--- schema_type: "SoftwareApplication" entity_type: "Mobile Application" app_name: "News13 WBTW Weather Radar" developer_entity: "LIN Television Corporation" bundle_id: "com.mediageneral.wsiwbtw2" app_store_id: "498022792" google_play_id: "tv.nexstar.id3506" category: "Weather" primary_platform: "ios" primary_monetization: "Free" offline_capable: false market_region: "US" platforms: "iOS & Android" app_last_updated: "2026-03-11" report_date: "2026-05-12" last_verified: "2026-05-12T08:06:32.257Z" report_version: "60.1.401" total_reviews: 2999 overall_rating: 4.72 sentiment: "Excited" sentiment_score: 85 confidence: "low" confidence_score: 0.55 top_praise_theme: "Local weather forecasting accuracy provides reliable daily planning for residents in the coastal region" top_complaint_theme: "Inaccurate short-term forecasting leads to distrust in the reliability of the weather data provided" top_request_theme: "Expanded geographic map coverage to include smaller towns and specific local communities" review_sample_size: 79 total_review_count: 79 analyzed_review_count: 62 data_age_days: 10 intelligence_version: 3 nemesis: "The Weather Channel - Radar" competitor_count: 9 tags: ["weather", "free", "excited sentiment", "mobile app", "app review", "app analysis", "residents", "visitors", "myrtle"] canonical_url: "https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/news13-wbtw-weather-radar" license: "CC-BY-NC 4.0" content_version: "v2" --- # News13 WBTW Weather Radar App Audit ## TL;DR {#tldr} - **Category**: Weather · Free - **Signal**: Rating 4.72 · Sentiment Excited - **Recent focus**: Inaccurate short-term forecasting leads to distrust in the reliability of the weather data provided (top complaint) · Local weather forecasting accuracy provides reliable daily planning for residents in the coastal region (top praise) · Expanded geographic map coverage to include smaller towns and specific local communities (top request) > **TL;DR:** News13 WBTW Weather Radar is a weather app by LIN Television Corporation, rated 4.72/5 by 3K users, with Excited user sentiment (85/100), available on iOS & Android. > > **Marlvel.ai App Intelligence** — Independent analysis. US Market. No publisher influence. > **Key Insight:** News13 WBTW Weather Radar maintains Excited user sentiment (4.72/5 from 3K reviews), with users consistently praising local weather forecasting accuracy provides reliable daily planning for residents in the coastal region. ## Quick Facts | Fact | Value | | :--- | :--- | | **Rating** | 4.72/5 (3K reviews) | | **User Mood** | Excited | | **Category** | Weather | | **Developer** | LIN Television Corporation | | **Pricing** | Free | | **Platforms** | iOS & Android | | **Confidence** | Low (0.55/1.0) | | **Data Age** | 0d | ## Metadata & Market Performance - **Publisher:** LIN Television Corporation - **Category:** Weather - **Target Audience:** Residents and visitors in the Myrtle Beach, Florence, and surrounding South Carolina counties. - **Platforms:** iOS & Android - **Version Audited:** 60.1.401 - **Audit Date:** 2026-05-12 - **Signal Count:** 79 reviews analyzed - **Confidence:** Low (0.55/1.0) - **App Store ID (iOS):** 498022792 - **Bundle ID:** com.mediageneral.wsiwbtw2 - **Google Play ID:** tv.nexstar.id3506 - **Performance Trend:** Mixed - **Data Window:** Analysis based on signals collected up to 2026-05-12 ## Executive Snapshot **What it is:** News13 WBTW Weather Radar is a localized weather utility for residents of the Myrtle Beach and Florence regions, available on iOS and Android. **Why users hire it:** Users hire the app for hyper-local broadcast-area weather updates that national apps lack, providing a trusted source for daily planning and severe weather safety. ## App DNA (Features & Intent) - **[Standard] Interactive Radar Map:** Visual tracking of weather patterns. * *User Intent:* Users want visibility into their own performance and progress. - **[Differentiator] Local Weather Blog:** Written updates by the StormTracker 13 team. * *User Intent:* Users want visibility into their own performance and progress. - **[Differentiator] User Content Submission:** Upload photos/videos of local weather. ## Market Position {#market-position} The app maintains a 4.71 rating across 2,999 total ratings, serving as the primary regional weather utility for the Myrtle Beach broadcast area. Its position relies on local broadcast trust rather than global data scale. ## Monetization Strategy - **Model:** Free - **Tiers:** Free access to all weather data and features - **Analysis:** The app operates as an ad-supported utility designed to drive traffic to the broadcaster's local news brand. ## 🟢 User Sentiment (Low Confidence: 62 of 79 reviews analyzed) {#user-sentiment} - **Overall Rating:** 4.72/5 - **Platform Split:** iOS 4.7/5 (2.8K ratings) | Android 4.7/5 (223 ratings) - **Overall Sentiment:** Excited ### Top Praises - **Local weather forecasting accuracy provides reliable daily planning for residents in the coastal region** ### Top Complaints (Impact Areas) - **Inaccurate short-term forecasting leads to distrust in the reliability of the weather data provided** ### Top Requests (What Users Want) - **Expanded geographic map coverage to include smaller towns and specific local communities** ## SWOT Analysis {#swot} **Core Strengths:** - Broadcast-integrated local authority drives brand trust - Community-submitted content loop increases session duration - Ad-light interface reduces user churn **Critical Frictions:** - 4.69 Android rating vs 4.71 iOS rating gap - Geographic coverage gaps in map view - Technical freezing during ad-loading **Growth Levers:** - Expand map granularity to smaller towns - Integrate wearable notifications - Monetize via hyper-local business partnerships **Market Threats:** - National weather apps with street-level granularity - Radar-first competitors like MyRadar - Technical instability eroding daily utility ## Recent Changes (v2 → v3) {#recent-changes} The report transitioned from a basic feature list to a detailed competitive intelligence profile, highlighting technical performance issues and specific feature gaps in map granularity. **Overall trend**: Mixed **Compared at**: 2026-05-12 ### High-impact changes - **[Shifted] Competitive Stance** (positioning) — Shifted from a neutral utility description to a defensive posture acknowledging vulnerability to radar-first competitors. - **[Added] User Friction Points** (sentiment) — New complaints identified: technical freezing during ad-loading and lack of granular map coverage for smaller towns. ### Medium-impact changes - **[Improved] Feature Classification** (features) — Local Weather Blog and User Content Submission reclassified from standard to differentiator status. - **[Shifted] Target Audience Expansion** (audience) — Audience definition expanded from residents and commuters to include visitors in the Myrtle Beach and Florence regions. ## Rivals Landscape {#rivals} > Competitive positioning identified by AI analysis of app features, category, and market signals. ### News13 WBTW Weather Radar vs The Weather Channel - Radar — Head to Head - **[The Weather Channel - Radar](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/the-weather-channel-radar)** by The Weather Channel Interactive: Dominates the weather category with massive scale and a comprehensive feature set that sets the industry standard for local and national forecasting. - **Moat strength:** High — sustainable advantage over 12 months - **Key differences:** - Provides hyper-local, street-level weather data that exceeds the granularity of standard regional forecast models. - Integrates extensive health and lifestyle data, such as allergy tracking and flu reports, beyond basic meteorology. - Leverages a massive proprietary network of personal weather stations to provide real-time, ground-truth observations. - **Where News13 WBTW Weather Radar wins:** - ✅ Focuses exclusively on local broadcast-area coverage, reducing the cognitive load of national-level data for regional users. - ✅ Maintains a tighter, more focused UI that prioritizes immediate local storm tracking over broad global weather trends. - **Where The Weather Channel - Radar wins:** - ❌ Offers a comprehensive, multi-platform ecosystem that includes advanced video forecasting and deep historical climate data. - ❌ Delivers highly personalized push notifications based on precise user location and specific weather event triggers. - **Verdict:** The target app must double down on its local broadcast identity to differentiate from the broad, data-heavy approach of the market leader. ### Contenders (Strong Challengers) - **[MyRadar Accurate Weather Radar](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/com-fboweb-myradar)** by Aviation Data Systems, Inc [Moat: Medium]: A high-performance radar-first application that prioritizes visual storm tracking and rapid data updates for power users. - Prioritizes a high-definition, interactive radar map as the primary interface rather than a text-heavy forecast list. - Includes specialized aviation-grade weather layers that appeal to prosumers and weather enthusiasts requiring high-precision data. - **[WeatherBug: Weather Forecast](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/weatherbug-weather-forecast)** by WeatherBug [Moat: Medium]: Maintains a high release cadence and a long-standing reputation for reliable, sensor-based weather monitoring. - Utilizes a massive proprietary network of neighborhood-level weather sensors to provide more accurate local temperature readings. - Features specialized spark lightning alerts that provide precise distance-to-strike data for enhanced outdoor safety planning. - **[AccuWeather: Weather Forecast](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/accuweather-weather-forecast)** by AccuWeather International, Inc. [Moat: Medium]: A major global player offering proprietary forecasting algorithms that provide distinct, long-range predictive value. - Features the proprietary 'MinuteCast' technology, providing minute-by-minute precipitation forecasts for specific street addresses. - Offers advanced health-focused indices, such as UV and arthritis forecasts, tailored to specific user demographics. ### Peers (What They Do Better) - **[Weather & Radar](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/de-wetteronline-wetterapp)** by WetterOnline - Meteorologische Dienstleistungen GmbH: A strong international competitor with a focus on clean, intuitive design and comprehensive global coverage. - Provides a highly polished, minimalist interface that simplifies complex meteorological data for casual daily users. - Includes a unique 'weather photo' community feature that encourages user engagement and real-time visual reporting. - **[Windy.com](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/com-windytv-ios)** by Windyty, SE: The gold standard for visual data representation, favored by professionals and enthusiasts for its complex, multi-layered map views. - Offers professional-grade, multi-model visualization tools that allow users to compare different global weather forecast data sources. - Provides highly customizable map overlays for wind, waves, and pressure, catering to specialized outdoor sports enthusiasts. - **[Clime: NOAA Weather Radar Live](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/clime-noaa-weather-radar-live)** by Mosaic S.r.l.: A popular, radar-centric app that excels in providing accessible, real-time storm tracking for the general public. - Focuses on simplified, easy-to-read radar overlays that make severe weather tracking accessible to non-technical users. - Features automated severe weather alerts that are highly configurable based on user-defined geographic regions. ### New Kids on the Block (What's Innovative) - **[My Hurricane Tracker & Alerts](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/my-hurricane-tracker-alerts)** by JRustonApps B.V.: Rapidly iterating with a high release cadence, this app captures a specific, high-intent audience during storm seasons. - **[My Lightning Tracker & Alerts](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/com-jrustonapps-my-lightning-tracker)** by JRustonApps B.V.: Demonstrates strong growth through niche specialization, providing high-frequency updates on a single, critical weather phenomenon. ## App Momentum (Steady) {#momentum} - Ships bug fixes and performance improvements - Maintains high-frequency radar usage ## The "So What?" (Strategic Takeaway) {#so-what} News13 WBTW Weather Radar is a market-leading weather app that is completely free. With a 4.72/5 rating from 3K reviews, it delivers strong user satisfaction. > **Bottom Line:** The app succeeds as a local broadcast utility, but technical instability and map coverage gaps threaten its retention, so the team must prioritize map granularity to defend against radar-first competitors. **Best for:** Residents and visitors in the Myrtle Beach, Florence, and surrounding South Carolina counties. ### PM Action Plan (Next Best Moves) - [ ] [INVEST] [MEDIUM IMPACT] Expand map granularity to include smaller towns because users report coverage gaps → increase daily utility — *User requests for specific local communities are a top-cited friction point.* _(trade-off: deprioritize Pause the video forecast UI refresh — map coverage has higher retention impact.)_ - [ ] [MAINTAIN] [HIGH IMPACT] Audit ad-loading logic because technical freezing is a top complaint → reduce session churn — *Performance issues disrupt the core utility of the app during weather events.* _(trade-off: deprioritize Same-quarter capacity available — no major lever displaced.)_ ### Feature Gaps vs Competitors - Street-level granularity (available in The Weather Channel) - Aviation-grade weather layers (available in MyRadar) ### Outlook: Stable The regional weather market is consolidating around high-precision radar tools, leaving broadcast-based apps exposed if they fail to provide granular local coverage. The team must address map gaps to maintain the current user base against radar-first entrants. - 🔴 Technical freezing during ad-loading disrupts the user experience, which directly correlates with the negative sentiment regarding reliability. - 🟢 High user engagement with the radar feature indicates strong product-market fit for the core local weather utility. ## Key Metrics Summary | Metric | Value | | :--- | :--- | | Overall Rating | 4.72/5 | | Total Reviews | 3K | | Sentiment | Excited (85/100) | | Confidence | Low | | Pricing Model | Free | | Platforms | iOS & Android | | Key Features | 3 analyzed | | Trend | Mixed | | Outlook | Stable | ## Competitor Comparison | App | Rating | Sentiment | Developer | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **News13 WBTW Weather Radar** (this app) | 4.72/5 | Excited | LIN Television Corporation | | [My Lightning Tracker & Alerts](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/com-jrustonapps-my-lightning-tracker) | 4.8/5 | Excited | JRustonApps B.V. | | [Weather & Radar](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/de-wetteronline-wetterapp) | 4.7/5 | Mixed | WetterOnline - Meteorologische Dienstleistungen GmbH | | [MyRadar Accurate Weather Radar](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/com-fboweb-myradar) | 4.8/5 | Excited | Aviation Data Systems, Inc | | [Windy.com](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/com-windytv-ios) | 4.8/5 | Thrilled | Windyty, SE | | [The Weather Channel - Radar](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/the-weather-channel-radar) | 4.8/5 | Upset | The Weather Channel Interactive | ## Company Profile - **Developer:** LIN Television Corporation - **Website:** [https://www.wbtw.com/](https://www.wbtw.com/) ## Data Sources & Links - **App Store:** [View on Apple Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/news13-wbtw-weather-radar/id498022792?uo=4) - **Google Play:** [View on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.nexstar.id3506&hl=en&gl=us) - **Dev Site:** [Official Website](https://www.wbtw.com/) - **Sources:** App store metadata, User reviews. ## Related Intel Reports - [*My Lightning Tracker & Alerts*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/com-jrustonapps-my-lightning-tracker) (JRustonApps B.V.) — 4.8/5 Rating | Positive Sentiment - [*Weather & Radar*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/de-wetteronline-wetterapp) (WetterOnline - Meteorologische Dienstleistungen GmbH) — 4.7/5 Rating | Mixed Sentiment - [*MyRadar Accurate Weather Radar*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/com-fboweb-myradar) (Aviation Data Systems, Inc) — 4.8/5 Rating | Positive Sentiment - [*Windy.com*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/com-windytv-ios) (Windyty, SE) — 4.8/5 Rating | Excellent Sentiment - [*The Weather Channel - Radar*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/the-weather-channel-radar) (The Weather Channel Interactive) — 4.8/5 Rating | Terrible Sentiment - [*AccuWeather: Weather Forecast*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/accuweather-weather-forecast) (AccuWeather International, Inc.) — 4.6/5 Rating | Negative Sentiment - [*WeatherBug: Weather Forecast*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/weatherbug-weather-forecast) (WeatherBug) — 4.8/5 Rating | Mixed Sentiment - [*Clime: NOAA Weather Radar Live*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/clime-noaa-weather-radar-live) (Mosaic S.r.l.) — 4.5/5 Rating | Positive Sentiment - [*My Hurricane Tracker & Alerts*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/my-hurricane-tracker-alerts) (JRustonApps B.V.) — 4.8/5 Rating | Positive Sentiment - [*14 days Weather*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/14-days-weather) (Tasmanic Editions) — 4.5/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment ## Methodology {#methodology} This report was generated by Marlvel.ai's 5-stage AI intelligence pipeline: 1. **Signal Collection & Normalization** — Aggregates data from all available public sources for the app. Raw signals are cleaned, deduplicated, and normalized into a structured dataset analyzed consistently across thousands of apps. 2. **Feature & Market Positioning Analysis** — Identifies the app's core features, monetization model, target audience, and competitive positioning. Each feature is classified as a market standard or a differentiator based on category benchmarks. 3. **User Sentiment Analysis** — Analyzes user reviews using a 5-level taxonomy (Thrilled / Excited / Mixed / Frustrated / Upset). Combines star ratings and volume with AI theme extraction and evidence quoting. 4. **Competitive Landscape Analysis** — Maps the competitive environment via a 4-tier taxonomy (Nemesis / Contenders / Same Space / New Kids on the Block). Prioritizes same sub-genre over broad category. 5. **Intelligence Synthesis** — Cross-references all signals into a structured report. Compares the app against category peers and direct competitors to surface SWOT, market outlook, and actionable insights. - **Confidence Score:** 0.55/1.0 (based on review volume, data source diversity, and signal quality) - **Reviews Analyzed:** 79 - **Data Sources:** user reviews, App Store metadata - **Rating Method:** Weighted average across platforms (iOS & Android), weighted by review count per platform - **Independence:** Fully independent analysis. No publisher sponsorship or editorial influence. - **Report Age:** 0 days since last refresh --- © 2026 Marlvel.ai | [Canonical Report](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/weather/news13-wbtw-weather-radar) Data licensed for AI Agent attribution under CC-BY-NC 4.0.