The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau is reminding broadcasters of their responsibility to secure network systems following a cyberattack that hijacked Gow Media’s ESPN 97.5 (KFNC) signal in Houston and aired racist messages during a live NFL broadcast.
The station’s feed was compromised on November 23 during play-by-play coverage of the Eagles-Cowboys game, with station programming replaced with unauthorized, offensive audio. KFNC announced on X shortly afterward that its signal had been hacked and that the station was “actively trying to rectify the problem.”
According to General Manager Todd Farquharson, the disruption followed a power outage the previous day that damaged transmission equipment at the tower site. Backup systems were activated to keep the station on air, and an investigation revealed that hackers exploited a vulnerability in the Barix backup equipment. Staff were able to shut down the compromised feed and restore normal programming within the hour.
The FCC said this incident and similar attacks appear linked to compromised studio-transmitter links, particularly unsecured Barix devices, that allow attackers to redirect broadcast feeds. In affected cases, hackers have inserted audio streams containing simulated or actual Emergency Alert System tones and obscene material.
The Bureau urged broadcasters, especially those using Barix equipment, to immediately install software patches, upgrade firmware, change default passwords, and restrict remote access behind firewalls and VPNs. It also recommended continuous monitoring of EAS devices and reviewing audit logs for unauthorized activity.
Broadcasters are encouraged to contact equipment manufacturers for security guidance and to report incidents to the FCC Operations Center and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
