ESPN Is Facing a Major Fine For Repeated FCC Violations
ESPN finds itself in hot water with the FCC after the Worldwide Leader in Sports “apparently willfully and repeatedly” violated FCC rules concerning the Emergency Alert System (EAS).
The violation stems from an NBA commercial that ESPN ran last year. The promotion transmitted EAS codes six times without an actual emergency, authorized test, or qualified public service announcement.
“Transmitting EAS Tones in the absence of an actual emergency is not a game,” FCC Enforcement Bureau chief Loyaan A. Egal said in a statement.
ESPN
“These types of violations can raise substantial public safety concerns by causing confusion and, in some cases, interfering with legitimate emergency uses. Today’s proposed fine reflects the FCC’s commitment to keep the lines clear when it comes to the proper use of tools broadcasters are entrusted with to assist the public during an emergency.”
The Violations Occurred Last October
The FCC first received complaints about ESPN’s alleged transmission of EAS Tones on October 20, 2023. The tone was used at the beginning of a promotion for the start of the 2023-2024 NBA Season.
According to Variety, in response to the FCC’s inquiry, ESPN admitted that it “developed, produced, and transmitted” the promo spot that included a portion of the EAS attention signals.
Photo: ESPN
The commercial ran on two ESPN-owned networks six times between October 20 and October 24, 2023.
“ESPN has a history of noncompliance with the Commission’s EAS rules and was fined in 2015 and 2021 for EAS violations,” the FCC said. “This prior history was a significant factor in determining the proposed forfeiture in this case.”
The Sum of the Fine
Due in part to their past history, the FCC is proposing a fine of $146,976 against ESPN.
Photo: skillastics.com
The network has not yet responded to the proposed fine.
