Emergency override system

Last updated
Emergency override system
Type Emergency warning system
Country
United States
Replaced by Emergency Alert System

An emergency override system (also known as cable override or emergency alert system, among other terms) is a system designed to warn subscribers of cable television broadcast feeds of threats such as severe weather and other civil emergencies.

Contents

History

Digital Alert Systems, which was once a subsidiary company of Monroe Electronics before 2018, claims that Monroe Electronics developed the first emergency override system in the late 1960s. [1]

Operational details

The activation of an emergency override system is initiated, typically by local law enforcement or other emergency management staff, by dialing a number and entering a PIN through a designated telephone. Once correctly entered, programming on all channels for cable subscribers in the area is interrupted. The extent of how programming is affected varies from system to system, with some merely overriding the audio feed while others additionally remove the video feed and may replace it with static or a generated slide. The operator then delivers a live, spoken message informing viewers of the nature of the override, including giving any advised actions for emergencies, before they dial out to end the override. [2]

System tests

Emergency override systems are typically tested once weekly at randomly selected times, as well as scheduled monthly tests and yearly tornado drills. [3]

References

  1. ↑ "About us". Digital Alert Systems. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  2. ↑ Kirk, Bill Van (March 14, 1981). "Troy police hook up TV hotline". Troy Daily News. p. 1. Retrieved October 29, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Cable TV alert system will be tested this week". The Journal-Press. October 13, 1981. p. 2. Retrieved October 29, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
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