ESPN faces $146K fine for using emergency alert tones in NBA ads

The Federal Communications Commission has proposed a fine of $146,976 against ESPN for violating Emergency Alert System rules. The network used EAS tones in ads promoting the 2023-2024 NBA season, which the FCC says is a public safety hazard. The offending ads aired six times from October 20 to 24, 2023, and several complaints were filed on October 20. ESPN admitted to using the EAS attention signals in the ads in response to a letter of inquiry. This is the third time the network has misused an emergency tone on air. In 2015, the FCC issued a $1.12 million fine for ESPN's use of EAS tones 13 times across three cable networks. In 2021, the network was fined $20,000 for violating EAS tone usage rules during a documentary airing. The FCC considers using EAS tones in non-emergency situations to be out of bounds and a public safety hazard. ESPN will have the opportunity to respond to the proposed fine before the Commission makes a final decision. The Commission will examine all evidence and legal arguments surrounding the alleged illegal tone use before making a final decision.