Emergency Alert System

[Fallon]

Comcast seems to test it all the time and whenever it comes on it startles me. I think I'd shit my pants if someone popped onto the screen with an announcement.

Has it ever been used?

[PapaBear]

I've seen it used for weather emergencies and Amber alerts. Scares the shit out of me, too. And it annoys the fuck out of me when it comes on during Ron & Fez.

[TooLowBrow]

Comcast seems to test it all the time and whenever it comes on it startles me. I think I'd shit my pants if someone popped onto the screen with an announcement.

Has it ever been used?

not in ny during 9/11....:help:

[PapaBear]

I was hoping to find the old ones on Youtube, but there's only parodies. When I was a kid, it was called the Emergency Broadcast System. They'd have a black and white test pattern and this guy would tell you about the test. Those things scared the shit out of me as a kid. The Cold War was going strong, and I was always sure the nukes were on the way, whenever I saw it.

[patsopinion]

ive never seen it used
ever

seems to be a bunch of bs to mee

[drjoek]

Comcast seems to test it all the time and whenever it comes on it startles me. I think I'd shit my pants if someone popped onto the screen with an announcement.

Has it ever been used?

I've seen it used for weather emergencies and Amber alerts. Scares the shit out of me, too. And it annoys the fuck out of me when it comes on during Ron & Fez.

If Im not mistaken the desired effect is to grab your attention. So it works. They are required by law to test it. I think its tested so much that I never expect to hear a real announcement to follow so I dont really pay attention.