Weather Channel to air movies for first time

NEW YORK—The Weather Channel plans to show movies for the first time in its 27-year history.

First up? “The Perfect Storm.“

The network has slipped longer programming into its constantly rotating forecasts in recent years. But over a four-week period starting the night before Halloween, the cable network will try Friday night movies.

Its managers figured the George Clooney movie about a horrific storm off the New England coast would be a good first choice - particularly since it’s airing on the 18th anniversary of the actual event.