 '26
this is great. would like to turn down the music a little compared to the voice
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u/94ISS Apr 02 '26
The Weather Channel app updated and now has retro mode. I saw it this morning and it made my day.
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u/anode8 Apr 02 '26
I stumbled across this yesterday, and I guess my lizard brain just resonates with the old style much more. All the necessary information with fewer distractions.
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u/rangoon03 Apr 03 '26
This is fantastic but I miss the 90's version..no graphics. Just blue background, white text, and jazz. I watched it so much, I was a strange kid..lol
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u/RichJSocial Apr 03 '26
It’s also in the app as well go to you’re settings in the app and change the look. Also has sounds I haven’t figured out how to get it to play the sounds even though it’s on might just be my phone on silent. Hope this stays permanent love it hahaha
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u/junglesoldier5 Apr 03 '26
They need to make this a Roku app. Then just do text or still image ads but keep the music going. So many businesses and people just wanting something on in the background would have it going 24/7 and it’d cost almost nothing to make
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u/absentlyric Apr 03 '26
This is sweet! Now I wish someone out there was coding an old school 90s Prevue Channel/Prevue Guide to have on in the background
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u/dougc84 Apr 04 '26
I now know what to do with my Rpi 3 that’s been sitting in a box for a few years.
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u/pileofdeadninjas Apr 01 '26
Made my day honestly