• Considerable noncompliance: 1976-1996

  • 1997 – FCC adopts new emergency alert system rules – all cable providers serving >5,000 subscribers must provide visual EAS messages

  • Problems: gaps in rules; rising number of complaints

  • April 2000 – FCC adopts rule to mandate visual access to all televised emergencies, no exceptions.

  • 2005 – FCC fines 6 stations for noncompliance