FCC announcements or news reports

FCC Proposes $146,976 Fine Against ESPN for Willful Violations in NBA Season Promos

Oct 17, 2024, 05:37 PM

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a fine of $146,976 against ESPN for what it describes as 'willful' violations of Emergency Alert System (EAS) rules. The violations occurred when ESPN used EAS tones in promotional materials for the NBA season last year. The FCC stated that ESPN 'apparently willfully and repeatedly' breached regulations concerning the proper use of emergency alert sounds, which are strictly regulated to prevent confusion during actual emergencies. The proposed fine highlights the agency's commitment to enforcing compliance with EAS rules.