The BBC has announced that it will revert to using the UK government Met Office as the data source of all its weather forecasting and climate update services.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crm4z8mple3o

The BBC had previously terminated a near century old relationship with the Met Office eight years ago in 2017 in favour of a Dutch provider called the MeteoGroup citing a need to obtain “best value for license payers money”.

The MeteoGroup was subsequently taken over by a private American firm called DTN based in Minnesota.

In October 2024 a technical fault affecting the supplying of data to the United Kingdom's BBC Weather service caused the latter's website and app to incorrectly forecast wind speeds of over 15,000 mph (24,000 km/h) and air temperatures exceeding 400 °C (750 °F).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DTN_(company)

The BBC said reuniting with the Met Office would deliver “increased public value” by serving more people across digital and broadcast outlets with more accurate forecast information, using the forecaster’s super computer for the most advanced weather information and the broadcaster’s reach.

The new “expansive and long-term partnership” would also be developed over the coming months and years to focus on weather education and countering misinformation and disinformation in weather and climate areas, the BBC said.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/bbc-met-office-weather-tim-davie-london-b2798844.html

1 hour ago, toucana said:

The BBC has announced that it will revert to using the UK government Met Office as the data source of all its weather forecasting and climate update services.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crm4z8mple3o

The BBC had previously terminated a near century old relationship with the Met Office eight years ago in 2017 in favour of a Dutch provider called the MeteoGroup citing a need to obtain “best value for license payers money”.

The MeteoGroup was subsequently taken over by a private American firm called DTN based in Minnesota.

In October 2024 a technical fault affecting the supplying of data to the United Kingdom's BBC Weather service caused the latter's website and app to incorrectly forecast wind speeds of over 15,000 mph (24,000 km/h) and air temperatures exceeding 400 °C (750 °F).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DTN_(company)

Hard to discern the motive, through all the lashings of corporate management-speak here. Do I gather, from the way they say this is "not a commercial relationship involving procurement", that the service is to be provided by the Met Office free of charge?

Edited July 30Jul 30 by exchemist

1 hour ago, exchemist said:

Hard to discern the motive, through all the lashings of corporate management-speak here. Do I gather, from the way they say this is "not a commercial relationship involving procurement", that the service is to be provided by the Met Office free of charge?

That is what it says in the BBC press release:

BBC News understands it is not a commercial relationship involving procurement, but an agreement between the two organisations in the interests of public service.

Although buried away in the text, it also says that:

“an update on the new partnership with the Met Office is expected "later this year".

The Met Office website has a blog page about its newest supercomputing service that came online in May, and which is said to be a Microsoft Azure cloud based system.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/who-we-are/innovation/supercomputer

On 7/30/2025 at 11:03 PM, toucana said:

That is what it says in the BBC press release:

Although buried away in the text, it also says that:

The Met Office website has a blog page about its newest supercomputing service that came online in May, and which is said to be a Microsoft Azure cloud based system.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/who-we-are/innovation/supercomputer

Yes I read that, but my point is it does not seem clear what it means. My tentative interpretation of it is that this service is going to be offered by the Met Office to the BBC free of charge but it seems far from explicit. However as you say there is to be an update on the new "partnership", whatever TF that means (how I hate that word in business: it covers a multitude of sins), so maybe then all will be revealed.

On 7/30/2025 at 11:03 PM, toucana said:

The Met Office website has a blog page about its newest supercomputing service that came online in May, and which is said to be a Microsoft Azure cloud based system.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/who-we-are/innovation/supercomputer

Just now, exchemist said:

Yes I read that, but my point is it does not seem clear what it means. My tentative interpretation of it is that this service is going to be offered by the Met Office to the BBC free of charge but it seems far from explicit. However as you say there is to be an update on the new "partnership", whatever TF that means (how I hate that word in business: it covers a multitude of sins), so maybe then all will be revealed.

To be brutally honest I don't anticipate any significant change to the presentation or quality- or lack of it - of the BBC weather service, from the user point of view.

There is too much politcal overlay and arse covering from those who don't actually experience the weather.