CBS Faces $272,000 FCC Fine over Emergency Alert Tone Simulation in 'Young Sheldon' Episode
September 09 2019 - 1:50PM
Dow Jones News
By Maria Armental
CBS Corp. faces a $272,000 fine after an emergency alert tone
simulation was aired during an episode of television show "Young
Sheldon."
The Federal Communications Commission action against CBS follows
a similar actions against Walt Disney Co.'s ABC, AMC Networks Inc.,
Discovery Inc. and Meruelo Radio Holdings LLC over misuse of the
emergency alert tones.
ABC, AMC, Discovery and Meruelo Radio agreed reached a combined
settlement agreement of more than $600,000 last month.
The FCC action against CBS stems from a "Young Sheldon" episode
that aired on April 12, 2018, and included a sound effect
accompanying a tornado warning, which the producers modified but
were still "substantially similar" to the actual emergency alert
tones.
FCC rules prohibit broadcasting of EAS tones, including
simulations, other than in case of an emergency or during
authorized tests or public service announcements.
The rules, the FCC said, seek to avoid confusion in case of an
actual public threat or emergency and avoid "alert fatigue" among
listeners.
A CBS representative couldn't be immediately reached for
comment.
Write to Maria Armental at maria.armental@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
September 09, 2019 13:35 ET (17:35 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2019 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
CBS (NYSE:CBS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2024 to Sep 2024
CBS (NYSE:CBS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024