Top TV cops show interferes with NYPD

It's not only hams who are getting notices of Apparent Liability to Monetary Forfeiture from the FCC these days.
A big one has been handed to the producers of a top TV cop drama. And the reason might just astound you.
Jim Dameron, N8TMW, has the details:

Producers of the hit crime series Law and Order have been hit with a $10,000 fine from the Federal Communications Commission. This, a month after the agency learned the show's crew was using unlicensed walkie-talkies that disrupted transmissions of the New York Police Department.

According to the New York Post, the FCC said the popular police drama caused interference on the city's public-safety radio pool. This is described as a vital communications network used by New York City's police, fire and other emergency departments.

The offending signal took a real police detective to the Chelsea Studio on Pier 62 on Manhattan's West Side.
This is where NBC Universal films the show and where crew members were apparently using the transmitters to communicate during the filming of an upcoming episode.

Universal Television issued a statement saying that it takes seriously its obligations to comply with FCC requirements and is proud of its record. Universal pledged its co-operation with the FCC , but a spokesman said the company disagrees with the current outcome. Translated: It's likely to appeal the fine.

As is the case with most proposed fines, the producers of the show were given the customary 30 days to pay or to file an appeal.

(Shoptalk, NY Post)

Other recent stories..

Other News Stories

• Get our news headlines for your website - click here
• Submit your news story - click here