FCC Fines Viacom, ESPN $1.4 Million for Misusing EAS
The FCC fined Viacom and ESPN $1.4 million total for using emergency alert system (EAS) warning tones for a nonemergency, said a forfeiture order Tuesday that was approved by commissioners. Viacom was fined $1.12 million and ESPN $280,000. In 2013,…
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
Viacom and ESPN used EAS warning tones to promote the movie Olympus Has Fallen, violating the Communications Act, the commission said. The commission rejected ESPN's and Viacom's requests to reduce their fines. The fines must be paid in 30 days, the order said. "The enforcement action and fine were unwarranted" and Viacom is "considering our next steps," said a company spokesman. ESPN had no immediate comment.