Jimmy Kimmel, ’Walking Dead’ and More Fined $600k For Firing False Emergency Alerts

Written by @saywooord

The Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau is cracking down on multiple networks, claiming they misused the Emergency Alert System or Wireless Emergency Alert tones. 

ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel and AMC’s ’The Walking Dead’ are among multiple shows hit with a fine. The programs are accused of using actual or simulated alert tones, in violation of the FCC’s rules.

Variety reported the FCC slapped ABC, AMC, Discovery and Meruelo Radio Holdings with civil penalties totaling more than $600,000, according to the federal agency’s release. 

’Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ violated the rule October 3, 2018, during a sketch, and as a result, ABC will pay $395K in fines to ensure it will not happen again. ’The Walking Dead’ was fined $104K and committed to a compliance plan for using the EAS tones twice in the “Omega Episode,” which aired February 2018. Discovery’s Animal Planet show ’Lone Star Law’ will pay $68K in penalties. Meruelo’s KDAY and KDEY-FM’s morning radio shows in Los Angeles are being fined $67K for their mishaps from fall of 2017.

“We remain concerned about the misuse of the EAS codes and EAS and WEA Attention Signals, or simulations thereof, to capture audience attention during advertisements; dramatic, entertainment, and educational programs, and at any other time that there is no genuine alert, authorized test, or authorized PSA about the EAS or WEA that is accompanied by an appropriate disclaimer,” the Enforcement Bureau said in a statement. “The FCC may issue sanctions for such violations, including, but not limited to, monetary forfeitures.”