FCC Fines TBS $25,000 for Conan O'Brien Ad

The Federal Communications Commission has levied a $25,000 fine on cable channel TBS for an ad promoting Conan O'Brien's late night show, "Conan."

The fine was imposed because the ad triggered an emergency broadcast alert. FCC rules forbid TV stations from simulating the sounds of the Emergency Alert System when there is no emergency or authorized test.

The ad, which aired April 26, 2012, deployed emergency-alert sounds to promote the appearance of actor Jack Black on the show.

The emergency-alert system is used to issue warnings about emergencies such as floods and tornadoes.

The FCC "will not tolerate" abuse of the system, Robert Ratcliffe, acting chief of the FCC Enforcement Bureau, said in a statement.

“It is inexcusable to trivialize the sounds specifically used to notify viewers of the dangers of an incoming tornado or to alert them to be on the lookout for a kidnapped child, merely to advertise a talk show or a clothing store."

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