ESPN has been handed a massive fine after playing a prohibited sound during a broadcast.
The Federal Communications Commission announced on Thursday that ESPN will receive the maximum fine for the infringement.
ESPN is facing a massive fine from the FCC[/caption]
ESPN reportedly played emergency tones without the presence of an emergency[/caption]
The FCC proposed a $146,976 fine for six violations on multiple dates in October of 2023.
It is against the law to send out emergency tones outside of emergencies, PSAs, and tests. The FCC says ESPN “apparently willful and repeatedly” used the tones.”
The government agency announced the news with a comedic post on X on Thursday.
“Penalty! ESPN faces a proposed FCC fine for using an emergency alert tone in a promo ad,” it wrote.
“Using this tone is out of bounds – it’s a public safety hazard to confuse or desensitize viewers to actual emergency alerts.
“As the refs for these important systems, we made the call.”
The FCC also released a more official statement regarding the infringements that ESPN made.
“ESPN admits that ESPN producers ‘likely … obtained the portion of the EAS Attention Signal recordings from a publicly available YouTube video,’ and that its producers, and potentially other ESPN production staff, reviewed the Promo Spot before its initial transmission in 2023,” the FCC’s statement read.
“After the initial airings, ESPN believes that ‘some members of the production team may have discussed the presence of the excerpt of the EAS Attention Signals in the Promo Spot, but they apparently did not comprehend that its use was prohibited.’
“ESPN notes that it ‘is taking this opportunity to revisit its internal review processes and reeducate its personnel’ regarding the FCC’s EAS rules.”
The violations stemmed from a promotion where ESPN played emergency sounds for two seconds followed by a narrator saying “We interrupt our programming to bring you this important message,”
ESPN said the narrator had an “exaggerated, stentorian tone,” according to the FCC.
This violation isn’t the first time ESPN has gotten into trouble with the FCC.
They previously paid $280,000 in 2015 for playing 13 ads for Olympus Has Fallen that included EAS tones. They also payed $20,000 in 2021 for broadcasting 30 for 30: Roll Tide/War Eagle that included an emergency tone.
“We find ESPN’s prior history of EAS violations to be a significant factor to consider in determining the proposed forfeiture in this case,” the FCC said.
‘It was a short retirement!’
Jason Kelce didn’t stay retired in the NFL for long.
The former Philadelphia Eagles lineman called it quits after the 2023 season.
But he will be part of ESPN’s coverage on Monday Night Football in 2024.
Kelce will appear on Monday Night Countdown from 6pm-8pm ET every week as well as during the halftime show.
“Turns out, it was a short retirement!” he joked.
“ESPN was a consistent presence in our household growing up and the network helped shape who I am and my love of all sports.
“To now appear on that same screen is a full circle moment.
“And, I mean it’s freaking Monday Night Football! and I’m ready for some football.”
ESPN has 30 days to pay the fine or submit a request to throw it out.
“Transmitting EAS Tones in the absence of an actual emergency is not a game,” FCC enforcement bureau chief Loyaan Egal said.
“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.”
