It was a test, only a test, federal authorities said Wednesday as they explained why the first attempt at a nationwide Emergency Alert System broadcast flunked in some markets, including Denver.
At Denver’s KMGH-Channel 7, the test’s warning failed to connect, then muted the channel’s audio for more than two hours. At KWGN-Channel 2 and KDVR-Channel 31, viewers who use antennas had a 2 1/2-minute delay before the start of the noon test.
“The Nationwide EAS Test served the purpose for which it was intended — to identify gaps and generate a comprehensive set of data to help strengthen our ability to communicate during real emergencies,” according to a joint statement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Federal Communications Commission.
Elsewhere in the U.S., instead of being instructed on what to do in the case of an actual emergency, some DirecTV subscribers heard Lady Gaga sing “Paparazzi,” and some Time Warner subscribers saw a home-shopping network, The New York Times reported.
Mark Cornetta, president and general manager of KUSA-Channel 9, and Walt DeHaven, vice president and general manager of KCNC-Channel 4, said their outlets had no problems.
Peter Maroney, president and general manager of Fox 31 and CW 2, said: “I guess this is why you do tests.”
