I agree with floodcaster (Bill). It depends on the station. Here in the Chicago market NBC5 uses data from floodcaster (gooselakeweather.com) and from mine (peotoneweather.com) along with about 20 others. They rotate 1 each news cast. I believe they actually get the data from CWOP, because allot (most) of the PWS's in the area don't show up on their map. The other 2 networks CBS2 and ABC7 don't use the data in the news cast, however CBS2 links to it (PWS's) on their web site. WGN uses weatherbug, but not stations reporting to weatherbug in the backyard network (PWS's). I think the main reason the media would have, to not use PWS data, would be station siting! The Airport stations (usually NWS) arguably would be properly located. They really don't know how good the PWS's may or may not be located. In Metro areas you have very little property and your options are extremely limited due to neighboring houses, trees, etc.
As far as grades- I see some of us grade as well as the Airpot Stations in both CWOP and MADIS grades. Many other stations do not, or they have one data reading that is completely off. My old WMR968 humidity reading was always 30-60% off, prompting me to invest in the VP2 a year ago
. Personally I don't worry if the media uses the data or not. I know the people in my community (Peotone Illinois) do use it. I know they appreciate it, and isn't that why most of us got into this hobby and sharing our data?
