In announcing the proposed fine, the FCC noted that it has “long prohibited the transmission of actual or simulated EAS Attention Signals or tones in circumstances other than a real alert or an authorized test of the EAS system.” The goal is to protect the effectiveness of the alert in the event of a natural disaster or other dangerous situation.
By the FCC’s math, seven Viacom nets carried the spot 108 times in a five-day period early last year (the movie was released in March 2013), which adds up to a proposed fine of $1.12 million. Three ESPN outlets ran it 13 times over four days ($280,000), while NBCU outlets carried it 38 times over six days ($530,000).
The FCC’s notice of the proposed fine triggers a public comment period on the sanction.
The FCC last November issued a $25,000 penalty against TBS for using the Emergency Alert System sound in a promo for Conan O’Brien’s latenight talkshow.
Article Appeared @http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/fcc-proposes-1-9-mil-fine-against-viacom-nbcu-and-espn-for-emergency-alert-spot-1201124651/